Possibly a silly and un-needed question

[Davycc]

Hi all,

recently I converted to my first MB previously being a devote SAAB man. My first taste was a 2001 C320. The car was too cheap to pass up at £850 I knew the owner who had it from 2003, full service and only 79K

My questions are the following, now that I'm madly in love with MB I'm lookin to lets say upgrade a little. I have an upcoming pension which matures in Sept next year (long way off but I'm dreaming already) it's not a massive pot but will allow me 10-15k to purchase something and leave a good chunk for upkeep of the car.

So

1. in a years time will 10-15k get me a decent C or E AMG
2. I do 5000 miles a year so would a slightly higher mileage car be worth looking at.
3. Is the anyone who has has REAL nightmare stories with the above cars.

Sorry I know its a long way off but I'm hooked.

1.

 

[brucemillar]

The answer to all of your questions is.... Yes.

Buying via this forum can be a smart move as you are more likely to find a car that has been looked after properly and over and above normal servicing.

Mileage is a fairly hit and miss science with cars. You can get a car with 1k miles on the clock that goes bang, or a car with 250k miles and still purrs along. 'TRUSTED' History is a good indicator of what you may expect. That and what you are doing now - putting out feelers.

At the time of purchase take somebody along who is not attached to the model/brand but knows their way mechanically and is NOT afraid to drag you away form your dream machine.

The usual rules apply.

Ensure the engine is started when absolutely cold. Check for smoke etc.
Drive the car in all gears (many forget to try reverse).
If possible drive a route you know well. That way you know what rattles and squeaks the road will throw at you.

The rest is all a lottery and small issues at purchase can mount up the £'s very, very quickly if you have not budgeted.

An old car is an old car and will have old car problems, unless it has been looked after and had money spent.

I just spent out a fair amount on a very solid and very pretty BMW 5 Series Tourer to get it up to spec. I sold that to a forum member who has now spent another load finishing some of the jobs that I had not got to.

I'm waffling here, but you get the gist.

 

[markjay]

£10-£15k in a year's time will probably get you either a late (2013-2014) facelift W204 with very nice spec, or an early (2014-2015) W205 with basic/ok spec.

 

[markjay]

'Nice spec':

COMAND / Pano roof / heated front seats

'Even nicer spec':

Driver aids - Road Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Distronic

'Other nice spec':

Electronically folding side mirrors, auto-dimming rear-view and driver side mirrors, reverse camera, remote boot open switch (located on driver's side), upgraded sound system, puddle lights, ventilated front seats, Intelligent Light System (HID), full TPMS, DAB.

'Misc spec':

These are a matter of personal taste i.e. AMG Line vs. Executive SE, lowered/stiffened suspension, larger/staggered wheels, leather, Designo, split folding rear seats, etc.

 

[Davycc]

A face lift W204 now I am getting excited. I will no doubt be buying on the mainland for the obvious reasons of price and availability (I've done this with several SAABs)

Come the time I do think I'd be looking to buy off a forum member if possible as it says a lot usually about the person who looks after the car rather than someone who I have no knowledge of.

15k to some may be peanuts but to hand over that amount of money on a driveway with no dealer backup scares me.

 

[Jrattan]

Are you looking at the 63 AMG or amg line car?

 

[Davycc]

are you looking at the 63 amg or amg line car?

63 amg

 

[Jrattan]

The cheapest ones are £20k at the moment with fairly high miles 60k+. The cheapest facelift is £26k. Given an approximate depreciation of around 10-15% per year I think prices will be around £18k for pre facelift and £23/24k for facelift. They have slowed down now and there will be a base that they will reach so £15k might take a few more years at least.
That's just my opinion.

 

[Davycc]

The cheapest ones are £20k at the moment with fairly high miles 60k+. The cheapest facelift is £26k. Given an approximate depreciation of around 10-15% per year I think prices will be around £18k for pre facelift and £23/24k for facelift. They have slowed down now and there will be a base that they will reach so £15k might take a few more years at least.
That's just my opinion.

Appreciate that (or depreciate it as the case may be with prices lol)

TBH I'd even go back to 2010 if the car was right, hell a C32 has appeal = ease of service etc (comparatively)

 

[Jrattan]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201606215123681

C32 already seems in budget. Problem is there is no inbetween the non AMGs and AMGs for the C class. But with the E class you could get a 500 with remap for £10k or so.

But even better than that consider most 55 engines. E55, CLS55, or SL55 (given it's a retirement present)

For example,

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704294933147

 

[Davycc]

Mercedes-Benz C Class 3.2 C32 AMG 4dr

C32 already seems in budget. Problem is there is no inbetween the non AMGs and AMGs for the C class. But with the E class you could get a 500 with remap for £10k or so.

But even better than that consider most 55 engines. E55, CLS55, or SL55 (given it's a retirement present)

For example,

Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.4 E55 AMG 4dr

Now that does float my boat. I'm of an age where I see things differently than the young uns. A new bells and whistles Ford or Vauxhall etc may look snazzy but even my common C320 W203 is my kind of car.

 

[Jrattan]

Will also leave some change in the pocket for expenses and the 55 engine is well rated if you go for that

 

[markjay]

63 amg

Sorry, I misunderstood and assumed you were looking for an AMG-Line car, not a C63....

The information I provided was for the 4-cyl (petrol/diesel) cars.

 

[Davycc]

Sorry, I misunderstood and assumed you were looking for an AMG-Line car, not a C63....

The information I provided was for the 4-cyl (petrol/diesel) cars.

LOL I flew high touching the sun for a brief moment

 

[markjay]

You may want to consider this one then:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-benz/c-class/first-drives/mercedes-c55-amg

 

[WDB124066]

Something going up in value may be better with retirement funds...

A nice classic that will be worth more when it's time not to have a car...?

 

[markjay]

Something going up in value may be better with retirement funds...

A nice classic that will be worth more when it's time not to have a car...?

Are you thinking of a Pgoda or a Gullwing?

 

[WDB124066]

No, I'm trying to be responsible mj, maybe a 107 SLC ...?