About to buy a C Class Coupe c180k MANUAL transmission - Help !

[MURPHYSIMBA]

I am thinking about buying a C Class Coupe c180k - 2006 - 19k miles - petrol - £13k
The car is everything I have been looking for and at 1st glance looks great and the spec is high with a host of extras including AMG wheels, leather etc
HOWEVER it has a 6 speed MANUAL transmission and not AUTOMATIC which appears to be everyones preference
Is the manual really that bad that I should avoid buying this car because of this

I would appreciate any help you can give me on this as I'm new to this site
Thank you all

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

do you really want to keep stirring a six cog pot? just sounds tiring thinking about it
The short odds answer, I haven't driven one, is don't buy. How cheap is £13k
might be still on the market in 3 months time for 10!!!!!!

Then again if the price is right that's dead cheap you like it have thoroughly road tested it I think the important bit here is you intend to keep it for 2 or 3 years min, then why not buy what you want?

 

[st4]

Its cheap but try and get more off it as you'll lose out resale time.

Whats your preference? - Do you like manuals or would you prefer an automatic car. If your happier with a manual car then go for this one if an auto may not suit. Test drive it and see. If you'd like an auto and your budget is £13k I fear you'll have to go for a less new/older/not as mint car which would be a shame.

The manual will be more economical, provide more engine braking so will need less brake pad changes and ultimately be cheaper to maintain (no ATF change etc)

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Even if the rest of the world prefers automatics, if this is your choice then the important thing to establish is the best price you can. As others have said, it will be harder to sell on when the time comes, but if you get it at the best price now that acknowledges the future and keeps the "cost to change" right.

For any car the absolute price, discount and any other inducements are all very well, but it is the nett cost of the change that matters. Here you want a low entry point to prepare you for the low exit point. Tough on the vendor, but they should have done their sums too.

Good luck - we look forward to hearing of your progress, with pics if applicable.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Take it for a test drive through a city - at rush hour. THEN tell yourself that you prefer a manual over an automatic!

Of course, it all depends what you want to use it for. Long distance motorway driving. Short distance town driving, country lanes etc etc.

Horses for courses. But IMHO - Mercedes = Automatic

 

[Juddian]

Agree with the others here, if you really like manuals and intend to keep the car long term then by all means buy it, but there will be few interested customers when you come to sell in the future, so it maybe wouldn't be a good short term vehicle.

I wouldn't want a manual MB unless my use was purely country roads or long motorway trips. And nor would i want any of the new generation of automated manuals at any price, they really are dreadful at low speeds and manoeuvring.

 

[television]

Have you seen the car or just read the adds,,all MB dealers quote cars as being manuals when they are in fact autos.

Manual cars can be tricky when it comes to the parking brake as you do not have enough feet

 

[David Nock]

I am thinking about buying a C Class Coupe c180k - 2006 - 19k miles - petrol - £13k
The car is everything I have been looking for and at 1st glance looks great and the spec is high with a host of extras including AMG wheels, leather etc
HOWEVER it has a 6 speed MANUAL transmission and not AUTOMATIC which appears to be everyones preference
Is the manual really that bad that I should avoid buying this car because of this

I would appreciate any help you can give me on this as I'm new to this site
Thank you all

No, it's not that bad. I had one (the older 2 litre C180 non compressor) and it was very reliable. The 6 speed gearbox and clutch were good on my car and still OK at 60000 miles. The 4 pedal set up is a pig on a hill start however and this takes some getting used to. Takes about a week before you stop worrying what to do with your feet.
In the end the wife was OK with it as well.
Against that, the CLK auto I've got now........ahhh. Lovely.

 

[MURPHYSIMBA]

I've decided not to buy a Merc with manual transmission

Thanks to everyone for their comments and sound advice

I've decided not to buy the manual transmission Merc but to wait and continue my search for the perfect car but this time an automatic

Thank you all