Newer E Class purchase is scaring me...

[joem]

Hi chaps..
I have a 1999 E220Cdi Elegance with 130k which has cost me a bit to put right after a bit of earlier (before I bought it) neglience but does not suffer from the normal rust - evidence suggests all is sorted.

My plan was to replace with a 2005+ E Class without leather, prob an Elegance for the comfort. I thought I would buy at 30-40k and keep forever without the rust issues being a problem. Maybe run to 150-200k. Planned to buy this autumn.

However, a few people I know have bought recent E's and think the ride is better in mine and it is both quieter and bigger. I get 43-50mpg, it is £300 a year to insure and is in the pre-2001 tax bracket.

Do I have an exceptional W210 or is it genuinely better than a newer car.

At the moment, my thinking is it will cost £25+k to buy something which is not that much better than I have now..

Should I just keep running my car? I do really like it...It is way better than the Saab I had before..

I really like my car. Not bothered about the 'cachet' of a new one, I can spend a lot on servicing before I spend the same as I would spending £23-30k of a new one.. Or I could buy a private plate..although not to my taste..

 

[whitenemesis]

I think you answered your own question..

You like your car, it's not costing the earth, no rust etc, etc...

Wait until the time is right to change, you wil know when that time comes..

 

[joem]

Yes thanks, I was looking for a justification to buy, not to save my money forever..

Alarmingly though I think you are right.. I think I should keep it until there is no good reason to keep it...

Many thanks anyway.;...

 

[Rory]

It hardly ever makes financial sense to buy a newer car. The only thing with any car of the age of yours is knowing when to cut and run and not get sucked into multiple large repair bills.
My FIL ran an A6 for 10yrs from new with no problems but then suddenly it was one thing after another, culminating in the auto box failing. He spend £3K in a few mths on the car and the box was going to cost another £2K+. He effectively gave it away when he p/x'd it for another car.