New Merc - Recommendations Please....

[et0609]

I have been thinking for a couple of months about my new car. I have thought about my budget and what I want and Ive narrowed the list to a couple ive seen for sale. My budget is £30-35k but I would go further for the right car. Ive seen 2 C Class C320CDI's 2008 models with less than 5000 miles. Both have got comand, memory seats, panaramic roof, 18" alloys, black leather. Ones silver and ones black.

I did consider buying new, but I dont want to take the depreciation hit and both the above are already more than £5000 less than the cost of a new one. Ive been talking to both dealers and we're getting close to a deal, although my part exchange is way less than I expected, but I know they are desperate to sell cars so I think I can get a good deal.

Does anyone have any thoughts before I take the plunge? I was very close to blowing my budget completely and getting a C63 but Im sure the deals will be better on those in a year or two.

Thanks.

 

[st4]

A 2008 C320cdi is a fab car. Are the sport models, some prefer sport but the elegance one has the gunsight and more classic MB grille. They sound highly speced cars anyway.

Can't help but think though your money would go further on a used 211 or even a 2-3 year old S class.

 

[et0609]

Yes I was considering those too, but I keep being drawn back to the C320 which I really like the look of, especially the sports version

 

[st4]

The sport will retain more value than the SE/Elegance. its a lovely looking car on the outside and solidly made etc but inside although its solid etc it hasn't got the feel good factor of the 211 and is a bit plasticy and low rent feeling. Dunno if it feels like a £30k car, more a £20k one.

Do you need the 6 cylinder diesel engine, would the 220cdi (now 170bhp) be enough for you? Would a petrol be better (C350 etc)...

 

[glojo]

Can't help but think though your money would go further on a used 211 or even a 2-3 year old S class.

I was going to say exactly the same thing.
If you are not fussed about it being a nearly new vehicle then the S-class will gice you an amazing amount of value for your pound.

However you have expressed a liking for a C-claas and it would be daft to ignore that.

Might I suggest you test drive a second-hand S-class and then try your C-class

 

[st4]

I was going to say exactly the same thing.
If you are not fussed about it being a nearly new vehicle then the S-class will gice you an amazing amount of value for your pound.

However you have expressed a liking for a C-claas and it would be daft to ignore that.

Might I suggest you test drive a second-hand S-class and then try your C-class

2-3 years is nearly new. An approved used example thats been carefully owned will show remarkably little wear and tear. I just wish I could afford one. Its just such a "fit for purpose car" the S class and so nicely appointed that it would seem daft not to get one.

However if a "sporty" car is what the OP is after then a C is much more suitable.

 

[saorbust]

My CLS500 08 plate had 2,800 miles on it, from the main dealer. Cost 64k new, I paid 29k.

For 30k your search can be a lot wider.

I'd argue those prices for those C Classes are a bit high, but then I'm not a dealer.

Browse a bit more you might be surprised.

Having said that - if you love the cars you've found then take them - at the end of the day you don't want something you don't like, or felt you made a compromise to buy.

 

[st4]

et0609. What about keeping a members car on here and saving £10k

Looks like a nice new example with some decent options. £10k is better in the bank than in a depreciating lump of metal.

 

[MBManInKen]

A c-class is a nice car, but let's face it, it's not quite an s-class (and two a-classes do not make one s-class either ).

If you are after a great family car, with plenty of boot space and foldable seats and the like, an e-class or an r-class is what you want.

If you are after the ultimate in comfort, luxury and sheer effortless magic-carpet wafting around, then you want a LWB s-class.

 

[ackee911]

If you're after a C class, then the one being sold by HowardD seems a pretty good deal. I don't actually know him, but seems like the car is looked after, and looks in good nick too. With a saving of £10k, you can go on holiday!

 

[st4]

A c-class is a nice car, but let's face it, it's not quite an s-class (and two a-classes do not make one s-class either ).

This could be a long thread now

If you are after a great family car, with plenty of boot space and foldable seats and the like, an e-class or an r-class is what you want.

Be wary of 211 saloons. Folding seats were an option. If you go on the other forum you can see someone lose the plot over the fact their £40k E class saloon can't take a long load. If they had only spent another £1k they could have had the estate with the long boot and the folding seats

If you are after the ultimate in comfort, luxury and sheer effortless magic-carpet wafting around, then you want a LWB s-class.

Only problem is parking the thing. His £30k won't get a chauffeur to put the icing on the cake.

 

[MBManInKen]

Only problem is parking the thing. His £30k won't get a chauffeur to put the icing on the cake.

See, I don't quite agree with that. The LWB is a bit longer than the SWB, it's still of comparable sizes to other cars. If you have problems parking a LWB s-class, you're going to have problems parking most other cars...

You can always buy a smart if parking is a thing that worries you, but it ain't going to provide an s-class experience.

 

[st4]

See, I don't quite agree with that. The LWB is a bit longer than the SWB, it's still of comparable sizes to other cars. If you have problems parking a LWB s-class, you're going to have problems parking most other cars...

You can always buy a smart if parking is a thing that worries you, but it ain't going to provide an s-class experience.

You clearly haven't been to my office car park. A 211 lets say is a struggle to fit width wise into the space and it overhangs at the back and front. A LWB S comically too big for the space. But I would get to work more comfortable and people would think I am more important than I really am so I could nab 2 spaces and no-one would dare complain as they'd think I was a high level boss or something...

I am beginning to come round to this LWB thing

 

[ackee911]

I find it difficult to park in a normal space in a supermarket-mine always sticks too far out. However, moving it about is a doddle. With the parking sensors, you can really creep up close.

 

[MBManInKen]

You clearly haven't been to my office car park. A 211 lets say is a struggle to fit width wise into the space and it overhangs at the back and front. A LWB S comically too big for the space. But I would get to work more comfortable and people would think I am more important than I really am so I could nab 2 spaces and no-one would dare complain as they'd think I was a high level boss or something...

You've missed the point. I would not park any car in such space, LWB or not. You'll get the riff raff banging their doors in yours, or scraping their bumpers off yours, whatever car you have .

My parking space at work has no other cars remotely close to it. You don't park an s-class where the rabble parks their cars .

 

[MBManInKen]

I find it difficult to park in a normal space in a supermarket

You take your car to supermarkets?

 

[ackee911]

You take your car to supermarkets?

Well I do gotta eat!

 

[MBManInKen]

Well I do gotta eat!

Surely, you don't allow your butler to drive the s-class?

 

[hawk20]

Most parking spaces round here whether in car parks or marked bays on the road are now the size of a C class.

An E class overhangs somewhat but is just about OK, I find. The S class is more of a problem but the SWB is just about OK I found. As What Car said if you like being driven, buy the long wheelbase; if you like driving buy the SWB. I tried the LWB but thought it pointless as I almost never ride in the back and anyway there was ample legroom in the back of the SWB which looks more in proportion to my eye. Both are nice, however, but if you are looking at a C class, it's unlikely you'll go for the S.

But the 211 E class is worth a look and a test drive IMO. Great value at the moment both new and nearly new.

With the spec you want, most dealers are asking around the 30k mark for highly specced low mileage, nearly new C320cdi's. Lovely car if depreciation is not a worry. But far less depreciation if you go for a smaller engine and less spec- as usual.