Have we made the right choice ? -C220 CDI AVANTGARDE - Manual !

[baggies]

Right ... my Dad got his first Merc last week a c220 cdi avantgarde an 02 with only 16k on the clock... took it for a drive it was brilliant so smooth... ...hes deserved a nice car...he worked hard enough over the years ! anyway he has always driven a bmw and its always been a manual hes also gone for a manual Mercedes !.... now i have been hearing that the manuals are a mistake especialy when it come to buying a Merc.... i suppose we could exchange it for an automatic ...question im really asking is should we have gone for an auto instead of the manual ?? do manual'a miss out on performance drivabilty etc and are they also harder to sell in the long run ???? Also could anyone tell me the difference between the avantagard / elegance models i also thought the avantgarde ones were better spec ??

any advice would be greatly appreciated..

thanks

 

[littlebrooklyn]

When we first started looking for a Mercedes we did a lot of searching online beforehand to see what was said about buying manual versus automatic and it does seem that automatics are far more popular. If you get the tiptronic...hope I spelt that right...then you can still drive it manually too.

As for the difference between the models, once again only going by what I have read, the Avantgarde seems to have a more sporty look with lower suspension, aluminium rather than wood trim and apparently that makes it feel and look more powerful.

I am sure someone else with far more knowledge than myself is going to give you advice though

 

[jberks]

The auto vs manual debate will rage on forever. Basically, Mercs are traditionally the luxury brand and BM. the sporty one. The lines are a bit blurred these days but more merc owners plump for auto than manual as autos better suit the unflustered personality of a merc. If you're happy with the manual then enjoy it and don't worry. Everyone worries about resale value, but at the end of the day, the only guaranteed thing is that they will offer you bottom book no matter what, and there is no book difference between manual and auto. I've just had a trade in price on mine - bottom book despite being immaculate with a sensible mileage, the same happened when I tried to trade the C, again despite being low mileage with FMBSH and in showroom condition I was offered bugger all for it. If I'd taken in a tatty one, they'd have offered me the same. There may be a couple of hundred in it but that's all.

Personally, I wouldn't have a manual merc if hell froze over, but you will equally find someone who loves the sporty feel of a manual and thinks autos are for old people. Its whatever floats your boat.

On the Elegance/Avantgarde question, yes the AG is sporty, the Eleg a luxury version. Not sure about the C, but with the E, the AG has wider wheels than the eleg and better headlights to finish off the sporty look, The elegance has brown wood, the AG black but the level and quality perspective there is no difference. From the official perspective, they are the same level.

 

[blassberg]

enjoy your car!

next time you are due to chnage, test drive an auto, and buy whichever you like best or fancy at the time.

 

[Rory]

One reason that some people say 'Merc's have to be auto' is because of the foot operated parking brake. In an auto you can just forget about the parking brake in most circumstances, whereas in a manual it can be a bit of a palaver.

 

[robbi-wan]

you will equally find someone who loves the sporty feel of a manual and thinks autos are for old people..

That'll be me then!! :mrgreen:
(As u can see below)

As much as the debate will rage forever, it is each to thier own.
The foot operated parking brake is just that: For parking.
I never use mine except when i am getting out and hill starts can be executed with no problems at all, likewise in traffic; once you are used to it it is the most natural thing in the world.
From memory i believe the economy figures are better with manual and there is less to go wrong with a manual than an auto (correct me if i am wrong).
If he is happy - job done!

I dont intend getting rid of mine so resale value of auto vs. manual is not an issue for me, but having said that - some colours of cars are more expensive as the consumer percieves it to add more value......

Either way, (IMHO) they are fantastic cars (in auto or manual) and i hope he is as happy with his new purchase as i was (AM) with mine. 8)

 

[Slaphead]

my 13 year old manual W124 has never given any trouble at all... admittedly her automatic is a more relaxed expierience but there's very little difference really.... as long as there's a star on the bonnet you're doing ok.

 

[baggies]

a big thanks to all u guys for the input im sure dad will love his new car.... :grin: :wink:

 

[DC_insider]

Everyone worries about resale value, but at the end of the day, the only guaranteed thing is that they will offer you bottom book no matter what, and there is no book difference between manual and auto.

I would have to disagree with that.

There is a definite difference in book value between manuals and autos.

In the example the baggies has given there would be a difference of around £1,000.