170k C class 270 cdi,worth a buy?

[Rumple]

Im after a cheap runabout, it has to last two years and be as reliable as possible, ( I know that's asking a lot ) rather than Vectra's and Mondeo's I have been looking at C-class estates, my budget is 3 grand and I have seen one that has caught my eye, it is a fully loaded estate that has done 170k, it is an auto and a 270 diesel, the car looks mint and rust free, ( this is my bug bear with German cars) is the millage to high for that car? it is an 03 reg, is the 270 a good engine, if not what to go for? I don't know a lot about these cars so any advice would be welcome, thanks for looking.

[rassi]

The C270 CDI is very reliable, and if the gearbox is still smooth it may be worth a punt (maybe factoring in a fluid change).

Biggest problem is, as you note yourself, rust.

[Rumple]

rassi said:

The C270 CDI is very reliable, and if the gearbox is still smooth it may be worth a punt (maybe factoring in a fluid change).

Biggest problem is, as you note yourself, rust.

Thanks for your reply, is it worth getting one over the 220 or should I just buy on condition?

[pavka007]

Hi there,
This is my first post but I've been driving Mercedes cars for the last 20+ years. For a start £3 grand for 170k miles 270CDI is way over the top. For just a another 400 (screen price, so you can haggle) you could get 220CDI Estate with under 120K on the clock. In real terms daily driving there is not a huge difference. My current Mercedes is 04 220CDI saloon with just under 90K on the clock and I see in normal everyday driving (40 city/60 motorway) about 40/42MPG. If I stay with the speed limit on a long run (Edinburgh to Manchester) I can get 53/55MPG. The 270 is a bit quicker from 0 to 60 but not by much (a second) but you never will see 55MPG out of it. Considering that C class is lighter car compared to my E you should get 45+ any day of the week.
One important thing to check is: THERMOSTAT. All of them seems to need replacement after and around 80 to 100K. For a diesel this is a murder My one stopped working as it should and my car could not reach 92C and my MPG drop down by 6 miles. Cheap part, £45 quid from Mercedes dealer and 20 min job (5 bolts) The thermostat is sold with the housing, is coming as a single unit, including new temp sensor stc. As soon as I've changed mine, the next tank of diesel went back to normal. The car should reach the operating temp within about 3/4 miles TOP. If it doesn't.....new thermostat
Any more questions just ask, I will be happy to help.
Alex

[Rumple]

Thanks for the info, great first post I was really on a fishing expedition to find out if they do the miles, the car in question looked very very tidy, but the dealer selling it never replied to my email so he has lost my custom.
a fortnight ago I bought my wife a car [ impulse buy] so I am only spending what I get for my 330ci, I have had a nightmare 2013 and just don't want the loan, therefore I am sticking to my budget and building my savings up instead, who knows if I get a good one ill keep it for years.
shame really because at the beginning of the year I was going to spend 10-12k on one.

[pavka007]

Sorry to hear that the hard time is upon you, however I stand by my first post. £3K is a lot of money at the moment, you could easy get yourself a Merc CDI with under 120 on the clock. Perhaps it will sound unusual but have you ever consider Skoda estate? I am sure you are aware that under the skin they are VAG cars from the wheels to the last bit of trim. You could get very clean Octavia estate or even Passat estate for this money. I drove a Passat Estate for 7000 miles (work related) and with all the abuse and spirited driving I never managed to drop under 42MPG The best one was London/Edinburgh via M40/M6 etc with steady 70MPH and brim to brim calculation returned mind blowing 63.8 MPG. The car was 2004 with 105K on the clock

[Rumple]

To be honest id go for a Mondeo , Vectra or MG ZT-t over a VAG car, Im not really a fan, I do quite like the C class however so this will be my first choice, as for money, it has been a st year but we are past that now, if I were looking in 6 months I would spend a lot, as it is I just not interested in getting in debt for a car, if the Merc turns out to be a good one I am going the way of the Bike to get my thrills.