Budget € 15,000........

tigersIron

Looking at a C Class Mercedes or a 3 series beemer (or any other suggestions anyone would care to offer) ?

Which would be the best buy (beemer or merc) ? Be keeping it for a while, no intention to resell.

Would (ideally) like high spec, automatic and reasonable mileage. Not too bothered about engine size as mileage will be fairly low.

robtri

big engine or small...

for example would you consider an M3

whats your limit on tax and isurance or are they a non issue

is year a concern???

biko

It's a toss up really imo. Both are very comfy cars with lots of toys.
Mercs autos are often ex-taxis with long mileage. Watch out for clocking.
Beamers are often driven hard, listen for vanos rattle.
One thing against Mercs imo is the wing mirrors, too small. But they can be changed of course.

Volvo s60/s80 could be an alternative.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1411513

CountingCrows

Honda Accord?

Padraig Mor

I recently bought a 2005 Lexus GS300 in near mint condition for under your budget from a Lexus dealer with full warranty etc. 3 litre V6 petrol automatic with 70k miles and gadgets that would put an S Class to shame (ventilated seats, sat nav, voice command, etc). Getting about 27mpg on average.

Seperate

4 replies and no one has suggested an Octavia?

Must be some kind of record

tigersIron

robtri wrote: »

big engine or small...

for example would you consider an M3

whats your limit on tax and isurance or are they a non issue

is year a concern???

Wouldnt really consider the M3 (though Id love one), need more of a family car

Insurance and tax wouldnt be a big issue within reason

2005 + for the year

tigersIron

biko wrote: »

It's a toss up really imo. Both are very comfy cars with lots of toys.
Mercs autos are often ex-taxis with long mileage. Watch out for clocking.
Beamers are often driven hard, listen for vanos rattle.
One thing against Mercs imo is the wing mirrors, too small. But they can be changed of course.

Volvo s60/s80 could be an alternative.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1411513

That looks like a fairly good deal !

R.O.R

biko wrote: »

Volvo s60/s80 could be an alternative.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1411513

That is a bloody bargain! Only issue is the road tax of €895 per year - but that's only €0.77 per day more than a 2.0Litre.

I delivered a very similar new one to a driver earlier this year and it's one of the nicest cars I've driven in a long time.

L-M

biko wrote: »

Volvo s60/s80 could be an alternative.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1411513

Bargain! I was waiting to click on the link, followed by a post on "They asked for a Merc or a BMW" but how could you turn your nose up at that!

Do a history and finance check first though.

robtri

sweet A6
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0TFSI-/201026198600599/advert?channel=CARS

A nicely loaded 3 series
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-M-SP/201026198656086/advert?channel=CARS

lovely accord diesel
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.2-i-CT/200924193070453/advert?channel=CARS

a nice is250 -
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Lexus/IS250/Executiv/201010197208442/advert?channel=CARS

L-M

If the A6 was diesel I'd put it as a contender, more than likely wouldn't win over the Volvo though.

:eek:Look at the SHTATE of the number plates on the 3 series! They remind me of the grand mother with her big eyes when she puts on her jam jar glasses!

cadaliac

Limerick man wrote: »

If the A6 was diesel I'd put it as a contender, more than likely wouldn't win over the Volvo though.

:eek:Look at the SHTATE of the number plates on the 3 series! They remind me of the grand mother with her big eyes when she puts on her jam jar glasses!

If the A6 was a diesel, I would run a mile. Buddys A6 is in the garage for terminal sergery again! (oil pump (2.0 TDI))
It wouldn't be the first person that I know of with a Diesel A6 with wallet crushing issues.
Volvo is and always be a Volvo BTW. Horrible. (imo)

@ robtri - The Lexus would by my pick by qiute some margin.

L-M

cadaliac wrote: »

Volvo is and always be a Volvo BTW. Horrible. (imo)

I'd be of that general train of thought as well, but I really like the S80, and that S80 has a good combination of colours, wheels (price).

What about a Saab 95 or aero 93?

EPM

That S80 is a bloody bargain. I'd have that over any of the other cars listed

R.O.R

While doing a bit of digging to see if that car (http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1411513) was in a dealer anywhere and if they'd take an 05 Accord as a trade in, it might be a case of "if it looks to good to be true......"

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S80/S80-D5-S/201024198466765/advert?channel=CARS

jock101

EPM wrote: »

That S80 is a bloody bargain. I'd have that over any of the other cars listed

The interior is horrible, I'd also say it was an ex rep car.

VolvoMan

cadaliac wrote: »

Volvo is and always be a Volvo BTW. Horrible. (imo)

I don't see how any modern Volvo can be considered horrible next to the equivalent BMW or Merc. You're probably still living in the darkages to be honest, thinking all Volvos still look like this:

Limerick man wrote: »

I'd be of that general train of thought as well, but I really like the S80, and that S80 has a good combination of colours, wheels (price).

What about a Saab 95 or aero 93?

Yes, Volvo clearly make horrible uncomfortable cars that are far less interesting than VW's. A re-clothed 90's Opel Vectra is clearly a better choice, particularly one that torquesteers like a pig (9-3 Aero).

jock101 wrote: »

The interior is horrible, I'd also say it was an ex rep car.

That's funny, one of the best things people say Volvo usually do are interiors.

It's doubtful that it's a sales rep's car to be honest, due to its 2.4 litre D5 engine and general high purchase price of 50-60 grand when new. You'd have to be on very good terms with the fleet manager to get him to fork out that much for a car.

Henry Ford III

EPM wrote: »

That S80 is a bloody bargain. I'd have that over any of the other cars listed

Seems there is more to that car than meets the eye.

EPM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Seems there is more to that car than meets the eye.

explain...

cadaliac

@ Volvoman - I do not live in the dark ages. I actually liked the older type Volvos, way back then.
But Now.
In My Opinion, I do not like the new (yes this years crop) type Volvos.

EPM

jock101 wrote: »

The interior is horrible, I'd also say it was an ex rep car.

What difference would it being a rep car make?

A-Trak

You'd get a stonking Alfa GT for that money.