What would you buy?

[Seeker_UK]

Well, after 5 months in the V***o - although it's loaded with all the toys, it's not the best car in the world.... So I would like to come back to Mercedes.

What's going to be the best Merc I can get for £10K?

I still hanker after a nice 320SL but what else could I get for my money? The faster and more reliable, the better!

I've now had 2 x 2.7 CDIs (a C and CLK) so I don't really want another one of them....

Thanks in advance

 

[television]

You can buy a good S class, E class or SL for that money, all very different cars

 

[Seeker_UK]

Absolutely Malcolm - that's the problem so much choice for the money.

I think the S class is a bit too big.

E classes are tempting - a nice 430 or E55 might be fun. Can even LPG them w/out losing too much luggage space.....

Does anyone here have any recommendations for Merc sales?

 

[television]

Being practical the E must be the best, it has the weight over the C class and not to big to loose, when parking.

They are very well appointed and throw the AMG bit in and you can have all of the fun, and that bit extra.

I would just look in Top marques and exchange and mart, following the adds for a few weeks gives a good insight as to what is around and how much, and you can do that online with both

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I think the S class is a bit too big.

As Malcolm said, they are all available and the purchase price need not be that different as smaller more economical cars enjoy a relative premium whilst large cars suffer a penalty on price in the used market.

I have had all 3 types and they are quite different. Don't write the S Class off without trying it. It seems to have a "shrink to fit" capability and after a short while seems to be no bigger than an E. The 500 is jolly quick and very well appointed, but probably suffers worst on depreciation. Variable suspension means it will handle the way you choose it to. The 320 CDI is marginally thirstier than the E equivalent, but can still easily better 40 mpg when cruising (just don't tell Malcolm that!).

The S Class tends to flow along in silence if you choose to drive smoothly and sedately (I didn't say anything about slowly), and will generally just waft past slower traffic, often without changing down.

The E class is a super car from every point of view. It is also a quiet car and can be had with folding rear seats, which the S can't. Similar engine choices, a bit more fuel efficient (about 3 mpg overall in my experience).

The C Class is an excellent package too. My 220 diesel at 9,000 is not yet any more economical than my S Class at 40,000, but it will loosen up and other users report fuel consumption of 50 mpg or better. Again there is a range of engines for performance.

It is a nice choice to have. There are plenty on offer and cars today are much further down the depreciation curve than their equivalents were 2 years ago. So a great time to buy.

But you still have to make your own choice!!

 

[st4]

Seeker UK, how about a 211 E320 petrol. That should come in under budget with some money left for fuel/maintenence.

 

[television]

Seeker UK, how about a 211 E320 petrol. That should come in under budget with some money left for fuel/maintenence.

That would be a great choice, and they do look the part

 

[Seeker_UK]

Thanks for the input guys.

If I'm going 'big' car again, I'll go e-class - I think they look a heckuva lot better than an s-class.

I've had a C270CDI and it was ok but not exactly a ball of fire - I guess I'd want a 320 petrol or diesel or an AMG C32.

 

[television]

From a power to weight aspect the 320 is a good choice, both petrol and diesel versions have proved to be very good.
for medium mileages I would go for petrol, and the diesel for higher mileages.

Do get the options that you would like as they are expensive to retrofit and sometimes not possible to retrifit.

Black cars look good when clean, lighter colours do not show the dirt so much

 

[st4]

Thanks for the input guys.

If I'm going 'big' car again, I'll go e-class - I think they look a heckuva lot better than an s-class.

I've had a C270CDI and it was ok but not exactly a ball of fire - I guess I'd want a 320 petrol or diesel or an AMG C32.

They're brilliant the 211's and petrol ones are going cheap. Don't know if 10k will get a nice newish E500 but I've seen 04 E320 V6 petrols @ dealers for well under 10k. That means glavanised bodies etc. No RUST !!!

What about a CLK500 (209) or CLK320 (209) or even a 208 55AMG. A fella on the other forum recently bought one and is very enthusiastic about his new car.