TVR vs Merc AMG

[lostinvegas]

Its been a while since I posted on these forums. About a year ago I was thinking about buying a Cerbera and I did a lot of research. In the end I opted to take quite a lot of peoples advice and go for a "reliable" German car and I bought a Merc CLK 55 AMG. I love the merc its really practical and has lots of nice feature. Its also very quick for a large car especially once you pass 30mph.

The problem is it has been in the garage every 2 months since I have had it. I have had niggly electrical problems as well as a gearbox rebuild. In total I have probably spent 4k in a year its been on a recovery truck 3 times now. Its not high milage and it had a full MB service history.

My question is would a V8 Cerb have cost me more?? would I have had more trouble?? I have also had problems with a decent Merc garage near me as my normal indy does not have a star diagnostics tool.

I guess I am thinking about cutting my loses and part ex'ing the merc in for a TVR? a wise move or do you think I am asking for more trouble. As I type this the merc is back in the garage with what looks like an electrical problem with the gearbox.

I have a 2nd car for work etc..

All opinions welcome.

[sweeper]

4k is a quite high annual spend for a Mercer. Same amount will keep you a Cerb alive...

[Gazzab]

Part ex'ing against a TVR cuts down your purchase options and takes you into 'unknown' cerberas sold by garages that dont knwo what they are......
Sell the Merc and buy a well known car. Generally the more you spend the better.
Having had a couple of Mercs I have had similiar issues with lx and gearboxes PLUS rust and engines!
A cerb shouldnt cost any more to look after but will be equally niggly if not more so.

[scotty_d]

1 reason not for the merc it has no clutch nasty auto or flapper, not driving thats for cruising just my veiw on autos.

[GG33]

Up until 2005 Mercs are notoriuosly unreliable from an electrical / corrosion point of view. Like any car, once you are on top of it things should improve. It also helps if you know where to take it to get gearbox issues sorted ata more reasonable cost than via an MB dealer. If you get the right Cerb it shouldn't cost that much per year to own, but it all depends on whether you have to play catch-up for the previous owners lack of proper maintanance.

[Killer Rhubarb]

Oh my good lord..... Only today I was thinking about selling the Cerb and getting one of these.... Crumbs almighty sir! Now I'm stuck

[lostinvegas]

Well I would say don't do it. It's a fantastic car when it's working, great cruiser, very once your moving, much faster than I thought it would be. Terrible in the snow. I don't like auto boxes but the merc one works really well (when it's working).

I have found a good auto box specialist but paid a high price in going to an Indy garage very popular among the mbclub folk, IMO they were not very good and I would not go back there again.

I am going to have a think about the best solution, I've always wanted a TVR but have compromised because of the worry of running costs. Now I am thinking maybe it's time to just take the plunge. I've always been involved with car clubs, track days and events, the merc clubs are a little boring, they don't do much in the way of driving events, if I bought a TVR it seems there are more opportunities to attend events and track days.

[itiejim]

I lusted after a Cerb for a few years before getting mine.I think that it's one of those cars that you can't get out of your system. Having had mine for two years now I really have no intention of selling it and wouldn't know what to replace of with. Sure you'll have niggles, but can it be any worse than the Merc? Fundamentally the Cerb is a straightforward car. Go for it.