Hi and greatful thanks from a newbie

[Geryatrix]

I have been been on this forum for a while, gathering information and I thought that it was about time that I introduced myself.
I have a 2000 E class 220cdi which I bought when it was 3 years old. Because it has now done 165,000 miles and has a few small rust issues I was looking to replace it. I was quoted £400 to have the bodywork done, but other than that there are no problems with the car.

Having read on here about other owners having success with getting rust problems sorted by MB, I decided to try, Result, the car goes in on monday to have the work done for free. I also learned on here about rust under the door rubbers at the top of the doors and MB have agreed to rectify this at the same time.

The other information that I have got from your posters, is that age of the car is not necessarily a problem, so as I was expecting to have to spend in the region of £15K to get a similar 3 year old car, but having a car that now has no problems whatsoever, I have decided to stay with the car that I have.

I would really like to express my sincere thanks for the information that is contained on this site, and hope that I will be able to make useful contributions in the future.

 

[colechelle]

Im sure i speak for everyone, thank you,

Good result with the rust, good car is about to impove and not parting with a penny, impressed, sure a few other on here would haved liked the same result with there rust!!!!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I have been been on this forum for a while,

The other information that I have got from your posters, is that age of the car is not necessarily a problem, so as I was expecting to have to spend in the region of £15K to get a similar 3 year old car, but having a car that now has no problems whatsoever, I have decided to stay with the car that I have.

Well done you! It is good to hear a success story from time to time and this is a great example. Changing cars is always stressful - dealers never offer what you think your car is worth and then you still have to deal with the reason the previous owner sold the one you then buy.

I think the longest we ever kept a car was 10 years (190), but even then it was still in tip top condition and fetched a good price - we felt we needed an estate car, so we eventually changed. Given that you don't finally fill the ashtry, or get bored with the colour, I am sure your e-class has many years of good service to offer. That's why the taxi trade throughout Europe love them - not cheap initially but they are great cars and they do last well.

 

[Geryatrix]

The thing is, I've gone through my working life with company cars, which, although they were only euroboxes, were replaced every three years, and in the end you get programmed to want another car after three or four years.

Being a bit of a car nut, I often had my own car as well as a company car, normally something exotic, Jag SS100 'Vert, TR6, Jensen interseptor and the like, but the best car I ever had was 1979 SL350 so when retirement loomed I bought my E class and ran it on expenses for the first year which almost paid for the car, and gave me a superb car for minimal costs.

Reading comments on this forum about Mercs much older than mine made me realise that the only thing I would gain would be a newer body shape, comfort would be the same, and probably reliability would also remain the same. I'm at present getting high 40s to low 50s mpg, so I couldn't expect much improvement there, so better the devil you know.

 

[roofless]

that sounds like a good plan if it aint broke dont fix it