Why did you chose the model you bought? Not engine size, car model.

[sausage]

Just a curiosity I have about what caught your interest about the class of car you bought and got you looking at them in the first place?

I'll get the ball rolling. I was mid 30s, just about to get back to driving after a TT99 ban, and the loss of a company car. The company said I could have another car, but after being banned they would only give me a Mondeo 1.8 LX. Not sure what it was that got me very interested in a R129 SL, but I was about to put a deposit down, and thought I would check with my insurance that they had all my details correct. They had my SP30 x2 and my SP60, when I told them those codes were no longer on my licence and I had TT99, the quote increased from £400 to £5500. Needless to say I did not get the SL in my 30s.

For the last four years I had a 2nd hand Vogue SE Range Rover, and slowly been driven insane by it, I knew I needed a change. But where to go after the ridiculous luxury and fitment level of a fully spec'd RR? I nearly bought another newer one with a bigger engine, but could not bring myself to go through the pains of getting another RR up to standard, or the constant niggling at the back of my mind about what the next £1000++ would be spent on. So I looked at GranCabrios, 911 Turbos, and lots of other things, but everything had some kind of red flag waving in my mind's eye or a much larger commitment ££ wise.

Then a friend bought an E450 cab and that got me looking at Merc again. This was the right idea, and I realised very quickly this was the way to go. I looked at the prices of R230s and my eyes popped, my wallet opened and I am the very happy owner of an old(ish) SL.



I'd love to here what was it about your model that attracted you ?

 

[ItsAPU]

For me, it's the shape! I love my CLS500 (219). I remember seeing the initial advert on a billboard when they came out in the early 2000s (yes, even though I was only about 8 years old) and thinking it's such a beautiful shape. Here we are 15 years later and it still has an iconic design. I love the fact that it is a coupe, but still has 4 doors, and the length of an E-class.

I did consider your SL at one point, and although for me it would be swapping the same M113 engine, I have too much variation in my life to deal with the (lack of) practicality at the moment! Maybe one day, or perhaps save it for my midlife crisis

 

[sausage]

Yep, I looked at a CLS for similar reasons. Lovely design One CLS with massage seats nearly persuaded me. In a world where cars from different makers are looking more and more homogeneous this stands out with some really unique design characteristics.

 

[Naraic]

CL500...after 4 E class estates, all diesel.

I fancied a large engine petrol model and had no need for an estate anymore. So...what's not to like about the W215 CL?

 

[ItsAPU]

CL500...after 4 E class estates, all diesel.

I fancied a large engine petrol model and had no need for an estate anymore. So...what's not to like about the W215 CL?

Probably opening up a can of worms here, but when I was looking to buy, I considered the CL but the ABC suspension issues reported massively put me off...

 

[Naraic]

Probably opening up a can of worms here, but when I was looking to buy, I considered the CL but the ABC suspension issues reported massively put me off...

Touch wood, after 5.5 years the ABC has cost me £200.
The problems and cost are well known and ultimately the system can be replaced with coil overs for about £1000.

 

[Noddy 99]

Took advantage of the crazy offers WBAC are making at the moment - sold my worthy but dull Insignia and bought a 12-yr-old Merc for HALF the money.

Why this one? It's a 2009 W211 E280 CDi Sport Estate. To my eyes, the W211 is the most beautiful "normal" car that Mercedes ever made and the estate is even more beautiful than the saloon. The car (which is virtually unmarked) had 93,000 miles and came with a ludicrous amount of genuine MB service history + a 12mth warranty and 12mth MOT. People tell me that the W211s were properly sorted by the end of the run; I've got one of the last ones so fingers crossed.

Out of preference, I would have gone for the E320 but there wasn't one available. Besides, the 280 goes like the clappers when you put your foot down. Not keen on the Sport model's slightly fidgety ride but, again, you take what's available.

I'm absolutely thrilled to be a Mercedes owner.

 

[Droverunner]

Back in 2012/15 Mrs D had been running smaller hatchbacks through the period our two daughters were learning to drive then when that need ceased she didn't know what to get so she took a bargain 18mth lease. She'd always talked of getting a Mercedes when she retired and when that lease ended in 2017 she decided she was fed up waiting for that retirement. We actually looked at BMW 5-series, C-class saloons and Alfa 159s as she wanted a bigger car around her.

It was only on a whim we visited a local small dealer mainly to look at a BMW 535 and noticed their oh so pretty light met blue 2007 CLK 220 Sport with the AMG pack. Dealer left us with the keys for a hassle free long look around and then a test drive on our own. It was immaculate inside and out, everything worked plus it drove without issues feeling so secure on the road. A no haggle no trade in price was requested, an hour later the bank transfer was done and it was on our drive.

Now four years on with retirement looming in a few months the initial plan was to sell the CLK and use part of her lump sum to buy an electric car for her to cover our local trips and I'd keep running a diesel load carrier.

But she is so comfortable with CLK ownership and it looks as good as the day it arrived... drives even better as I've worked through most of the mid-life suspension/brake replacements. So for the foreseeable future it will stay and we will watch elec car developments with interest from the sidelines.

 

[Droverunner]

And in a very different choice scenario...

Couple of years ago I'd run a superb BMW 5-series diesel estate for the previous four years but wanted to buy something a little newer with the intention of finding a nice C-class estate. Despite looking in a wide radius for ages I couldn't seem to find one I liked. So by chance when I saw the dealer who sold us the CLK had a very honest Mondeo Ghia estate I bought that as a stop gap while I searched for that elusive Mercedes. Soon realised it was far better than just a stop gap so called off the Mercedes hunt.

Roll on a year and... as mentioned in the previous post... thoughts turned to both of us being retired and more leisure time. Our two favourite activities are smallcraft boating where we carry the deflated boat and all the kit in the car... and days out with the dog. For the boating a larger loadspace and somewhere you could change wet clothes would be a great advantage and for both activities we liked the idea of two individual seats in the back with a fold out table where you could sit in some comfort with a picnic or takeaway. The possibility of space for a portaloo and mini kitchen pod also appealed.

We looked across all brands but most seemed too van like in their trim and minibus like in the seating arrangement. So Viano it was and eventually we dropped on the vehicle below which has only travelled a "careful" 56k in the hands of the Met Police. So far both concept and the actual vehicle have proved spot on.

Hopefully this and the CLK will do us for a few years as we settle to full retirement and see how the reality fits the theory.

 

[LostKiwi]

First one was a C Class (W202). Chosen because it was affordable on the company car scheme and came with a free trip to the factory to collect it.
Second one was another C Class (W202) because I'd enjoyed the first so much.
Third was a 500SL (r129) because I just loved the shape, quality, feel, performance and price. Still have that one.
Fourth was another C Class (W203). It came free with the alloy wheels I paid £250 for. It was a great runabout and for the money was great value. Sold it to get the fifth.
The fifth was an E Class estate (S210). This was bought as a load lugger to take stuff to our house in France. Bought for £600, run for 53,000 miles and nearly 6 years later sold for £600. Superbly comfortable and reliable it was perfect for what we needed. It was replaced by the 7th.
The sixth is a bit special. It is an SL500 (R230) and belonged to a member on here (Television/Malcolm) who passed away. Just a few days before he died (he knew it was imminent) we agreed to take his SL on. It's a car that has lots of memories for us and is very dear to me because of Malcolm.
The seventh is collected Saturday to replace the fifth. It is an R350 CDI bought for its limo like comfort and massive load lugging capabilities. It also has rear air conditioning and privacy rear glass to keep the dogs cool while travelling (something that has been an issue in the past).

In between numbers 2 and 3 is a Smart Roadster Coupé. Just because. It is a fantastic fun commuter car and has given more smiles per gallon than any other car I've owned and has done several trips to France including to the Mediterranean and Chamonix. It's been over the Millau Bridge twice and is just great fun

The current fleet is therefore:
R129 (France)
R230 (UK)
W251 (UK)
Smart Roadster. (France).

 

[JBell]

Had a W203 220CDi and it was time to change, was looking for a Petrol W204 and there were few around and the 350CDi came up in the spec I wanted at a price I couldn't refuse so I bought it.

It does everything I need in a car, It's practical, good to look at and deceptively rapid when needed and will return over 40mpg on a run loaded up, has 3 bike racks on the roof and a boot big enough for all the kids carp.

I have never kept a car this long

 

[daibevan]

And in a very different choice scenario...

Couple of years ago I'd run a superb BMW 5-series diesel estate for the previous four years but wanted to buy something a little newer with the intention of finding a nice C-class estate. Despite looking in a wide radius for ages I couldn't seem to find one I liked. So by chance when I saw the dealer who sold us the CLK had a very honest Mondeo Ghia estate I bought that as a stop gap while I searched for that elusive Mercedes. Soon realised it was far better than just a stop gap so called off the Mercedes hunt.

Roll on a year and... as mentioned in the previous post... thoughts turned to both of us being retired and more leisure time. Our two favourite activities are smallcraft boating where we carry the deflated boat and all the kit in the car... and days out with the dog. For the boating a larger loadspace and somewhere you could change wet clothes would be a great advantage and for both activities we liked the idea of two individual seats in the back with a fold out table where you could sit in some comfort with a picnic or takeaway. The possibility of space for a portaloo and mini kitchen pod also appealed.

We looked across all brands but most seemed too van like in their trim and minibus like in the seating arrangement. So Viano it was and eventually we dropped on the vehicle below which has only travelled a "careful" 56k in the hands of the Met Police. So far both concept and the actual vehicle have proved spot on.

Hopefully this and the CLK will do us for a few years as we settle to full retirement and see how the reality fits the theory.

View attachment 71648


View attachment 71649

Oh I do like that. Don't need anything like it, but still niiice.

 

[daibevan]

Just retired & needed to change our Primera before it wore out. Never considered a Merc, cause of the price. Gina suggested we look at second hand ones, as she'd had a roadtrip in one donkeys years ago & always fancied one. I didn't know this, as we'd always bought the best we could afford at the time, & it didn't include Mercs.
After the Primera decided we wanted something a bit smaller, as there are only 2 of us.
Sat in A class & B class, but I didn't fit. So C class it was.
Just put a MOT on the Primera, so gave ourselves a year to find a decent C. Same day Gina found ours online in a local dealers who specialise in performance cars. It was obviously a trade in. She'd only done 45 000 and was immaculate. Love at first sight. Best car we've ever had.

 

[A.J.]

A 190E appeared on our company car list back in 1993. Always liked the look of them so I went for one. It was no racing car but it was built like a tank and I liked the image. That was it, I was sold on MB. When the company car came up for renewal the 190 wasn't on there so I had about 12 years of Audi A4. I hear you say. I actually started to like them but getting back to MB was always in the back of my mind. It wasn't until 2014 I returned to MB and have three since that time. I now wouldn't want anything else and won't either

 

[kotecki]

We have owned Mercedes E-class estates from the 1990's and for most of that period my wife has been the sole driver. She loves the size, the ability for the vehicle to multi-task from carrying children, two dogs, or goods, shopping or rubbish for the tip We have always had the 320Cdi and when we bought one of the first 211 estates, really fell in love with that car.

After seventeen years of ownership, I finally persuaded the boss it was time for a replacement with the 400Cdi being the engine of choice but.... During my research and from everything I read low mileage and the modern Mercedes diesel were not compatible.

Looking at the performance figures of the petrol versions of the E-class, the hybrid stood out for our very personal needs. Low mileage being the key for the hybrid.

Then a MAJOR hurdle... I was told we could not have an E-class petrol hybrid estate!! Anyone that knows me will know when I am refused something, I want a good reason as to why we were refused! My money, my decisions. I could walk away from the marque or investigate why this was not an option..

Cue the E300e Petrol Hybrid estate.
We love the light, Nappa leather interior, at first I thought the darker brown looked yuk but in the flesh however it looks just fine. The walnut trim simply complements this interior but once again, in the UK with the light leather seats, you have a choice of black trim, or black trim!

Not everyone's choice of car\colour combination but we love it and just checking as I type... 122.8mpg

 

[Paul Garrett]

I bought mine as i drove past it most days on my bus, caught my eye and wanted another big autobox car like i had years before.
Was a private sale and after a test drive and a haggle agreed a price and six and a half years later still love it!
Yes i have spent quite a bit of money on it, but its my guilty pleasure and my long suffering wife understands so, the beast might be knocking on for 20yrs old but still drives beautifully and has classic elegent lines and superb performance when needed, so why have anything else? Funny i see more and more modern cars broken down yet my car has been very good apart from a couple of incidents down to old battery not replaced by previous owner and a pully braking apart which should have been done at 100.000 miles, again should have been done by last owner , so for me happy days i say!

 

[Droverunner]

>>>Cue the E300e Petrol Hybrid estate.

That's a lovely looking car Kotecki

 

[coxyhog]

I'd had a 3.0L diesel CLK for 4 years & wanted a V8 petrol coupe.
I have a very good friend who was a salesman for Cheltenham MB which is Sytner & I saw my next car up for sale by Sytner Bedford on Autotrader.
E mailed the link to my mate,he got it down to Cheltenham & we did the deal on the phone.
He delivered it to my door without me seeing it in person,or ever having driven the model.
March next year I'll have owned it for 10 years,& I'm still very good friends with the guy who sold it to me.

 

[Naraic]

We have owned Mercedes E-class estates from the 1990's and for most of that period my wife has been the sole driver. She loves the size, the ability for the vehicle to multi-task from carrying children, two dogs, or goods, shopping or rubbish for the tip We have always had the 320Cdi and when we bought one of the first 211 estates, really fell in love with that car.

After seventeen years of ownership, I finally persuaded the boss it was time for a replacement with the 400Cdi being the engine of choice but.... During my research and from everything I read low mileage and the modern Mercedes diesel were not compatible.

Looking at the performance figures of the petrol versions of the E-class, the hybrid stood out for our very personal needs. Low mileage being the key for the hybrid.

Then a MAJOR hurdle... I was told we could not have an E-class petrol hybrid estate!! Anyone that knows me will know when I am refused something, I want a good reason as to why we were refused! My money, my decisions. I could walk away from the marque or investigate why this was not an option..

Cue the E300e Petrol Hybrid estate.
We love the light, Nappa leather interior, at first I thought the darker brown looked yuk but in the flesh however it looks just fine. The walnut trim simply complements this interior but once again, in the UK with the light leather seats, you have a choice of black trim, or black trim!

Not everyone's choice of car\colour combination but we love it and just checking as I type... 122.8mpg

View attachment 71651 View attachment 71652 View attachment 71653

John, you imported this?

 

[SmartAmg]

Was looking for a C class coupe at first, but when I saw the C207 E class coupe I thought WOW stunning, I'm having one, waited for the right spec I wanted and bought it, simple's.