Help me plan my c55 w203 purchase!

[RC11]

Calling out to those in the know! Im trying to get a better feel for what my year 1 costs would be excluding fuel and insurance. Im not holding out for an enthusiast owned car and as such expect to get my hands dirty with a car between 70k-100k miles

the following are what I would provide for to bring the car up to a basic standard

- b service
- brake fluid and coolant
- tyres (is the factory fitment size 245 35 18?)
- aux belt
- check of water pump, rad, expansion tank and ancillaries
- pads and discs (anyone know who the oe manufacturer is?) are standard fitment discs drilled? I expect the pagid and textar ones on ecp are not close to oe spec?
- box oil flush and renew

most of the above I would plan to do myself with most my experience on bmw and Porsche but looking forward to learning more about the merc

 

[BlackC55]

With me

1. £300 B Service with Mobil One
2. £72 Brake fluid and coolant
3. V Belt £59.40
4. Check gets done on a service
5. Only buy genuine discs and pads. There is not much ££ to be saved.

Are you going to change the 16 spark plugs or air and fuel filters?

 

[RC11]

Cheers for that. I'd intend to do the plugs and filter although not the fuel filter. Would it be advisable? I'm based in bucks any don't see any reputable amg specialists in my area and don't mind spannering myself.

At bmw I can get 10 percent off at the parts counter do mb offer discounts or are they strictly only for trade account holders?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

At bmw I can get 10 percent off at the parts counter do mb offer discounts or are they strictly only for trade account holders?

Yes, if you ask nicely, most parts departments will do you a good % discount and the serviceable items are usually the best priced (brakes etc).

The main dealer is my first point of call for all parts for my Mercedes; I've found them very competitive compared to the aftermarket suppliers (GSF etc). It's also worth keeping in mind that if you give them your VIN, I always get the exact part I actually need, the amount of times I've given ECP a chance and they **** it up so I end up going back and forth is very annoying.

 

[gazz]

Tyres are 225 40 18 front and 245 35 18 rear. Cheap ones don't last long. I've had my C55 estate about 9 months now. It had some brand new Hankooks on it when I got it. The rears lasted 2800 miles. Ok, I was keen to get shot of them...
Mine had a faulty electric steering column which didn't go up or down. Cheap part, but labour intensive and quite common fault. Luckily I negotiated a bit of dosh off the asking and fixed it myself!

 

[RC11]

Cheers for the input. I'm running mich pilot sport 3 on the Alpina because its the preferred tyre as specified by alpina. Is there such a preference for the c55 or what rubber is recommended for normal road use.

 

[gazz]

I've fitted Continental ContiSport 5 in MO spec, and the car feels significantly more sure-footed than on the Hankooks (which I never would have bought). The traction control light is on a bit less with the new rubber. Pulling out of junctions quickly was difficult before, with the esp keen to quell my progress.

I was a Michelin man for years with my C32 until they weren't available one time, so I got Conti's instead. The dry road grip of the Conti's perhaps is not quite as good as the Michelins, but wet grip is better in my opinion. Tyre choices are a very personal thing, as people drive differently and perceive tyre performance differently too, but just giving you my thoughts.

 

[cobra7]

There is a cracking low mileage example on AT at the moment, strongly considering a change myself

 

[RC11]

There is a cracking low mileage example on AT at the moment, strongly considering a change myself

The ad I thought really was really poor and the absence of detailed pics and detail about its service history and condition nd the wording of the ad makes me get worried that this is a car that someone has to get rid of because they cant afford to run it.... also not sure why would it be de-badged?

 

[RC11]

Tyres are 225 40 18 front and 245 35 18 rear. Cheap ones don't last long. I've had my C55 estate about 9 months now. It had some brand new Hankooks on it when I got it. The rears lasted 2800 miles. Ok, I was keen to get shot of them...
Mine had a faulty electric steering column which didn't go up or down. Cheap part, but labour intensive and quite common fault. Luckily I negotiated a bit of dosh off the asking and fixed it myself!

gazz can I ask what you paid for yours and with what mileage? feel free to pm me if easier

cheers

 

[gazz]

Can't PM you, not enough posts yet. I'm not shy, £8k, 78,000 miles. Tbh, I think it was cheap. The lady selling it tried to back out as she thought she had pitched it too low. There were none for sale when she placed the ad, then two others appeared with more miles and higher price. My speed of reponse coupled with my staggering charm levered the keys from her grasp. I was dead lucky, as it's an absolute beaut!

 

[cobra7]

The ad I thought really was really poor and the absence of detailed pics and detail about its service history and condition nd the wording of the ad makes me get worried that this is a car that someone has to get rid of because they cant afford to run it.... also not sure why would it be de-badged?

Are we talking about the same car..?

 

[cobra7]

This one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...true?logcode=p

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
It could of been debadged from new, as it was a no cost option. Certainly not something to worry about.

 

[RC11]

This one?

[URL]http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...true?logcode=p[/URL]

nope I was thinking of the black estate. that silver saloon looks fantastic

 

[RC11]

Can't PM you, not enough posts yet. I'm not shy, £8k, 78,000 miles. Tbh, I think it was cheap. The lady selling it tried to back out as she thought she had pitched it too low. There were none for sale when she placed the ad, then two others appeared with more miles and higher price. My speed of reponse coupled with my staggering charm levered the keys from her grasp. I was dead lucky, as it's an absolute beaut!

clearly the charm won her over as long as you were not required to do anything other than take the car for a test drive?

sounds very good value.

question. would you be put off from one registered in 05 but only serviced once in 2011 at 40k odd miles through the dealer network with a current 70k miles and 3 owners?

 

[RC11]

well it looks like the one I was keen on looking at is a non starter. its a grade 4 by bcas grading system so in addition to the patchy history its too much of a punt for me so ill keep looking...

 

[quality7]

Hi, can you tell me what year your C55 is? Started looking for one myself, trying to get a better ida on what I should pay.

Thanks

 

[gazz]

Hi, can you tell me what year your C55 is? Started looking for one myself, trying to get a better ida on what I should pay.

Thanks

If you are asking me, it's a 2005. Think it has everything except tv tuner. It has Lingua, nappa, sunroof, digi climate, xenons. No keyless though. Can you get that on a C class?

 

[BenzedUP]

My old C55 is for sale: the best around!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...adius/1501/make/MERCEDES-BENZ/page/1/usedcars