£7 - 10k or £13 - 16K Merc C Class / BMW / Other

[TwistingMyMelon]

Been lurking recently and now dithering over how much to spend on a new to me car.

I do 8 - 10 K miles a year, two under 10s so need a bit of practicality, fancy something German and automatic for a change, going to keep it circa 5 years.

Realistically need an estate or a hatchback to carry bikes and other mundane tasks such as tip runs. Could cope with a saloon ..just.

Not worried about speed too much (too many points) but would be nice to have 200bhp+ 45mpg and 7 seconds 0-60 . Want an auto though

My issue is I can either buy something with cash for £7-10K , or get something closer to £15k with a bit of finance / bank loan .

I’m leaning towards a Merc C Class estate. As per above I can see nice looking W204 C350 (d) estates for £7-9K, or do I get the newer W205 220/250 model for closer to £15k .

I’m thinking the older model will require more maintenance, but I won’t need to finance it, plus less emissions control to break.

Or do I get a 3 series GT/Touring or 4 series GC for 12- 15K

I could also say F*** it and buy an older low milage E350 saloon for £8 K and just use a bike rack
Any thoughts welcome ….Cheers!

[ZX10R NIN]

7-10k gets you some very good German metal.

E350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405280...

250:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079...

250cgi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404078...

CLS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405209...

I have to say the 530d GT is very hard to beat as a family wagon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404269...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405300...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405280...

[Master Bean]

Gotta keep up with the Joneses.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Cheers ZX, always appreciate your replies on this thread

CLS is very tempting and is for sale 10 minutes from my house!!! I'm guessing they are fundamentally E-classes underneath?

Not sure I can stomach the looks of a 5 GT - I could just about stomach the 3 GT

Masterbean!! Missed your banter, your post has inspired me to get an Evoque instead....

[SmithCorona]

TwistingMyMelon said:

CLS is very tempting and is for sale 10 minutes from my house!!! I'm guessing they are fundamentally E-classes underneath?

Yes the W212 underneath, but far better interior. Including seats and soundeadening etc.

I had three back in the day and wouldn't hesitate to get another.

[ZX10R NIN]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Cheers ZX, always appreciate your replies on this thread

CLS is very tempting and is for sale 10 minutes from my house!!! I'm guessing they are fundamentally E-classes underneath?

Not sure I can stomach the looks of a 5 GT - I could just about stomach the 3 GT

Masterbean!! Missed your banter, your post has inspired me to get an Evoque instead....

Yes they're fundamentally an E Class with a nicer interior & better looks, I'm the other way around I can't take the looks of the 3GT.

I think it's because it's still a 3 series inside whereas the 5GT has a nicer interior than the regular 5 series.

[Master Bean]

Any updates op? Or just random messages that make no sense.