first time buyer advice

[peterb]

hi, I am presently looking to buy my first mercedes. I am doing some research and I hope some of you can offer some good advice. I dont have kids so I dont desperately need a particularly big car but then again I love the look of classicly shaped merc! I'm not a speed freak but like everyone else would like to know it's there if needed. I am looking to spend around £10k. From what I've read already it seems that service history is vital and that seems like sound advice. What would you buy if you were me? What wouldn't you buy? What about servicing costs. evryone says its expensive...but they don't own one. What should I look for when buying? thanks in advance. peter.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Welcome,

With a budget of 10K, you should be able to get yourself an extremely nice Mercedes, however you need to ask yourself some questions.

1). Where will you get it serviced? - Find a local independant MB specialist
2). What type of Mercedes? - Probably the most controversial point.

IF I were in your shoes I would be looking for a W124 E320 Coupe of about 1995 vintage. With this car you are looking at elegant design, the legendary Mercedes engineering and plenty of power available should you need it.

Servicing is essential, either by an independant or a dealer, and unless you just go to a dealer for everything, it doesn't have to be expensive. My local indie charges about a 1/3rd of the labour rate the local dealer charges, and seems to be able to do a better job.

Good luck with the search, if you are patient and picky, and with the money you have, you could get yourself a first class Mercedes.

Richard

1989 W124 300E

 

[kensalriser]

Buy what you like the look of! Spend your time researching the model, and look at as many as you can, of all conditions and mileage. Bear in mind that if you buy something over ten years old and join a classic car club you will qualify for classic car insurance, which can be a fraction of the normal cost - it helps if the vehicle is kept off street or better still garaged. If you like older models, pre '73 vehicles do not carry road tax.
Also, from a condition point of view you are better off buying a model for which your budget is top dollar, ie you can get the best you find. If you pay 10k for a model that usually goes for 15-20k (a Pagoda for example) you'll be buying a lot of expensive remedial work!

 

[heckflosse]

For 10K I'ld go for a nice late R107 SL

 

[peterb]

thanks for the advice, I have looked around at some e class coupes and found a really nice one from a dealer - 1996 only 19k mileage full history but a bit pricey at £14k. I'm determined to source a good one any other hints would be appreciated. Sorry to sound so ignorent but what does w124 mean? I'm going to join this owners club and get along to a meeting if I find one localy (glasgow area) with a mind to finding a good local garage for servicing and maybe even source a good quality vehicle. Any other replies would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks again. Peter.

 

[Spike]

For about 10K you should be able to get a W124 (E class) Convertible....definately a future classic and holding their values very well.

14K for a 1996 CE class - jeepers thats high. I hope that mileage is genuine.

 

[jaymanek]

Spike - u wont get a decent cabrio for 10K! Maybe a shabby early one, but not a respectable one!

124 is the chassis prefix of the e classes up to 1997... The e class coupe is a 124 coupe...

Beautiful cars, i used to own one, which is now up for sale by the present owner, its a p reg E220 coupe with 85k on clock, its in beautiful condition.
If you are interested i can put you in touch with him.. lemme know!

Cheers

Jay

 

[Spike]

mmmm this looks worth a looksee

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2442485512&category=28641

 

[kensalriser]

That kind of premium isn't really justified unless the car has been kept in a heated or dehumidified garage and is absolutely perfect and even then it's still probably over the top.
Try Paul Mazzoni at Merparts 01475 741236. he's a font of knowledge on all things Merc.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Could do with some more pictures for that coupe on eBay.

I didn't think it was too bad a price, and I reckon he would settle for 6K

...but then there are always more fish in the sea, and a 'N' reg would be nice, sigh, if only I had 10K to spend on another car :cry:

Cheers,

Richard

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Despite a 2000 W210 E320cdi my favourite is the W124 coupe or convertible. Durable, reliable, strong, not overly complicated and not over expensive to maintain. Don't go overboard on the price but do buy a good one thats not been crashed, poorly repaired or abused. Find a good independent service centre even if it means a day off work for a service because you will get pleasure driving that lovely motor, dealing with someone who will know it as well or better than you, service with a smile and a good journey home.

When the W210 range is all buried the W124 will still be going strong.

Your W124 should run for many years, just maintain her nicely.