New car time

[DimPrawn]

I had a C250 CDI sport I loved it, yeah it's not the best car for throwing around country lanes but as a car to be swished around it was excellent. Seats super comfortable all the toys you need as standard (options on many cars). Had the optional 7 speed auto which was v responsive in sport mode.
0-60 sub 7 seconds, real world 50mpg on long runs even when some fun was had. Around the town late 30s. No ownership issues and customer service was first class. Would have another.

Mercedes C-Class Review | Auto Express

The big selling engine is the 2.1-litre diesel in the C 220d and C 250d cars, which provides plenty of power and competitive fuel economy figures. However, it’s carried over from the previous generation, and remains pretty gruff and noisy.

The C-Class’ upmarket atmosphere is spoiled when you start it up and that ageing Mercedes diesel rattles into life. The 2.1-litre engine doesn’t settle down on the move, either – it sounds strained when extended and drones on the motorway.

On that basis, I'm out.

[WTFH]

Or go to drivethedeal et al and get a new car for the same price.

I used carwow the last time, got a price from it then took it to my local dealer

[eek]

Or go to drivethedeal et al and get a new car for the same price.

That was my usual scheme. The new one is to do a personal contract hire and then purchase the car at the end of 2 years. The brand new Passat all track DSG I'm getting in June will cost me a total of £20-21k all in according to my mate in VWFS

Not bad for a top of the range £35k car

[sasguru]

Mercedes C-Class Review | Auto Express

The big selling engine is the 2.1-litre diesel in the C 220d and C 250d cars, which provides plenty of power and competitive fuel economy figures. However, it’s carried over from the previous generation, and remains pretty gruff and noisy.

The C-Class’ upmarket atmosphere is spoiled when you start it up and that ageing Mercedes diesel rattles into life. The 2.1-litre engine doesn’t settle down on the move, either – it sounds strained when extended and drones on the motorway.

On that basis, I'm out.

How naive you are.
Auto Express will slag off a brand if they don't pay them enough on advertising.
Nissan spent a fortune on them and they made the really dull Qashqai car of the year.
The C-class engine is gruff on start up, true, but it's silent at speed.
Certainly not strained and droney. Plenty of oomph.

[LondonManc]

Mercedes C-Class Review | Auto Express

The big selling engine is the 2.1-litre diesel in the C 220d and C 250d cars, which provides plenty of power and competitive fuel economy figures. However, it’s carried over from the previous generation, and remains pretty gruff and noisy.

The C-Class’ upmarket atmosphere is spoiled when you start it up and that ageing Mercedes diesel rattles into life. The 2.1-litre engine doesn’t settle down on the move, either – it sounds strained when extended and drones on the motorway.

On that basis, I'm out.

By comparison, Jaguar did a soft recall on my XF when I popped in to ask about something else. They insisted that the car needed a new set of tyres because the road noise from the original set was too loud. 15k on the clock, brand new set of tyres fitted for free.

[sasguru]

These new car threads are always good fun

[ZARDOZ]

How naive you are.
Auto Express will slag off a brand if they don't pay them enough on advertising.
Nissan spent a fortune on them and they made the really dull Qashqai car of the year.
The C-class engine is gruff on start up, true, but it's silent at speed.
Certainly not strained and droney. Plenty of oomph.

Whatcar are the worst for biased reviews based on advertising. I don't get that criticism of the engine seems to be the same cut n paste in several articles. Mine was super smooth and quiet. The only time I heard it was if I got out of the car while it was running then it sounded like all diesels. Interesting is to compare user reviews with magazine reviews, the merc user reviews are usually higher and vice versa with BMW.

[LondonManc]

Whatcar are the worst for biased reviews based on advertising. I don't get that criticism of the engine seems to be the same cut n paste in several articles. Mine was super smooth and quiet. The only time I heard it was if I got out of the car while it was running then it sounded like all diesels. Interesting is to compare user reviews with magazine reviews, the merc user reviews are usually higher and vice versa with BMW.

My mechanic friend always advises me against a BMW when I tell him what cars I'm looking at. He said that he sees far more BMWs than Mercs for repairs (mechanical).

[ZARDOZ]

My mechanic friend always advises me against a BMW when I tell him what cars I'm looking at. He said that he sees far more BMWs than Mercs for repairs (mechanical).

A few years ago I bought Whatcars best used people carrier. It was the least reliable car I have ever had utter tulip. After that I stopped swallowing the BS they print.

BMWs are just too common for me. Yeah top end ones are well engineered but heart says no.

[PurpleGorilla]

Off topic but I recommend buying an ex demo. You get a car < 1 year old, 1000 miles on the clock, with a 20 or 30% price reduction.

And 20 thousand miles taken off the life of the clutch.