E or C class, or back to BMW's..views please.
Discussion
Is an R reg E230 a good bet rather than a BMW 523 or 528i, or should I go for something with a larger engine, is the MPG similar?
I like the BMW's and have owned both, but feel drawn towards an older E class even though my wife thinks they are a bit big.
Anything to look out for or should I stick to the BMW as it's the devil I know. Must admit they are good but after 4 of them I fancy a change....
But just HOW cheap are the older boxy S classes, :yikes: A p reg S280 for £4500 :yikes:
P.S. Mostly my wife will drive it, short runs apart from visiting mother in london or deepest somerset, and currently driving a VW Bora V5. :grumpy:
I like the BMW's and have owned both, but feel drawn towards an older E class even though my wife thinks they are a bit big.
Anything to look out for or should I stick to the BMW as it's the devil I know. Must admit they are good but after 4 of them I fancy a change....
But just HOW cheap are the older boxy S classes, :yikes: A p reg S280 for £4500 :yikes:
P.S. Mostly my wife will drive it, short runs apart from visiting mother in london or deepest somerset, and currently driving a VW Bora V5. :grumpy:
I've got a '97 E320 which still looks good inside and out, fully loaded and everything works, at 102,000 miles. It's reasonably quick for normal day to day use and I get around 27mpg. The only criticism I would make about the driving experience is that the steering is a bit low geared, meaning more arm twirling than I would like in supermarket car parks. However, for a big car, it does have an excellent lock. It's extremely comfortable for five, and the boot's a good size. I've got sports suspension but it still rolls a bit. The ride's pretty good though. The climate control is as good as any current car's, and the five speed auto is smooth. I would advise you to drive one and see. Elegance or Avantgarde spec with plenty of extra equipment is worth seeking out, as it doesn't add much to the value. I wouldn't bother with the smaller engined ones though.
Mike,
They're pretty much bulletproof aside from rust (which same model Bimmers don't suffer from).
Not only that, the 230 is a straight 6. I tried both a 230 and a 240 and decided the V6 engine was smoother.
Only problem with mine has been a MAS sensor. Cost £250 to fix, although you can now pick these up from e-bay for a ton. When it goes, it puts the engine and gearbox into limp home mode.
I bought mine with 41K on the clock, now just run in at 147K....I can't bear to part with it, and when I finally do, a Brummie taxi driver will be well happy.
Any more Q's, drop me a line.
Cheers,
Greg
They're pretty much bulletproof aside from rust (which same model Bimmers don't suffer from).
Not only that, the 230 is a straight 6. I tried both a 230 and a 240 and decided the V6 engine was smoother.
Only problem with mine has been a MAS sensor. Cost £250 to fix, although you can now pick these up from e-bay for a ton. When it goes, it puts the engine and gearbox into limp home mode.
I bought mine with 41K on the clock, now just run in at 147K....I can't bear to part with it, and when I finally do, a Brummie taxi driver will be well happy.
Any more Q's, drop me a line.
Cheers,
Greg
You would be forgiven for thinking that, Mike.
Seems back around 97 or 98, Mercedes switched from cellulose to water based paints. This meant the quality of the paintwork wasn't too clever. It is well documented on Merc forums and also non Merc forums (eg Honest John in the Torygraph).
Suspect areas include the front crossmember, all door seals (lift the rubbers), boot lid (particularly around the opening button) and wheel arches.
I had a front wing and boot lid replaced by MB because both had rusted from under the paintwork. I did have to kick up a bit of a stink (got DCUK involved), but I got it sorted in the end.
Later cars are better.
Greg
Seems back around 97 or 98, Mercedes switched from cellulose to water based paints. This meant the quality of the paintwork wasn't too clever. It is well documented on Merc forums and also non Merc forums (eg Honest John in the Torygraph).
Suspect areas include the front crossmember, all door seals (lift the rubbers), boot lid (particularly around the opening button) and wheel arches.
I had a front wing and boot lid replaced by MB because both had rusted from under the paintwork. I did have to kick up a bit of a stink (got DCUK involved), but I got it sorted in the end.
Later cars are better.
Greg
Your missing a trick here...
You could get a '98 Lexus LS400 for less than £5k...
which is simply, a S-class without the three pointed star...
Of course, i'm expecting you to be one of those people that the badge matters as much as the car, but in the off chance you are open minded, go give one a go, im sure you'll be pleasantly surprised
You could get a '98 Lexus LS400 for less than £5k...
which is simply, a S-class without the three pointed star...
Of course, i'm expecting you to be one of those people that the badge matters as much as the car, but in the off chance you are open minded, go give one a go, im sure you'll be pleasantly surprised
fidgits said:
Your missing a trick here...
You could get a '98 Lexus LS400 for less than £5k...
which is simply, a S-class without the three pointed star...
Of course, i'm expecting you to be one of those people that the badge matters as much as the car, but in the off chance you are open minded, go give one a go, im sure you'll be pleasantly surprised
Completely wrong, not a badge snob at all.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the LS400 is quite a bit larger than an E class.
An S class would be far too big for Mrs silverback, hence the maximum I would go for is an E. And even that is stretching things a bit I think.
Wonder what price early IS200's go for, they look nice.silverback mike said:
Greg, don't want to flog yours do you?
Mike, I couldn't think of a nicer bloke to flog it to mate. A couple of fellow PH-ers have told me you're a decent chap (or was that one of the other coppers on here?!!
And to think I'd be contributing to that amazing list of cars in your profile, well....
No, sorry mate....not right now...like I said, its more reliable than my ex wife.
I'll drop you a mail.....
Greg
>> Edited by GregE240 on Tuesday 23 August 15:51
silverback mike said:
Your missing a trick here...
You could get a '98 Lexus LS400 for less than £5k...
which is simply, a S-class without the three pointed star...
Of course, i'm expecting you to be one of those people that the badge matters as much as the car, but in the off chance you are open minded, go give one a go, im sure you'll be pleasantly surprised
Completely wrong, not a badge snob at all.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the LS400 is quite a bit larger than an E class.
An S class would be far too big for Mrs silverback, hence the maximum I would go for is an E. And even that is stretching things a bit I think.
Fair enough - i wasnt accusing, just expecting the standard response...
And yes, the LS is a big car - but i will tell you this, when i drove one, it was easier to manovere and felt smaller than the GS (the Lexus E-class car)..
I would reccomend you trying one - but yes, it could be a show-stopper...
oh, and IS200's start at about £7k now (they have had a depressing depreciation since the replacement has been announced!)
Hmm, I may just point her in that direction (400) But I reckon blinkers may be well and truly on. 
She is most definately not a badge snob, if anything the opposite and doesn't want a car that would attract any attention - hence her having a bora now.
I shall investigate all options...thanks for the input folks.
She is most definately not a badge snob, if anything the opposite and doesn't want a car that would attract any attention - hence her having a bora now. I shall investigate all options...thanks for the input folks.
Mike, just to complete the set (so to speak), how about an A4 or A6?
Built out of granite, galvanised like your dustbin, and go on forever. A boss of mine had a 1.8 once upon a time as a company hack and put 130K on it with consumate ease.
Only downside is that the ride in 'em can be a bit harsh.
Test drove a Lexus GS, didn't like it. Also had an IS200 as a courtesy car, nice motor but had to stir the gearbox / thrash the tits off it to make progress.
Greg
Built out of granite, galvanised like your dustbin, and go on forever. A boss of mine had a 1.8 once upon a time as a company hack and put 130K on it with consumate ease.
Only downside is that the ride in 'em can be a bit harsh.
Test drove a Lexus GS, didn't like it. Also had an IS200 as a courtesy car, nice motor but had to stir the gearbox / thrash the tits off it to make progress.
Greg
Tried those Greg, had an A4 for a bit and didn't really get on. The A6 just seems to lack character although undoubtedly is made of unburstable audi stuff. This why I think I always default back to BMW. Mad really, but as nothing has ever gone wrong with any of the BMW's I have had it's a bit of a safety blanket. (God, I have done it now.)
Well, you know what Mike, one of the main reasons I never bought a 5 Series?
1) Next door has one;
2) Next door but one the other way had one;
3) Next door but two has one.
Plus, I fancied a Merc. An uncle of mine had a couple when I was a kid so I've always had a soft spot for them.
Know what you mean about A6....they look odd to me. Thats unless its an estate with "RS" instead of "A" on the back
1) Next door has one;
2) Next door but one the other way had one;
3) Next door but two has one.
Plus, I fancied a Merc. An uncle of mine had a couple when I was a kid so I've always had a soft spot for them.
Know what you mean about A6....they look odd to me. Thats unless its an estate with "RS" instead of "A" on the back
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