Hello All. - First time buyer here.

[karldonteljames]

I don't tend to venture inside the m25 to be fair, but when I do, it's normally into central London, so there is the congestion charge too. - I know that affects everyone, it's just always something I think about.

 

[karldonteljames]

Am I correct in thinking this has a strange parking foot brake? I've been used to electronic brakes now for as long as I can remember.

 

[BTB 500]

Am I correct in thinking this has a strange parking foot brake? I've been used to electronic brakes now for as long as I can remember.

I think the W204 has a foot parking brake - our W203 definitely did. Electric one on the W205 though.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Am I correct in thinking this has a strange parking foot brake? I've been used to electronic brakes now for as long as I can remember.

Welcome to MBClub.

The parking brake will be applied using your left foot and released with your right hand.

I notice in an earlier post you mentioned that the gearbox is semi automatic. It’s fully automatic torque converter, however the paddles will allow you to manually select the gear.

Good luck with your search for the right car

 

[Gazwould]

Unfortunately not - Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Gateshead all have 'clean air zones' now, with more on the way (Manchester for one). They're increasingly common in Europe too (Germany has had them since 2008).

Bath is fine as private diesel cars are exempt.

 

[Gazwould]

I'd also be concerned if this coupe has crapy Artico fake leather ?

 

[pioneercollector]

Bath is fine as private diesel cars are exempt.

Bath has other ways of extorting money from the 'Non Compliant' among us, they get you when you park now! Odd really as you can drive around all day and pollute as you please, but turn your engine off and park then get your wallet exercised!

 

[BlackC55]

Thanks Bill. I'm not to worried about the DPF and EGR, I've driven diesels now for 20 years in various forms. I only do about 7.5 miles each way to work, but 5 miles of that is 50mph/60mph bypasses, and generally once/twice a month we tend to do a quick trip to the local shopping center, which is all motorway and is about 25 - 30 miles each way.

I understand that diesels are falling popularity, but isn't that because they are being taxed much heavier than petrols? - I understand there is another price rise on road tax, but according to my research it shouldnt affect these vehicles - please tell me if I'm wrong.

I've heard these engines are really reliable, and a local garage even said "bullet proof" as long as they are well looked after. - Is that not the case?

I had a renault espace a few years back with the 1.9d engine and that blew two turbos in two years, got the 2l after this and the engine has been nothing but smooth, I've done about 50k in that, and other than basic oil/filter changes and simple servicing it has needed nothing more (engine wise.)

It looks like this car will do about 40mpg around town, and says it should achieve up to 61 on the motorway, again a far cry from the espace i'm used to, which is about 24 around town, and if i'm REALLY luck on a long run at 60/65mph i might get 45-48mpg. My wife's qashqai (2014) will do that around town most of the time, and I've 75-80 mpg on a long motorway run. I'm after something a little more fun that is still solid and reasonable to run.

Will the W204 not fit that criteria?

I would say a petrol is a better bet because you are doing short journeys and that doesn't do the engine any good at all. They clog up on the the intake side and the exhaust side. It just ends up costing you more in the long run. Diesels are for long journeys. Petrols for short.

 

[karldonteljames]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I took the plunge on this. it comes with a dealer six month warranty, and 2 year extended warranty from the finance company. - I checked and this includes things like the EGR, MAF and DPF. I'll be doing a 40ish mile motorway trip twice a week (there and back on the same day) so I'm hoping this will help keep it in good health.