Is this a good price for an E240?

[duncanda]

I have the opportunity to buy a June '99 (T plate) E240 Elegance (42,000 miles) for £13,495. It's standard spec., colour is Titanite red (metallic) with black cloth, full service history. Drives great! It's had two owners, Hertz and a private individual. Is this a good price and what, if anything, should I look out for?

 

[fuzzer]

Id be very wary about buying a hirecar. Im sure everyone who hired it could tell you how fast it takes to get from 0-60.

Not that im saying they had lead feet or anythin ...

 

[duncanda]

Thanks Fuzzer. I appreciate what your saying. I would have shared the same concerns, except that my wife's car is an ex-rental Fiesta which she's had for over 3 years and the only thing that's gone wrong is a heater valve.

Also most rental companies change their cars at around 12,000 miles, so this one seems to have spent 30,000 in the hands of one owner. Positive indication.

The reason for considering the MB, is that I'm currently driving a Saab 9-5 SE 2.0LPT '98 with an intermittent fault. I had a lot of problems with it when I bought it 2nd-hand 20 months ago and I'm not sure of it's long-term reliability. It's a comfy economical car when it's right. I've had 3 MB's in the past and enjoyed almost trouble-free motoring and great dealer service. Things I've missed whilst owning the Saab.

What are MB residuals like now? I paid £12K+interest for the Saab and am only being offered £6K trade-in against the MB, which means I'm in -ve equity If I change now it will have cost me £7K for 20 months motoring :x Not the fault of MB, just rubbish Saab residuals.

 

[A Class]

I saw one of these 'car buying programs' a while back that suggested you didn't trade in your old car at the same garage you buy your new car from as you lose out twice.

Perhaps you should get a couple of prices for your present car from some garages to see if the offer is ok, and you may get a better offer.

A while back my A class was in a dealership for nearly 3 weeks and they leant me a 3 month old C class elegance, which was actualy a Hertz hire car. I certainly didn't drive it with a lead foot, but was disapointed when they fixed mine.

 

[duncanda]

Hi A Class. The MB dealer in Edinburgh is part of a group which also has the Saab dealership. The MB sales guy phoned the Saab dealer and got the price. I did phone another MB dealer in Glasgow and they offered me the same £6K. They must just be working from a book. I'm sure if I wanted a new car, they would offer me more. Ho hum. Do I bite the bullet??

 

[fuzzer]

You should be able to tell with the car if its been looked after.

Western are ok , i bought my 2002 e class ectate from them

 

[DaveT]

I reckon if the motor seems right ( and it has got a signature warranty and full mbsh?) you should bite. the price sounds about right.
let's face it if you get more grief with the saab, you'll kick yourself all the way to the bank. :wink:

2003- the year of ...errrrm decisions.
dave t.

96 c250td auto elegance saloon in aquamarine.

 

[duncanda]

Decided to bite the bullet and have bought the E240. I had another drive today and it drives just great. It has a 12 month "Signature warranty", qualifies for Mobilo Life and I got 4 new tyres, 6 months tax and a years MOT as well.

Looking forward to getting it in the next couple of weeks. Thanks all for your advice and I look forward to contributing to the Association.