Buying a 2nd hand merc - advice and opinons required

tim_n

I have a 96 reg fiesta that I get around 47mpg with. Unfortunately I've started to find a few things that need sorting (Tyres & brakes) and has started drinking oil.

I've considered buying something a little more substantial. For around another £70 a year on my insurance I've noticed I can start looking at substantially more powerful cars - specifically I've been interested in getting a second hand mercades for around £4,000. I'm looking for a diesel and a little comfort.

My parents have had trouble free mercades for years - though theirs are always much newer (bought from new) and get rid of them after around 3 years. The current one is about 5 years old.

I generally do around 10,000 miles a year and the fiesta is just not big enough for me - especially now I'm looking at doing some touring holidays. Since diesels seem to do more mpg I'm wondering whether the extra style and comfort I'm buying will be worth the extra cash.

I've started a new job and do have disposable income for the first time in my life - just not sure whether this is a sensible idea!

Bascially I would like some fors and against to sway my decision. If anyone has any advice on buying a 2nd hand merc please let on! = )

highguyuk

tim_n wrote:

I have a 96 reg fiesta that I get around 47mpg with. Unfortunately I've started to find a few things that need sorting (Tyres & brakes) and has started drinking oil.

I've considered buying something a little more substantial. For around another £70 a year on my insurance I've noticed I can start looking at substantially more powerful cars - specifically I've been interested in getting a second hand mercades for around £4,000. I'm looking for a diesel and a little comfort.

My parents have had trouble free mercades for years - though theirs are always much newer (bought from new) and get rid of them after around 3 years. The current one is about 5 years old.

I generally do around 10,000 miles a year and the fiesta is just not big enough for me - especially now I'm looking at doing some touring holidays. Since diesels seem to do more mpg I'm wondering whether the extra style and comfort I'm buying will be worth the extra cash.

I've started a new job and do have disposable income for the first time in my life - just not sure whether this is a sensible idea!

Bascially I would like some fors and against to sway my decision. If anyone has any advice on buying a 2nd hand merc please let on! = )

For a start, it's not just insurance that will go up. Consumables such as tyres, brakes etc will cost most. A service may also cost you more, definetly if you have it serviced at main dealer. And your tax is likely to increase.

It may be cheaper fuel wise to convert to a diesel, but that depends on the mpg of the merc you are looking at buying. However, diesels parts are generally more expensive. I believe the figure they quote is 13,000 miles, after which it is worth while having a diesel. This statistic does vary though.

Disposable income is different to savings. Can you just go out and buy your £4,000 merc? If not, then you have time just to sit back and save up for a while so you can afford it, rather than the extra expensive of loans.

A Fiesta to a Merc is quite a bit jump. Maybe you could get something in between with a high mpg but cheaper parts?

vr6lad

I've recently gone from a Merc to a BMW and would love to go back again. With £4k, you'll be getting a newer Merc than I had too. My advice is go for it!

Its well known that Mercedes lost their way somewhat from around 94-96 onwards. Some cars suffered with corrosion problems and poor quality trim. Saying that, they are still strong cars and lovely to drive, being particularly good on a long run. Find a clean one with a full history and you should avoid any big bills in the short term. Look after it and it will look after you.

Register to this website: https://www.mercedesclub.org.uk and put your question to them. You'll get a lot of tips and technical advice from this friendly forum. One bit of advice I'd give is to check for evidence of head gasket failure. Its common to go on Mercs at any mileage over 100k (sometimes under) and is an expensive repair.

Merc diesels are excellent. However, they do command a price premium over petrol models, and need more frequent servicing. As you do only 10k approx a year, I wouldn't rule out petrol models either as the cost of purchase/ running probably wouldn't be much different.

You sound a little unsure about laying out this amount of money for a car. If you were sensible, you would go for a Honda or Toyota. Both very reliable and well built.

However, if you want something just a bit more special and if you love cars - I'd go for a Merc. 4k is a lot of money - but not a life changing amount. A Merc can be a sensible purchase if you find a good one and look after it. Plus you'll never bore of seeing the Three Pointed star guiding you around like a heat seeking missile!

tim_n

I could go out and buy one straight out but I'm trying for that housing deposit too! My parents have offered to loan me extra on the understanding I pay them the same rate of interest as their bank would pay = ) cheap loan!

The main reason for a diesel is that biodiesel is becomming more available and I can see it being the future of travel. My friends are building a biodiesel refinary up in Norfolk as part of an allotment project. If it is a success then I'll be a happy man = )

Mercs are bigger - it's the space I'm after with a bit of prestige. My initial thoughts were an octavia - but my friends have been so abusive on the subject I really can't be bothered taking stick. Plus I can only just about afford the older models and not the newer (and more stylish) look!

Not too sure on the Hondas and the fiesta hasn't really been trouble free. Ideally I need something powerful to tow 12 canoes and take more stuff (like tents etc) and make tour holidays easier. I was also under the impression that Mercs had a 30 year warranty? Not sure what that entails though.

vr6lad

Models from a certain year did come with a 30 year anti corrosion warranty but repairs will only be agreed on a car with a full, uncomprimising Mercedes main dealer history. If the car only has surface rust, they will often palm you away with 'wear and tear' and 'isn't covered I'm afraid'. Definitely best to find a clean one in the first instance.

tomstickland

Older Mercs are great cars. They are not expensive to run if you use an independant specialist to work on them. The large engined ones will not be fuel efficient if driven hard/fast.
Personally I'm a fan of BMWs, but have to admit thar Merc are probably better cars in terms of build, but not so driver orientated. For £4K you can buy tidy E36 3 series.