Hi all, Newbie here!

[curious newbie]

Hi to all,

Just new to the site, I am considering buying my 1st ever mercedes and thought i ought to do some research into them before I buy.

I am looking at a C class coupe either a 180 or 200. About 5 years old (im not that rich unfortunatly) so on an 04/05 plate. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has experience of a similar model. I am particularly wondering if anyone can let me know about things like

reliablity
maintance costs
running costs
and generally what they are like to live with.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you CN

 

[Cole@MBS]

Welcome,

Good time to but right now, full history is a must for me, the newer you can get the better, My 200cdi will do 58 on a gentle run, normal things to look for as buying any car, rust, damage, etc.

Im sure your get some more good advice!!

 

[television]

Go for at least a 06-04 car, they have very good bodies and paint.

We have loads of members with them and welcome to the forum

 

[curious newbie]

Thanks for your help.

S-A-M/U-N-I-T: What is the performance difference between a diesel and a petrol? would you know?

And Television, excuse my ignorance but im guessing that when you say an 06-04 car you mean the years of registration - 2004-2006?

 

[Cole@MBS]

Theres a diff in performance as you would expect, i seen 140 mph out of my 200cdi, so it do get there, Malc means from june 2004!

 

[HJHPH]

HI CN, we have had ours for 3 years now and it's a great car with four decent seats and good storage space. My wife regularly gets 48 mpg. Go for an auto as they resale better, leather and panoramic sunroof are good options and go for as many toys as you can get. Good luck
Paul.

 

[curious newbie]

Thanks guys for all your advice. Have any of you heard of anything going wrong with the coupe structrual wise as i have heard rumours of this. I agree with the many toys idea HJHPH but if im honest i would prefer to get a manual as I find you get more fun from driving then! But maybe that is just me!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

i would prefer to get a manual as I find you get more fun from driving then! But maybe that is just me!

Hi curious - and welcome to the Forum.

We all go through the phase of preferring manual transmission. In my generation it was because cars had much less power, the automatic gearboxes were less good (and less common), autos were pretty sluggish and used lots more fuel.

The cars have moved on, and so have I. Had my first automatic in the ealy 1990s and have rarely driven manuals since. The current generation diesels with auto are probably the dream ticket (although public transport has been doing this for years), but the MB petrol engines mate perfectly with autos too. So you won't lose on performance, or economy. It is certainly easier in heavy traffic, and as most MBs sold in the UK are probably autos, it may give you a wider choice of cars.

Anway, that's enough counselling for one dy. We look forward to hearing of your choice, and to seeing the pics! Good hunting.

 

[lulu]

Hi Curious,

I thoroughly enjoy driving mine. I was apprehensive about an auto, but had no choice due to an accident with my legs. My fears were unfounded, they perform very well.

I had a rear sam (fancy fusebox) go on mine (under warranty).
Something rattled itself to bits in the exhaust (under warranty).
Rust on the black bits of trim along the bottom of the side windows (under warranty and are now rusting again less than 2 years later!)
Track rod needed to be replaced at 55,000 miles which I felt should be the sort of component to last the life of the car.
Turbo now sounds like a ****** police siren such that all passengers I carry think there's one approaching from somewhere! This went 3 months out of warranty and the dealer said they'd ask MB about a goodwill gesture to have it fixed. Never heard back from them!

I've had new discs & pads. Changed the gearbox oil & filter myself at 45,000. It's now DIY servicing with regular oil changes, etc.

My overall fuel consumption (according to the onboard computer) is approx 37mpg.

All in all not too bad, I'm hoping she's now bedded in for a good few miles without too much aggro.

 

[fat bloke]

Hi Newbie here
First time on forum how do I find out about removing s500 inner door panel to do repair to door skin from inside ??

 

[Cole@MBS]

Welcome Fat bloke!

If malc dont do it for you then i can send you the info, bit of a work up!

 

[television]

What s Class is the car 140,220 or 221

 

[Cole@MBS]

1997, that will be a 140 Malc!

 

[television]

1997, that will be a 140 Malc!

I did not think of looking on the right, I will print off now

 

[Cole@MBS]

I thought you would already have them to hand, nice one malc, i remember its a work up!!

 

[television]

I had one for the rear door, and have one for the front door now and I have Emailed it to him.


My WIS all went wrong yesterday and I had to remove it all and re install. One of the drivers multiplied its self 10 times, and I had a strange wis and no Astra

 

[Cole@MBS]

Hi Curious,

I thoroughly enjoy driving mine. I was apprehensive about an auto, but had no choice due to an accident with my legs. My fears were unfounded, they perform very well.

I had a rear sam (fancy fusebox) go on mine (under warranty).
Something rattled itself to bits in the exhaust (under warranty).
Rust on the black bits of trim along the bottom of the side windows (under warranty and are now rusting again less than 2 years later!)
Track rod needed to be replaced at 55,000 miles which I felt should be the sort of component to last the life of the car.
Turbo now sounds like a ****** police siren such that all passengers I carry think there's one approaching from somewhere! This went 3 months out of warranty and the dealer said they'd ask MB about a goodwill gesture to have it fixed. Never heard back from them!

I've had new discs & pads. Changed the gearbox oil & filter myself at 45,000. It's now DIY servicing with regular oil changes, etc.

My overall fuel consumption (according to the onboard computer) is approx 37mpg.

All in all not too bad, I'm hoping she's now bedded in for a good few miles without too much aggro.

I had one for the rear door, and have one for the front door now and I have Emailed it to him.


My WIS all went wrong yesterday and I had to remove it all and re install. One of the drivers multiplied its self 10 times, and I had a strange wis and no Astra

ASRA Malc!!!

 

[television]

ASRA Malc!!!

I get so used to seeing both in my line, never use it anyway, only for the old stuff

 

[HJHPH]

Thanks guys for all your advice. Have any of you heard of anything going wrong with the coupe structrual wise as i have heard rumours of this. I agree with the many toys idea HJHPH but if im honest i would prefer to get a manual as I find you get more fun from driving then! But maybe that is just me!

Hi well horses for courses as they say and the car you purchase should reflect the fact that it is a manual in the purchase price, as said before though it may well restrict your choices due to the limited number of manual cars available. Also the auto does have a tip function.
Good luck
Paul.

 

[fat bloke]

Thanks for your help guys I have picture and will have a go .

As I said on email car was part payment for work so more than im used to but hope I can do it up and do it justice , thanks again Dave