Newbie, without Merc.... Yet.

[monolithonline]

Hi All,

My name is Ste, I'm 20 and i live in the midlands.

Anyways, Onto my dilemma.

as i said, im 20, and i want to sell my existing car (Vauxhall Astra mk4) and move on to the car that ive wanted ever since they first came out.

the new shape C-Class (okay, okay, not the NEW new shape C-class, but the 1st generation round healights one).

please dont take my age as a warning that i am a "bad boy racer" or anything of the sort. and whatever the outcome of getting a merc, i will not make it "chavvy".

The reason i am here, is, as im already a memebr of the astra owners club, a resource i wish i had found before buying my car, i was wondering if i could get advice from you guys (and girls?) as to which car to go for and i wondered about insurance also, being so young insurance kills me.

right, the car(s) im looking at are 2001(ish) C180k/200k 4dr saloon.

is there anything to specifically look out for?

i was thinking of looking for an ex fleet/lease car, maybe a high miler, but generally the cars, especially ex lease have full merc S/H, so i was thinking there wouldnt really be alot wrong with one like that.

just wondering what else i should look for?

also, insurance, i see that the MBO can get discount on insurance... would this cover me?

by the time i get the car i should be 21 with 1 years NCB. would it help me out at all, or would it be better shopping round general insurers?

I thank you all for your response in advance.

apologies for the lack of correct grammar and punctuation also... - i should be working, not on forums

Ste

 

[BlackC55]

I would get a diesel over the petrol and as there are hundreds around they are quite cheap.

The suspension is the worst thing about the early 203's. The suffer with knocking, worn bushes, broken springs etc.

Make sure the service history is all there. Getting a high miler is fine but just make sure that it has been well maintained.

The early 203's are ok but try and getr the latest one you can afford.

The engines are pretty good (diesel). They suffer with a few things (injectors) but are generally bombproof.

The petrol engines (111,271) are slightly harsh sounding but generally ok. The 111 engine suffers with oil contamination in the engine wiring loom so be careful.

The gearbox must be an auto and make sure the changes are smooth and there are no leaks etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[monolithonline]

thanks for the reply

hmmm, I'll keep an ear out for any knocking suspension

well, the price range im looking at will be about £7k stretching it. so the latest ive seen for about that was 2001/2002

if i were to get a diesel, it would probably have to be a TD, so would that mean the turbo is likely to go, especially on a high miler...

having seen the turbos on the astra crowd they all seem to go after about 50-60,000 miles. so is this something to look for on a merc.

i was kinda hoping the petrol would be okay as i was after the speed from the kompressor, although, after having driven my dads C-class estate TD, they do move quite well.

whats the 111, 271 code? engine code? sorry for being such a noob im not up on the abreviations on the merc, only just got them all for astras lol.

The gearbox MUST be an auto?? i wanted a manual whats wrong with the manuals?

it helps very much, and i thank you for your time

 

[BlackC55]

I have just replace a turbo on a MB at 330,000 miles! You do not have to worry.

A c220cdi or 270cdi will be more responsive than the 250td and a little faster I think.

111 is the older engine red or silver top 180, 200 230 and Kompressor

217 is the newer engine black top. (all kompressor) 180,200,230 (all 2.0)

Manual MB's are generally 5hite. (they feel horrible) V relaible tho.

 

[monolithonline]

my dads merc is manual gearbox, and its a little different to get used to from my astra box, but it drives well and i get used to it after a little while of driving the car. i just dont want to become dependant on an auto box by getting an auto car.

330,000 miles... now thats good economy of the turbo

i am tempted by the diesel now, i think it would have to be a 220.

is the cdi a turbo diesel then? i dont know whats turbo and whats not...

just browsing them on ebay at the minute (not buying for another couple of months however) and it seems the diesels go a little cheaper than the petrol ones, so im definately going to consider the diesel. afterall diesels are getting just as quick as thier petrol counterparts,a nd the torque is better, so its definately an avenue to persue.

the only thing that concerns me is the engine size, i presume the 220cdi is a 2.2 would this be more to insure than a 180k or 200k? or does the fact its diesel counter the engine size?

thanks again for the response

Ste

 

[monolithonline]

would http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...category=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200726290414124 be any good? at a glance?

 

[Jensen]

My understanding is that all turbo diesels are now CDI. This stands for common rail which means that there is no turbo lag and sudden rush of power as the turbo kicks in. It is now a lower turbo, as I understand with responsive power. This also gives better econmy.
Automatic is more common on Mercs and indeed preferred due to the driving style - more comfort. I wouldn't worry about getting used to this then driving a manual, its like learning to ride a bike...............

 

[monolithonline]

thanks jensen

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


The dervs are definately worth looking at, and as you get some no claims you can alway get a plug in chip or have it re mapped. Gives a considerable increase that you would not get with a petrol.

As you have driven your dads manual merc and happy then at least you know what the manual box's are like (how does a hill start work with the I would advise to go for auto though as the merc autos are very good and you get cruise as standard. Its also very nice when stuck in taffic not to be phaffing with gears..


Plenty about so post any and I'm sure people will advise, maybe worth running through some quotes on confused.com or similar to get an idea what to expect.

Good luck searching