Merc Newbie

[saz]

Hi Folks
First post so I hope I'm not too dumbed-down.
Looking move from a dated BMW 520 (last 7 years from 60k to 190k) to a 2001/2002 220cdi.
Any suggestions on which model / prices etc.?

Since I would be buying in around 80K, what sort of problems should I anticipate?

Finally, any ideas on servicing costs (assuming 20k mileage per annum) from both main dealers and independents?

Cheers
saz.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Merc is a good car to drive but they give a lot of trouble and their reliability is seriously suspect and nowhere near to BMW. JD Power rates them down att he very bottom of the list, with Fiats and so on. Having had 5 Fiats I have to say the Merc and dealer service is far worse than the Power survey indicates.

I would seriously recommend 320d or 330d or 5 series d. None of them seem to suffer anything like the nightmarish problems that Mercs suffer from and their dealers cannot sort out. Merc Main dealers, unless you know for certain your local one is good tend to treat their customers like dirt that has appeared on their living room carpet.

If you are determined to go Merc go older, to the earlier W124 Eclass with the 300D engine, they seem tolast forever and plenty of good independents out there to maintain them, otherwise stay well clear.

 

[reefer]

hiya
and welcome to the forum(even tho im just leaving it lol)
do your self a favour..keep the bm or get another 5 series!
i sold a 520 on a 89 plate and bought a e320 on a 97 plate....bmw had no rust onit..e320 is falling apart with rust 14 months later!
what would i do if i could turn the clock back??..id have kept the 520 bmw!
i am part x in mine for a volvo! at the weekend

check out the thread in the tech questions area about "e-class rust how bad does it get"

dont think you are buying a merc with a good reputation...post 95 mercs are being sold on an old reputaion that mercedes forgot long ago!
sorry but its the truth m8 :roll: