Virgin Forum Member - Help - My First Mercedes

[onze]

Hello to everyone in Mercedes Land. As the title above states I am seeking to purchase my first Mercedes and I have decided on a CLK 270CDI Auto. Whilst I have had many mileage years behind me I have never had the pleasure of owning a Mercedes Benz so I would be obliged if you kindly people could assist with answering some of my questions. I have about £10000 to spend including my trade in and for that money it appears I can afford 53/54 plate vehicles with 60/90/k on the speedo.
1. The depreciation on these vehicles seems staggering but bearing in mind that the previous owners have taken most of the hit will these cars still depreciate at an alarming rate or are they going to retain a goodly amount in say 3 years time? There seem to be quite a few around that are not selling. I know this is difficult but any guidance here would be gratefully accepted.
2.These cars with this engine seem to be quite economical and my insure company have made me smile with an exceptional quote as I only travel about 6000 miles per annum. However are they expensive to run and in particular to repair and service? I assume that (the service intervals) will depend on driving style and that as diesels they will have shorter intervals as petrols. Forgive my ignorance but I have in fact never owned a diesel!
3.The 'mags' seem to be of the opinion that the C Class of this era was fraught with niggly faults, and not up to previous Mercedes Benz quality. (Were they built somewhere other than Germany? Are the 'mags' a little too damning over a perceived reliability problem? What is the truth here).
Were there any recalls on these cars?
So to sum up is there anything in particular that I should look out for when viewing?
These cars look stunning and I hope to be the proud owner of one in the very near future. Any help at all would be really appreciated and I thank you all in advance for your consideration.
Best Wishes.Onze.

 

[PeterCLK]

Hello & welcome
Try and get a car mid-2004 on as up until 2003 Mercedes did not galvanise the body.
A mid-2004 car will have upgraded electrics and probably the new dash.
A lot of the quality problems with mercs relate to the 2000 - 2003 cars.
Also do a search on here for valeo radiator but 2004 car should not have this fitted.
The clk is an excellent car and many on here praise this engine, which will be good for many miles.
The car has E class interior and (i think) uprated suspension so was more expensive but a little better than the normal C class.
A full MB service history will be to your advantage if you can find one with this.
Good hunting and good luck

 

[onze]

Many, many thanks Peter. This is just the info that I need. So far mid 2004 revised versions appear to be too much for me but I will do the best I can.Are those ungalvanised cars prone to rust? I will also check out the valeo radiator. Thanks again. I think I like this site already. Kind regards. ONZE.

 

[br0ke]

Bought my first Mercedes in Sept last year - an 05 CLK 270 Cdi.

I think it's great. Very smooth and quiet (when warm). Well put together.
The engine is noisy when cold - I had read that it would be and it doesn't bother me.
The economy isn't as good as I had hoped. On a motorway it will average 45-50 no problem. However my driving is all around town or up and down hills so I get 32-34 at an average speed of 22mph per tank.

As your mileage is so low don't discount the petrol versions. Less complicated and cheaper servicing. I'm sure other owners will be on to give their views.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[True romance]

yes as above...doing only 6000 miles per year you may be better off with a petrol. I would think you would get a newer petrol with less miles than the same vechile in CDi form.

Oh welcome by the way.

TR.

 

[PeterCLK]

if you go for a petrol the 320 is much better than the 240.

 

[mattsurf]

You could even get a 500 - over 6000 pa I don't think that the extra fuel costs will be that much

Service at an Indi and it will be surprisingly cheap to run

 

[jberks]

I'd echo those comments. At that mileage and with the current fuel cost differential the 320 petrol is possibly a better bet than the 270cdi. The 270 engine is a good one but given that mileage you'll not get the best from it. It is noisy and a bit rough until it warms through and remains a bit noisy at low speed which is where you'll be driving it for the most part. It's really at its best (silent and smooth) over 50mph with a bucket full of torque just where you need it, in the 60-90 range. Mpg at low speeds isn't that fantastic either.
The 320 petrol shouldn't cost much different to run and will give you teh full mercedes luxury on your short commute. The 240 isn't as gutsy as the 320 obviously but mpg wise there isn't much in it.

Depreciation wise, the best bet is to look at equivalent cars a few years older and gauge it from there. It will continue to drop but probably not as much as other brands as it has done it's 'from new' depreciation already. Whilst the petrol will depreciate quicker, once they get to a certain point it ceases to matter and you should pay less for it in the first place.

 

[television]

As the other post, go for petrol on the mileage that you do, it is not worth the extra cost to have a diesel, and the 320 is a very good engine

 

[onze]

What can I say but thank you all for your comments. I have been concentrating on co2 emissions a little too much, me thinks, so back to the drawing board to see what petrol (04 change models) are available. I do drive autos though so will have to take that into consideration.
Once again thank you for taking the time and trouble to help. It is invaluable advice. It may take a little while but if anyone is interested I will let you know how I get on.
All the best Rick.

 

[television]

You are a welcome member Rick, please just ask about all that you want to know, dont forget the list of extra's that can be important to some of us

 

[onze]

Thanks Malcolm and all you other guys and one lady? I am starting my new trawl through the ads. I notice a 2.0 litre petrol engine was available with only 204 co2 emissions as compared with 238 and 245 with the more powerful engines. (I would not be trusting our government to put up the bands dramatically in the near future.) So is the smaller engine adequate or not up to the job?
Ta muchly for your consideration.
All the best and thanks. Rick

 

[television]

The break point in the emission bands is at 225kg I think

 

[jberks]

Yes the 200 moves, just don't plan on overtaking anything. - or rather you'll have to plan well ahead. It depends on what you want really. If you're happy to bimble along then fair is fair - the 200 is a sound purchase. I guess most of us are a little more lead footed.

If you want more grunt but are afraid of the taxman then, yes, ok, the 270 is an excellent choice. It just squeazes in on the 170-180gm level. I have a friend with a chrysler that is £20k cheaper, much smaller,a huge amount slower and vastly economical than my E class, and he pays more road tax than I do

 

[twistedsanity]

If depreciation is a concern CDI estates seem to hold their money better than most

 

[onze]

Hello and thanks again everyone; sorry to be a pain. I am going to try a few cars before I decide. However:
Is it safe to assume that if the CLK is mid 2004 and HAS the face lift dash then the car has been galvanised and there would be no problem with the Valeo radiator? Thank you.
Health & Happiness. Rick.

 

[television]

Yes and well clear, good luck in the search, it will show up, just what you are looking for

 

[br0ke]

As to VED emmissions, it is possible to move up a band by having the car registered at new with different wheels.

My 270Cdi came from MB with 18" and that made it 191g/km
The standard is 16" which is 183 and I believe the current cut-off is 185.

I put 16" on for the winter so enquired about getting it re-rated (every little helps). NOT A CHANCE.
It would be easier and cheaper to buy a new car than change an existing one.

And keep looking for the car with the toys you want. I got everything I wanted except Comand and a sunroof.
I sorted the Comand myself but I should have kept looking for the sunroof if I'm honest.

 

[onze]

Hello to you all in Mercedes land. I seem to be closing in on what I want; it does get clearer the more homework you do.
Anyway I have seen a 270cdi but with AMG wheels and sports suspension. Does this mean that it will be a firmer, harder or very hard ride. The car is 214 miles away so I can't just pop around the corner. If it is too hard as I exoect then maybe not for me. Thanks in advance for your help.
Health and Happiness Rick.

 

[television]

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