New member - Q's about buying C or E class

[rexemper]

Hi all

I'm new to this forum but have already found it very useful to get a general idea of what owning a Mercedes is all about.

I'm currently thinking of buying a new (to me) car in the next few months and thought I'd see what advice you may have. Have a budget of about £10-12k and have been looking at used E-Class as a starting point. Something like a 220CDi.

Will be using it to commute about 60 miles all in each day (mix of A roads and motorway) and for family use at weekends -wife and 2 young kids.

I suppose what I'd like to know is:

- What can I expect to buy for the budget I have?
- I've read about things like issues with rust and batteries failing if not used for a couple of weeks etc. - what should I really be looking for?
- I'm keen on getting a diesel - but have seen a few E-240's with low mileage and good spec for sale - what's the general opinion on these?
- How does the E compare to the C class? I know the C is a bit smaller in saloon guise but what's the C estate like?

Hope you guys and girls can help - I'm going to be looking at BMW and Audi as well but the Merc appeals to me more.

Cheers for now

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Hi Rex, welcome to the Forum. This is my opnion for what its worth. If you go for the E-Class you will need to look out for rust. MB do cover this and will repair it for you if its rusty but do you really want to buy a car and then have rust work done on it over the next year or so?

If you buy a C-Class don't get one any older than 2004, when they upgraded it as it will possibly go wrong quite a bit - although I'm sure there are plenty that dont. There have also been a lot of posts on C-Class Mercs pulling to the left - not that mine does (it hasn't stayed out of the garage long enough for me to find out - just joking....just)

Personally I would say that if it is a family car you are after the E-Class would be a better idea. Having moved from the Audi to the Merc I have found it to be very small inside. Not a problem in the front, but no leg room in the back and a very, very small boot. I also think the E-class tends to be better equiped and possibly better built, apart from the rust problems.

If you have your heart set on a Merc I'd recommend something like the E220Cdi, probably the Elegance model rather than the avantgarde as the avantgarde tends to have a slightly harsher ride (although they do look better as they sit slightly lower). If you want to go for the E240, then its a very nice engine.its a bit underpowered but very smooth and makes a nice noise. I'd go for the E240 personally but as a family wagon I think you'll have a bit of a shock at the economy, or lack of. You'll get around 20 to 25mpg around town and possibly 30mpg on your run to work (I do 75 miles each way to work and average about 29mpg)

Hope this helps.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I personally found the C Class too small for family needs. The E Class diesel in my opinion is ideal for the sort of commuting your doing. The E220CDi will return around 40-42mpg on your daily commute, assuming you don't sit in traffic. The E320CDi engine is a delight and will probably return 36-38mpg.

You will be able to buy either of these cars in 210 guise within your budget. The rust problems are well documented on the forum so do your homework, quality does vary.

I think the E is better put together, which is not surprising as its the most important model MB produce, these cars are the backbone of the range and MB know it.

Hope this helps, and do bear in mind that most posts on the forum are made when people are having trouble with their car or a dealer which can give a biast view of things.

I'm delighted with my 320CDi and would certainly buy another.

 

[hawk20]

Having owned E's and C's I agree with much of what Omni and Malcolm210 say. Just let me add this. The real way to safeguard yourself is to buy from a Mercedes dealer where you get a decent guarantee and get full MBSH if you can. That gives you free breakdown cover and a 30 year rust guarantee.

If you can afford it, the best safeguard of all is to buy just under 3 years old and join service plus, which covers all services, MOT's and is virtually a guarantee up until 6 years old or 120,000 miles. (see separate threads).

Here are a couple of links you may find useful: -
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...e/products/used_cars/all_used_car_search.html

http://www.used-mercedescars.co.uk

http://www.directmercedes.co.uk

http://www.glass.co.uk
Good luck.

 

[Blobcat]

I have noticed quite a lot of recent threads with problems with the 240 engine in both the C & the E. It may just be a coincidence but I have not seen as many threads on the 200, 280, 320, 420, 500 petrol or 220, 270 or 320 cdi's.

For that kind of money you could get any of the last 210 series E class or even some early 211 series E class.

 

[television]

I have noticed quite a lot of recent threads with problems with the 240 engine in both the C & the E. It may just be a coincidence but I have not seen as many threads on the 200, 280, 320, 420, 500 petrol or 220, 270 or 320 cdi's.

For that kind of money you could get any of the last 210 series E class or even some early 211 series E class.

This is an intresting observation, it almost as though all of the crankshaft sensors are failing at the same time. Could be the service item of the future.

Malcolm

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

This is an intresting observation, it almost as though all of the crankshaft sensors are failing at the same time. Could be the service item of the future.

Malcolm

oh god I hope not...........I think I've suffered enough