What can I get for £15k?

[Howard]

11 week old 06/06 E280CDI Avantgarge estate in metallic black/grey full leather.

Unmarked inside and out, 4k miles. V5 shows private individual as 1st owner.

Comand, folding towbar, heated seats, telephone prep, parktronic, skibag/though loading, 6-CD.

£29,900 taxed for 12 months (list £41,370 plus OTR costs).

Oh, and Starshield, phone cradle insert, new number plates and a full tank of diesel chucked in on the final walk-away....

I was and still am happy!

This was the Balsall Common site - almost all cars are 05 or 55 - didn't see any tat.,

You know best !! welcome to the forum by the way .....

 

[w124coupe]

Thanks for the welcome!

Only offering my experience - didn't set out to offend anyone.

The main dealers round me (Stratford & Solihull) are snooty and need the competition. The Direct site also does discounted MB service which is a bonus.

Starshield is this years Diamondbrite - the sales guys get a fixed commission chunk for it at a high rate - so a car with it included can be sold cheaper overall to the punter but still make them more money - useful to know...

 

[bitonw]

Hi,

I'm looking to sell my Skoda Octavia vRS pretty soon and I'm very interested in buying a Mercedes next as I've always liked the few my old man has had. Just wondered if anyone could throw up a few ideas as I don't have much clue about the models and second hand prices?

Basically I'm after a family saloon (2 little kids + the wife) and I don't really want to pay more than £15000. I don't care about a fancy spec interior-wise as the kids will waste it anyway, but a decent engine would be good. Only do about 7000 miles a year so fuel economy doesn't really come into it.

Also wondering if you'd recommend going to a main dealer/regular dealer/private?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Are we still giving answers to the question or talking for our self...

 

[sym]

Are we still giving answers to the question or talking for our self...

I think there are plenty of answers to the question in the thread, aren't there ?

Here's my contribution anyway ... have you considered a B Class ? There are some nice engines available, you could get yourself a new-ish one (there are none more than a year old anyway) for pretty close to, if not within your budget, and its a good safe car (was recently voted safest by Which?, I think, in its category) for your two little kids, and family. Mine certainly think its great, and I'm pretty impressed with it myself so far ! Not a saloon, as you specified, I know - but check one out and have a look at the versatility - its a lot more useful than even a C Class Estate.

S.

 

[stats007]

11 week old 06/06 E280CDI Avantgarge estate in metallic black/grey full leather.

Unmarked inside and out, 4k miles. V5 shows private individual as 1st owner.

Comand, folding towbar, heated seats, telephone prep, parktronic, skibag/though loading, 6-CD.

£29,900 taxed for 12 months (list £41,370 plus OTR costs).

Oh, and Starshield, phone cradle insert, new number plates and a full tank of diesel chucked in on the final walk-away....

I was and still am happy!

This was the Balsall Common site - almost all cars are 05 or 55 - didn't see any tat.,

Why would a private individual buy a car for £42k then sell it 11 weeks later for around £25k?

 

[BTB 500]

Why would a private individual buy a car for £42k then sell it 11 weeks later for around £25k?

Money laundering

 

[converse120]

I bought a C43 AMG in May 05. I Paid £14k from www.prospectsolihull.co.uk for a '99 with 54k miles. I have since spent over £1000 on tyres, 'B' service at an independent specialist, and a couple of common failure items on cars of this age/mileage. Insurance was surprisingly reasonable at £550-ish (37 y.o., full ncb, good post code). I only do about 8k miles p.a., and fuel consumption has been pretty good at an average of 23mpg. I'm about to replace the two rear tyres (£250), and it needs new brake pads (don't think these are too expensive).

So it's not the cheapest car to run, but it's not that expensive for what it is. I love it, and don't intend to change it any time soon. When I do, I expect it will be for a C32 or ideally a C55.

 

[bitonw]

I bought a C43 AMG in May 05. I Paid £14k from www.prospectsolihull.co.uk for a '99 with 54k miles. I have since spent over £1000 on tyres, 'B' service at an independent specialist, and a couple of common failure items on cars of this age/mileage. Insurance was surprisingly reasonable at £550-ish (37 y.o., full ncb, good post code). I only do about 8k miles p.a., and fuel consumption has been pretty good at an average of 23mpg. I'm about to replace the two rear tyres (£250), and it needs new brake pads (don't think these are too expensive).

So it's not the cheapest car to run, but it's not that expensive for what it is. I love it, and don't intend to change it any time soon. When I do, I expect it will be for a C32 or ideally a C55.

Yeah sure, a real family car...

 

[GrahamC230K]

Yeah sure, a real family car...

No less than yours, it's all about budget!

 

[stats007]

Precisely - they also come in estate versions!

 

[converse120]

Yeah sure, a real family car...

Well the OP said saloon with a decent engine, C43 fits the bill perfectly.

Just re-read my post and the costs sound a bit scary, but when I had it 'B' serviced I had all the fluids replaced, new battery, the 16 spark plugs, new steering damper and front lower control arms for 800-something. That was as big a service as the car is ever likely to require, and the next service should be less than £100.

 

[gaz_l]

Absolutely, I'm very happy with my C43. It might cost a few bob to run, but I don't do a great deal of miles, so it's affordable.

I'm not sure the interior is the right place for kiddies, though. Mine's still immaculate after 56K miles, and I'd like it to stay that way. Best stick them in the Mrs' Fiat Panda, then . Or the boot.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[gaz_l]

When I had it 'B' serviced I had all the fluids replaced, new battery, the 16 spark plugs, new steering damper and front lower control arms for 800-something.

Doesn't sound too bad, was that at an independent?

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[converse120]

Doesn't sound too bad, was that at an independent?

Cheers,

Gaz

Yes Gaz, Andy Gayle, Smethwick, West Midlands. Mentioned in these Forums a few times.