I think it's time for my first MB . . .

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Alf Isty

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
32
Location
Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire
Car
Alfa Romeo GT
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?
 
C class on winter tyres works fine - I've had the S203 C270 and now the S204 C220. The 203 with new Falken FK452's was useless in snow, so I bought winter wheels for her, and got a set for the S204 when I bought it (16" rims).

Just changed the summer rims from original 16" to 17" (hence my for sale ad for the 16's!!) and fitted Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics all round. the 17's are staggered although the 16's arw not! Car is really quiet now, feels very planted and secure, don't know yet how well they will wera - EU rating CAA.

Think twice about the 2011MY facelift 204, especially if you look for the Comand satnav system. I believe the 7G tronic gearbox on the facelift models have foibles/problems, certainly the early BE diesels had major injector problems that should by now have been sorted - at great cost to MB!!

The 220cdi has plenty of grunt and cruises well - I'm glad I did not go for the 250 with the MPG penalty that brings. Everyday running around I average about 45mpg, long run (120 miles mainly motorway) just over 50.

Other things I appreciate on my 204 - leather heated seats, electric tailgate, phone pre-wiring.
 
Had my c class for 9 months and can thoroughly recommend them from quality of construction to engaging drive, it's a manual, I'm not old enough for an auto!!! But I believe the autos are great, a couple of mates have them and they wouldn't touch manual again.

My front discs are almost ready for a change which I will do myself, guess I'll be paying £200 for parts at eurocar parts incl pads. If you are handy on the spanners theres a lot of standard type maintenance tasks you can do yourself, just check out some of the jobs members do on the forum.

I'm getting 48mpg pootling about and 60mpg on a 50 mile motorway trip at the legal limit. I could quite easily see that going up significantly on longer journeys.

Both mates I mentioned have the facelift versions 220 cdi, both have done over 160,000 miles with no problems except one had new front springs recently.

Reading many of the member comments, it seems that the key to budget control driving a merc is to find a good Indy that you can trust - end of.
Good luck.
 
Alf - get yourself another set of wheels that are 1" smaller than the ones already on the car and fit some good winter tyres to them. They can all be the same size, so that you can rotate them as necessary. If you're not sure about the MB, you need to book some test drives. :)
 
That's useful to know. Been a passenger in a couple of c classes and the smoothness of the auto boxes and the ride in general felt excellent. Sensible to drive a couple tho.

Strange thing is that BMW and Audi do absolutely nothing for me and I'm not sure why. Perceived ideas of their drivers maybe . . . Drove a 2008 A4 Avant S Line and it just left me cold. Interior was dull too.
 
Ive had my 2011BE facelift for over 3years and now at 45000 and have had no issues apart from a water pump under warranty. 7G box is very good but not quite as smooth as my wifes DSG in her ford but overall I prefer the merc box as it has more features.
 

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