About to buy my first Merc

oceanblue1

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Yup, I am about to buy my first C Class 200 CDi at the local car supermarket. But would welcome some advice from the more experienced before handing over my hard earned cash to that swarmy salesman :)

1. I am buying a 08 plate. Bearing in mind its only one year old, is there any point in doing a plate check or AA engineer check? Surely nothing would go wrong within a year and any accidents it might be involved in is gonna go thru the books rather than repair privately bearing in mind how expensive it is. Can I trust the supermarket to have done all outstanding finance checks?

2. Having read all the advice on the forum, I am most definitely going to the independents for servicing. The only thing putting me off is the lack of updates from them. Is it not within my legal rights within the 3 year warranty period to demand my local dealer install all updates even if I don't have the service with them?

3. I am buying from a supermarket because it is substantially cheaper then a Merc dealer and one year old private Merc sale is very rare. Is there really any advantage to buying from a dealer bearing in mind all the horror stories there have been on the forum. Surely my legal rights buying from a dealer or supermarket is the same?

4. The only thing putting me off this car is that it have no parking sensor. Is it the next model up - elegance which have this as standard. Can anyone recommend a company that can add a aftermarket sensor or could a independent do this? What is the likely cost? Are Merc sensors all round or only at the rear?

5. Is tiptronic any good or does it involve quite a learning curve?

6. Two year old 07 plate C Class seems to be very cheap at the moment. I guess because its old shape. Worth buying or is the new shape that much better?

7. Bearing in mind a 08 plate 200 Cdi is about 20k approved used. What sort of discount can I expect in the current climate?

Sorry for all the noob questions but this would the most I have ever spend on a motor and need reassurances on such a large purchase :) Thx.
 
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S.Speed

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Hi Oceanblue..
I can answer your question number 4 for you..
I have a 2003 C Class and when I bought it, it had no parking sensors..
I had the rear ones fitted and colour matched at a main MB dealership and it cot £350
There was the offer of fitting the front ones but I declined..
I love my car a lot but I have to say if in your position I would be going for as late a model as possible.. The 08 model you mentioned sounds appealing. Am I correct in thinking this is the new shaped version? If so then yes I would say go for that.
The Merc deisel engines are brilliant.
I cant comment on the latest generation of Autoboxes but I can say mine is sublime and probably the best auto box I have experienced.
Hope my modesy input helps you..
P.S Whoopee 300 posts for me
Sorry I must calm down..:p
 
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oceanblue1

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Thx for your reply Simon. Yup, 08 is the new shape. But there is bargains to be had with the old shape C Class.

The thing is if its only a shape change then the underlying mechanics of the car should be the same.

I must admit the new shape seem to look alot better. ALthought this might be psycological as everybody associate new with better :)
 

Juddian

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I know little about these cars Oceanblue, but i'd want to know why this car has ended up heavily discounted at a car supermarket.
By rights it should be on the starting grid at your friendly local (ok i've got a wierd imagination) MB glass palace.

Not trying to pour cold water on the purchase for you, but is there an underlying reason why?
 

*Thumper

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Maybe too late now, looking at your post times... but here goes

New shape a much better car ... better drive, more room ........ and a complete improvement on the outgoing model ............. that said the 203 is an almost perfect car aswell ........... having had both on the bounce, I would plump for the newer one.

A car is a car .... dont matter where it comes from, so long as it's straight and true ............... it's the ongoing maintenance, and upkeep thats important.

Parking sensors are not standard on the Elegance ....... they are an option, but as previously said ............ you can retrofit.

20K ......... well unless you can find one cheaper in the same codition and milage . then yes it's cheap .........try your luck, and ask for a grand, and some goodies !
 
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oceanblue1

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nope, not too late for all advice yet :)

I have put a deposit down and they are holding it for upto 5 working days. Gives me time to arrange for AA engineer.

Too big a purchase not to have a £150 check.

Just to make my decision that little bit harder, I now see a C180 SE 08 plate going for £16500 ... decisions decisions ...
 

Juddian

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AA inspector or maybe competent local indy?

Either way a wise move.
 

*Thumper

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Stick with the 200CDI ...... It will hold it's value better, and has more umph than the 180 ........... and you can remap the 200CDI to have similiar power to the 220CDI ... but thats another story !
 


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