Due for a change

[colinspeight]

I am an owner of S Type 2.5 Sport, had it for 3 years not a peep out of it, cannot run to an XF and later S Types losing money badly so now fancy a change maybe a Mercedes saloon. Looked at C and E class, dozens of them in fact at local dealers very impressed, any tips and clues as to problems or the better models to go for please.

 

[Dosco]

Welcome....

...to the Forum I am sure you be receiving lots of thoughts, advice and ideas on what to go for. There are plenty out there so take your time shop around and test drive the models you are interested in before making a final decision - good hunting

 

[hawk20]

It is difficult to give any meaningful advice without a budget. How much do you plan to spend? Personally I think the E is better value. Both have good looks but the E has more room and comfort for similar running costs.

Ideally go for the facelifted E class. Numerous changes. About 2006 IIRC. If that's too much for the budget, get one produced in 2003 onwards (NB produced not first registered) as that will have all steel panels fully galvanised.

There's a good search engine on the MB website for approved used MB's which come with a full 12 month warranty (or remains of 3 year warranty if that is longer)

 

[Micman]

Hi there

If you're looking for a Merc then to be honest there isn't really any models to avoid in either the C-class or E-class range.

STEP 1 - First decide which size car suits you best. I like to think of the C-class and E-class as scaled down versions of the S-class which is far from a bad thing!

C-class is the smaller, E-class is medium sized. Both available as Saloon or Estate versions. If you go for a C-class then go for the revamped / facelifted versions from Sept 2004 onwards - these have a much better interior finish.

STEP 2 - Next decide engine type - Petrol or Diesel.

Some might say the smaller engines are gutless - but as far as the C-class is concerned I have the 180K and that has plenty of power in my opinion.

Model line up consists of Classic, Elegance and then Avantgarde.

All 3 are essentially the same - Classic is your entry level basic spec. Then Elegance and Avantgarde are both pretty much the same high spec. Elegance spec tends to be geared towards luxury / refined. Avantgarde spec is almost identical only it tends to have a 'sportier' twist.

Things to note: Both the C and E class are more desirable as auto's so you will find plenty out there. The manuals don't command the same resale price so don't pay over the odds for a manual version if that's what you want. Most desirable colours are Black and Silver. (Personally I would steer clear of Bright red, Bright blue, or Gold - but thats my opinion). Being executive / luxury cars leather interiors are also more desirable.

I'm sure others will be along soon to advise you further - but hope my post gives you a starting point to understanding Mercedes

 

[hawk20]

Worth bearing in mind that 9 out of 10 E class cars sold in the UK are diesel. Great! MB website gives performance and economy figures or go to What Car for reviews.

Also, bear in mind, way over 90% of all MB's are automatic. The auto box is so good few if any ever want to go back to manual.

 

[hawk20]

Have we lost the OP? A rough idea of budget would help as in my earlier posting

 

[st4]

I guess as the OP had an S type an E class is more appropriate as thats the equivelent car in the Mercedes Range to the Jaguar S type.

He had a petrol one, I'd guess that maybe an E350 or E500 would be a nice step in the right direction for him, as good as the diesels are the petrols are good too. My only word of caution is that the S type is "more of a drivers car" and he may find the E not as much fun, although its able to be driven in a way no large saloon should be

he should aim for a new (i.e facelifted E class) car if at all possible, and going the petrol route should seal a nice facelifted car for well under £20k. A diesel will be £1-£2k more expensive but will make the S type seem like it had a leaky fuel tank.

Aside, how much are used petrol 204's (280's and 350's) as this is a newer car than a 211? The all new C class is worth a look, but after an S type a 203 will feel a downgrade

 

[outsmartsmart]

My two penn'orth

Ive had a 2006 C220CDi Avantgarde estate and now have a 2004 E320CDi Avantgarde saloon (with a CLK Cabrio in the middle, which isn't relevent to this topic!). I've also run many X, S and XJ jags as company cars.

From an S type the E class is a closer match, probably a 'bit' bigger and the C class a 'bit' smaller. I think the 220 diesel is 'perfect' for the C class and I am more than happy with the 320 diesel in my E class (better than a couple of 270 diesels I drove and I understand as good/better on fuel).

I only ever want/have had Avantgarde trim spec as I can't stand 'mahogony' coloured wood in cars. I only ever want/have had black leather and only ever want black/have had black or silver paintwork - the only colour schemes that 'do it' for me.

I spent a long time looking for my E class and as to prices I found independent dealers as cheap as buying private and some good guys out there. I had about £13k budget in mind and in my experience was looking at nice, clean 53/54 plate E320 diesels with anything from about 50k to 90k on the clocks. In the end I got a fantastic deal, through a contact, on a lease car being returned that put me in a low mileage 54 plater and got me change from £12k.

I am chuffed to bits with the car, currently seeing 40mpg without any real effort (fast, A road commutes and a bit of town driving).

For years I was an 'anti-Merc' person, not negatively, just never did anything for me until common sense, a calculator and a desire to not have a BMW320d saw me in the C class estate. Been a keen supporter since and have talked a few people into trying one with positive results.

Definately would recommend an E class 320CDi to replace your Jag'. If your Jag' had the 2.7 diesel don't have the Merc' 2.7 diesel as the Jag one is better in my opinion and the 3.2 diesel much better suited to the car with no negatives I can see really.