New car purchase

[Maximum]

Hi all I’m looking for some advice on the list of cars I’m looking at getting next at the moment I own a Mercedes c220 on a 2008 I’m looking at these motors next
. E350cdi 14 plate saloon or coupe
.c250cdi 13 up saloon or coupe
.330d m sport xdrive f series
.530d m sport f series
And the 330d gt model

IM looking for good fuel economy mostly as my c220 cdi isn’t the best only getting 25+ round town and struggling above 45 on a run most iv had out of it was 58mpg on the way to London haha any info would be helpful looking for economy and reliability and quicker then my 220 thanks guys

[AlexS_LDN]

Maximum said:

Hi all I’m looking for some advice on the list of cars I’m looking at getting next at the moment I own a Mercedes c220 on a 2008 I’m looking at these motors next
. E350cdi 14 plate saloon or coupe
.c250cdi 13 up saloon or coupe
.330d m sport xdrive f series
.530d m sport f series
And the 330d gt model

IM looking for good fuel economy mostly as my c220 cdi isn’t the best only getting 25+ round town and struggling above 45 on a run most iv had out of it was 58mpg on the way to London haha any info would be helpful looking for economy and reliability and quicker then my 220 thanks guys

You might struggle to get any of them will get above the 40s in mpg with large auto diesels. as for the Mercs, most of those in your choice have the older Euro5 engine - I think the newer engine designation is just with a "d" i.e E350d. As for the BMWs, anything above a 63 plate should be fine. GT models were not popular so might be cheaper. Ultra Low Emission Zone kicks in in April, £12.50 per day if not compliant, plus the Congestion Charge as well makes an expensive day out.

Speed cams in London are all digital, hyper sensitive and don't flash, and aside from that, inner London rarely sees speeds above 30, due to loads of 20 zones. Even 10 zones are being planned so a big 3 litre lump may not have the economy you expect.

I had an R350 CDI (awful fuel consumption), 535d F10, several 530d's... they prefer a good run due to the DPFs clogging up

Edited by AlexS_LDN on Monday 7th January 23:10

[Maximum]

Hi mate I live in South Wales the London was a one off drive to pick a car up for someone the Mercedes I’m looking at have the7g box I quite like the blutec models in the Mercedes so the c class blutec and ovs the 350 coupe or saloon what would you recommend mate the bmw are nice I just worry about the timing chains

[Scrump]

If you think the fuel consumption on your 4 cylinder diesel is bad then you won’t like a 6 cylinder diesel, especially around town.
By 2014 the Mercedes 350 diesels were Euro 6, it that is a point worth checking with any one of the cars you buy.
You mention the E class saloon or coupe. Be aware that the E class coupe around that age is actually based on a C class so it is a bit smaller and has different interior and suspension.

[ZX10R NIN]

How many miles do you do a year? As that will help with recommendations.

[Maximum]

Bmw wise I’d go 13 plate minimum and would have to be 3 litre and the Mercedes Would Be 12-14 plate

[Maximum]

I do around 10-15k a year Miles

[AlexS_LDN]

Scrump said:

If you think the fuel consumption on your 4 cylinder diesel is bad then you won’t like a 6 cylinder diesel, especially around town.
By 2014 the Mercedes 350 diesels were Euro 6, it that is a point worth checking with any one of the cars you buy.
You mention the E class saloon or coupe. Be aware that the E class coupe around that age is actually based on a C class so it is a bit smaller and has different interior and suspension.

Thanks for the correction, was not too clued up on the Mercs, I had a very thirsty 61 plate and the last BM was on a 62, so Euro5.
Any cars can be run through the ULEZ checker at TfL. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emissio...

I was looking at an Audi Q7, but the Euro6 engines didn't come in until 65 plate and the shape changed, so 2014 may not guarantee all cars. Check the reg of the car first on the ULEZ site before purchase. Expect lots of dealers to cash in on this or not give correct info just to get a car off the forecourt. Private plates and NI registrations might throw the system off as well.

Nice little money spinner for TfL, trying to keep the wolf from the door amongst millions in debt, falling passenger numbers on the buses etc...

[Maximum]

What route would you say to take my budget is around £13,500 most of the models iv looked at I can buy within that price margin something half tidy on fuel iv also noticed the 330d xdrive the tax is £115 a lot better then the 200 odd I’m paying on mine haha

[AlexS_LDN]

Maximum said:

What route would you say to take my budget is around £13,500 most of the models iv looked at I can buy within that price margin something half tidy on fuel iv also noticed the 330d xdrive the tax is £115 a lot better then the 200 odd I’m paying on mine haha

The best route to take into London might be a 134 bus on that kind of money

You could go down the finance PCP route and £10k is a decent deposit which would guarantee at least any 2 year old Euro6 car of your choice of of your selection. I would go for the 330d xDrive, they hold their value (the GT fastback variant might be harder to find) and easier to park (worth downloading RingGo and Pay By Phone apps for parking in town - by the way Islington and Camden boroughs are charging a sneaky "fuel type adjustment " on diesel cars making it more to park than a petrol or hybrid ) - I hate going into London due to the traffic chaos... I don't know what joy the supercar YouTube lot get from it in something thirsty like a Gallardo Trefeo or Range Rover SVR they are trying to cut speed limits down and make parking harder to force us onto public transport or walk because of the pollution (London is twinned with Beijing, lol )... might be best parking in a secure car park on the outskirts and getting a train or Tube unless like me you have to travel to various locations in central London.

Use the ULEZ checker link on anything you see up for sale to make it's compliant first. Reversing cameras and plenty of kit is good for residuals. MSport rather than SE, they changed most of the trim levels to 'Luxury' and such names like that so it might be a minefield. Car supermarkets might be worth a punt as theres a larger selection. Watch for DPF issues / swirl flaps / timing chain issues on ex fleet or hires, and as Euro6 is the latest desirable thing because of the charge, some unscrupulous dealers might flog high specced Euro5 cars on private plates as they become as desperate as Theresa May trying to secure a Brexit deal

They can be a bit pricey to run, one good garage I used when I had my BMW was PMW in Chelmsford who were excellent
Deffo get paddles too if it's an auto... 330d is quick at 258hp as well but watch for as 90 can feel as comfortable as 70 or in most of London 40, 20 with 10 being planned in some parts

Edited by AlexS_LDN on Tuesday 8th January 19:51

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say you'll want a diesel then but I'd be looking for a Euro6 15 plate or go for a Hybrid but they won't hit the same MPG, with this in mind there are a few options you may not have thought of.

Infiniti Q50 Sport these use the same Mercedes 2.1d as found in the 220/250's

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Q50 S 3.5h this is a very interesting hybrid option I've just bought one for a family member & I had to drive it back from Leeds on Sunday & I averaged 37mpg but there were a few high mph runs with that figure, I've also supplied a few before & those owners seem to be averaging 34mpg, They're hard to find but worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Infiniti Q70 Sport Tech these use the same Mercedes 2.1d as found in the 220/250's

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[AlexS_LDN]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say you'll want a diesel then but I'd be looking for a Euro6 15 plate or go for a Hybrid but they won't hit the same MPG, with this in mind there are a few options you may not have thought of.

Infiniti Q50 Sport these use the same Mercedes 2.1d as found in the 220/250's

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Q50 S 3.5h this is a very interesting hybrid option I've just bought one for a family member & I had to drive it back from Leeds on Sunday & I averaged 37mpg but there were a few high mph runs with that figure, I've also supplied a few before & those owners seem to be averaging 34mpg, They're hard to find but worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Infiniti Q70 Sport Tech these use the same Mercedes 2.1d as found in the 220/250's

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You don't see that many Infiniti's on the road... not so sure on residuals... interesting that the luxury arm of Nissan is using Merc engines, albeit re branded. Not got the most glowing reviews on Auto Trader itself, who say avoid the hybrid due to costs... you can get used to the foot brake, it was a quirk of older Mercedes before switching to electric ones like everyone else. Not keen on the styling, looks fugly...

Six dealers nationwide is a bit of a worry should anything go wrong

Edited by AlexS_LDN on Wednesday 9th January 01:58

[ZX10R NIN]

The dealer issue is solved as they can be serviced at certain Nissan dealers, they look decent (Q50 I'm not sold on the Q70)in the flesh & more cohesive imo than the IS300, with three years manufacturers warranty left on it so no worries there.

They drive well I was surprised at how well it got a move on & it drove decently, now there wasn't the biggest amount of feedback but there was enough to make it a decent proposition as a daily.

[Maximum]

Hi guys I’m still currently deciding on what to get next I’m thankful for all your help you’ve given me iv been told to maybe look into a petrol as my work comute is 5 min drive from my house and that’s a stretch of dual carriage way then down for litrelly 2 mins then I’m there. The only sort of long driving I do is to see my partner which is a 40mile comute there and back and I do that 3 4 times a week and we do a random trip now and but that’s once a month really to the city as I live in Wales haha most of the times is driving round my small down and back and forth my partners haha iv been looking at the Audi s3 I know not very eco friendly but at the moment I’m doing 20mpg around town in my car and iv looked at threads on the Audi and there doing more haha I am a little worried about Getting diesel knock or clogged dpf as my car doesn’t get time to hit temp as it’s a diesel takes a wile to warm up what does everyone think of the s3

[ZX10R NIN]

Seeing as you're now only doing around 8k a year I'd say petrol is the way to go even though the run to see your OH 3-4 times a week would work perfectly for a diesel/ I'd go for a more fun option.

If it's a fun hatch you want then I'd say go for a Megane RS with the Cup Chassis (to make the most of those Welsh roads)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or maybe an Audi S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[aaron_2000]

Maximum said:

Hi all I’m looking for some advice on the list of cars I’m looking at getting next at the moment I own a Mercedes c220 on a 2008 I’m looking at these motors next
. E350cdi 14 plate saloon or coupe
.c250cdi 13 up saloon or coupe
.330d m sport xdrive f series
.530d m sport f series
And the 330d gt model

IM looking for good fuel economy mostly as my c220 cdi isn’t the best only getting 25+ round town and struggling above 45 on a run most iv had out of it was 58mpg on the way to London haha any info would be helpful looking for economy and reliability and quicker then my 220 thanks guys

Why would you want the 330d as an xDrive? The only reason I can see to get a 330d over a 335d is because it's still RWD, you'd be taking a hit on fuel economy for a car that's still gonna be terrible in snow.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Maximum]

Iv just been looking at a wage range of cars tbh I bought my Mercedes on the 26th of September on 101k she’s just ticking over 106k so iv done a fair few miles since iv bought it but there not long runs there all really short the only time it gets a good run is to my OH which is a 40 odd mile comute there and back other then then it’s all town driving I work quite a bit do nights which are 12hrs long so my car doesn’t do many miles when I work