Alf Isty
Member
but I just need to ask a few questions here first.
Now I know I'm obviously preaching to the converted on here when it comes to a "should I or shouldn't I buy a Mercedes?" but I've had these questions spinning around in my head for a couple of years now so it's about time I asked the people who actually have experience and opinions on all things MB - rather than just opinions.
I'm looking at changing my car in the next 12 months and have a long-standing MB itch that needs scratching (maybe).
I've driven Alfas for the last 14 years (so I know how much real-world experience can be so different from "opinion") and hand-on-heart have loved the experience. I currently own a GT 1.9 JTD which is just about to clock 100,000 miles. It's running perfectly.
So, my next car is obviously going to be a 2.0 JTD GIULIETTA - except I keep thinking about a c-class (either car would probably be around 4 years old - I don't buy new simply because I don't have enough money to do so).
I really like the thought of wafting up to Scotland to visit the grandchildren (I'm 53) in a luxury cruiser that is still decent on fuel and doesn't have a rattly boot lid or above-average wind-noise like my current Alfa. Neither is a big problem but when I (perhaps naively) think Mercedes Benz I think quiet luxury.
So, what's stopping me getting my first "grown-up" car?
The Giulietta will probably be better in crap weather being FWD and having an all-weather setting (Alfa's DNA system). This is more important than you may think as I live at the top of a hill in the Peak District. My commute is quite hilly - some of them very steep.
I'm a winter-tyre convert and have used them for the past 5 years. Any car I get will have winter tyres on for 6 months of the year. They'll cost me more for the Merc though, I think. Also the tyres are different sizes front/back which means I can't rotate them after a couple of years use.
I have a friend who has a 2014 250 CDi C-Class and he says it's useless in snow. But he doesn't have winter tyres.
So, would winter tyres on the Merc allay all my fears? Or are they still a bit crap even with winters on? (This is probably my biggest worry!)
MPG - I'd probably get 60mpg in the G at the cruise set to 75mph on my regular trip to Scotland. What could I expect in a 220 Cdi (probably the BlueEfficiency model) at similar speed? I'd be happy with my current mpg which is around 48mpg at that speed.
I'm pretty handy with the spanners doing the usual annual service, brakes, wheel bearings, thermostat kinda stuff myself. I even did the cambelt last time (but took fecking ages cos I was soooo careful).
Would the 220cdi be quite easy to tackle or is it a case of always take it to a Merc specialist? What about part prices? For example, a set of front discs and pads for the G would set me back around £80 (non-OEM).
Bottom line is that the Alfa G ticks all the boxes (especially the TCT model), it has 4 doors (elderly parents - and now friends!), is big enough for the 2 of us, is economic enough (£30 annual tax), looks smart enough (just) and should be affordable.
BUT, I really, really like the Merc even though it's probably bigger than we need, may be nightmare in winter and may not be any more economical than my current car. All this won't matter if it's truly a lovely driving experience (I will only consider the auto in the MB).
So, will I love the Merc? or should I remain an Alfisti?
Now I know I'm obviously preaching to the converted on here when it comes to a "should I or shouldn't I buy a Mercedes?" but I've had these questions spinning around in my head for a couple of years now so it's about time I asked the people who actually have experience and opinions on all things MB - rather than just opinions.
I'm looking at changing my car in the next 12 months and have a long-standing MB itch that needs scratching (maybe).
I've driven Alfas for the last 14 years (so I know how much real-world experience can be so different from "opinion") and hand-on-heart have loved the experience. I currently own a GT 1.9 JTD which is just about to clock 100,000 miles. It's running perfectly.
So, my next car is obviously going to be a 2.0 JTD GIULIETTA - except I keep thinking about a c-class (either car would probably be around 4 years old - I don't buy new simply because I don't have enough money to do so).
I really like the thought of wafting up to Scotland to visit the grandchildren (I'm 53) in a luxury cruiser that is still decent on fuel and doesn't have a rattly boot lid or above-average wind-noise like my current Alfa. Neither is a big problem but when I (perhaps naively) think Mercedes Benz I think quiet luxury.
So, what's stopping me getting my first "grown-up" car?
The Giulietta will probably be better in crap weather being FWD and having an all-weather setting (Alfa's DNA system). This is more important than you may think as I live at the top of a hill in the Peak District. My commute is quite hilly - some of them very steep.
I'm a winter-tyre convert and have used them for the past 5 years. Any car I get will have winter tyres on for 6 months of the year. They'll cost me more for the Merc though, I think. Also the tyres are different sizes front/back which means I can't rotate them after a couple of years use.
I have a friend who has a 2014 250 CDi C-Class and he says it's useless in snow. But he doesn't have winter tyres.
So, would winter tyres on the Merc allay all my fears? Or are they still a bit crap even with winters on? (This is probably my biggest worry!)
MPG - I'd probably get 60mpg in the G at the cruise set to 75mph on my regular trip to Scotland. What could I expect in a 220 Cdi (probably the BlueEfficiency model) at similar speed? I'd be happy with my current mpg which is around 48mpg at that speed.
I'm pretty handy with the spanners doing the usual annual service, brakes, wheel bearings, thermostat kinda stuff myself. I even did the cambelt last time (but took fecking ages cos I was soooo careful).
Would the 220cdi be quite easy to tackle or is it a case of always take it to a Merc specialist? What about part prices? For example, a set of front discs and pads for the G would set me back around £80 (non-OEM).
Bottom line is that the Alfa G ticks all the boxes (especially the TCT model), it has 4 doors (elderly parents - and now friends!), is big enough for the 2 of us, is economic enough (£30 annual tax), looks smart enough (just) and should be affordable.
BUT, I really, really like the Merc even though it's probably bigger than we need, may be nightmare in winter and may not be any more economical than my current car. All this won't matter if it's truly a lovely driving experience (I will only consider the auto in the MB).
So, will I love the Merc? or should I remain an Alfisti?