A friend will soon be selling his P reg E240 automatic saloon which he's had since it two years old.I've known the car since he's had it and it's in excellent condition with FMBSH. The only problem he's had was a new gearbox( at150K!).I would use the car mainly at weekends and only do about 6k a year hence I'm considering the car.I've read HJ's C by C breakdown and am aware from recent posts that the more recent Mercs do not appear as good as the older models and am concerned that the car could become a moneypit at this mileage. Any advice would be appreciated. Aprilla, your views would be welcome!
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Yes, 180k is feasible. You have to look at these W210 carefully though, because quality was a bit variable on the early ones and a new metal pressing technology was introduced for the bodyshell. In particular the paint was put on quite thin and it is fairly 'brittle'. Look at 'outside corners' on the bodyshell (eg around the number plate recess and lock recesses) - see if there is any rust or 'spiders' under the paint. Similarly check out the sills near the jacking points.
The gearbox has been a bit of a weak spot and is a complex and expensive piece of equipment. If the repalcement autobox was a Mercedes factory recon. unit then I would have few qualms. If, on the other hand, it has been rebuilt by an independent rebuilder then I would be rather wary. Make sure it performs faultlessly with crisp but not 'jerky' changes. If you feel it jerking on upshifts or if you hear 'flaring' between changes (i.e. revs momentarily go up as if the transmission is 'slipping') then I would steer clear.
Also there have been problems with H/G failure and snapped head bolts - but a fault here will be fairly obvious.
Make sure you don't over-pay for the car. They don't offer a great deal more room than the W202 C-class but are more complex and cost rather more to run. Consequently they seem to depreciate quite heavily (for a Merc) and I have seen many that have sat around for months waiting for a new owner - one with that sort of mileage will not sell easily unless it is priced keenly.
If you are serious about it then I would have an RAC/AA inspection done.
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Aprilia - hard to argue with anything that you say, ever, and I don't want to anyway, but what do you think it's worth?
I have my own ideas but will hold off because I'd be much more interested to hear your own opinion.
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Very very difficult to value a car like this without seeing it and giving it a good 'once over'. Colour and trim level can also be a significant factor.
Having said that, I would have a stab at somewhere in the region £4-5.5k. Personally I would be reluctant to pay anything over £5k and rather less if any problems come to light.
If you do get it then keep some money in reserve to pay for repairs. Almost any repair is going to cost a few £100; a major failure (eg management ECU or airbag unit) will cost £1000+.
Note also that you may find it difficult to sell the car if you subsequently decide you don't like it.
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That's pretty much exactly what I was thinking on value.
Honest.
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Aprilia thanks for your advice. The last big car I had was a Rover Sterling which being basically a Honda was bullet proof and any spares being readily obtainable from breakers'yards, was cheap to run. This Mercedes is obviously in a different league. Do quite fancy it though, lets see how much he wants! Thanks again.
John
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There are plenty of reputable breakers specialising in Mercedes (I can recommend several), who make running cars such as these a very realistic proposition.
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