Hi everyone. I've recently joined mainly to try get some information/what to look for as I may be in the market for a Merc in the coming weeks should I get the payrise I'm hoping for. I currently drive a 17yr old Renault Clio which has been in the family since new. It still runs like new, but the bodywork and trim is falling apart around it, and my bosses have hinted that they'd consider a pay rise to help me put towards getting a newer/smarter vehicle.
I'm not into financing cars and so I don't want anything new. Also I don't mind working a on car myself (I have an old BMW 3 series that I do up as a hobby). So I'm looking at something a bit older which hopefully doesn't need much doing to it (initially at least), will be reliable (as I do around 16,000miles a year) and that I can service/repair easily enough myself.
Due to the mileage I'm also keen to go diesel rather than petrol.
I also will need something bigger this year as I have a few group trips planned, so I'm keen to get an estate.
I've noticed I can pick up C-class W203 or E-class W211 Mercs with 80,000-150,000 miles on the clock within my price range of £3-£3.5k.
I've read that facelift models tend to be more reliable which is helpful.
I've no experience with Mercs though, and so although I'm confident in buying most cars and what to look for, I find the more I know about common things to look for the easier it is. So a few questions:
1. Are these cars reliable when they come to higher miles? My other alternative is a Volvo which most seem good for 200,000miles+
2. Are these cars easy to work on? I don't mind replacing suspension components etc. Taking an engine out is a bit beyond me though lol
3. Timing belts. I presume they are belts not chains? When should the diesel engines have had them done?
4. I've only really had experience of manual cars except for a 1 week stint in an auto. Is it possible to test a clutch/gearbox of an auto in any way?
Is there anything I should look for when it comes to looking at a Merc with an Automatic gearbox
5. Anything else specificly I should be worried about/looking for when buying either of these models of this age?
Sorry for the long post. Look forward to getting some feedback though
Thanks,
Rob
I'm not into financing cars and so I don't want anything new. Also I don't mind working a on car myself (I have an old BMW 3 series that I do up as a hobby). So I'm looking at something a bit older which hopefully doesn't need much doing to it (initially at least), will be reliable (as I do around 16,000miles a year) and that I can service/repair easily enough myself.
Due to the mileage I'm also keen to go diesel rather than petrol.
I also will need something bigger this year as I have a few group trips planned, so I'm keen to get an estate.
I've noticed I can pick up C-class W203 or E-class W211 Mercs with 80,000-150,000 miles on the clock within my price range of £3-£3.5k.
I've read that facelift models tend to be more reliable which is helpful.
I've no experience with Mercs though, and so although I'm confident in buying most cars and what to look for, I find the more I know about common things to look for the easier it is. So a few questions:
1. Are these cars reliable when they come to higher miles? My other alternative is a Volvo which most seem good for 200,000miles+
2. Are these cars easy to work on? I don't mind replacing suspension components etc. Taking an engine out is a bit beyond me though lol
3. Timing belts. I presume they are belts not chains? When should the diesel engines have had them done?
4. I've only really had experience of manual cars except for a 1 week stint in an auto. Is it possible to test a clutch/gearbox of an auto in any way?
Is there anything I should look for when it comes to looking at a Merc with an Automatic gearbox
5. Anything else specificly I should be worried about/looking for when buying either of these models of this age?
Sorry for the long post. Look forward to getting some feedback though
Thanks,
Rob