Which Mercedes should be my first?

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Hey all

Just joined the forum today as I'm looking for guidance on which Mercedes should be my first.
My budget is around £17k and it must be a convertible, my previous car was the first convertible (BMW F33) I've owned and I have just totally fallen in love with the open top experience. I am not interested in big engines in the slightest, infact the more economincal the better. I'm also after a 4 seater, don't really like the look of the 2 seater mercs I've seen. One concern I've got is keeping a soft top car outside in the cold harsh winters all year. I will be moving soon but it's unlikely I will have a garage so I wanted to get people's thoughts on this? The thought of leaving a softop outside in the cold harsh English winters does concern me somewhat! Other than that I don't really have any other requirements, other than it must not be white! I prefer to be more inconspicuous. As you can tell, I know very little about Mercedes so really needing some informed guidance here!

Edit: also wanted to add that obviosuly I want something low maintence, heard some horror stories of Mercedes diesel engines so if a petrol egine is the better option then so be it.

 

[W1ghty]

Hey all

Just joined the forum today as I'm looking for guidance on which Mercedes should be my first.
My budget is around £17k and it must be a convertible, my previous car was the first convertible (BMW F33) I've owned and I have just totally fallen in love with the open top experience. I am not interested in big engines in the slightest, infact the more economincal the better. I'm also after a 4 seater, don't really like the look of the 2 seater mercs I've seen. One concern I've got is keeping a soft top car outside in the cold harsh winters all year. I will be moving soon but it's unlikely I will have a garage so I wanted to get people's thoughts on this? The thought of leaving a softop outside in the cold harsh English winters does concern me somewhat! Other than that I don't really have any other requirements, other than it must not be white! I prefer to be more inconspicuous. As you can tell, I know very little about Mercedes so really needing some informed guidance here!

Edit: also wanted to add that obviosuly I want something low maintence, heard some horror stories of Mercedes diesel engines so if a petrol egine is the better option then so be it.

My 2009 CLK lives outdoors , never had a problem with it , I clean and treat it twice a year with Fabsil .
After all the cars were built for a Northern German winter .

 

[BTB 500]

Sounds like you need an E200 cabriolet.

 

[W1ghty]

Sounds like you need an E200 cabriolet.

Worth reading about the 2018+ wire in the roof failure costs that are coming through now . But yes , lovely cars .
E400 V6 petrol as well ?

 

[BTB 500]

E400 V6 petrol as well ?

I was going by this comment:

I am not interested in big engines in the slightest, infact the more economincal the better

I had a quick look on Auto Trader and there are a few petrol C200 cabs. around too, which might also be an option.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , if you purchase C207E400 with the pan roor this what I do.

Open the sun roof fully and lower both rear windows you have very near have a rag top experience.


Remember this model is a pillar less coupe

 

[W1ghty]

I did see the not interested in big engines part , but economy wise there’s not a huge difference with the 400 .
A V6 isn’t a V8 , it’s still fairly sensible .

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, very helpful indeed. I really like the look of the e200 cabriolet. Can I get a decent, newish one for around £17k? And if I want a small economical engine which one should I be looking at? Also what optional extras are a must have? For example my BMW F33 had the air scarf and the active suspension etc. What should I be looking for on a e200? Also does it come with a wind deflector, it made such a difference on my F33 I wouldn't drive it with the roof down without the deflector in place, it was like being in a little cocoon. With the heated seats, steering wheel and air scarft you could drive it with the roof down in the winter and be as snug as a bug. Another thing I managed to find on my F33 which was extremely rare for the age of car (2017) was a digital binnacle. So yeah looking for advice on what optional extras are a must have really.

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

sorry guys think I've actually changed my mind now and prefer the c class convertible! Same questions as above apply though; diesel or petrol? what options to look out for? Does it have a wind deflector?

 

[W1ghty]

sorry guys think I've actually changed my mind now and prefer the c class convertible! Same questions as above apply though; diesel or petrol? what options to look out for? Does it have a wind deflector?

You should drive both first (C and E ) they will feel very different . If you are a high mileage user then maybe diesel (avoid adblue engines ) , if not petrol .

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

You should drive both first (C and E ) they will feel very different . If you are a high mileage user then maybe diesel (avoid adblue engines ) , if not petrol .

Thank you. And what kind of options should I be looking out for?

 

[W1ghty]

Thank you. And what kind of options should I be looking out for?

No idea buddy , I’ve got 2x2009 MB’s I’ve had for 12 years . If it ain’t broke don’t change it .

 

[BTB 500]

You should drive both first (C and E ) they will feel very different .

I've never driven either, but from 2009 to 2017 an E Class cab. (A207) would be the only option ... that replaced the CLK cab. (A209), and was based on the W204 C Class.

The C Class cab. only came out in 2017 and ran alongside the new E Class cab. (A205 and A238 respectively). I'm pretty sure an A238 would be out of budget, but an A205 C200 shouldn't be.

 

[stressd]

How much space do you need? Maybe consider an SLK?

 

[SmartAmg]

Good luck with your search.

 

[Chrishazle]

Needs a 4 seater, so SLK is a non starter, also in a way is an SL as they IIRC are 2+2 if the rear seat has been fitted, so in MB it's C Class or E Class (or S class if you win the lottery!!)

 

[fabes]

E class rear space is a little better and C class space.

E200 or if you can find one an E250 CGI (both petrol) will be in budget
18 inch wheels (no bigger) and sport/ AMG bits on it along with Comand, Air scarf, heated seats and all round parking sensors (plus leather).

If you fine a C class in budget, it will be without some options and have a lot of miles on it....

 

[BTB 500]

Needs a 4 seater, so SLK is a non starter, also in a way is an SL as they IIRC are 2+2 if the rear seat has been fitted

The R129 was the last SL that had rear seats. We managed four plus a dog in ours when the kids were little

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Thanks all for the replies.
After looking on autotrader I've decided to increase the budget to £20k.
I am moving to Kent from Sussex probably in the next 6 months and will be driving from Kent to Brighton 1 day per week. I have been looking at engines and would there be a significant difference in fuel costs from say an E220d to an E350d for motorway driving? I appreciate I said I wanted a small engine but I may have changed my mind somewhat

 

[W1ghty]

Thanks all for the replies.
After looking on autotrader I've decided to increase the budget to £20k.
I am moving to Kent from Sussex probably in the next 6 months and will be driving from Kent to Brighton 1 day per week. I have been looking at engines and would there be a significant difference in fuel costs from say an E220d to an E350d for motorway driving? I appreciate I said I wanted a small engine but I may have changed my mind somewhat

Don’t drive the E350d if you think you want the 220 ! There won’t be a huge mpg difference on the motorway