Just sharing, One of the silent majority!

[ShireMan]

Bought my 2012 W204 saloon in 2014 with c50k (ex MB lease) as needed a reliable & comfortable commuter after years of expensive Jaguar v6 motoring,
retired circa 2017 and kept it, now at 120k (serviced annually via indie) and the damn thing just keeps being so reliable!!!

Not worth much now as:

-Got a few shopping dings & scrapes, plus used it for all & sundry, including:
-Garden/allotment duties,
-Cross-county motorway trips(cruising @ 70++)
-As daily dog-cart for spaniel walking, grandchild couriering.

50% of me says “just run it” for another 10 years to 250k, using insights from this site, plus paying for regular service/consumables, with frequent 110ml trips to keep engine/DPF in good shape.

Other 50% says switch to either a newer E class or GLC, more practical for current purposes.

Whatever I decide, I’m one of the happy purchasers who feels it’s already paid for itself,

so thanks M-B

 

[TC350]

Well I’ve had my 2012 W204 from new, so I can fully understand why you feel it’s worth hanging on to yours. I’ve never owned a car for so long before, but I can’t find anything that I can justify (and afford) replacing it with. I think it could well outlast me!

 

[350cls]

Sounds like you take great care of your car maintenance wise and you really enjoy it and know it inside out and know what it needs and dont needs. You could change it for something newer and really like it but it could also be a little unknown to what it's condition is really like. Might be worth trying something different. Difficult decision to make when you really like your current car and know it needs for nothing. Good luck with what you decide to do

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

As you say, “the silent majority.”

Solid car: good for years, even decades, as long as it’s serviced.

Does a newer car deliver anything worth having? Not really. A bit tidier and shinier and slightly, but only slightly better economy.

Quite a bargain, really

 

[Tonygw]

Had my S204 C250CDi for 5 years now. longest I have ever had a car. Bought it with 86K on the clock, now on 128K. Always serviced including oil change twice a year (my OCD)
Still going strong. although its developed a horrible squeak from the front suspension when turning right. Think its a control arm ball joint possibly. Anyway booked in at my local specialist as I want it right, And I want to keep it for a few more years.

They are a solid design. difficult to replace. Ive often thought of what I would replace it with and there really isn't anything.. So I wont

 

[Smart320]

Same with our 20 year old 3 door RAV4 auto, ultra reliable, only 82 k miles and nothing the same size 4x4 on the market that appeals . Not doing too many miles so will probably keep it at least another couple of years

 

[Chrishazle]

I'm another lover of the 204, even though the past month or so she's thrown me a couple of expensive wobblers. First I thought the "check brake wear" warning was the front pads - no, rear pads (did not know there was a warning sensor on the rears!), discs and 1 caliper, I already knew about the failed OS horn but that was less than £100 for supply and fit, then she failed MoT on corroded rear brake lines 2 days before MoT ran out (and on a Saturday as well!). All now fixed, wallet about £1500 lighter, just some paintwork problems (bonnet, rear passenger door and top of tailgate spoiler) which I'll get a quote for later today.

All that will mean the car is mechanically and cosmetically good, we've had her since end of March 2012, done about 60k miles (now on about 125k, was 64k when we bought her), she's really well equipped, comfortable, does at least 45mpg so I see no reason to part with her.

Except.....SWMBO (whose car it theoretically is) is now saying she'd like something smaller "to nip into town, park etc". Considering visiting family just after Xmas meant folding the back seat and packing the entire rear almost to the roof, I can't see anything smaller meeting all needs, but you have to humour management for a quiet life so I have started loking at alternatives, MG HS might work, a B class would but they're expensive, hope I can string it out for a good while longer!!

 

[ShireMan]

I'm another lover of the 204, even though the past month or so she's thrown me a couple of expensive wobblers. First I thought the "check brake wear" warning was the front pads - no, rear pads (did not know there was a warning sensor on the rears!), discs and 1 caliper, I already knew about the failed OS horn but that was less than £100 for supply and fit, then she failed MoT on corroded rear brake lines 2 days before MoT ran out (and on a Saturday as well!). All now fixed, wallet about £1500 lighter, just some paintwork problems (bonnet, rear passenger door and top of tailgate spoiler) which I'll get a quote for later today.

All that will mean the car is mechanically and cosmetically good, we've had her since end of March 2012, done about 60k miles (now on about 125k, was 64k when we bought her), she's really well equipped, comfortable, does at least 45mpg so I see no reason to part with her.

Except.....SWMBO (whose car it theoretically is) is now saying she'd like something smaller "to nip into town, park etc". Considering visiting family just after Xmas meant folding the back seat and packing the entire rear almost to the roof, I can't see anything smaller meeting all needs, but you have to humour management for a quiet life so I have started loking at alternatives, MG HS might work, a B class would but they're expensive, hope I can string it out for a good while longer!!

For similar reason's We recently chose an A-class for the Boss, she is most happy with it, ideal for grandchild seats, split rear for large shipping, etc, etc

 

[Chrishazle]

Overall plan is to reduce from main car and sunny weekend toy to one car only, which will have to cover all things, not been up close to an A class for a long time but suspect it would not be big enough for trips to family as wife never travels light!

 

[colinallcars]

Overall plan is to reduce from main car and sunny weekend toy to one car only, which will have to cover all things, not been up close to an A class for a long time but suspect it would not be big enough for trips to family as wife never travels light!

My daughter has a GLA, quite a bit more room than an A Class and nice to drive.