Paul wrote:
.......... a diesel estate. Just spotted an E class Merc estate with 199k mile on it since 2000 which is selling below book price. Any thoughts from the collective genius of the board on whether a high milage diesel Merc is a good option as an occasional family load lugger. Looking to get about 4k miles a year out of it, mostly traveling to and from the tip or carting more than 3 passengers from A to B.
Discuss:
First of all be wary. Book price? Both CAP and Glass's Guide only go up to 150K for that age, so it could be said that there is no 'book' price for that car.
The chances are that that kind of vehicle was at some point on a Lease/maintenance contract. There will probably be (somewhere) a detailed record of the computer maintenance file. A long look at that would very valuable - it will contain masses more information than will be in the service record handbook. Mercedes Benz (unlike most of the other manufacturers) do not have a centralised computer system where the service repair details can be looked up by any dealer anywhere. Each dealer will only be able to look up the work that they have done. Even if MB have updated their systems recently it will not help you because you are particularly interested in the early years.
199K on a 320CDI? - there is a good chance that it will do another 100K with little more than routine maintenance. However there is always the possibility that, no matter how good the service history, things can happen. Even small things can be expensive. All the sensors, relays etc which are hidden away can cause problems and whether you like it or not these little parts are probably made by the same company that makes them for Ford or Renault et al. It is not unusual these days to have a £300 - £400 bill to change a £5 relay.
The point that I am trying to get to is that it would probably be cheap, quality motoring for what you have in mind. BUT my advice would be to look for a Merc with a smaller engine, preferably a 4 cylinder. They are much easier to work on and access to other things is less of a problem. Sure less performance, not as refined but for 4K miles a year that is not really relevant, and in any event it will be more economical and have less insurance. Also go for one with less 'toys' - as long as it has the basic things that you need (a/c etc) then there many less little bits to go wrong. Don't even ask about the cost of repairing a faulty Mercedes Command system!!!!
Remember these cars are built to be sold to people to whom the cost of service and repair is of little relevance - the user/chooser with the car leased by his company. Mercedes have little or no interest in the purchaser of a 7 year old 199K mile car - except in that they would like to take as much money off you as possible for more servicing and repairs. There will be no warranty worries for them to be concerned about.
As long as it is in the right kind of ballpark, the actual price is of absolutely no relevance to you. If you have decided that it is what you want and the price is reasonable then your only concerns should be condition and service/maintenance history.
Good luck!
sandbar
