Buying Advice - upgrading from C250TD W202

[Aurora]

I'd like to upgrade my trusty C-class to something a little more comfortable and refined.... obviously the same-vintage E-class saloon is on my list, CDi in particular. However, having read the "rust" report recently on this forum and the general decline in MB build qualiuty, I'm wondering about what other options I have.

I do around 25,000 miles per year, so cost of fuel is a consideration (hence the diesel). I would like to settle on a car and keep it for a few years without the depreciation totally destroying the value and it still driving well at high mileages.

I am starting to wonder whether I should go for an older MB model, eg the previous S-class, although there isn't a diesel option. How would you rate this model in terms of servicing costs and fuel costs? What about an older E-class (W124? can't remember the exact model number) - how are these for servicing these days and fuel consumption. And also, how would an older E-class compare in terms of comfort and refinement to the W20x model?

I've even toyed with the idea of changing brand completely - eg Audi A6, BMW 5..... although from reading reports it seems as though these are less refined for long-distance driving.

My budget is about £15k

Can anyone impart their experiences to help me decide?

Thanks.

 

[mikemoss]

Buying advice

Hi Aurora

I've just spent exactly your budget on swapping from a 1990 300TE to a 1999 E320 estate, both petrol I'm afraid as I don't do much mileage and fuel consumption is less of an issue. Not a hint of rust on the 'new' E class, but I suppose there's still time for it to appear....other than that, it is a vast improvement over the W124 in terms of comfort, refinement and general swishness. To be honest, I don't think I could have found an E320CDI for the same price - they came in in 1999, but seem to go for £16000-upwards, and many have high mileage to boot.

BUT, there was nothing much wrong with the 300TE which was still going strong at 160,000 miles. Just the very start of a couple of tiny rust spots on two wings. Mechanically it was pretty good, thanks to careful attention by the main Merc dealer here in Bath, whose praises I cannot sing high enough.

Whatever you end up with, hope it serves you well!

 

[bergs412]

Recommendation of E class w210

Dear Aurora,

If your present C -class doesnot rust, neither an E class will rust. Only 1 in 100 will have slight rust problems. But that's easy to spot since your being a used car. They are constructed in the same way. I would recommend a 220cdi probably with automatic gearbox a great car to drive with good economy.

 

[230K]

Aurora

My advice would be definitely do not spend £15K on a W210 because you will be hit hard by depreciation, car will be worth £6-7 in 2 years time.
I would go for a 97-98 E300TD budget on spending £7-10K at least in 2 years a price of £4-5K would not be so bad.
Look at the way the C's have fell in money over the last year or so, E's are starting to do the same.
The build quality of the mechanicals is top rate there are problems with rust silver seems to be worst, but shop around and you will get a nice one.
300TD will have very similar servicing and running costs to the C

230K

 

[Aurora]

Whilst I think about it there's something else I wanted to ask.....

I'm trying to look for an Elegance or Classic model since I'm told these have the softer suspension as opposed to the AvantGarde. Problem is, there's loads of AvantGardes for sale, but few Elegance and Classic.

Is there much of a difference in ride comfort between these models so much that I would notice? Or should I not worry about this too much, thus expanding my options?

Thanks.

 

[Impaler]

Aurora, it's not true there's no diesel version of the previous S- class. In fact, there are two.S300 and S350 turbodiesel (I've seen two examples of the latter in Spain). However, they might not have been sold in Britain.