W169 160CDI five speed gearbox reliability, I need to know before buying one!

[MGB281]

Not new to Mercedes (we are on our second C class auto) but I am looking for a cheap but practical small car that is just for running around, taking garden rubbish to the tip etc. We are constrained on space on the driveway and we will need a towbar for a small trailer for the garden clippings etc. The W169 fits the bill nicely in terms of size both internal and external and you can tow a trailer unlike most small cars where a towbar is solely for a bike carrier.
I have seen a 160CDI locally that is in excellent condition but I was surprised to see it had a five speed gearbox rather than the six speed fitted to a 180CDI that I also looked at. To be honest the six speeds seem unnecessary in a compact car with a two litre diesel, my old Skoda Fabia performed perfectly with just five. Is the five speed just to save a little money or is it not strong enough for the higher powered cars. The gear first gear ratios are similar but the six speed gearbox does give slightly higher gearing in sixth but that is not a priority for us. Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[blackcountrychap100]

W169 manual 5 speed. Not a bad car, I have a MK2 2006 my A170 avantgarde se. Quite low mileage at 81200. In my ownership I haven't spent lots on it. Apart from oil and filter service, brake fluid change, and I did have a noisy Aircon compressor. However if you never use it, as I don't it's quite an easy job and cheap. Simply remove it and fit a shorter rubber v belt. Roughly £150/180 all in Inc belt and coolant drainage. They are a good car, very comfy for size, and practical. Low boot good motorway cruiser. However bit skitty in cross winds as high sided. Look around find the best you can, avoid diesel and CVT auto,s.

 

[blackcountrychap100]

They are also quite well built, inside a bit like a mini E class, look for body damage and check door bottoms inside for corrosion. The mk 2 is quite good, sills should be solid, they suffer from a couple of niggles in general, heater blower resistors go and usually only blow on 5. Again £20 fix, under drivers side foot rest, pull carpet back, remove and replace, heater back to normal. Also the horns sometimes play up, again simple fix
Open bonnet, directly behind grll 2 electric connectors, simply unplug clean up with fine wire brush, spray wd40 replace good to go. Regularly maintaining keeps the costs down. Sometimes a little bit off emulsification in oil filler " mayonnaise" don't be put off, it's usually through doing very short journeys, and not head gasket nonsense. If you do a good run you will get decent mpg, I've been getting 45/47 on motorway. High 30s around town, but that's normal. They do like a good run now and then to be honest. Look for a decent service history, chain driven so should be ok, only certain models are cambelt. £1500/2500 should get you a pretty decent one. Possibly as late as a 2008/2009. Good luck, hope it helped