What now, what next?

[Seeker_UK]

After 7 months of pootling around in my c270cdi, I'm beginning to find it, dare I say, a bit boring so I'm thinking of a change.

I want something with a bit of poke, looks good / is a bit 'special' and won't cost me more than £15K and an arm and a leg to fuel and maintain.

Any ideas? I'm thinking SL500 or an AMG C36/43 (if I could find a good one from a reputable dealer).

Stop me from buying a BMW

Cheers.

 

[Balal]

cl500 .... or even clk 55 AMG .. you can pick one up...

my vote is for Merc.

 

[daveenty]

All depends what you need it for really.

C Class you already know, so at least the size is familiar. CLK similar sized but only 2 doors. Had one and it was OK *most* of the time, but I do a few Airport runs therefore it got a bit of a nuisance.
SL (as you're aware) is a two seater. Can you manage without the extra seats and luggage space?
AMG are not the cheapest to maintain, but do tend to be reliable.

I'd personally spend a few days trawling round dealers (ideally a specialist as opposed from a Main one) and see what they come up with.
At the end of the day (I hate that saying ) it's up to you. You gotta live with it.

Good Luck with whatever you decide on

Oh.....don't buy a BMW (There you go, stopped you)

 

[Seeker_UK]

There's only me and the 'missus' so 2 seats will be fine but I need enough space to do the shopping and to carry 2 bags if / when we go away anywhere.

I thought about the CLK55 but a lot of the CLKs of the vintage have been rusty and I really don't want the hassle.

 

[type49]

It sounds like you've already talked yourself into a V8, so don't expect excellent MPG. A well looked after CL is nice + a bit more unusual.

 

[Daeths]

was at the dealers today and mickey mouse money at £57K sae an E320 cdi Brabus. Really doesn't answer your question but it was so beautiful I had to tell someone....drooooool !

Adam

 

[Blobcat]

was at the dealers today and mickey mouse money at £57K sae an E320 cdi Brabus. Really doesn't answer your question but it was so beautiful I had to tell someone....drooooool !

Adam

Personally I cannot see the point, if you want the speed buy a petrol V8 E63 if you want the economy buy a E220CDI, if you want a decent compromise buy a E280CDI or regular E320CDI. 38.9MPG, 0-60 in 6.8sec and limited to 155mph is decent enough for a 5 seater large saloon car .

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

Is that £15k plus the C270 as p/x?

 

[jberks]

The C320cdi (V6) is pretty much the perfect car I'd have said. Completely different to drive to the 270 with petrol like refinement but V8 torque and 40+ economy to boot. In real world scenarios I suspect no slower than the V8s either.
A friend recently bought the E class version - he hasn't stopped grinning yet.

 

[PAPA]

Look for a clean 500E.

Will hold its money, and was built when MB were at there best. And a really good one is well in your price range

 

[Seeker_UK]

Is that £15k plus the C270 as p/x?

£15K all in.

£25K if it's under 4 years old and from a main dealer.

 

[jberks]

£25K if it's under 4 years old and from a main dealer.

You'd get a C320cdi for that. The other stuff is lovely but quite a bit older, so heavy fuel use and worse handling, plus all the usual age related issues.

 

[whitenemesis]

The C320cdi (V6) is pretty much the perfect car I'd have said. Completely different to drive to the 270 with petrol like refinement but V8 torque and 40+ economy to boot. In real world scenarios I suspect no slower than the V8s either.
A friend recently bought the E class version - he hasn't stopped grinning yet.

Which is why they command a premium price

 

[Seeker_UK]

I'm beginning to think that a nicely specced E320CDI Avantgarde might be what I need. Comfort and a bit quick too.

Although the S55 AMG that Mercedes direct have at the moment is very, very, very tempting if a tad impractical.

Thanks for the help.

 

[whitenemesis]

I'm beginning to think that a nicely specced E320CDI Avantgarde might be what I need. Comfort and a bit quick too.

Although the S55 AMG that Mercedes direct have at the moment is very, very, very tempting if a tad impractical.

Thanks for the help.

Elegance if you want comfort. Avantgarde if you want sporty..suspension can be a tad "firm"

 

[nialler]

someone enlighten me are a c320 cdi and an E55 two completely different beasts.

I drive an s320 although the most gorgeous thing I've ever stuck me arse in it ain't a 43/55/65 amg which I hope one day to drive and certainly doesn't sound like a cls 55 flooring it going up the road, I nearly wet my pants (sorry ladies that was a sexual wet yer pants).

If ya wan't a sport car go for amg it'll clear yer mind and you'll drive no else, if you're looking for economy with sport buy a diesel mid 2s and see the economy drop.

/end rant sorry tired and drunk

 

[angus falconer]

A well sorted C43 would put a smile on your face. You'd want one with all the stamps, recent big service and fresh disks/pads. This size of car suits me welll and the only realy alternative for me is a C55 (fast Audis until recently were manual-only and have extremely hard suspension, the really fast Bimmers are not avalable as estates). I guess the only thing is that 43's now fall below £15k and C55's above £20k.

Or an E55 of the same vintage is arguably lairier - the engine is actually in a higher state of tune and it shows as the traction lights flickers in third in the dry in a straight line....heavier beast though so less willing to change direction.

 

[jberks]

Which is why they command a premium price

My friend paid 26 for his - not bad 18months old 24k , good spec and main dealer supplied. In fact he paid £1k less than I did for my 270! Lesson learned, there are bargains out there if you look hard enough.