Seeking the Knowledge

[Ticklertin]

Hello everybody,
I am looking to buy a MB estate car (Probably an E-Class circa £25K) Just wanted to know what advice you guys might give with regard to choice of engine, residual values, MPG's and general running and service costs as well as what additional extras to look for in a used car etc. My main criteria is the load space as I have to get two very large dogs in there comfortably and the E-class seems to fit the bill best (have also looked at the new Mondeo/Volvo/Peugeot 407 and Passat. If the C class was just a bit bigger I would also consider that.

Grateful for advice

Regards,

Phil

 

[jaymanek]

At that price id be looking at an E320 CDI estate. Fantastic engine..

 

[Stratman]

Welcome to the forums.

You will get many more replies if you ask you question in a more suitable forum, I'd suggest General Discussion.

As regards specs, it really depends on what you want. The diesels are very popular and can give really good consumption, but can have expensive problems (siezed injectors and glow plugs). You'll find it difficult to find a manual gearbox version, Mercs are autos and very good ones at that. If the car is over three years old I would look at a good independant garage for servicing (look in the appropriate forum here).Air con is pretty much standard but check to make sure. Toys to look for are COMAND (satnav/radio/CD/) which can also have Linguatronic (voice control) and phone integration, and depending on age, Distronic (cruise control that adjusts itself according to traffic conditions).

 

[e55]

For 25k you could get a E55 estate....................

 

[wemorgan]

What mileage and how long will you be keeping the car?

I don't know what standard cars have, but with dogs in the car I'd definetly get a leather interior. Easier to keep clean and smell free.

A £25k car might also looked under-spec if it didn't have Xenons and Comand (sat-nav).

 

[bennesspipers]

Probably a bit far for you, but i was in MB of Boston 2 weeks ago & they've got 2 of those estates in, 1 was 25k 7 the other 24k, dont know the spec sorry

 

[Ticklertin]

Thank you all very much for the very useful responses. Apologies for not getting back with thanks sooner but internet been down (prob due to weather).

 

[Ticklertin]

What mileage and how long will you be keeping the car?

I don't know what standard cars have, but with dogs in the car I'd definetly get a leather interior. Easier to keep clean and smell free.

A £25k car might also looked under-spec if it didn't have Xenons and Comand (sat-nav).

I tend to buy my cars between 1-3 years old and keep them for about 7-10. I probably average between 10-12K miles per year with most journeys being between 10-20 miles and nothing under 5 miles.

 

[Ticklertin]

Probably a bit far for you, but i was in MB of Boston 2 weeks ago & they've got 2 of those estates in, 1 was 25k 7 the other 24k, dont know the spec sorry

Thanks for the tip off

 

[Ticklertin]

Welcome to the forums.

You will get many more replies if you ask you question in a more suitable forum, I'd suggest General Discussion.

As regards specs, it really depends on what you want. The diesels are very popular and can give really good consumption, but can have expensive problems (siezed injectors and glow plugs). You'll find it difficult to find a manual gearbox version, Mercs are autos and very good ones at that. If the car is over three years old I would look at a good independant garage for servicing (look in the appropriate forum here).Air con is pretty much standard but check to make sure. Toys to look for are COMAND (satnav/radio/CD/) which can also have Linguatronic (voice control) and phone integration, and depending on age, Distronic (cruise control that adjusts itself according to traffic conditions).

Thanks Stratman, for all the advice (vehicular and Forum). I do tend to like the 'toys', which is why I never buy a new car as I would just price myself out.