Wotcha. Possible new MB owner signing in

[Peter De La Mare]

Hi all. Beers on me.

After many years of driving the latest and greatest I find myself old and turning into my father .....that and starting to realise that I could have retired on what I'b blown on cars and their depreciaton.

So, now my requirements have changed from sports cars so something a little more sedate. I tried a Jag S-type V8 but learnt that I shouldn't buy a British car unless I own my own garage.

So it's back to the land of Frankfurters and for a change, a Merc. After many BMW's.

Now, now that I am old (35) and in order to support my bike road racing I need an estate, and also thinking back to my uncles '95 E320 I really liked the way it felt like a bomb could go off inside it and not make any difference at all. I've done a few searches on the site and found that there isn't an awful lot to be wary off, other then headgaskets on the petrol V6's and other minor stuff.

So, has anyone got any pearls of wisdom to pass on to me? or even better, a nice E320 wether petrol or diesel with toys and the detachable tow bar?

All advice and abuse gratefully received.

 

[hawk20]

You seem to have picked up some strange ideas about Mercedes. Best ask to borrow a 320cdi for a day or two and you'll lose the idea about being good as you get older. Or try the 350 petrol. The 6 litre AMG might be a bit hot (and pricey!).

If you check the performance data, there's little to choose between Mercedes and BMW, engine size for engine size.

And by the way, you won't find a huge difference in depreciation either. Three years old they are both worth about 50% of the new price (see the tables in What Car).

So why Mercedes? Much better ride on the UK's awful roads and you will arrive more relaxed and less stressed. The E class estate offers much more legroom than the Beemer and more space all round too, I think. Plus I find it truly beautiful to look at and I find all the recent Beemers truly ugly. I note that Mr Bangle has had his pencil removed and he has been moved upstairs where he can do no more harm. I note too that the new X5 uses none of his weird design ideas.

Inside, I find the E class more pleasing than the more 'industrial' look of the 5 series. But it is all a matter of personal taste. I love walnut and leather and I hate Sports suspension. If you can afford it the air suspension on the E estate is fantastic (as on S class) and you can adjust the firmness as you go. Good luck. BTW estates hold their value better than saloons and diesels better than petrol. The 3 litre diesel is faster than the 350 petrol from 0-60 and not in the top road tax band.

If you want secondhand go to the Merc website and use their search engine or try Mercedes Direct or Used Mercedes. It pays to buy from a Merc dealer and get one with full MBSH. Then you get 30 year rust guarantee and 30 year breakdown cover (for a couple costs £150 per year from the AA).

Here are the links: -
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...e/products/used_cars/all_used_car_search.html

http://www.used-mercedescars.co.uk

http://www.directmercedes.co.uk

 

[jberks]

Mercs have a reputation as sedate gentle saloons and for good reason, but as any owner will tell you, they are in some part a wolf in sheeps clothing. I've never driven a slow one and whilst they lean more than beemers, they hold the road equally as well. I discovered that, many years ago, whilst chasing a friend, in his golf GTI, through country lanes whilst driving a big lumbering S class. He didn't get away!
As Hawk says, try a 320cdi.... (the 270's pretty brisk too!)

 

[blassberg]

Hi Peter,
I agree with hawk and jb - welcome to our world.

Re the S Type - just to be fair - I thought the Jaguar garages were grumbling as there was not enough servicing and maintenance work in them.

 

[Peter De La Mare]

Thank you muchly for the replies. I guess I didn't mention that I was after a much older car then I normally buy.

Well, I've taken the first plunge and bought this. It cost me less then a set of wheels for my last car so it's a small risk to take.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=200054693537&rd=1&rd=1

Anyone suggest where I can find the missing bumper corner piece?

 

[television]

Thank you muchly for the replies. I guess I didn't mention that I was after a much older car then I normally buy.

Well, I've taken the first plunge and bought this. It cost me less then a set of wheels for my last car so it's a small risk to take.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=200054693537&rd=1&rd=1

Anyone suggest where I can find the missing bumper corner piece?

The car looks OK, I would not mind one myself, shame the V70R goes so well.

Re the missing bits, plenty around at breakers and on Ebay from time to time.

Malcolm

 

[daveenty]

Hi all. Beers on me.

Well.....what else matters Your place or mine?

I tried a Jag S-type V8 but learnt that I shouldn't buy a British car unless I own my own garage.

A friend of mine would beg to differ (I'm not a lover of them though)

Mercs have a reputation as sedate gentle saloons

But some of us know them for what they are....

The motor looks good. Enjoy :mrgreen:

 

[anyweb]

Anyone suggest where I can find the missing bumper corner piece?

the whole bumper is one piece, so you can't just replace a bit of it,

you'll have to get a replacement from the breakers or your local mercedes dealer,
obviously the first choice is the cheapest

cheers
anyweb