LUXOBARGE (sub5k) of the week/day

Rows Grower

marcos_94 wrote: »

Heres a genuine CL55 for 5.2k:

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-cl55-amg/24182399

Maybe it's just me marcos but I don't think either of those cars are worth next or near that money.

The first one looks dog rough, 8 previous owners, no NCT and 1800 euro's tax a year which I can only assume is due too as it's not mentioned.

The second one looks a bit tidier to be fair and has an NCT but the tax is due in a couple of days and it's done 140k miles.

When I see lads advertise these in the vintage section I just see conman seller written all over the ad. The thing I like most about it is the woman that looks like she's freezing to death in the third picture.

Rows Grower

Rows Grower wrote: »

........The thing I like most about it is the woman that looks like she's freezing to death in the third picture.

marcos_94

Rows Grower wrote: »

Maybe it's just me marcos but I don't think either of those cars are worth next or near that money.

The first one looks dog rough, 8 previous owners, no NCT and 1800 euro's tax a year which I can only assume is due too as it's not mentioned.

The second one looks a bit tidier to be fair and has an NCT but the tax is due in a couple of days and it's done 140k miles.

When I see lads advertise these in the vintage section I just see conman seller written all over the ad. The thing I like most about it is the woman that looks like she's freezing to death in the third picture.

Thanks Rows, I thought they were cheap considering what CL55s are up for in the UK. I thought the 2001 one looked a bit tired but it was lower mileage so thought if it had service history, it may just need some attention to its cosmetics. Iv always wanted a CL and theyre getting close to classic insurance

Rows Grower

marcos_94 wrote: »

Thanks Rows, I thought they were cheap considering what CL55s are up for in the UK. I thought the 2001 one looked a bit tired but it was lower mileage so thought if it had service history, it may just need some attention to its cosmetics. Iv always wanted a CL and theyre getting close to classic insurance

I'd strongly advise you wait for another opinion because I'm far from an expert.

traco

The 55 AMG engine is fairly solid as is the gearbox. Suspension and electronics issues are the risks so you would need to be prepared for unexpected items there. Anything like this is going to need something if its in this price range.

At 5k I would think these are at or close to the lower end of what they will go to. If I had space and 4/5k to spare I'd seriously consider picking one up to lock away but I would be doing proper due diligence on them and going in with my eyes wide open. The 55 AMG is a very different car than a 500 in CL or S guise.

Eric Cartman

traco wrote: »

The 55 AMG engine is fairly solid as is the gearbox. Suspension and electronics issues are the risks so you would need to be prepared for unexpected items there. Anything like this is going to need something if its in this price range.

At 5k I would think these are at or close to the lower end of what they will go to. If I had space and 4/5k to spare I'd seriously consider picking one up to lock away but I would be doing proper due diligence on them and going in with my eyes wide open. The 55 AMG is a very different car than a 500 in CL or S guise.

thats a fair point. An engine and gearbox for one would be worth 3k anyway so below 5k its into export and break money.

The wheels and tyres must be worth over €500 on donedeal........ as said can't see these being much less then €5k unless they are in utter sh1t.

Tommyboy40

I've owned both the W140 and the C215 CL's and my tuppence worth would be to avoid both.
Both are pre facelift cars (facelift was 2003) and would have 4:3 screens.
The first car is a CL500 with an AMG badge
Both will need suspension work and as the shocks are over €1400 each and the suspension pump is about €800. Neither is too well specced, no keyless go or such goodies.
The Cl is a stunning car to drive with amazing presence but as they cost €195,000, don't expect running costs to be tiny. They are surprisingly frugal but would ride like a dog on 20" rims
Never buy a first generation Mercedes, wait till the facelift when they fix most of the issues

marcos_94

Tommyboy40 wrote: »

I've owned both the W140 and the C215 CL's and my tuppence worth would be to avoid both.
Both are pre facelift cars (facelift was 2003) and would have 4:3 screens.
The first car is a CL500 with an AMG badge
Both will need suspension work and as the shocks are over €1400 each and the suspension pump is about €800. Neither is too well specced, no keyless go or such goodies.
The Cl is a stunning car to drive with amazing presence but as they cost €195,000, don't expect running costs to be tiny. They are surprisingly frugal but would ride like a dog on 20" rims
Never buy a first generation Mercedes, wait till the facelift when they fix most of the issues

Thanks for the info! Definitely never considered these to be cheap to run, but sometimes you stomach the running costs for a car thats worth it! Out of curiosity, do you know much about the C216 generation that followed?

Lurching

Rows Grower wrote: »

When I see lads advertise these in the vintage section I just see conman seller written all over the ad.

I understand where you're coming from here, but the first one is 2001, which you could insure as a classic next year. I could add that to my classic policy for less than €200 a year.
Tax on the other hand.....

Rows Grower

Lurching wrote: »

I understand where you're coming from here, but the first one is 2001, which you could insure as a classic next year. I could add that to my classic policy for less than €200 a year.
Tax on the other hand.....

Will cost you over 18 grand until it is actually a vintage.

Lurching

Rows Grower wrote: »

Will cost you over 18 grand until it is actually a vintage.

Fair point, but I'd probably drive it for a few months then throw it in the shed until it's vintage tax.
Even if I kept it on the road, the insurance saving would offset a huge portion of the tax.

It would only be worthwhile for a decent AMG one though.

Tommyboy40

Lurching wrote: »

Fair point, but I'd probably drive it for a few months then throw it in the shed until it's vintage tax.
Even if I kept it on the road, the insurance saving would offset a huge portion of the tax.

It would only be worthwhile for a decent AMG one though.

These aren't the type of cars to throw in a shed. They need to be driven regularly or you will have issues. Keep one unused for a number of years and you'll have multiple problems with suspension height and high pressure pump

Tommyboy40

marcos_94 wrote: »

Thanks for the info! Definitely never considered these to be cheap to run, but sometimes you stomach the running costs for a car thats worth it! Out of curiosity, do you know much about the C216 generation that followed?

To be honest, mine hasn't been too expensive, only a shock and an AC compressor in 4 years and 50k miles. You really need a Mercedes specialist who has the proper Star diagnostic kit. The 216 was facelifted in 2010 so I would try get one of these. The single biggest headache is the suspension. It's amazingly comfortable and clings to the road in sports mode but can be pricey it any component needs replacing. The oldest 216's are 13 years old now and you are likely to see wear, especially on the passenger side rear shock. If you're looking at one, set the suspension to maximum height and check each shock for fluid leaks. Also listen to the suspension pump to check the bearings

traco

Tommyboy40 wrote: »

These aren't the type of cars to throw in a shed. They need to be driven regularly or you will have issues. Keep one unused for a number of years and you'll have multiple problems with suspension height and high pressure pump

A very valid point, they definitely need to be on the road a few months a year, that way you have a nice long to do list for when they are off the road.

This applies to any car to be fair and over time you can end up with a nicely sorted reliable machine ans hours of motoring enjoyment. Cars such as a 55 AMG have a sense of occasion about them.

As for the tax, well that's why they are cheap to buy. You can buy a new Dacia Sandero for 12k and it will depreciate more in 12 months than the tax on a luxobarge.

The costs all come out of the same pot just a question of where you portion it out or creative accounting if you prefer.

Some want the 201 plate and warranty. Others want the magic carpet air suspension ride (when it works), acres of non vegan friendly dead animal skin to cosset them while they watch hedgerows wilt in the rear view mirror as they waft past propelled by a dinosaur juice field V8.

For the record I'm in the latter category, plus life is short and petrol is now cheap.

Does a Luxobarge exist with cheap tax? Say 750/yr or so? Wondering if 2008 tax rate changes created something in this space.

Duke O Smiley

2008/09 Lexus GS450h is about all I can think of in that tax bracket

Duke O Smiley

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

2008/09 Lexus GS450h is about all I can think of in that tax bracket

Good call - not many on the road and a lovely bus. Making around 10k for a 2008 model. Finding one with a replaced hybrid battery pack would be the problem. The battery would be done for after 10 years, and even spurious packs are making 2-3k. 5k job at a main dealer I reckon.

Voodoomelon

Deleted User wrote: »

Does a Luxobarge exist with cheap tax? Say 750/yr or so? Wondering if 2008 tax rate changes created something in this space.

The 2013 750i misses out on the €750 bracket by 9 grams, but is still a steal in the €1200 bracket. Far from a luxobarge yet though.

I'm sure some of the older diesels make the cut, but a barge needs a petrol V8 or V12 in my eyes.

Rows Grower

This is like a cross between a Luxobarge and a Bangernomic, tax is only 390...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautifull-jag-x-type-new-nct-tax-swap-e-class/24671650?campaign=3

bidiots

Rows Grower wrote: »

This is like a cross between a Luxobarge and a Bangernomic, tax is only 390...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautifull-jag-x-type-new-nct-tax-swap-e-class/24671650?campaign=3

TheW1zard

Rows Grower wrote: »

This is like a cross between a Luxobarge and a Bangernomic, tax is only 390...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautifull-jag-x-type-new-nct-tax-swap-e-class/24671650?campaign=3

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-190e/24558915

Does this count!?

Mickiemcfist

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

2008/09 Lexus GS450h is about all I can think of in that tax bracket

730d of the same vintage no?

Duke O Smiley

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

730d of the same vintage no?

€1200 tax on them (well on the post-July 08 E65/66)

€750 on the F01 though, but you're still talking 10k-ish for one of those

KevRossi

You can get some fully loaded V6 and V8 SUV's with €333 tax and 5 seats. I think they are the only ones that would fall into that bracket.

ELM327

Rows Grower wrote: »

This is like a cross between a Luxobarge and a Bangernomic, tax is only 390...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/beautifull-jag-x-type-new-nct-tax-swap-e-class/24671650?campaign=3

no, its a mondeo!

Duke O Smiley

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

2008/09 Lexus GS450h is about all I can think of in that tax bracket

Deleted User wrote: »

............The battery would be done for after 10 years, ..........

Would they?

bidiots

KevRossi wrote: »

You can get some fully loaded V6 and V8 SUV's with €333 tax and 5 seats. I think they are the only ones that would fall into that bracket.

How does insurance work with that, for private use?

Midnight_EG

Augeo wrote: »

Would they?

No, the battery would start breaking down between 7-10 years but it will be absolutely fine for another 10.

ELM327

Augeo wrote: »

Would they?

No
They are NiMh batteries which do not suffer the same degradation as the Li-Ion batteries found in full electric cars.