Used C-class?

Markd250

What do you guys think of the older style Mercedes C-class coupe? I have a limited budget, and I'm looking for something comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Looking through carzone, this one caught my eye.

http://m.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5013303333518210

I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts on it!

keithclancy

Markd250 wrote: »

What do you guys think of the older style Mercedes C-class coupe? I have a limited budget, and I'm looking for something comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Looking through carzone, this one caught my eye.

http://m.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5013303333518210

I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts on it!

I wouldn't, they had build quality problems around then, could turn into a money hole

Markd250

I knew there had to be a catch!

L-M

Wouldn't call that an enjoyable drive tbh!

Not a bad looking car, much nicer than Bmw's equivalent anyway.

Markd250

Any suggestions for alternatives?

L-M

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3119944

Markd250

Looks good, I had thought to go for something other than a 3-series, but I guess there's a reason they're popular!

L-M

They're nice solid cars to drive. That would be fairly under powered but you don't seem like someone who wants to drive a 2.2 petrol 6 cylinder (That would be the next option).

You could for an Audi TT but they demand big enough money and they're fairly short on space.

Markd250

I've never been a fan of the Audi TT's looks either - a bit of a handbag IMO!

I'm not in a huge rush, so I'll keep an eye out for a good BMW. The next one up is the 320 right?

Thanks for the advice by the way!

L-M

Yeah, but the 320ci would be a 2.2.

i drove one for about 2 weeks, bar sounding fantastic i wouldn't pick one over the 4 pot 318ci. The 2.2 drank fuel though.

Carpentry

I own one of these. Wouldn't call them underpowered, I don't think that beamer from donedeal would stand a chance. Top quality interior, you won't find a car in this class with real aluminium used on dash board, everything fits perfectly, no squeaky noises, no cheap plastics, rubbers, etc. great seats, won't let you move.
One bad thing about them - stiff as f**k. Holds perfect into the road no matter how fast you go into the bend, but you'll feel every stone on the road, not mention cracks or potholes, so be prepared. But they are built by Germans and for Germans. And the German streets are nothing to compare to Irish roads, if you drive on new tarmac, or good quality one, smooth and easy, but if you'll get yourself in some dull street feels like there is no suspension. Apart from the above - hell of a car. Makes you smiling with an every mile you go and I can really say that turn heads around, specially women ones :cool:
Have a look for low millage ones, few of them around, parts and labor are pricey, so you don't want to get into a friendship with Mercedes mechanics.
Any questions just pm me.

L-M

Lol Turning ladies heads as they fancy the car

JP 1800

Have you considered the clk 200 kompressor, they are a 1.8 supercharged and are better built than the c180, the clk is based more on the E class which is a better built car all round. I have owned a fair few Mercs from E class to S class and CL class and I would never touch a C class.

gyppo

Markd250 wrote: »

Any suggestions for alternatives?

one of these.....

bazz26

First of all that is not a coupe in the normal sense. It is a 3 door hatchback version of the C Class. The marking people of Mercedes Benz called it the Sports Coupe to add some sort of poshness to what was a rival to the Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series Compact at the time. The Sports Coupe was a poor effort and not a great seller either. Even though I hate the A3 I would have one over the C Class Sports Coupe any day.

The real C Class coupe/convertible is called the CLK.

Markd250

Actually, there are a few sub €10k CLKs on carzone too, but I'd be worried they're lemons!

Doing a bit more reading, build quality does appear to be an issue alright. I haven't actually driven one yet, so I guess I should try out all of these options?

Also, a volvo? Really?

L-M

JP 1800 wrote: »

Have you considered the clk 200 kompressor, they are a 1.8 supercharged and are better built than the c180, the clk is based more on the E class which is a better built car all round. I have owned a fair few Mercs from E class to S class and CL class and I would never touch a C class.

I was under the impression that the komp engines were bad. I had considered a 03 e200 and numerous people warned me off it.

Carpentry

Clk is more for the old farts, both male and female. Personal choice I guess. Btw C180 Coupe comes as a kompressor as well.

Markd250

Actually just had a look at the s40, it looks pretty nice!

Carpentry

Limerick man wrote: »

Lol Turning ladies heads as they fancy the car

Find it better then turning young lads with the tacksuit into white socks heads

gyppo

Markd250 wrote: »

Actually just had a look at the s40, it looks pretty nice!

Sorry, the car i put the pic up on is a C70.

bazz26

Volvo C30?



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3134589

ShaneMc2012

Seen as the Mercedes was €6,950 I'm assuming your budget is 7,000 and if I was looking for something comfortable for under that price it would have to be Volkswagen Phaeton... (That engine doesn't sound like it would boring to drive either) Nearly 10 years old though...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Phaeton/PHAETON-/201209207153454/advert?channel=CARS

Markd250

Sweet Jesus - I didn't think you could buy a phaeton for 7 grand! It's a bit of a monster though, isn't it?

I'm liking the volvos - there are a fair few S40s around that price, would they be a decent buy?

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Carpentry

had one of them, '05, 1.8 petrol 125 bhp, underpowered describes well that motor, but only if you're looking for something sporty, otherwise really good car for the money, has a sense of luxury, but I would go now for s60 as is just made a way better than a smaller brother, though s40 drives well, looks good, economical, not a problematic, quite enjoyable, but still it isn't a luxury that crossing your mind when hear a Volvo, s60 2.4 diesel with automatic gearbox, runs on a chain, probably safest car around, no need to worry about anything else that a basic A service, not exactly done by a main dealer, recommended

Carpentry

my s40 was taking up to 12 liters/100 km, but some people say I have a heavy foot...

Nissan doctor

JP 1800 wrote: »

Have you considered the clk 200 kompressor, they are a 1.8 supercharged and are better built than the c180, the clk is based more on the E class which is a better built car all round. I have owned a fair few Mercs from E class to S class and CL class and I would never touch a C class.

The W208 CLK is based on the c-class platform.......and the W210 E-class of the same time was one of the worst cars mercedes ever made!


@OP, you say you have a limited budget, is that just for buying the car? Presumably you are considering the likely high running/maintenance costs of buying 10odd year old premium-ish German cars?

Mycroft H

Saab 93/95? Loads of cheap ones about.

mondeo

Markd250 wrote: »

Sweet Jesus - I didn't think you could buy a phaeton for 7 grand! It's a bit of a monster though, isn't it?

I'm liking the volvos - there are a fair few S40s around that price, would they be a decent buy?

Thanks again for all the feedback!

How about an S60? S40 is a nice car but when I sat in the s60's I thought little of the s40's afterwards. I'm on my 3rd Volvo. Went from a 01' S80 which was a massive comfortable thing to a 08' S60 and now to a 11' S60 .

6k will get you a lovely S60, they are very elegant looking cars and look nicer then a 3 series in my opinion.

[IMG][/img]

Markd250

@ Nissan doctor - I realise that cars like this have higher running costs, and I'll be able to cover that, it's more the fact that I won't be able to raise much more money than this before I need the car.

@mondeo - the s60 looks nice too! I must admit I hadn't considered volvo, I guess it was their non-sexy image. I'm going to have to do a few test drives over the next few weeks.

As for Saab, I'd thought about a 9-3, but haven't they gone bust? Or does that not make a difference?