AUDI A4 or MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS

babaUK

I currently drive a donated Citroen C5 which has given me a few headaches. I have now saved 2000 pounds towards my next car. Looking around the Autotrader I have seen some 2003 Audi A4 and 2003 Mercedes C-Class within the price bracket. I am looking for an automatic car and would like to ask guys here who are knowledgeable about cars which car may be a better option in terms of reliability, maintanance etc. I dont know much about cars so would appreciate your views.
I am also open minded about the Passat and 3 SERIES
Thanks

EdGasket

The wiper motor on a C Class can set you back over £800 so keep some cash in reserve for any repairs. Many parts and jobs on the Merc are £££'s and I guess the same is true for the Audi but I imagine the Audi to be cheaper to run.
I have an older C series merc and in my opinion Mercedes have gone far too overboard on fancy electronics which are a nightmare when they go wrong. Just a spare key will set you back £235 so make sure you buy a car with two keys if you do get one.

fitter2000

More info is needed on which models the Audi and Merc are to be of help.
Neil

fitter2000

EdGasket wrote: »

The wiper motor on a C Class can set you back over £800 so keep some cash in reserve for any repairs. Many parts and jobs on the Merc are £££'s and I guess the same is true for the Audi but I imagine the Audi to be cheaper to run.
I have an older C series merc and in my opinion Mercedes have gone far too overboard on fancy electronics which are a nightmare when they go wrong. Just a spare key will set you back £235 so make sure you buy a car with two keys if you do get one.

Whilst I agree with you on Mercs going to far with fancy electronics its the same as all cars these days.
As for prices of parts I think a shop around could prove quite to save quite a lot, tthe wiper motor you mention can be had over the counter from europarts for less than £240 before discount.

I would stay away from the Audi if its an auto but like i said need to know more on model

Neil

EdGasket

Well £240 is way over 10% of the cost the OP was proposing to spend on the car and you can't buy a key from Eurofarts; it's main dealer only.

fivetide

Yep if you are looking for something older and easy/cheaper to look after then the W202 style Merc is a lot less complicated and cheap enough to get main bits for.

Oil filter is £8 from MB themselves for example. The engines are chain driven so no cambelt. a new fan belt is about £14, again from MB. If you are ok with a spanner you'll be able to do most of it yourself I'd think.

Difficulty is finding a 12/15 year old car that has got rust issues. If you can pick one up from someone who has had it looked after you'll not go too far wrong I don't think.

5t.

Indout96

From those 2 I would go with the Audi but have a look (and drive) of a Saab 93 before you choose.

CKhalvashi

I had an X-Type for 3 years and 400,000km when we lived in Russia (2.5 V6, Auto).

Mondeo running gear, perfect cars!

CK

fitter2000

EdGasket wrote: »

Well £240 is way over 10% of the cost the OP was proposing to spend on the car and you can't buy a key from Eurofarts; it's main dealer only.

And i agree on those points but its not £800 and most parts are no more expensive then other cars these days as is the key.

Like I said i agree with you on the older Mercs you cant beat them but these days newer cars are more expensive if they go wrong.

Neil

forgotmyname

An AUDI or a Merc for £2000?? I think your mad, Unless your handy with the spanners.

Or is the £2000 a deposit?

You can get a 5 year old mondeo for that money and if you buy well it will be reliable.

BUT the issue with cars of that age. Minor repairs can cost more than you paid for it.
A Dual Mass Flywheel £1200 at a dealers. Injectors are £600 each (x4) for new ones. And need coding into the car +£80.

Minor electrical issues can cost a fortune to diagnose.

andy8442

Go for the Audi if its only those two you are considering. A 2003 C class will, if not already, be a rust bucket. Go for the 1.9tdi, 50mpg at least and plenty of go.