HELP - please help me find a car

[pint6x]

I have no car currently and need to buy something cheap which will give good service for a few years without too much associated financial ruin!

I like the 2002-2010 CLK - probably a petrol 2.6 or 3.2 - or maybe a W211 E class - prefer 6 cylinder petrol engine but not averse to 4 cylinder, so long as it's reliable.

I have been looking at stuff on autotrader up to £3,000, probably older petrol - quite like this one:

Mercedes-Benz CLK 2.6 CLK240 Elegance 2dr
though previous MOT advisories look a bit daunting:
Advisory notice item(s)

• Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)
• Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)
• headlight lenses deteriorated
• Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
• Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint STRONGLY ADVISE REPLACEMENT (2.5.B.1a)
• Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH FRONT LOWER INNER (2.4.G.2)
• Nearside Front TYRE WORN THIN ON EDGES OF TREAD
• Offside Front TYRE WORN ON EDGES OF TREAD
• Rear coil spring corroded SPRINGS (2.4.C.1b)
• Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d

What would be the expert opinion please, and can anyone point me in the direction of something better?

 

[AMGeed]

I'd take a look at this one. Looks a good buy and in your price range.

XXX High Spec/Low miles/Owner C180 Kompressor Panoramic Coupe XXX

 

[DSM10000]

The 2.6 is a little weak on power, the 3.2 has more torque and significantly more horsepower and very similar fuel consumption.

The above advisories are to expected on a 15 year old car, few are urgent and those that are; tyres (with tracking) and the suspension ball joint should be around £300 to sort out.

Beware rust on CLK/C /E class of this age.

Your £3000 budget will buy a facelift (post 2004) with much better build quality and upgraded interior.

 

[pint6x]

I'd take a look at this one. Looks a good buy and in your price range.

XXX High Spec/Low miles/Owner C180 Kompressor Panoramic Coupe XXX

Thanks for the heads up - I know it's a good buy, but I never liked that shape - always reminds me of a Renault Megane!

 

[pint6x]

The 2.6 is a little weak on power, the 3.2 has more torque and significantly more horsepower and very similar fuel consumption.

The above advisories are to expected on a 15 year old car, few are urgent and those that are; tyres (with tracking) and the suspension ball joint should be around £300 to sort out.

Beware rust on CLK/C /E class of this age. Your £3000 budget will buy a facelift (post 2004) with much better build quality and upgraded interior.

Thanks for that. When you say £300 - is that to DIY or with an independent specialist? I wouldn't attempt things like this myself. I think a main agent would give me a bill approaching 4 figures for that little lot.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Simple point: value for money - you'll get far better money if you focus on a CLK over a C Class, over an E Class.

Spec for spec, E's will be more expensive because they were expensive in the first place and are more useful for all kinds of applications which pushes their mileage and resale values up.

Ditto to a lesser degree for the C class.

The CLK is much better value of the same spec, as they have more limited applications because of the two door aspect.

And petrol cars used to be cheaper than diesel, although that may be changing.

And, you know what, they're fantastic cars, and if you look properly and travel, you will find a well maintained 80,000 mile example, without past MoT advisories, being sold for £3k. (Pay less and you could easily pay more by fettling in your first year)

 

[horatio]

Thanks for that. When you say £300 - is that to DIY or with an independent specialist? I wouldn't attempt things like this myself. I think a main agent would give me a bill approaching 4 figures for that little lot.

Unless you are extremely lucky, even a really nice straight car will be due some maintenance & minor repair. I would set aside a £1500 as a contingency.

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks for that. When you say £300 - is that to DIY or with an independent specialist? I wouldn't attempt things like this myself. I think a main agent would give me a bill approaching 4 figures for that little lot.

I was suggesting prices for an Independent, not all of the advisories need attending too immediately.

Decent tyres circa £70, 4 wheel tracking £50 - £80 and a suspension arm replacement (cost depends on which arm)

But, in my opinion, there are far better cars available for not a great deal more.

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks for the heads up - I know it's a good buy, but I never liked that shape - always reminds me of a Renault Megane!

No problem. I'm not a fan of that shape either but it looks a good buy for someone.

 

[clk320x]

Defo CLK.

2004+ nice interior, try find one with the AMG styling pack. Bullet proof 320 engine !

Oh and I have one so I'm biased..

 

[horatio]

Defo CLK.
..

The pillarless windows are ace in the summer. I couldn't live without them now. I just wish mine had a sunroof as it would almost be like convertible but without the faff.

I wasn't after a CLK but then saw a one owner cubanite on the eBay and thought I've got to have that!

 

[clk320x]

The pillarless windows are ace in the summer. I couldn't live without them now. I just wish mine had a sunroof as it would almost be like convertible but without the faff.

I wasn't after a CLK but then saw a one owner cubanite on the eBay and thought I've got to have that!

Ive not really missed not having a sun-roof. The pillarless windows make up for it.

 

[pint6x]

The pillarless windows are ace in the summer. I couldn't live without them now. I just wish mine had a sunroof as it would almost be like convertible but without the faff.

I wasn't after a CLK but then saw a one owner cubanite on the eBay and thought I've got to have that!

Entirely understandable!

 

[pint6x]

As much as I'd like the CLK, I think I have to have a normal C class instead - I need the space. So, W203 or W204?

I'm after either a W203 or W204 C class saloon or estate.

Consensus seems to be that the last of the W203s are nicer than the first W204s.

I'm currently trying to decide between petrol and diesel, also 1.8/2.0 litre or go large with 3.0/3.5 litre 6 cylinder units.

I know some of the earlier V6 petrols had problems with the cam chain/sprocket - teeth jumping etc. but most 2006 engines onwards had the upgraded bit which stopped this happening. Is a big diesel lump going to have more issues than a big petrol lump? is the 2.7 5 cyl diesel any good?

I would go for facelifted W203, but have seen nice W204 estate C280 petrol for decent money - £5.5k.

Essentially I want something which is going to give as few problems as possible, even if I need to pay a bit more for petrol rather than diesel.

Is 1.8 Kompressor lump any good?

All feedback welcomed!

Cheers - Philip