Should it stay or should it go?

[Spin_bowler]

Help me decide...

I bought a nice and cheap S320 (2000) last September as an experiment when coming off the company car scheme. Experiment being, with the depreciation rate of a new Audi A4/Merc C-Class/BMW 3 taken into account along with all other costs would the S-Class be as cheap to run?

However, whilst I appreciate that it is a fine place to be when sitting stationery on the M25 (most of the time in my case) I am not all that in love with the car as I don’t enjoy driving it when the roads are empty or twisty. I also always have that feeling that something is about to go wrong with it (the only plus side of which it makes me feel 18 again as I felt the same about my diarrhea-coloured Montego).

I have just spent £1600 on tyres, service, front brakes MOT and a new pump for the airmatic suspension and it is running well and all the electrics function perfectly but on the downside there are a few niggles:
1. Climate seems to have a mind of its own, needs to be at 28 degrees before it takes the chill off the air
2. Squeaky fan on ventilation system (although this seems to have stopped, come to think of it about the time that the climate started mis-behaving… …spooky eh?)
3. Bit of tin-worm at the bottom of the doors
4. Strange tendency to mist up when parked and dodgy climate then takes ages to clear it up
5. To look it's best the wheels need replacing.

So, based on the above, I'm throwing it open to public debate and I will act based on the result of this poll, so should I

A. End the experiment and stick it on Ebay?
B. Keep running it but don't spend anymore money on it apart from essentials and throw it away when it breaks?
C. Keep on spending like a footballer's wife on a weekend in Dubai?

Does it stay... ...you decide.

 

[MangoMan]

I went with option 1.

 

[fuzzer]

a W220 of your vintage doesnt seem to be the most reliable , how about flogging it and getting a facelift 320cdi model?

 

[Spin_bowler]

CDi's sooo expensive compared to petrols and all my business miles are expensed so fuel costs not really an issue. Facelift S500 or S350 on my list of potentials if it goes. My head's currently being turned by the new Audi S3 though.

 

[Carrotchomper]

Another option on Ebay, if you have sufficient feedback, is to put it on as "Buy it now OR best offer".

You set the BIN price just over what you're prepared to accept, and then people submit offers, counter offers, and you thrash out a price.

I sold my Beemer very quickly this way. In the past I have found that, unless you set a ridiculously low reserve, people are less keen to bid and then, of course, you run the risk of selling the car for silly money.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Given that you've spent £1200 on it, and all seems to be well, I'd be tempted to hold on for a while, but plan ahead to replace it within a certain timeframe - and resist spending any more on wheels/cosmetics for now.

 

[Shude]

Given that you've spent £1200 on it, and all seems to be well, I'd be tempted to hold on for a while, but plan ahead to replace it within a certain timeframe - and resist spending any more on wheels/cosmetics for now.

Wheels are transferable, could always get some pretty rims for the car and then swap them when it's time to sell to be used on another '220.

 

[trooper]

if you're not happy with it then get rid. It's only a car.

Get something that you'll like more.

Interesting experiment though

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

I would spend some money keeping it up together to use for work as its going to be cheaper then a replacement and the cars a known quantity. Then use the money saved to get something you enjoy driving for the weekend like an SL

 

[pammy]

If you're not happy with it and don't have to kepp it then why would you?

Get rid

 

[ManJ]

Option one, if your not happy, dont keep it

 

[glojo]

I go with Pammy and others. If you don't like it, get rid of it. Also always buy something you like. It looks like you want to feel all those discarded matchsticks that lay on the road surface and the S-class will never allow that

Option 1

Good luck,
John

 

[BenzComander]

Seems the early S class is suffering from the now legendry Merc build quality!!

Pity, because they seem a lot of car for the money!

 

[Spin_bowler]

The way this is going it looks like I'm putting it out to grass on Ebay, which means I enter a period of endless mind-changing over what to get next before making the next rash impulse purchase... ...I love it.

 

[Rose Chap]

Well, what you should bear in mind is that whilst your S Class might have similar running costs of a £20K once depreciation is factored in, in the S Class you're driving a car that once cost around £50K, and has running costs to suit.

Its a shame you've had a bit of bad luck with it but components that you replace now probably won't need replacing for the time you have the car. Granted it may cost you four figures every service but a new A4 will lose double that every year in depreciation.

If you're bored with the car and fancy a change then definitely sell it, but if you really do enjoy it (when its working), then I'd be tempted to persevere and enjoy the fact you drive what many people consider to be the best car in the world.

 

[turborevs]

if you have a dodgy feeling about it going wrong i'd sell it b4 costs mount up

 

[ceejaySL]

Throw it away and take a look at a year old Audi A8 on long service schedule with standard tyres.

The 3.0 tdi is stunning - geat for long rapid drives and fine on the dynamic suspension setting for most twisty roads- fine on the auto setting for motorways/a roads. cruise at 130 all day - no problem for the 800 mile drive to the alps and has fine 4wd for the snowy stuff.....and at 32-40 mpg fuel is not an issue. Pulls really well from 60-120 range too...

Youll pay £30-32 000 for the right one (I like comfort seats ) and youll loose around £5000 on depreciation pa. and pay £300 for a service. Tyres around £460 for a set. Put it on a lease youll pay around £500 pm.....

If the tdi aint your bag (but you should try it cos you would never know if you where not told its an oil burner) the 4.2 petrol is awesome.... but wont hold its value as well.

Back to back with the S it feels and drives loads better.

 

[mobiledreams12]

Back to back with the S it feels and drives loads better.

The S is 7 years old and the Audi 1, so not really a fair comparison.

 

[ceejaySL]

Sorry - meant current age S to current age A8 ........

 

[jonm]

Sounds to me like you've made your mind up all ready....doesn't sound as if you like it, plus it seems to be costing the earth and its got a few niggles that are bugging you. As trooper said 'its only a car' ....I voted for ebay.. good luck whatever you decide