Should I buy this Merc?

chuckyarelaw

Hey

I'd appreciate some guidance!

At a reputable MERC franchise dealer in Dublin

2007 C180k, manual, petrol
68,000 km
Comes with 12 month warranty
6 months road tax
NCT until mid 2015

Happy with price but niggling concern that it's had 4 previous owners and only done 68k km

Would you be concerned about mileage and number of past owners?

The fact that it's a main mercedes dealer selling with a 12 month parts and labour warranty should be peace of mind enough, right?????

Thanks

Idbatterim

have it checked by a merc specialist...

chuckyarelaw

Idbatterim wrote: »

have it checked by a merc specialist...

So you wouldn't trust the Mercedes main dealer and their 12 month warranty?

Would an AA inspection be suitable?

sawdoubters

milege is too high what price is it

I would buy from private party with service records

chuckyarelaw

sawdoubters wrote: »

milege is too high what price is it

I would buy from private party with service records

Less than 10,000 km a year is too high?

€10,500 price.

Mycroft H

Mileage is nothing. Don't be daft.

Idbatterim

do you have a link to the car?

chuckyarelaw

Idbatterim wrote: »

do you have a link to the car?

No - they took it down today because I put a deposit on it (refundable)

Moneymaker

Lot of people would say the automatic is better, but i've always preferred manuals myself. I've heard the autobox can be a little fragile too.

Check all the electrics and the suspension.

It's a fine car and coming from a Merc main dealer it should be grand. Hope it's got the dead cow and all the toys?

10.5 seems quite a bit though.

Is it the older model or the facelifted one?

bazz26

Do people even buy manual Mercs? Their manual gearboxes are usually not great.

coolbeans

Ten grand is a lot of cash for what is essentially a seven year old motor that's not that fondly remembered, was hugely bettered by its replacement and, correct me if I'm wrong, will have been twice replaced fairly soon. Could think of way better things to do with that kinda money.

Just spotted, it's manual as well. I think you're mad. You only get that proper Benz feeling in an auto.

In short, reset.

kerten

bazz26 wrote: »

Do people even buy manual Mercs? Their manual gearboxes are usually not great.

+1

Auto and leather is the minimum spec when you buy a Merc.

My Potatoes

chuckyarelaw wrote: »

Happy with price but niggling concern that it's had 4 previous owners and only done 68k km

I have a C180, tough considerably older than yours. On two occasions I'd dashboard problems. The first fix/replacement caused the odometer to reset to zero. The second problem froze the odometer until that part was replaced. My car has driven about 20,000 miles more than the odometer reading.

chuckyarelaw

kerten wrote: »

+1

Auto and leather is the minimum spec when you buy a Merc.

It's leather alright. Don't mind the manual.

Seems no major issue then

RedDeadMarshal

first things first is it the peanut eyed one? W203 series? If that's the case walk away!! I hope somebody can list out the problems because I'm not bothered. If it's the square lights one then go for it but be warned... It won't be a sailing boat like all the rest of the Mercedes range. The w204 was designed to compete against bmw and is noticeably more sportier and the ride is more harsh. C180? is it. It will be the old one carried from the w203. Good engine just make sure to keep it's maintenance on schedule. You won't be able to DIY a Mercedes now unless you are really skilled. These aren't exactly diy cars. 10500 is a bit high tough. Try look private. That's what I once done a long long time ago I snagged myself a w202 from a nice elderly gentleman. Car was rock solid. Try look private the dealer will rip you off. I helped a friend of mine get a w203 and he paid over 6000 and that was only last year for 2004 c180 avantgarde.

chuckyarelaw

RedDeadMarshal wrote: »

first things first is it the peanut eyed one? W203 series? If that's the case walk away!! I hope somebody can list out the problems because I'm not bothered. If it's the square lights one then go for it but be warned... It won't be a sailing boat like all the rest of the Mercedes range. The w204 was designed to compete against bmw and is noticeably more sportier and the ride is more harsh. C180? is it. It will be the old one carried from the w203. Good engine just make sure to keep it's maintenance on schedule. You won't be able to DIY a Mercedes now unless you are really skilled. These aren't exactly diy cars. 10500 is a bit high tough. Try look private. That's what I once done a long long time ago I snagged myself a w202 from a nice elderly gentleman. Car was rock solid. Try look private the dealer will rip you off. I helped a friend of mine get a w203 and he paid over 6000 and that was only last year for 2004 c180 avantgarde.

Image attached

W203

_Kaiser_

10.5k for a entry level 7 year old manual petrol Mercedes?

You'd get a FAR nicer E-class for that money, an A6, BMW 5 etc .. but if you're happy then that's all that matters really!

Del2005

chuckyarelaw wrote: »

So you wouldn't trust the Mercedes main dealer and their 12 month warranty?

Would an AA inspection be suitable?

No and yes. Plenty of new cars turn out to be lemons. Plenty of new cars turn out to be lemons so for any car purchase an inspection by a knowledge person is essential.

Pedro K

sawdoubters wrote: »

milege is too high what price is it

I would buy from private party with service records

Less than 70k km for a 7 year old car and you think the mileage is too high? Are you mental?

650Ginge

Moneymaker wrote: »

Lot of people would say the automatic is better, but i've always preferred manuals myself. I've heard the autobox can be a little fragile too.

Check all the electrics and the suspension.

It's a fine car and coming from a Merc main dealer it should be grand. Hope it's got the dead cow and all the toys?

10.5 seems quite a bit though.

Is it the older model or the facelifted one?

You got that he wrong way round merc manuals are not great. Not bad but just loose or something the autos are great.

RedDeadMarshal

650Ginge wrote: »

You got that he wrong way round merc manuals are not great. Not bad but just loose or something the autos are great.

the autos aren't great either. I had a manual w202 and it was good. It was an average transmission. It wasn't anything like a BMW where you had a nice clunk in and out to it. I would also like to add that my mate has his 2004 c180 avantgarde automatic in a Mercedes dealer with a quote of €400 for a back spring (which is rusted, corrosion is a big problem on the w203 and so it was on my w202 when it was ten years old). He also needed the rubber bands on the wishbones replaced (ONE). Now I'm guessing labour the most is 100 and something like a spring is 50 while them rubber bands are 100 or even less. That's what 250? he paid nearly double. The best or nothing I guess. I'll stick to my Toyotas like scotty kilmer. You can check his video out on youtube OP. He has one on why not to buy a Mercedes. 10500 is too much for a w203 go for a w204 it's miles ahead of it's predecessor.