ready to buy an 05 C180K classic

[cp01]

Am ready to purchase my first ever MB and just need some general advice

The car is a 2005 '05' C180K Manual Classic 4dr. It's done 126K miles but is an ex fleet motor with full MBSH. Being offered £6k soon for this

Firstly, is this a good price? Should i be worried about running costs. I know it's hard to put an average yearly figure on this, but any ideas of what some example parts would cost? Any hints/tips to offer before i part with my cash?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice offered...

 

[Micman]

On the face of it £6,000 sounds very cheap for a 2005 C-class and I can understand the initial interest.

I would stress however the model you describe is probably the most undesirable of the C-class range! I don't know what colour it is but as a general rule if it isn't black or a shade of silver then it's even more undesirable for a Mercedes!

Classic is the entry level model with limited 'toys'/equipment, a manual model is a big No No as far as Merc ownership goes and 126k miles on the clock of a 3 year old car would send many a person running for the hills!

With a Full Merc Service history you might feel comfortable taking the step if you can live with that kind of high mileage.

If you are going to own it and drive it into the ground then fine, but if you think you will get a strong resale value from it think again - as I said it's undesirable!

Also check the overall condition - In my experience I have rarely seen an ex fleet car that hasn't got those annoying scratches, damaged interior bits, stone chips, scuffed alloys etc etc even when it has been advertised as Very Good Condition.

 

[cp01]

Many thanks for your advice

fyi, the car can be found here: http://www.autoquake.com/vehicle/inspid=3436

Need to think twice now...but it would be a car that i would drive to the ground so the resale would not be a consideration. Just worried about the yearly running costs and the manual gearbox!

 

[Micman]

It certainly looks shiny on the website pics.

Running costs aren't that high as it's a C180K which is the smallest engine.

I get 32-38 mpg on a good run. 20 -30mpg on stop start journeys/around town etc.

Servicing should be reasonable at an independent garage - obviously having such a high mileage might mean you need to replace more parts sooner rather than later - it's an unknown really on high mileage cars.

I've not done any research but reckon an approved Merc dealer would probably sell a similar aged one on their forecourt for £10-12k (but obviously that would be with approx 30k miles on the clock!)

Have you test driven a manual c-class? They all have a foot operated handbrake which is fine on the autos but a real pig on the manuals when you need to do a hill start etc. That in itself could put you off a manual.

Only you can decide whether to go for it or not....

 

[cp01]

Am test driving a similiar car soon and so will come face to face with the foot operated handbrake...joy! And then like you said, the final decision is with me

 

[colechelle]

i just paid £16000 for a 55 plate derv, ok only 25000 miles but 6 grand for a 2005 plate c,class merc, i have always found that the ones which have worked hard are always the best, the ones which are weekend cars play up, only my veiws but been around mercs now for a long time, i could think of a lot of other 6 grand cars which i wouldnt want sat on the drive, as the others said it will only be a basic but its still cheap and any probs it would had have would have been delt with, your choice but sounds and looks all of 6 grands worth!!

 

[st4]

For £6k you can't go wrong, surely. In 2005 Quality took a giant leap forward IIRC. Its done a huge miliage so means it has worked well for 3 years to rack that up.

I'd maybe try and find an auto, but I have been in manual Merc Taxis and the drivers seem fine with the foot operated parking brake. Have it inspected by a mechanic etc and test it to see if you like it.

 

[Rory]

People who have manual's say the foot operated parking brake becomes second nature after a few days - the only problem is if somebody else drives the car it catches them out.

One thing I notice about the car featured is that it only has 1 key - bear in mind a second key will cost around £150.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

For £6K it looks great, put some nice wheels on it and thats a lot of car for not a lot of money.

My brother does silly miles in cars and too be honest who ever buys them after him gets a great deal. Always main dealer service, only drivers seat really sat in. Motoway miles so all good.


OK so its fairly basic and manual (but its only 6K), but with the light interior it set it off nice with the black. Some cheap easy mods and that will be a nice car.


With a new C-class it would be too easy to spend 6K on options so looks a great buy

 

[cp01]

Thanks to all for your advice. Seeing the car this weekend and will then decide.

Cheers

 

[ElegantSpoon]

I think for 6k its a bit of a bargain The only thing I would change are the wheels! Its a lot of car for the money!

 

[cp01]

Had to delay seeing the car. So it's still reserved for me, but not yet purchased

Anyhow got some further details re the service history

Car registered: 24/03/05
Service history
16/09/05 - 19040 miles
18/01/06 - 32231
16/05/06 - 45054
15/09/06 - 60488
05/10/07 - 104885
Present mileage 126823

Need to find out why the big gap between services 15/09/06 - 05/10/07 and the car has had approx 22K miles done since last service...food for thought! Any comments/advice?

Thanks

 

[Dinnie]

Mileage is never a problem on younger cars. IMO, it is age that kills a car rather than mileage.

For example if faced with a 3 yr old car with 120k miles or a 10yr old car with 50k for the same price, i would go for the former. Some parts are aged related as well as mileage related.

However, as you have pointed out, there are gaps in the service history. Unless you can track them down, I would avoid this vehicle. Not only is running a car on old oil bad for the engine and reduces it's longevity but it shows that the owner hasn't looked after the vehicle properly in more ways than just one. E.g. ramming the vehicle up kerbs, over-revving the engine when cold etc. IThe lack of FSH will also probably invalid the paint warranty which is still running i think it's unlimited mileage cover?

I'm sure we all watch our servicing interval requirements like a Hawk as the Assyst reduces. We make sure we take it to a reputable garage using the correct oils and parts. So then, why should you purchase a vehicle where someone hasn't paid the same necessary care and attention?

There will always be another car around the corner that is a good buy. This always annoys my wife with my comments such as "this is the one, a rare beast, I'll never find a better example with the spec, price and mileage". Next day, guess what......another car comes along.

 

[cp01]

The gaps in the service history are missing stamps. I contacted my local MB dealership and they cross referenced the reg in the MB computer database and confirmed that between 09/06 and 10/07 the car had a service in Jan 07 and Jun 07. In addition the last service was done in Feb 08 with 119k on the clock. So a complete and full MB service history! Warranty work was done on the car for an oil leak though. All seems good for purchase then