New Guy

[glasgow-iain]

Hi all,

Ive just registered on the forum....

My name is Iain and im 32 years old and live just outside Glasgow,

I dont own a Merc as yet....ive always drove big Vauxhall/Opel's

Monza's...Senator's...Carlton GSi's etc and most recently Omega's

Im now looking for a change
and my opinion of cars is that it should be rear wheel drive and the engine should be chain driven!

Now im not sure really which Merc i fancy(well i do,but i cant afford it) i did look at a couple of C-Class models which i did like,

What else is out there that i should look at? criteria is.....

Dont want huge engine size,and something thats relatively reasonable maintenance costs and reasonable insurance group

Any suggestions would be most welcome

Thanks People

 

[glasgow-iain]

Meant to say..im not looking for new...

somewhere around 2000/01 age

 

[st4]

Diesel or petrol.

With any merc an auto is a must....

Welcome BTW.

 

[glasgow-iain]

Thanks for the welcome

Auto!!! i wouldn't drive anything else...im lazy the only manual ive had in the last 10 years was the Carlton GSi 24v...which can be allowed,cause it was a beast

Fuel wise? probably a Petrol...i dont do enough mileage to justify a Diesel

 

[st4]

No worries. Its good to have another fella from the Glasgow area on here, we are talking of doing a meet in another thread BTW...

E or C class with a V6 petrol motor will be your best bet for reasonable costs + decent performance.

What sorta budget do you have? The older shape (W210) E class is a reliable big brute and rust is the only issue, don't know too much about the W203 C class but being a modern car its not so rust prone AFAIK. Both these ranges are in the 2001 area.

 

[glasgow-iain]

I have to say....i looked at an E320 Elegance...i know i said around a 2000, but this thing was a 1996 on a 'P' and i loved it...was only 2k as well...was tempted...thing i liked about it too was when you lifted the bonnet, there was an engine in there!!...you could see pulley's,the block etc etc...it was great! im old school i like to see the plant rather than big plastic covers that make it impossible to anything without taking the damm thing out!

My Omega was a 'Y' reg,and i didn't want to go back the way age wise,but for a Merc i dont really care what age.....really

What is the best engine for reliability

 

[st4]

Engine wise they are all pretty good, an E320 is an excellent choice. You may not be quite so keen on the W203 C class as thats fairly high tech.

For you the W210 E class will be a better bet, the only issue is the rust on these. They are otherwise fairly bullet proof motors AFAIK.

 

[glasgow-iain]

ok in a different direction,i am going to see a 1998 C-180 sport tomorrow

79k,fsh auto.mileage possibly a bit high

any opinions or things i should check/look for

any help appreciated guys

Cheers

 

[Blobcat]

ok in a different direction,i am going to see a 1998 C-180 sport tomorrow

79k,fsh auto.mileage possibly a bit high

any opinions or things i should check/look for

any help appreciated guys

Cheers

The smallest engine and all Mercedes are heavy so it won't set the world alight. You might get a decent enough deal on a C320 or C280 how much are you looking at parting with?

 

[Blobcat]

You try this for a bit of fun. It actually looks really good for the year.

 

[glasgow-iain]

that would do!!

Im not looking for it to be quick really(my son is with me a lot)
and i have driven 3 litres since i was 19! my Omega at 2.2 was the smallest engine ive ever had!

Im looking for something that will start an a cold frosty Scottish morning and will keep going without a lot of outlay every month..

Reasonable on fuel and reasonable insurance and tax. and not huge cause ive got a new garage and its a typical minimum size new garage!

apart from all that anything really!!!!

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Yes!!
examine the paintwork closely especialy the wheel arches,clean but not wet is good.
I dont think 79k is a lot, however will be ready for new f pads/disk's plus r/pads. Has the auto fluid been changed? plus research the vaelo issue here on the forum.
Cheers
Teddy Bear

 

[glasgow-iain]

Ok will do......

Thanks for that

 

[glasgow-iain]

Ok,seen this car...bit rough in my opinion...

Wanted 2,495...wouldn't budge on price,

drivers door above trim a medium rust patch and bootlid rusted around lock,

Interior a bit shabby,bonnet badge broken,7 months test..

engine sounded a bit lumpy...now im not too clued up on these cars value,but i felt it was a bit dear for what it was,so i walked...

can anyone tell me what kind of mileage does the 1.8 and 2.0 do before it would be high for that engine? and are these engines chain driven?

Excuse my ignorance but im a MB virgin!

 

[Blobcat]

All duplex chain cams

 

[Ashley H]

Hi Iain

Welcome from another West Coast resident & relative newbie!

My wife runs a C180 (the original one, a '98 "S") and I wouldn't recommend it if you want any kind of oomph - don't get me wrong, it's a very pleasant car and a comfortable motorway cruiser (although I find the seat/steering wheel realtionship doesn't do it for me) but the acceleration is pretty leisurely

Another thing to think about - I don't know hold old your son is, but I'm 6' and there's not a great deal of room behind me when I'm driving it...

Hope this helps & good luck.

 

[glasgow-iain]

Thanks for the replies..

Good old duplex chains! one more question....what would be considered high mileage,the straight 6's that i know about in Monza's etc were good for 200k before you had to worry....

now i would guess around 160k for the MB 4 pot...am i far away?

hi Ashley H,good to know your close by!

Im 5'7" so not really a problem.....i always have the boy (who's 7) passenger side,so he gets out on the pavement,ideally if the back seat was flat i would have him in th middle,my current car has the lump in the middle so his booster seat doesn't sit properly,plus only a lap belt.

Ive had years of 3 litre Monza's,Senator's & Carlton's with plenty acceleration so now at my 32 years(and increasing quickly)im quite happy to take a week to get to 60 mph!

I have always like the c-class and have been used to cars that are pretty bullet proof,so im hoping for the same.....

 

[glasgow-iain]

Can anyone tell me what would be considered high mileage for the 1.8/2.0/2.2 engine??

 

[glasgow-iain]

........anyone??

 

[hawk20]

They all do huge miles.