Merc under £2000

[mbzoo]

So in terms of likely problems in the next 18months ( i know we dont have a crystal ball ) but is the 3.0 C280 or 3.2 C320 a better bet ?

 

[Blobcat]

So in terms of likely problems in the next 18months ( i know we dont have a crystal ball ) but is the 3.0 C280 or 3.2 C320 a better bet ?

Better car, just check the engine number in the link I posted above

 

[mbzoo]

so the M112 is a better bet..more reliable ?

 

[AnthonyUK]

so the M112 is a better bet..more reliable ?

A lot depends on how well they have been looked after but at that price point more likely.

The M112 is older, simpler and at the end of its lifecycle nearly all production issues are ironed out.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Might just be my eyes or the photos but the gapping looks a bit odd....

 

[mbzoo]

This is what I love and also hate about forums.... the experts are worth their weight in gold but for a someone like me it means I get put off every car I see as, quite rightly, dealers may be hiding a multitude of problems which everyone points out... I have no car now so I will be trusting on the pictures, MOT history , the dealers words and gut feeling.

If anyone knows of a genuine car they know of that would suit that would be great..

 

[js190d]

The 230 slk currently in the for sale section of this very forum looks like a bit of a bargain!

 

[mbzoo]

Which one... Do u mean the one with the rusty arches etc?
Cheers

 

[js190d]

Yep, that is the one. Bit of surface rust never hurt anyone. Buy it, drive it till it's mot is up then sell the AMG alloys for £300. Free motoring more or less. It's not mine by the way

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/for-sale-slk-230k.179572/

 

[umblecumbuz]

I have had several 203 Class Mercs, mostly with the 220 cdi engine, mapped like Cole's. They all regularly returned 60 mpg with brisk, but not stupid, driving. The bidder petrol engined versions had the early 7 speed gearbox, whereas the smaller engined ones had the 5 speed gearbox, which was a well proven and robust box. The best of the bunch that I owned was the 270cdi - not so commonly available now, but an amazing long-legged car with huge performance and best economy. Those were all diesels.

Whichever version you buy, please do not buy one that shows rust. If rust is seen on the obviously visible bodywork, it is quite likely present also underneath. Mechanical problems, of which this model has few, are more easily identified and fixed than half-hidden rust. It is the rust that will finally kill off the car. Post 2004 models were less prone to the rust worm.

 

[mbzoo]

2 totally different opinions... my head hurst lol

"..Bit of surface rust never hurt anyone..."

"...Whichever version you buy, please do not buy one that shows rust..."

 

[js190d]

2 totally different opinions... my head hurst lol

"..Bit of surface rust never hurt anyone..."

"...Whichever version you buy, please do not buy one that shows rust..."

Look online at the cars mot history. It should then be easy to see if a car has serious structural rust or just surface rust.

 

[Blobcat]

2 totally different opinions... my head hurst lol

"..Bit of surface rust never hurt anyone..."

"...Whichever version you buy, please do not buy one that shows rust..."

As you said before probably the worst place to get advice for buying a car is a forum...
People come to forums when they have an issue they require help and advice on, I suggest you go and buy one you like the look of from a trusted (to you) dealer. All cars can be bad and all can be good, there's a lot more cars out there running perfectly than members on here with issues.

 

[AnthonyUK]

2 totally different opinions... my head hurst lol

"..Bit of surface rust never hurt anyone..."

"...Whichever version you buy, please do not buy one that shows rust..."

Nobody said not to buy them but you are aware now that some have bodywork issues. It is generally surface rust and not structural but this may put some people off.

The M272 one you were looking at might be out of the range that is affected.

Get some details from the seller e.g. the VIN and you can then use one of the online VIN decoders to get some vehicle details including the engine no. which you can then check against the affected range.

Some scare stories but forewarned is forearmed and sometimes you just have to take a punt especially at under £2k.
If you get a year or two relatively trouble free motoring then anything else is a bonus.

IMO the best bargains are in the larger sized engines as most people don't want to entertain the fuel costs as they want to use them more frequently. Also there is a general impression the MB are expensive to run which is not really the case if you can get a well maintained one.

The MOT history for that C320 I linked to for example has only had common issues such as brakes, tyres and broken springs (another common issue on the 203).

 

[mbzoo]

dont think I am not grateful for the advice...I am..

I'll contact the SLK guy on the forum..

saw these

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001206359240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001035753227

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001136085179

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201911084172038

 

[grayb]

dont think I am not grateful for the advice...I am..

I'll contact the SLK guy on the forum..

saw these

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001206359240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001035753227

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001136085179

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201911084172038

The SLK looks fun - but more to go wrong... I like the look of the C280.

 

[mbzoo]

Thanks..

may seem like a daft question but I know the SLK is a sports car but is it as low as say an MX5 which wouldnot be suitable for an able but elderly person to get in and out easily... ?

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks..

may seem like a daft question but I know the SLK is a sports car but is it as low as say an MX5 which wouldnot be suitable for an able but elderly person to get in and out easily... ?

More of an issue is the long doors which require large parking spaces to get an elderly person out comfortably. If you're transporting elderly people I'd go for a 4 door for that reason.

 

[mbzoo]

unfortunately, I think you are right ...

just need to find a good un..

 

[mbzoo]

I had a look at the 280... they haven't replied to my email and I saw this in the advert... "...NO WARRANTY GIVEN OR IMPLIED, CUSTOMER TO INSPECT VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASE..." .. so wondering if they know something !