Loving my Merc

[drbsheffield]

I just thought that I would post again about my CLK to keep you updated! I am addicted to this forum!
I have got a few little niggles sorted under the mercedes warranty so it is totally perfect, I also got a set of original AMG wheels fitted yesterday that have transformed the car. I am a real car enthusiast, I am a student doctor at the moment, and have decided that as I dont smoke and dont really drink much that I should have a nice car!!!

I have always had new cars and have been an absolute nightmare for swapping! over the past 5 years at medical school I have had: (are you ready!!!!!!)

A toyota corolla 1.4 GS
Skoda Fabia 2.0 Elegance
BMW Z3 2.8
MINI One
SMART Roadster
Skoda Fabia vRS
BMW 116
BMW 120d
MINI Cooper S
BMW 120d
MINI Cooper S New model (complete disaster - horrendous reliability!)
BMW Z4
Mercedes CLK

That is quite a list, I have been on really good terms with the local BMW dealer and actually sold a couple of those for more than I paid for them!!!!

I was in such a frazzle having sold my Z4 really suddenly, I almost bought a new Alfa Brera, I really wanted to love it, they look beautiful but I was really worried about it going wrong all the time.
I almost bought a new CIVIC type R and still have a soft spot for MINIs. The Honda was thrilling to drive but I was worried about paying full list for a car and the APR was really high on the finance too, the MINI was really tempting, I could get a really good deal on one and I still think that they are a lovely little car really quick and fun to drive but I was really worried about getting another bad one.

I was at the end of my tether I was hiring a car which was costing a fortune, I took one more look at the mercedes site at CLK's which I really fancied but couldnt really find one that 'grabbed me'
One had come available that week it is a 2002 CLK 320 Avantgarde. It has only covered 32000 miles with FMBSH, silver with Alpaca grey two tone leather but what was the most amazing thing about this car is the spec. The previous owner had part exchanged it for a Ferrari within group it has: Command, BOSE hifi, electric sunroof, electric memory seats, linguitronic, Xenons, Phone kit, CD changer, Auto, the dealer said that it would have been around £47k new!!!!
It was a bit of a drive away but when I saw it I was totally blown away, I am an absolute fanatic when it comes to looking after cars, i.e. park the oposite ends of car parks etc but this car is absolutely immaculate, it has a couple of tiny scratches on it but no dents and nothing that you couldnt have picken up within the first week on a new car, even underneath the car is like new!
When I drove it I new I had to have it! It is beautiful! The economy has really suprised me, I have reset the computer and am getting 28.8 mpg since I got it which I think is fantastic. I have really cherished the car, I am lucky enough to live in the city and have an underground car park so dont use the car other than for pleasure, the rest of the time it is polished up in the garage!!!

I love it!
I know I need to do some pics!
One question if any of you have survived, what do you think to the extended warranty, I have been offered it for £670 within the 1st month of this warranty for an extra year which I thought was pretty good.

CHRIS

 

[mb240]

Pics!

Glad you are enjoying it, but what on earth were you doing changing your car, every six months by the looks of it?

 

[timskemp]

Nice to see you settled into a car with a respectable image for a Doctor. Don't forget to get an E class when you make registrar, and an S class when you make consultant. Of course if you're single at that time that should be an SL.

Don't bother with the alfa though!!

 

[tintin]

Ah, it's great when you love getting in your car. We have only ever bought one new car - unfortunately it was just before new cars all started coming down in price. Paid £8k., part-exed it for £4.5k 3 years later - I know that's not as bad some, but it was still enough to put me off new cars (although there are some very good deals to be had I admit).

I guess you can afford it, Chris, but I prefer to let someone else take the big hit on depreciation in the first couple of years. It was nice having a pristine car - how do they get that smell? - but I don't see us going back to buying new. Now you've seen what good value used cars can be do you think you will go back to buying new?

 

[drbsheffield]

Hey thanks for the replies!

I dont think that I will go back to new now, although I will see how I get on, I have just received a lovely letter from the previous owner of the car with loads of receipts and telling me that he has had no problems whatsoever with the car.

This is one of the least expensive cars I have bought in terms of purchase price for a while, but it is just amazing, I just can never wait to get in it and go for a drive!