Looking at a 10 y/o + MB
Discussion
Hi all,
Having had a modern diesel Volvo for well over a year, most of it spent doing a ~4 mile commute, it's probably about time for a change. I had a loan which partially went towards the car, which is now over half way through, so it's crossed my mind that by changing I could clear that off, whilst also avoiding knackering a DPF for journeys it was never really bought to do*.
(*my commute was 100 miles + at time of purchase, but this changed earlier this year)
Anyway, the o/h is planning on starting a family soon, so I might not get another chance to actually buy one or more on my list again!
What I'm looking for:
- Essentially, having the Volvo has made me realise just how bad the build quality is on a lot of cars, with road noise and harsh rides now as clear as day with other marques. The o/h doesn't drive, but is concerned that we'd end up with a car similar to my old R50 mini which was lovely, but so uncomfortable/harsh.
- I'm realistic, but think that you can still get some lovely looking cars for the budget, so I'm still motivated by looks (including colours!)
- I'd like heated seats as I've become used to them, and like the idea of Sat Nav etc. that some models have.
My List, with preconceptions
CL203 C Class Coupe
Pros: Easily available for sub £2k, quite like the interior and front end; seems plenty of spec options around
Cons: not so keen on the rear end (cheapens the image as it's very Tigra like imo) and have a niggling feeling in my mind that they are one of the worst Mercedes models in terms of reliability/problems (besides the early SL!)
R170 SLK 1996-2004
Pros: Reputation for being reasonably bulletproof, folding hardtop, better residuals?
Cons: Rust on model years I can afford, lesser specs, older options for price range, hairdresser....
W209 CLK 2002+ (W208 is too ugly, even if only subtly different)
Pros: Great specs on most, very good looking in the right colour/kit
Cons: Perhaps budget will need to be twice that of the above
I'm worried about clearing up some funds, only to have them eaten by buying the wrong car. Is there a sensible choice, or anything big to watch out for?
Having had a modern diesel Volvo for well over a year, most of it spent doing a ~4 mile commute, it's probably about time for a change. I had a loan which partially went towards the car, which is now over half way through, so it's crossed my mind that by changing I could clear that off, whilst also avoiding knackering a DPF for journeys it was never really bought to do*.
(*my commute was 100 miles + at time of purchase, but this changed earlier this year)
Anyway, the o/h is planning on starting a family soon, so I might not get another chance to actually buy one or more on my list again!
What I'm looking for:
- Essentially, having the Volvo has made me realise just how bad the build quality is on a lot of cars, with road noise and harsh rides now as clear as day with other marques. The o/h doesn't drive, but is concerned that we'd end up with a car similar to my old R50 mini which was lovely, but so uncomfortable/harsh.
- I'm realistic, but think that you can still get some lovely looking cars for the budget, so I'm still motivated by looks (including colours!)
- I'd like heated seats as I've become used to them, and like the idea of Sat Nav etc. that some models have.
My List, with preconceptions
CL203 C Class Coupe
Pros: Easily available for sub £2k, quite like the interior and front end; seems plenty of spec options around
Cons: not so keen on the rear end (cheapens the image as it's very Tigra like imo) and have a niggling feeling in my mind that they are one of the worst Mercedes models in terms of reliability/problems (besides the early SL!)
R170 SLK 1996-2004
Pros: Reputation for being reasonably bulletproof, folding hardtop, better residuals?
Cons: Rust on model years I can afford, lesser specs, older options for price range, hairdresser....
W209 CLK 2002+ (W208 is too ugly, even if only subtly different)
Pros: Great specs on most, very good looking in the right colour/kit
Cons: Perhaps budget will need to be twice that of the above
I'm worried about clearing up some funds, only to have them eaten by buying the wrong car. Is there a sensible choice, or anything big to watch out for?
By CL203 I take it you mean the W203 coupe? If so you should be alright if you buy 2005 onwards one, alot of the niggles had been ironed out by then as far as i'm aware and there are some really good examples around for low money.
A little tip, whichever one you do get from that era make sure it was one made in South Africa, if you open the drivers door on on of the plates it should tell you where it was made. The South African ones are considered more reliable as the factory they have there is where they did Quality Control research if I remember correctly and the factory won awards for workmanship etc.
A little tip, whichever one you do get from that era make sure it was one made in South Africa, if you open the drivers door on on of the plates it should tell you where it was made. The South African ones are considered more reliable as the factory they have there is where they did Quality Control research if I remember correctly and the factory won awards for workmanship etc.
I'm running a c203 180 kompressor coupe as my winter car.
It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
mickyveloce said:
I'm running a c203 180 kompressor coupe as my winter car.
It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
Does it 'feel' like a Mercedes in quality/ride, or is it more of a re-badged non-marque? i.e. like a Peugeot/Vauxhall/Ford.It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
The rear styling is a little odd, I like the front end as it exudes the quality look that the rest of the range had - the rear really makes it look cheap.
Orchid1 said:
By CL203 I take it you mean the W203 coupe? If so you should be alright if you buy 2005 onwards one, alot of the niggles had been ironed out by then as far as i'm aware and there are some really good examples around for low money.
A little tip, whichever one you do get from that era make sure it was one made in South Africa, if you open the drivers door on on of the plates it should tell you where it was made. The South African ones are considered more reliable as the factory they have there is where they did Quality Control research if I remember correctly and the factory won awards for workmanship etc.
Yeah, W203 coupe. There are some decent examples around, I have vague memories of major CAN Bus issues on these in my mind, plus failing electric steering locks. Not sure if I've imagined that, though.A little tip, whichever one you do get from that era make sure it was one made in South Africa, if you open the drivers door on on of the plates it should tell you where it was made. The South African ones are considered more reliable as the factory they have there is where they did Quality Control research if I remember correctly and the factory won awards for workmanship etc.
Good tip on the South Africa build, though - thanks!
R
The rear styling is a little odd, I like the front end as it exudes the quality look that the rest of the range had - the rear really makes it look cheap. The car rides well. The rear-drive chassis is well balanced and the car is a non-sport SE model with 16" wheels and compliment suspension. It does have a Mercedes like feel, far more so than a fwd A or B class. It has a bothersome traction control of course, but feels solid enough.
cj2013 said:
mickyveloce said:
I'm running a c203 180 kompressor coupe as my winter car.
It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
Does it 'feel' like a Mercedes in quality/ride, or is it more of a re-badged non-marque? i.e. like a Peugeot/Vauxhall/Ford.It's the best £900 car I've ever had, smooth, pokey, click-click 6-speed manual 'box , a great driving position and heated seats. The extremities are a little pock marked in places, but a pleasant companion nonetheless.
I think the rear styling is unresolved, and doesn't match up to the front end somehow,.
The rear styling is a little odd, I like the front end as it exudes the quality look that the rest of the range had - the rear really makes it look cheap.
mickyveloce said:
The car rides well. The rear-drive chassis is well balanced and the car is a non-sport SE model with 16" wheels and compliment suspension. It does have a Mercedes like feel, far more so than a fwd A or B class. It has a bothersome traction control of course, but feels solid enough.
I've been having a good look on Trader and eBay and have found it surprising how low the specs seem to be - seems really difficult to find one with leather, and I'm not entirely convinced I could get on with the semicircle speedo on the earlier models.The worst thing about them is perhaps the strangely designed control bank at the top of the centre console - most high spec models still seem to have blank buttons, having one or two in a bank of over half a dozen - feels like it might slap you in the chops every time you look at it (in a 'you should have bought a better spec' kind of way).
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