Automatic and some refinement, C-Class or IS250?
Discussion
Hi, I fancy a bit of a step up on my next car to something a bit more refined. Most of my cars have been the usual volkswagen, ford, mazda, toyota etc ex rep-mobile cars or mid-size hatchbacks. I had a bad experience with a Golf GTi which has put me off upmarket VW's. I'd also like an automatic for a change. I don't want to jump from relatively cheap motoring into large annual costs but I accept that running costs will take a hit.
So far I'm thinking IS250 or some variant of Mercedes C-Class. There's probably a Jag that fits the bill too but I haven't investigated them yet. BMW/Audi don't seem the best car for automatics unless you go a bracket up to 5-Series/A6 which are too big for my needs. Is there anything else I should be considering? Or anything I should know about these cars that will help my decision?
For what it's worth the car will spend 80%+ of its time on uncluttered open roads, but the condition of some of them leaves a lot to be desired with blind potholes on a 60mph road not uncommon. So reasonably profiled tyres and good suspension are a plus.
Budget is 10K max, preferably 8K. Which at dealer prices means I might manage an '08 model but '07 is more realistic. On the Lexus that doesn't matter so much but on the Merc it could mean the difference between new shape and old shape (w203/w204).
I've not driven any of these cars yet and none of my friends own them, they all go for BMW's and Audis, so any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Although preferably the advice won't be that I should buy a BMW/Audi instead
So far I'm thinking IS250 or some variant of Mercedes C-Class. There's probably a Jag that fits the bill too but I haven't investigated them yet. BMW/Audi don't seem the best car for automatics unless you go a bracket up to 5-Series/A6 which are too big for my needs. Is there anything else I should be considering? Or anything I should know about these cars that will help my decision?
For what it's worth the car will spend 80%+ of its time on uncluttered open roads, but the condition of some of them leaves a lot to be desired with blind potholes on a 60mph road not uncommon. So reasonably profiled tyres and good suspension are a plus.
Budget is 10K max, preferably 8K. Which at dealer prices means I might manage an '08 model but '07 is more realistic. On the Lexus that doesn't matter so much but on the Merc it could mean the difference between new shape and old shape (w203/w204).
I've not driven any of these cars yet and none of my friends own them, they all go for BMW's and Audis, so any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Although preferably the advice won't be that I should buy a BMW/Audi instead
I found my old man an IS250 just over a year ago - 06 plate with under 40k miles and well under your budget after a haggle. It's top SE-L spec with touch screen nav/reversing camera and Mark Levinson stereo - everything else is standard including electric rear blind, corner following lights, heated and cooled front seats, memory for both front seats, parking assist etc etc. Aside from the Japanese love for scattering switchgear of dubious quality all over the shop (which you get used to) it is an amazingly capable car. He sees mid-30s mpg average, it's chain driven cams so nothing to change there, although a plug change involves removal of rather a lot of parts so if they're due take note of the cost. Xenon bulbs have a relatively short lifespan but Toyota dealers don't charge the earth to change them.
They are quite sensitive to tyres - worn Dunlops it came on weren't great but the Bridgestones were much better. They run a staggered tyre setup although the wheels are all the same size. My dad's runs 17s but if you buy a low spec car it might be on 16s with the same size tyres all round. The engine isn't particularly pleasant sounding if you try and rev the tits off it, but it's perfectly acceptable performance-wise and my daily drive is an Audi S8!
You will also see LOTS of adverts claiming they are CVT gearbox - they're not, unless you buy the hybrid version. The auto box is a 6 speed and is extremely smooth. Avoid the manual - it's horrid and they use more fuel. Unfortunately there's quite a few manuals about!
If you get one with nav it'll probably have the original disc in it still - nobody seems to change them! Costs about £120 and you can flog the ones you don't want on ebay to cover the cost. The nav drive is behind the clock panel and not with the CD changer!
ETA - the front end is quite prone to stone chipping so don't be surprised if it's had paint or looks like it needs it, even on a low miles car
They are quite sensitive to tyres - worn Dunlops it came on weren't great but the Bridgestones were much better. They run a staggered tyre setup although the wheels are all the same size. My dad's runs 17s but if you buy a low spec car it might be on 16s with the same size tyres all round. The engine isn't particularly pleasant sounding if you try and rev the tits off it, but it's perfectly acceptable performance-wise and my daily drive is an Audi S8!
You will also see LOTS of adverts claiming they are CVT gearbox - they're not, unless you buy the hybrid version. The auto box is a 6 speed and is extremely smooth. Avoid the manual - it's horrid and they use more fuel. Unfortunately there's quite a few manuals about!
If you get one with nav it'll probably have the original disc in it still - nobody seems to change them! Costs about £120 and you can flog the ones you don't want on ebay to cover the cost. The nav drive is behind the clock panel and not with the CD changer!
ETA - the front end is quite prone to stone chipping so don't be surprised if it's had paint or looks like it needs it, even on a low miles car
Thanks guys. The upper end of my budget is mainly there in case the newer merc is worth the extra cost. I'd much rather spend a few grand less on a lexus or previous model C-Class.
My main limitation is I'll be buying in Northern Ireland, we've a lot less choice of dealers and petrols are very scarce. On the plus side petrols are so undesirable here due to cheap southern diesel there are some good deals to be had. Mid 30's MPG would be better than my last 2.0l petrol (a Mazda 6) so I could easily live with that.
One other question, do these cars have complexities that mean I must use a main dealer or specialist? I realise that certain faults may require them but for general servicing of oil, filters, breaks etc is there any reason a good local mechanic that I trust can't work on them?
My main limitation is I'll be buying in Northern Ireland, we've a lot less choice of dealers and petrols are very scarce. On the plus side petrols are so undesirable here due to cheap southern diesel there are some good deals to be had. Mid 30's MPG would be better than my last 2.0l petrol (a Mazda 6) so I could easily live with that.
One other question, do these cars have complexities that mean I must use a main dealer or specialist? I realise that certain faults may require them but for general servicing of oil, filters, breaks etc is there any reason a good local mechanic that I trust can't work on them?
Adrian E said:
You will also see LOTS of adverts claiming they are CVT gearbox - they're not, unless you buy the hybrid version. The auto box is a 6 speed and is extremely smooth. Avoid the manual - it's horrid and they use more fuel. Unfortunately there's quite a few manuals about!
Which hybrid versions are those then?Edited by AnotherClarkey on Friday 29th March 23:04
I'm currently looking at the is250, had one for 18 in 07 in SE L spec much better than the SE model I had for 3 months prior . The SE L felt plusher, and definitely worth paying extra
The rear seats don't fold down btw, bit of an inconvenience sometimes
The rear seats don't fold down btw, bit of an inconvenience sometimes
Edited by wheedler on Friday 29th March 23:11
Can't add any information about the C-class, but I can let you know about my IS250 ownership.
The Auto is definitely the one to go for. The engine/auto transmission combination feels like its the one the car was designed for. The manual feels like it was a bit of an afterthought. (The exact opposite from the old IS200 which was underpowered but had alovely snickety gearchange at least).
Go for one with Nav/ML/Rear view camera. Its not the best audio in the world, but the camera is a nice gadget and the nav is ok once you get used to it.
I get 24-27mpg on my daily short trips to work, 30-35 on a run without much effort, and have seen over 40mpg when I was in ni rush and had a go at hyper-mileing
As above, the paint is a bit rubbish. The interior is a bit rattly, but as usual with Toyotas, its never let me down and I've never had to spend a penny on it other than routine servicing and consumables.
I think these things are going to look a bit of a bargain compared to the new one, which seems to have the same engine, but is going to cost a fortune to get all the toys.
The Auto is definitely the one to go for. The engine/auto transmission combination feels like its the one the car was designed for. The manual feels like it was a bit of an afterthought. (The exact opposite from the old IS200 which was underpowered but had alovely snickety gearchange at least).
Go for one with Nav/ML/Rear view camera. Its not the best audio in the world, but the camera is a nice gadget and the nav is ok once you get used to it.
I get 24-27mpg on my daily short trips to work, 30-35 on a run without much effort, and have seen over 40mpg when I was in ni rush and had a go at hyper-mileing
As above, the paint is a bit rubbish. The interior is a bit rattly, but as usual with Toyotas, its never let me down and I've never had to spend a penny on it other than routine servicing and consumables.
I think these things are going to look a bit of a bargain compared to the new one, which seems to have the same engine, but is going to cost a fortune to get all the toys.
motorwaycruiser said:
Thanks guys. The upper end of my budget is mainly there in case the newer merc is worth the extra cost. I'd much rather spend a few grand less on a lexus or previous model C-Class.
Bloody hell they are good value! 5990 for an SELhttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
ETA: In my eagerness to post this I didnt realise it was spanish...
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