I this C Class a good buy

[roblpm]

Hi

New to this!

Anyway here is a car I'm interested in:

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/detail.asp?Id=309382

Its a 2004 (54) 1.8 Komp Classic SE Saloon with 64000 miles!

Some questions:

1) What are the pros and cons of buying a high mileage car. This is the face lift model and will obviously have the balance of the MB warranty. However I could get a 2003 model with only say 30000 miles for the same sort of money.

2) Has anyone bought from cargiant without looking at the vehicle first (I live in Scotland!)

3) What colour is this?? It looks black in the photos but I am assured it is very dark blue. Is this a colour that doesnt exist now?? Metallic or non metallic?

4) How badly are the ersiduals going to be hit when the new model comes out?
Cheers

Rob

 

[robbo]

The colour is probably Tansanite blue which is a very dark blue metallic finish. In sunlight it takes on a slight purplish hue. Its my favourite MB colour.

The facelift car is miles better quality than the pre-facelift and is galvanised so it wont rust (unlike earlier MBs!) As the miles will have been mostly motorway, it wont have stressed the car. so provided it has a full history and has a clean HPI, I'd have thought it wouldnt be bad choice.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome

Newer is usually better, mileage is not so much of an issue and having a balance of MB warranty is well worth it. High mileage tends to be hour after hour on the motorwar with the car at full running temperature. Low mileage could be short journeys where the car never gets up to temperature. The high mileage car will be well run in and most likely no corrosion, the low mileage could have corroded brakes and exhaust system.
I would want to see it first and although it is the SE model it is still the base Classic trim level. The 180 is not the most powerful of engines either so ensure you would be happy with it before handing over the folding.

 

[thespirit3]

OK, I recently bought a pre-facelift 04 plate C220 CDI with 43k on the clock for £15k from a dealer. The price for this one looks about right, for the age and mileage.

Pro's and con's of a high mileage car? I think most would argue 64k on the clock is not high mileage for a Mercedes. If it's been serviced regularly by a Merc dealer (which as it's only 2 years old I'd certainly hope it has!) then you shouldn't have any problems. I believe all mercedes use timing chains instead of belts (this is certainly true of the diesels - and probably of the petrols too) - so at this mileage, the only things you should encounter are brake pads etc.

I had a similar option to you - an 04 plate with 43k on the clock, or an 03 plate with only 30k, for the same money. I went for the newer - as I figured the resale value may be higher (I'll hammer it in terms of mileage anyway). But I guess it's a personal thing. If you buy a MB from a main dealer you get a year warranty anyway (plus corrosion warranty for life providing it's serviced by main dealers). Have you checked the used cars on the mercedes.co.uk webby? You may find something suitable in your area ... I found the 'peace of mind' of an approved car and associated warranty to be reassuring

Cargiant - I have no experience with.

If they say it's dark blue, it'll be the same as mine - dark blue metallic, and still available (check the car builder at mercedes.co.uk - spec up a new one, and you'll see the colour). Clean it looks superb - and it's a great colour in terms of resale value too.

I'd highly recommend checking out approved used cars though - I found the price from a MB dealer to be comparable to prices elsewhere - and you do get peace of mind.

 

[thespirit3]

I should add - the post-facelift has a much nicer dash. whilst I love my car to bits - the dash pre-facelift is (as someone posted recently) 'a little french'. The chrome surrounds of the new mph & rev counters is much much nicer, although of course purely cosmetic

 

[bitonw]

I disagree that a C180 Kompressor is a low powered engine for the C-Class.

I had an 06 C180 Kompressor Avantgarde automatic for 3 days as courtesy car while my 03 C220 CDI automatic was in for service B and new master cylinder plus booster.

I had a Lexus IS200 automatic before and I must say that I didn't found it very different. In fact it was even better! The engine is lively with enough torque (more than the IS200) and good economics. Had about 42mpg on the motorway. Also the insurance class and road tax are good for this type of car.

Most of the times I find that people always want to have the biggest engine etc etc. Get your self a C55 AMG and your the man... Yeah if you live in Germany sure but here on this small Island with those bad road and drivers...

The only way to find out is a test drive in a couple (different engines) models.

The only reason I drive the C220 CDI is the huge mileage I drive... Other wise I had an C180 Kompressor.

 

[roblpm]

Thanks for your replies so far!! Very useful. Only trouble is Cargiant wont take a deposit over the phone, my ace theory was deposit/rac check/fly down and pick up!!

I reckon used prices in scotland are 10-20% more than down south!!

No-one has commented on the plummeting residuals afetr the new model comes out!

 

[bitonw]

No-one has commented on the plummeting residuals afetr the new model comes out!

Your right, if you have the time to wait?