Buying a diesel for under £3000? advice please

[fred1]

Hello

This is an interesting forum, Lots of information.
I?m new here, and have never owned a Mercedes.
I own a 1993 Volkswagen Passat, and have three children, so a sports car is not an option. I have carried out some research on buying a diesel Mercedes.
I also have a very limited budget, under £3000 pounds, and I?m looking for advice on which model/engine to buy. I usually keep my cars quite a while, about 7 years.
So what is the best diesel to buy?
I realise for that money the range will be very limited, and the car may pick it?s self. Mercedes do seem to do there best to confuse simple people like me, using the same model numbers etc. I looked in Auto Trader and the product range and model numbers is daunting. So I was thinking of a 220, or a 250, or maybe a 300. From what I can see nearly all the 300?s are automatic, I would prefer a manual.
Advice, what to look for, pitfalls etc would be appreciated.

Fred

 

[LANDR0VER]

If you are looking for a 220 for under 3K you will only pick up a high milage example,best to look for a late 190 with some service history.

 

[pascal]

It all depends on what Class you are after.

In your price range you can get a C220 or C250 (W202 manufactured 93-00) called C-Class
Or you can get an E250 or E300 diesel (W124 manufactured 85-95/6) (also called 250d or 300d pre 93) called E-Class.

When searching in Autotrader, Put: 'Mercedes' + 'C-Class' + 'Diesel' (or alternatively 'E-Class'

Personally I would go for a C180/C200 Elegance Auto 95-98
Most Diesels well have over 100,000mls, but this should be no problem.
Prepare to travel and look at a lot of cars. FSH etc.

 

[fred1]

Good people

Thank you both for the time and effort in replying. Anyone else care to add to this. Im sure Im not the only newbie confused with the range of diesels.
Any particular thing to look of for on each model?

Thanks again

 

[MondeoMan]

I'd recommend an E class diesel, around 12 years old with 150K-ish. I have a petrol C class and I'm not totally convinced of the build quality - your budget is likely to stretch only to an early model C with high miles. The C is short on rear legroom too.

 

[c250 turbo diesel]

Best buy

Hi, all will tell you different, thats advice ! I have c 250 td 1997, my mate has just bought a 1992 k reg 190 2,5 non turbo diesel 2 0wners 106.000 for £2500, it really is a great, clean car, he looked at lots's before he found that one. there is the odd genuine one about. Roy



310 sprinter 316 sprinter c250 td, the only motors I ever owned that I thought I may have to remortgage the house to pay for repairs !!!

 

[OlafMaxwell]

The W124 is a very good car, just make sure you allow for some of the electrics/toys being out of order. They take high mileages without a bother, make sure you get some history or records, get the car vetted. The 190 model with the 2.5 diesel also seems a good one, have a friend has one of those with over 200k. Have a look in Mercedes Enthusiast.

 

[Bolide]

Diesel for £3k

For £3k you'll get a fairly leggy W124 250 or 300 Diesel, either a saloon or an estate. Or you could get a nice 190 2.0 or 2.5-litre diesel saloon - as far as I know those are the only options

There's very little difference between a 250 and a 300 diesel W124 - the 300 uses more fuel but doesn't seem any quicker so I'd recommend a 250

Be fussy, shop around and don't buy the first car you see. Buy an auto rather than a manual. Just don't expect it to be quick...


Nick Froome
http://www.w124.co.uk

 

[Silver Arrow]

I just sold my 240D which had 99k miles, which I had owned and cherished from 1986.
I advertised it on the University website, and the first to respond bought it at the asking price. (an engineer).
There are some good ones about, but beware multi owned, starship milage, Beiruit taxis. :arrow: