Best Merc for £2k

[robparker]

What Merc would you choose for a rough budget of £2-2.5k ? I cant decide. Im going to convert to LPG so fuel milage isnt a concern, i want something smooth, atleast a 6 cylinder, and with some power to have fun with, but thats not going to keep going wrong all the time

 

[television]

My choice would be based on the 140 series, the luxury range, big powerful and comfortable, good choice of engines, nice looking classics.

malcolm

 

[brian126]

how about a 126

You could afford a very nice 1 owner w126 at this price; I just bought mine a couple of weeks ago (after looking at quite a few), and am incredibly happy with it- its the last mercedes that will outlive you. I have a 300SE, which is reasonably economical; and has a huge boot for either a hotdog tank or a donut. Oh, and I say reasonably economical as a former American. But seriously, I got 26 MPG on a drive through London to Rye- hills, traffic, and a couple of stretches of good road (and including 30 minutes idling behind an fatality accident on the A21 involving a BMW z3- which made me appreciate the panzer even more)

I've been told that with the exception of head gaskets, the 300 is much cheaper to maintain than the bigger engines.

Classic insurance with agreed value is another big plus- you can value it higher to make sure you don't lose the money of your expenditures in an accident.

I bought a simple model without the modcons; to me, that's the appeal of a Mercedes; not that many gadgets, but those that are there are made very very well.

I also saw quite a few very nice w124's for this price- all the same, but a bit smaller and easier to park- but again, it was a choice of right car from right owner. I was going to buy a 124 estate, but they were all clapped out when I was looking.

Its always better to buy the best old unfashionable car for the price than a cheap example of something which 'should' cost more. These cars are the sort that people buy for a lifetime- and thats what you want. For some reason, w126's are at their low point- probably a combination of trilby n' gangsta image and the fact that there are alot of shabby cars out there. It is the best time to buy (from the former rather than the latter).

Obviously buy on the 'inverse rim' principle: original wheels = better car. I don't know many drug dealers, but I would expect they would not be too concerned about stamping the service book.

I've found that any quality car has a inbuilt maintenence computer which exponentially multiplies the cost of anything the previous owner neglected at service.

I've had good luck with cars (30,000 mile Citroen CX) that have a few scratches- failing eyesight on a caring owner who had to give up driving can get you a bargain.

Anyone who knows more have any ideas? I'm a newbie myself, so the grain of salt is needed.

Cheers!

 

[stumpy]

I went for 124 280 estate. I paid 2200 for it with 123k on the clock. Now on 140k and lovin it. If I could get away with a saloon I would go for a 140 300 SE. I'm really getting into old cars. A mate owns a car which loses in value per month, what I paid for my whole car. And he can't get a 6ft bed in his.

 

[Beetle]

I think that the w126 is one of the best looking cars ever. That would be my choice. (in my humble opinion)

 

[hawk20]

I think that the w126 is one of the best looking cars ever. That would be my choice. (in my humble opinion)

I'd go for an E280 auto. Wonderful engine. Autocar described it as 'the best engine in any car at any price anywhere in the world'. I had one in the late eighties; it was magical.

For lovers of old Mercs see
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=20676

 

[television]

Interesting that we are all saying more or less the same thing.

malcolm