Trading down to older E class from new C Class

[jobseeker]

It looks like I need to raise some cash unexpectedly, so I'm going to have to sell my beloved Nov' 2005 C 180k Sport Edition estate auto in gorgeous diamond black. Haven't even done 7k miles in it yet! Depending on what I get for it I'll be looking to get a post '99 face lift E Class estate to replace it for under £10 grand (preferably well under). I'd expect it to be a higher than average miler to make it affordable and I want a bigger engine than the 240 petrol or 220 CDI. Can anyone tell me of any pitfalls I should be looking for (eg rust, problems of any particular engine or version etc)? I'll be talking to the dealer, but I guess I may have to go private to get the most for mine and pay the least for the replacement.

 

[mioba]

It looks like I need to raise some cash unexpectedly, so I'm going to have to sell my beloved Nov' 2005 C 180k Sport Edition estate auto in gorgeous diamond black. Haven't even done 7k miles in it yet! Depending on what I get for it I'll be looking to get a post '99 face lift E Class estate to replace it for under £10 grand (preferably well under). I'd expect it to be a higher than average miler to make it affordable and I want a bigger engine than the 240 petrol or 220 CDI. Can anyone tell me of any pitfalls I should be looking for (eg rust, problems of any particular engine or version etc)? I'll be talking to the dealer, but I guess I may have to go private to get the most for mine and pay the least for the replacement.

well i would try a few dealers to see what they offer you on yours, merely just to test the water, a good example like yours will be a dealer forecout car and not one for the auction,

sell her privately and you will transfer the warranty over, so someone looking at your car, will find it hard to refuse, use the mb used car website to see what yours will sell for on the forecourt, and expect dealers to offer you a few grand less in part exchange.
on the flip side I would buy your next car from the dealers, for the peace of mind.

depending on how you found the power of your c 180, an e class is a bigger car, i personally would take a few for a test drive to get the a feel for them and the respective engines. give the dealers the blurb that you want to chop your c with them, they will not refuse a few test drives.
remeber take your time and dont be rushed!
as for what to look out for, i cant really say, hopefully someone else can advise, but hope my advice is helpful never the less.

 

[jobseeker]

All comments welcome. thanks !

 

[janner]

You could always trade up to a W124.
E320 saloons (and estates) can be had for peanuts and if you do your homework it could be hassle free cheap motoring.

 

[Brian WH]

Watch the engine size on an E class.

I had a E200 - Gutless

E 280 facelift - Nice at the time, bit thirsty.

E320 CDI 2003 - Lovely engine and kept it's value well. Earlier models with this engine are worth considering post 1999 W210 at £10,000+, watch the rust but plenty of good ones about at very reasonable prices. The dealers tend now to only sell the later W211 version 2003 onwards at £20,000+.

 

[jobseeker]

Yes, I've certainly decided I need one of the bigger engines i.e 280 petrol or bigger, or 320 diesel. Fuel costs don't worry me too much as I don't even do 8k a year. To be honest I'd love a 430 - don't know if they have any specific problems.

 

[andy_k]

echo what Janner said - classic design and dirt cheap to run if you buy carefull and look after them properly.

I wouldn't class my E320 as a downgrade from any C class and I suspect most of the other W124 owners will say the same

 

[jobseeker]

Perhaps I should emphasise that the word 'downgrade' is used merely in financial terms, not quality ! I just worry a bit more about hidden problems when buying the 124 series, though I appreciate you can get them even on brand new cars.

I was kind of hoping to get £19995 for mine if I sell privately (though I know a dealer wouldn't give me that). I need 10 grand out of the deal so that would leave me 10 grand to spend.

 

[Brian WH]

I was kind of hoping to get £19995 for mine if I sell privately (though I know a dealer wouldn't give me that). I need 10 grand out of the deal so that would leave me 10 grand to spend.

Bl**dy hell I got £19500 for my W211 Jan 2003 E320 CDI when I traded it in??

 

[Howard]

Why spend £10k though ....

You could get an absolutely mint w124 E320 estate for less than £5k ..

Put £5k away for a rainy day ....

 

[andy_k]

I paid less than 2K for my W124 estate 18 months ago, it's cost me £250 to fix the aircon and 2 services - one done by a local garage and one by me. That's cheap motoring by anybody's standards. Other than that it's been a case of putting petrol in and driving it.

I know where there is a gorgeous W124 E320 cabriolet for sale with all the toys that falls comfortably under your budget - now there's a bit of class for a daily driver

Andy

Andy

 

[mioba]

have to agree with the comments about w124's, extremely well built cars,

i recently had the new e-class a loaner whilst repairs were being done to my w220, its not a patch in terems of build quality c.f to my w124.

if you look in merc magazines, enthusiast, there are always alot of good examples there. my w124, is 12 years old, replaced both front wings this summer as they were bubbling, otherwise its by far and away the best car i have owned for reliability and build quality - and yes thats over my w220!

and if you go for a w124, you have plenty of change left over to buy us all a pint.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I wouldn't class my E320 as a downgrade from any C class and I suspect most of the other W124 owners will say the same

Yep, count me in on this statement.

 

[Gollom]

Carol and I argue over who is going to drive the W124......

(So I end up driving the W203 a lot. My choice Yeah, right!)

 

[Piff]

Beware the tin worm on the E-Class. Check previous threads for rust issues affecting the E-class and sub-standard repairs beig carried out. Check your proposed purchase very carefully.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Also check the rear window and windscreen for lamination in the corners. 124's are prone to a little, good barganing point though to bring the price down. A 124 Coupe rear window costs in the region of £600

 

[jobseeker]

Well guys, i called in at the dealer yesterday for attnention to a creaking driver's seat and got a valuation while I was there. Nothing surprising really - they offered £17000 as a straight buy in, though I dare say i could have improved that a little if I'd tried to negotiate. After all, they'll simply clean it and put it on the forecourt at £22000+.

They couldn't cure the seat either so it's going to a trimmer (Pickerings, I remember from them from when I had a couple of classic cars) for the seat to be stripped down.

 

[janner]

Also check the rear window and windscreen for lamination in the corners. 124's are prone to a little, good barganing point though to bring the price down. A 124 Coupe rear window costs in the region of £600

Only the coupe is laminated though (I think). Estate should be okay.
They're only £50 on your insurance if it mysteriously cracks

 

[del320]

You could always trade up to a W124.
E320 saloons (and estates) can be had for peanuts and if you do your homework it could be hassle free cheap motoring.

The man doesn't lie!

 

[jobseeker]

I'm coming round to the idea of a W124 E280 or 320 Estate auto y'know. At the right price it would even leave me enough to indulge in another slightly 'less practical Merc too ! Mind you, it has to live outside whatever it is.