Advice pre purchase - Mercedes owners

[Mfgotten]

Hi guys, I’m new here and hope this is the right thread.
I need some advice, having had poor experiences with my previous cars.
some background: I love cars, want to get an automatic next because I am often in London traffic and can’t deal with the back and forth manual (love manuals but it’s too tiring when commuting 2 hrs each way).
I had a few cars in my time, started with fords and Vauxhall’s, more recently went on to having a 1 series coupe (lovely car but the problems+costs of repair just made me really annoyed).
I am now looking to get a Mercedes but don’t want to go in without any knowledge. They’re good looking and I really like the interior of most of them.
I do want a minimum of a 13 reg. I’ve looked at the newer shape C classes (14 onwards I think?) and the A classes. Had a look at a few E classes too.
Now I just want to get some feedback from Mercedes owners. Do you recommend merecedes? Have you often had things go wrong? How are the repairs?

now I know it’s individual depending on how you treat the car and how it was treated before. But I’m looking at full service history models this time round.
So just after generic feedback if anyone can chip in.
Thank you

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Get an E Class, they’re supremely comfortable (with normal sized wheels...)
Where you are a diesel isn’t what you want so you’ll have to search for a petrol. Unfortunately for the year your looking at petrol wasn’t popular so you’ll have to look far and wide for one.

 

[dvarley]

In my personal experience, once you buy a Mercedes, you wont buy anything else. I have always favoured the E class. My current car is an E320 CDI T model, a real workhorse and very economical. I have owned it for just over 11 years and it is still a joy to drive.

 

[Srdl]

Welcome - you probably know what sort of answers you’re going to get on here!

A number of us (me included) have come over from BMW and, personally, I have never regretted it. There are some on here who have gone the other way and perhaps @John Laidlaw will be along to explain himself soon.

Mercedes cars are more comfortable than BMW but just as costly to repair if they go wrong. Don’t be swayed by reading through this forum because, by its very nature, it’s full of problems. Generally, people don’t post to say everything is perfect!

I think the trick is to go with full service history because, in my experience, properly maintained car tends to be much more reliable.

One final word of warning - Mercedes can be addictive,

PS if you like Coupes, then the E Class Coupe of that era is a great car but probably going to be difficult to find a petrol one.

 

[A.J.]

I have a 17 plate C200 that is my fourth MB, clearly addicted. I wouldn't have anything else. It has always been my policy, not only with MB's, to buy the lowest mileage example that I could and so far it has served me well.

In four MB's the only issue I had had was a speed sensor which cost me something over £130 to rectify at an Indy. (Independent Specialist). That was on my last one and it happened when the car had covered about 27,000 miles, my current MB has 13,500 miles recorded now after 7 months of ownership. So 0ver and above that it has been just the normal things like Servicing, Tyres, RFL, Insurance ETC.

Just remember that out of the millions of MB's bought the ones on these Forum's reported as having problems represent a very, very small percentage of the total out there. As Steve ^above^ has said owners generally do not report how well things are going on Forums, just problems

I didn't graduate to an MB from BMW , I came to MB from VW but I did own a 3 Series some years ago of a 06 vintage and I had more issues with that car than all of the MB's I have had put together. The BMW had a very sombre interior, it drove like a truck and it wasn't particularly comfortable either, so wouldn't go back to a BMW at any cost

 

[sonic]

In 20 years we have had 6 MB's we are a 2 car family. I have had: CLK200K, CLK270CDI, currently a E350CDI which is almost 10 yers old.
My wife has had two SLK200K's 2004 & 2010, currently a SLC250d.

We normally buy between 2 & 4 years old & keep them for 10 years or 100K miles. We have had very few faults, only suspension bushes, a shock absorber, & a battery. All in all we have been very pleased, & we have a great local MB dealership.

Regarding your car I would be looking at a petrol engine with auto box. As for which one depends on your requirements, you could expand on that.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome!
Both E Classes I’ve had I loved, albeit one was an unreliable Hybrid, the other was a gentleman’s rocket ship...
Only reason to date I’m with BMW (explaining myself as promised by @Srdl )-
The i8 was unique- supercar box ticked
The 530 X Drive tourer could only be compared to an E400 4 matic estate, which was impossible to find on the budget I’d set myself..
I stick around here in the hope I can pass on some experiences and the stars will align at some point for my full return

 

[Mfgotten]

Thank you to everyone that has so far responded, I did expect to see a lot of praise (as you would on a MB forum) but Im glad I have asked for opinions.
It is the C class I am looking at though. I’ve looked at the E class and E class coupe they’re lovely but the interior on the c class in those years I personally prefer. I’ve looked at the a class but it is a little small.
I have been told prior that petrol would be a better shout, although I will add that when covid is over my family and friends are all over 150 miles away so long trips would return. Would the petrol still be better for me all in all? & @John I understand, the reason I am limited myself is because I don’t want to push it past my budget either..

 

[sonic]

Petrols are not as economic as Diesels, but the emission equipment fitted to diesels does cause problems & cost. This is a particular problem with short journeys when the engine dose not get hot. I rarely do a journey of less than 20 mile, that is 10 miles each way, & I have never had any problems.
You say your commute is 2 hours each way, so I assume some of that must be a at a fairly quick speed? In which case you shouldn't have any real problems with a diesel sooting up. But you still take a chance with the diesel emission equipment, that said both of our cars are diesel.

 

[Srdl]

You say your commute is 2 hours each way, so I assume some of that must be a at a fairly quick speed? In which case you shouldn't have any real problems with a diesel sooting up.

He also says he is often in London so a 2013/14 diesel isn’t going to be welcome there The thing that would worry me about buying any diesel now if whether it will be saleable when I want rid of it. Not a problem if you are going to run it into the ground but needs to be considered otherwise.

 

[Srdl]

Thank you to everyone that has so far responded, I did expect to see a lot of praise (as you would on a MB forum) but Im glad I have asked for opinions.
It is the C class I am looking at though. I’ve looked at the E class and E class coupe they’re lovely but the interior on the c class in those years I personally prefer. I’ve looked at the a class but it is a little small.
I have been told prior that petrol would be a better shout, although I will add that when covid is over my family and friends are all over 150 miles away so long trips would return. Would the petrol still be better for me all in all? & @John I understand, the reason I am limited myself is because I don’t want to push it past my budget either..

What is your budget? Some on here enjoy trawling the ads to find something suitable for others!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I favour the diesel EU5 <2013 cars (pre ADBLUE) purely because they are less complicated and therefore more reliable. If as you say you visit London a lot you would need a EU6 diesel >13 plate car to future proof ULEZ regs so I’d be inclined to buy petrol and as said above FMBSH is best. MB dealers generally have the best cars (although not necessarily the best spec) and it will come with a comprehensive 1 year warranty

Good luck with the hunt and do take your time there are plenty out there especially C class, spec tends to be everything on these cars and definitely helps resale

 

[A.J.]

It's got to be Petrol, my 2.0 Petrol C Class will deliver 40-44 mpg on a run and locally around 30 mpg. The thing you will have to be aware of is the rising cost's and restrictions surrounding Diesels and of course not forgetting the ever steepening depreciation which is a good indication that they are becoming more and more difficult to re-sell

 

[John Laidlaw]

As the story unfolds, I'd agree the C200 Petrol would be the way forward, estate(wagon) versions make good practical sense.
Unless you get a diesel on a PCP with future guarantee the plummeting prices will make your eyes water!

 

[Blobcat]

C200 Coupe is something I'd be looking at investing in

 

[A.J.]

View attachment 65081

C200 Coupe is something I'd be looking at investing in

Or a C200 4 Dr. I am a bit biased though

 

[Blobcat]

Or a C200 4 Dr. I am a bit biased though

View attachment 65083

Were both cars in the same car park?...

 

[Wighty]

I must admit I’d go diesel as well , just make sure the car fits the upcoming ULEZ . The diesels will be cheaper to buy than the petrol equivalent .

 

[A.J.]

Were both cars in the same car park?...

Looks like it, the picture of mine was at Whitstable in Kent where I bought mine

 

[Blobcat]

Looks like it, the picture of mine was at Whitstable in Kent where I bought mine

That car is also for sale in Whitstable...