'99 C43 wagon, '99 E55 wagon - reviews, opinions?

[VerySideways]

Hi everyone, oldie on PH but newbie to Merc, i want a discreet and capable estate and was thinking along these lines. Anyone here lived with either of these vehicles, or their saloon equivalents?

Interested in real world fuel consumption, servicing, breakdowns, niggles, issues (i hear paint is prone to chipping for example), that kind of thing.

What i really want is a 1993/4 E500 but i need a wagon for the dogs.

Thanks!

[Chris944_S2]

I've had my C43 estate for 4 months now, no problems to report with it yet.
The W202/W210 both suffer a lot from rust so check for that. If the car has a FMBSH and the paint has not been touched up by anyone else, MB will cover it under waranty up to 30 years.
I don't know what my fuel consumption is, didn't buy the car to save fuel. Don't bother with one if it is a concern though!
I don't know yet about the cost of servicing as I haven't had any need for it yet. I did however catch my front bumper on a high kerb and its £540 for a new AMG bumper, unpainted and unfitted
On the C43 the gearbox is known to break and is approx £1500 to get it rebuilt or £2500 for a replacement box.

The car is very discreet though, mine is fully debadged and so far have been asked:
"Is it a C200?"
"Is it a Diesel?"
"Are you sure it's an AMG?"

[MartinD]

I've had 2 '99 E300 TD estates back in 2002 & '03 & rust is a problem on them ,stone chips on front of bonnet & around front lights, the rust spreads under the paint & this was only at 4 years old ! I've also seen rust UNDER the door rubbers on another car which MB was going to repaint under warranty. Odd electrical problems are common on these cars . On one of mine the alarm would go off for no reason , best advice I was given was to just live with it !.
You are lucky Pete , there's a great independent MB specialist in Reading
Star Motor Services : Unit 1 28 Send Rd : Caversham : Reading 0118 9462750
Give them a call , they are very friendly & helpful , unlike main dealers !

[VerySideways]

Chris, Martin, thanks very much for your responses.
The search continues...

[VerySideways]

Chris944_S2 said:

I've had my C43 estate for 4 months now

Chris: age, mileage, spec? I'm looking at a couple on autotrader, driven both in the last few days, one at 50k miles one at 70k miles.

[Chris944_S2]

Mine is a 2000 and it's just gone passed 85,000 miles (bought it at 80,000).
Spec is pretty much the same on most cars, I would have liked xenon headlights and a sunroof, but can't be too picky as they aren't the most common of cars. It's got the two-tone leather interior, that's down to personal preference but I don't really like cars that are all black inside.

Both of the cars you've tried have a faily low mileage for these models, but I don't think between 50,000 and 70,000 it makes much difference to these cars. I wouldn't pay extra just to get a very low mileage car, it's best to make sure you get one that has been well looked after (with loads of receipts).

[VerySideways]

Nothing out there that fits the bill perfectly, drove an E55 wagon yesterday and as lovely as it was it felt as big as it is, the C43 shrinks around you i think. And the C43 is much better value.

SO - i am on the lookout for a C43 estate, but if i don't find the perfect car then i'll just keep driving the 911 every day.

If a year from now i haven't found the perfect C43 i may reconsider the S4 4.2 Avant (sorry!).

[Chris944_S2]

What was wrong with the two C43's you drove?

[VerySideways]

71k miler was nice, and they agreed to knock a god bit off if i just bought and drove away (no service, no MOT, etc.) but the SH still worried me, and it's a little bit older and not as clean as i'd hope.
The 50k miler was a few k more money but had a good history, but a slightly meagre spec. No sunroof, no satnav, plain black leather, no xenons, no parking sensors.

What i'd like is a car that has clearly been looked after - service history and condition to match.

[firesafetydave]

Had my E55 estate for 6 months now - love it,had a 996 before and the merc is far better.Done a track day in it and suprised a few people and also did the fighting torque event.Lovely car.Recomend it.

Edited by firesafetydave on Monday 17th September 14:51

Edited by firesafetydave on Monday 17th September 14:55

[Mr Nu]

VerySideways said:

What i'd like is a car that has clearly been looked after - service history and condition to match.

Hi Pete

Had any more luck on the AMG front? Or is it proving to be a bit of an epic search?

Best wishes

Nath

[VerySideways]

Nathan, more C43 than E55 but i am still keeping my eyes peeled for both (estate only). Epic search is right!!

[MartinD]

Pete
Has to be RHD ?

How about a '98 E62 estate or an E60

http://uk.mobile.de/SIDdXvSyigW2z-a1I69X0FI-w-t-va...
http://uk.mobile.de/SIDJbznlS8M2p-.9eWRKWhhqA-t-va...

LHD E55's

http://uk.mobile.de/SIDiZWkF7cWLM5Rj591F45bhA-t-va...

[VerySideways]

Yeah, really want it to be RHD and not too far off the beaten track - the E55 is a little large, i am still keener on the C43 (unless they did a C55 in that bodystyle!).

[MartinD]

VerySideways said:

i am still keener on the C43 (unless they did a C55 in that bodystyle!).

I followed one through Arborfield last year, at the time I thought 'I didn't know they made them !'
UK search nil.
2 in Germany
http://uk.mobile.de/SIDd2m8wOo3Rb0CkeFMKKv9BQ-t-va...

[VerySideways]

Arborfield? That's just down the road from here!

Now that is tempting, even in LHD...