Your thoughts: buying advice, ways to save on servicing, approved used v private

[orangepeel]

Hi, am a newbie here so big "hi" to everyone. Great forum btw.

My situation is I'm currently in the process of relocating to the UK after 10yrs out and am evaluating which car to buy. I'm strongly considering plumping for an E Class AG estate but am also looking at A6's and 5 Series but am drawn to E Class more because amongst other things, the extra 2 seats in the boot will come in very handy. I guess I should also point out I haven't been for any test drives yet and my research has all been done over the web. Am looking to spend 15-18k and recoup as must a poss when time comes to re-sell

Also I've previously only owned older Japanese cars and have taken them to my local garage for services/repairs, so before shelling out more and buying something nicer it will help a lot if I can better understand the associated costs of owning which are not immediately obvious at time of purchase.

Questions:

1. Depreciation: All cars lose money, but is there an optimal sweet-spot? I am thinking about buying at 3yo and selling at 5yo. Thoughts on this?

2. Engine Size: 220, 270, 280, 320...or? What's best? I won't be on the road for a living and my commute will be 20-30min (most likely spent in queues). Will likely be on the m/way most weekends.

3. Maintenance: This question may be as long as a piece of string so apologies in advance if it is, but what is a typical service and how much do they cost? How and where can money be saved? I read abt use of specialist approved garages and substitution with synthetic oils. So do 3yo+ cars need to be serviced in official dealerships and will it have any effect on resale if I don't? What's the most cost effective way of going about all this (i.e. quality v price).

4. Warranty: Prices of Approved Used from official dealerships seem to be significantly more than from a some small-time dealer or private seller. So are those prices full of hot air or do ppl actually pay those prices? And if so, is it worth it versus buying privately and shelling out for an independent warranty from e.g. Warranty Direct or similar? Or should I even buy at all given most probs were pre-facelist/pre-2005?


Cheers,

OP.

 

[st4]

Hi, am a newbie here so big "hi" to everyone. Great forum btw.

My situation is I'm currently in the process of relocating to the UK after 10yrs out and am evaluating which car to buy. I'm strongly considering plumping for an E Class AG estate but am also looking at A6's and 5 Series but am drawn to E Class more because amongst other things, the extra 2 seats in the boot will come in very handy. I guess I should also point out I haven't been for any test drives yet and my research has all been done over the web. Am looking to spend 15-18k and recoup as must a poss when time comes to re-sell

£18k will get you a nice E280 or320cdi AG estate thats 3 years old I would think. Those V6 diesels will be worth more when resale comes. Also make sure its a sensible colour like silver or black with a sensible coloured interior (black or grey). COMAND is nice but not essential. Avantgarde (AG) covers all bases. Leather or artico interior is a must.

The A6 is nice but not so comfy. The quattro would come in handy winter time but a set of steel wheels with winter tyres are a better solution still to any RWD issues with winter.

Try the BMW as well, but I'd wager you'd prefer the Merc

Also I've previously only owned older Japanese cars and have taken them to my local garage for services/repairs, so before shelling out more and buying something nicer it will help a lot if I can better understand the associated costs of owning which are not immediately obvious at time of purchase.

Questions:

1. Depreciation: All cars lose money, but is there an optimal sweet-spot? I am thinking about buying at 3yo and selling at 5yo. Thoughts on this?

You'll save on depreciation but spend a bit more on maitance. I bought at 3 years old and paid half what it was new. At year give I got back probably about 1/4 of what the car was new give take. Age is one thing, milliage another. Parts etc will need replaced as and when.

2. Engine Size: 220, 270, 280, 320...or? What's best? I won't be on the road for a living and my commute will be 20-30min (most likely spent in queues). Will likely be on the m/way most weekends.

On a 3 year old E class estate I'd want a 280 or 320 personally. The stopped the 270. The 220cdi is up for the job but not as smooth and effortless. Depends on budget whether you can afford a 280 or 320. Make sure its an AG spec as it has some nicities like xenon lights, sport suspension that really make it handle well and without being uncomfortable.

3. Maintenance: This question may be as long as a piece of string so apologies in advance if it is, but what is a typical service and how much do they cost? How and where can money be saved? I read abt use of specialist approved garages and substitution with synthetic oils. So do 3yo+ cars need to be serviced in official dealerships and will it have any effect on resale if I don't? What's the most cost effective way of going about all this (i.e. quality v price).

Won't effect resale massively and you'll get a better quality and cheaper service using a Merc specialist. Make sure its a proper Mercedes Specialist like say Prestige Car Service in Horndean. Ask us (the forum) about a garage and see what people say/recommend it or not.

4. Warranty: Prices of Approved Used from official dealerships seem to be significantly more than from a some small-time dealer or private seller. So are those prices full of hot air or do ppl actually pay those prices? And if so, is it worth it versus buying privately and shelling out for an independent warranty from e.g. Warranty Direct or similar? Or should I even buy at all given most probs were pre-facelist/pre-2005?

The dealers to tend to retail the best cars and a good deal can be negociated down from the hot air prices to a more sensible level. I got a grand off the car I bought which was priced at £16k. The warranty, and origin of the car offers a peace of mind which is good. I'd go for a dealer network car if its so young.


Cheers,

OP.

Please see comments in blue.

And welcome to the forum, good luck.

 

[A210AMG]

I think piece of mind spending a little more from the dealers is worth it.

They are generally prepared to a high standard, full warranty, etc etc.

As for choice all I can say it my dad has a E320Cdi ********** estate and since new in 2003 its the longest car he has owned, Go for the 320Cdi if you can as little in it looking at a E280Cdi and you will probably wish you always had if not.

He gets 40mpg out of his easily and sometimes quite a bit more.

He has currently been looking at changing it for 12 months at least but its SO good eveything he looks at hasn't his the mark. Cars include Q7, X5, RR sport, new E class estate etc etc

Lovely cars, what does tend to be worth having for resale would be command / xenons / parking sensors. Basically the best spec you can get for the money

Enjoy the hunt.