Looking at going from an astra to a C-Class

[tomlad]

its quite the thread on that website, 45 pages long or so. im going to register over there and ask what the crack is, will take me weeks to read through the entire thing!

Thanks for the E90 number, never heard of them being referred to as such (however ive never proactively gone and discussed those cars on forums and the such hence why ive never heard of it!).

Yes i dont mind the Audi A4s, theyre quite nice. I just really like the shape of the 3 series. The older 1998-2005 models can be quite nicely spec'd for the price, however im not as keen on the shape. Apples and oranges really but at the moment, im quite interested in the 2006 3 series. Although i need to get more of an idea of this engine issue, dont really fancy any of that!

I have to say thanks again chris, your posts have been very helpful today!!

 

[steve333]

Hi,running costs in either the mb or bmw will be very simular & you will be suprised to know unless you do more than about 10k miles a year won't be a lot more to maintain than your astra,since you don't want to drive an auto the bmw will probably suit you better but please drive an auto mb before making your mind up(they're superb) & the autos are tiptronic too so you can change gear manually if you wish.

 

[219]

While it is fair to say that there is no really bad car these days , I know from driving Astras at work that the cabins tend to be a sea of bland grey plastic and not as welcoming or comfortable a place to be as a Merc or one of its competitors .

While Im not a BMW fan , and have never owned one , my sister , brother in law and several friends have had them . Common themes I have heard of include water pump and CHG failures , coil pack failures and ECU problems .

Mercs are not problem free either , the W203 series you are looking at ( I just bought one and was considering a C180 Kompressor as well ) can suffer from rust problems ( much better after the facelift ( end of 2004 ) so check carefully around wheel arches , door bottoms , bottom of bootlid/tailgate . I was also warned to be wary of the small four cylinder engines with single timing chains which can stretch , and eventually got a C270CDI ( although they can have their own problems too ) . I was also advised that the published fuel consumption figures for the smaller petrol models are somewhat optimistic and real world figures , especially urban use , are much worse . Coming as I was from a 5 litre gas guzzler , I was looking for something economical to run day to day and the 270 which is AVERAGING 47 mpg fits the bill .

The advice to get test drives of as many models as you can , and speak to owners of similar cars remains sound .

 

[teddycatkin]

Hi everyone,

new here. thought id ask for a bit of advice really!

i currently own a 52 plate vauxhall astra sxi. ive been driving astras since 2008 but feel its time for a change.

im looking at a 56 plate C-Class C180 Kompressor 1.8 (and also considering a 56 plate 5 door 318 too.) I cant really afford to go mad, so my budget is 5k, and insurance costs mean i ideally cant go above group 12 or 13. (ive got some quotes and cars in mind already)

but im just going to ask a rather naive question so please bear with me!!

the costs of maintaining my astra have been very reasonable. ive had no issues whatsoever with them over the past 5 or so years. MOTs and parts have never cost me a fortune, although i expect that might change with the Mercedes or BMW. Is it an astronomical leap cost wise in regards to things like axles, shocks, rollbars, exhausts, brakes? (i.e. usual stuff).

Also, from (perhaps) an unbiased standpoint

(i shall be asking the same question to BMW owners on another forum too) of the two cars; C-Class C180 and 3 Series 318, which of the two will be the economical in regards to both running costs and potential repair costs? And (as im yet to drive either car) which is the most fun to drive?

Apologies for the naivety! As i say, ive only ever really driven Vauxhalls!
Many thanks

As a hardcore MB member and enthusiastic owner -my daily run around is my 1994 Astra automatic -its been totally reliable for six years I have had it and is still rust free! I would not think of giving it up.

 

[gIzzE]

Don't buy a 318i or 320i without a warranty, financial disaster!!

Also, consider a 325i or 330i as well, they return pretty much the same MPG figures as the 4 pots. And because of the UKs unjust fear of anything petrol and even bigger fear of anything petrol with a bigger engine tend to be nearly as cheap.

The 330i is such a wonderful car, if you can get one within budget do so.


I wouldn't even consider a manual Merc, just doesn't suit it imho.

 

[219]

I wouldn't even consider a manual Merc, just doesn't suit it imho.

Another point you may not be aware of - the Mercs of this era have a foot operated parking brake , instead of a conventional handbrake .

This is fine with an automatic , but a major PITA with a manual - I know this because I had a manual W124 with this arrangement .

 

[NISFAN]

Another point you may not be aware of - the Mercs of this era have a foot operated parking brake , instead of a conventional handbrake .

This is fine with an automatic , but a major PITA with a manual - I know this because I had a manual W124 with this arrangement .

Yep, I had a manual W203 C220CDi and foot parking brake is a nightmare....encourages riding the clutch which of course means early replacement. Merc clutches aren't the best at the best of times.

I would avoid any kompressor models - poor fuel economy. May as well buy a much bigger normally aspirated petrol engined car that would give the same mpg and more bhp.

 

[verytalldave]

its quite the thread on that website, 45 pages long or so. im going to register over there and ask what the crack is, will take me weeks to read through the entire thing!

Thanks for the E90 number, never heard of them being referred to as such (however ive never proactively gone and discussed those cars on forums and the such hence why ive never heard of it!).

Yes i dont mind the Audi A4s, theyre quite nice. I just really like the shape of the 3 series. The older 1998-2005 models can be quite nicely spec'd for the price, however im not as keen on the shape. Apples and oranges really but at the moment, im quite interested in the 2006 3 series. Although i need to get more of an idea of this engine issue, dont really fancy any of that!

I have to say thanks again chris, your posts have been very helpful today!!

As you are new to MB I would ask someone knowledgeable to come with you when looking at a potential purchase. Even a car from a reputable dealer can have its faults. And faults on an MB are generally not a cheap fix. Don't expect Astra prices.
For example I had a sudden instrument failure on my C200K a few weeks back. I had a few other outstanding bits of work done and the bill was over £500. And that was from an independent. Double that if it had been a MB dealer.
All I am saying is MB ownership can mean you need to have deep pockets sometimes.
Dont buy a car that comes from a previous owner that skimped maintenance. Nice clean carpets and shiny paintwork are NO indication of that. Look for good quality ORIGINAL tyres like continental. Anybody who has skimped on tyres will probably have skimped elsewhere. Not a foolproof indication, but its a good pointer.

 

[tomlad]

thanks guys for all the advice.

i went to test drive a 55 plate 2.2 diesel automatic 3 door c-class today. 150bhp. and i have to say, i love the cars from the inside. they have all kinds of buttons and lcds and thats the sort of thing i love. it was at a perrys dealership and they let me take it up and down the motorways to get a good idea of how it drove.

it was nice and powerful, and the semi-auto gearbox was quite nifty. took me a few mins to get used to not having a clutch. the steering was ok, it felt a bit heavy compared to my astra (which i guess is to be expected due to the build quality). but i just dont think i will enjoy an automatic. it felt like i wasnt quite in control. that being said, it was a fairly nice drive, and the guy even let me test the stereo and i found it to be very good for a stock audio system (im a music producer and play very bassy, heavy music very loud when im driving).

i also managed to test drive a 1.8 volvo s40 r design. and i was incredibly suprised at how light the steering was!! ive never driven a car which is so big yet so easy to handle. it was 125bhp (25 more than my astra) and it was fairly quick and responsive through the gears. it was a bit big and not as agile as my astra, but i thought the same about the bmw 3 series too.

so whilst i think the mercs are wonderful cars, (i seriously love the interior and the classy looks of the c-class) so far, im leaning toward the volvo due to it being (for me) fun to drive, cheaper to run and hopefully maintain. i do like the bmw 3 series, i really do. but ive been totally put off getting a petrol model due to this thread;
*** Calling All Members With Problems With The 320i *** - Page 25 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

and strangely enough i nipped into the bank yesterday and the bloke i went to see said the exact issue as described by the users on the e90post forums happened to a friend of his. whilst some may say thats just a coincidence that i happened to speak to someone who knew of it happening, its obviously quite a common problem.

so i need to go and test drive a 320 diesel 3 series se. the main issue i have there though is the lack of folding seats!! might sound a bit mad, but if im out doing a live p.a. i need the back seats to partially fold down at times to get some of my gear in the car.

so i have a decision to make really. i would also like to check out perhaps an audi a4. but so far, im leaning toward the volvos due to the car fitting my needs a bit more overall.

anyone got any other suggestions of cars that are of similar size and power (no more than 160bhp ideally for insurance sake) of the 3 series, c-class merc, s40, a5 etc...?

 

[st4]

3 series. Volvo, Ford Focus, C class (try an estate).

Not being rude, but BMW and Merc are RWD. They will feel different to drive and handle differently. Its a feel thing, I prefer them to FWD.

Considered an Audi A3 sport back?

 

[tomlad]

thats probably why they felt different then lol. i never think to check about FWD/RWD.

estates i dont like (im 24 so still need to have something that looks good haha). the a3s are nice, my friend has one. although they probably wont be big enough. i should probably mention my budget is no more than 5k really. so i am quite limited with what i want in terms of car and mileage.

how are passats? anyone have any experience? the jettas are nice size wise, but BEYOND boring interiors. it would send me mental having such a straight forward (golf) interior on such a big car.

 

[nick mercedes]

New shape Astra sportswagon?

 

[tomlad]

New shape Astra sportswagon?

new shape meaning the mk6? or like a mk5 estate?

i quite like vauxhall signums for a while, but my tastes have changed since. i do like the insignias but used ones are just out of my price range (theyre all 130,000 mile over 3 year rep cars i imagine)

 

[st4]

Vovlo is the kiss of death for a 24yo. But its a nice car, a very nice car and ideal for you.

TBH that or a 203 180k I'd be inclined with the Volvo. Interesting cabin, comfy seats and space for your gear and crucially you seemed to like driving it.

 

[tomlad]

Vovlo is the kiss of death for a 24yo. But its a nice car, a very nice car and ideal for you.

TBH that or a 203 180k I'd be inclined with the Volvo. Interesting cabin, comfy seats and space for your gear and crucially you seemed to like driving it.

kiss of death? lol. you may need to elaborate on that for me please mate!

i did very much enjoy it. the one i test drove was an r design model, which are a shade more expensive and uncommon than the standard sort of models, but it was fantastic. it was an 08 plate with 35k on the clock so the dealer wanted 7.5k for it. so out of my price range unfortunately but i was more interested in driving the car as the 1.8 spec to get an idea of it really.

 

[chriswt]

I totally agree with what you are saying about how Merc felt to drive. My C320cdi Sport is lovely and smooth to drive but its not very involving or exciting. I hate the BMW image but that aside they are great cars and you feel connected with them like you do with few other cars.

If you've ruled out the older shape BMW 3 series then I would definitely consider an A4. I've owned 3 from a 1999 2.8 Quattro to a 2009 2.0tdi S-line and they are very well put together. The ride isn't great but you're 10 years younger than me so that shouldn't matter at all.

Passats are quite dull IMO and I'd rather have a Mondeo as they are much more of a drivers car but you're a Vaxhall man so thats a no go. A Passat 1.8T might be worth a test drive.

If you are looking at Volvos have you considered this:

Saab 9-3 2.0 VECTOR SPORT 150BHP 1/2 LEATHER PARKING SENSOR 4dr 2009

The owner forums are great (I used to have a 2.0T Aero) and its a Vaxhall underneath. A hell of a lot for the money if you ask me.

 

[st4]

kiss of death? lol. you may need to elaborate on that for me please mate!

.

It'll be the strongest contraceptive a man can have, stronger than the snip, a durex cos you'll never get laid, ever, if you get a Volvo...

 

[st4]

Edit, buy that Saab.

 

[tomlad]

It'll be the strongest contraceptive a man can have, stronger than the snip, a durex cos you'll never get laid, ever, if you get a Volvo...

hahaha excellent! its alright, ive been in a relationship for nearly 6 years and im knee deep in ***** when in gigging anyway

(i wish lol)

thanks chris. yeah i actually sat inside one of those saabs today, it felt a bit too plastiky and dull for me. although they are quite nice cars.

the mondeo i did consider, but again the interior is pretty dull before they did a minor upgrade in 2010 i think? plus i always think the mondeo is the car that middle management guys go for. or mobile phone reps. the sort of people who are above a vectra but below a c-class or a 3 series haha.

i do really like the chevrolet cruze. which is basically an insignia if im not mistaken. i love the way they look, but they are pretty rare and to be honest, they dont seem to be keeping much of their value (like the insignia) so its great when im buying, ****e when i come to sell.

i would love to try an a4, but of the models ive found i think the insurance is a shade too high for me. but i do like them, they are very nice cars. im half considering giving the passat a test drive, but ive read on parkers that they are a bit boring.

eee its getting a bit mad all this car buying lark!! starting to whittle down my window of potential cars and engines arent i

 

[st4]

You could do worse than that Vovlo...