Thinking of getting a merc - would a second hand make sense?

[Guest wobblejelly]

Hi i'm new to the forum. Not a merc owner yet but recently test drove the B-class and C180. Nearly bought the B-class if not for the miserable boot space.

Thinking of second hand cos' don't want to invest too much as got other committments.

Just curious, how many forumers actually bought second hand mercs?

[Guest Cerano]

rmbr to check! recently got one case a fella got a E200 2nd hand and found it was an accident car. send for inspection at VICOM (preferably not STA) or your workshop but DONT TELL THE DEALER or sometimes... they have ppl inside...

[Guest Gasman]

The person who bought the E200 and kenna accident was ME!!!

I sent to STA, they have a rather advanced software and measures the body alignment, very good, u go to SGcarmart, print out the coupon, u pay only about $102 if I not wrong, save $20.

[Guest lightning]

Gasman wrote:

The person who bought the E200 and kenna accident was ME!!!

I sent to STA, they have a rather advanced software and measures the body alignment, very good, u go to SGcarmart, print out the coupon, u pay only about $102 if I not wrong, save $20.

bro Gasman...so what is the finding?...we are eagerly following your case...update us leh...:whistle:

[Guest pongster]

wobblejelly wrote:

Hi i'm new to the forum. Not a merc owner yet but recently test drove the B-class and C180. Nearly bought the B-class if not for the miserable boot space.

Thinking of second hand cos' don't want to invest too much as got other committments.

Just curious, how many forumers actually bought second hand mercs?

Hi WJ, I always go for pre-owned cars coz one can minimise the "loss"...as we all know that 1st owner always "suffer" the biggest loss of the car depreciation. If money is not an issue, then go for new car got the new leather smell & new thing feeling...

I recommend you go for a pre-owned fully modded C200, which you can find many in this forum.

Happy Hunting & welcome to the forum

[Guest wobblejelly]

pongster wrote:

I recommend you go for a pre-owned fully modded C200,

Happy Hunting & welcome to the forum

I've little knowledge abt cars despite driving many years. What sort of mods are usually done? Particularly for merc why nd to mod since it shld alrdy be a good drive. Paiseh if asking silly qns.

[Guest pongster]

wobblejelly wrote:

I've little knowledge abt cars despite driving many years. What sort of mods are usually done? Particularly for merc why nd to mod since it shld alrdy be a good drive. Paiseh if asking silly qns.

True that C200 is already a good ride but we can make it better go to the C-class forum and you can help many "enlightenment" on performance modifications.

When fully modded, a C200 can match C280 (stock) performance.

Go checkout the C-class forum

[Guest blackmercs]

wobblejelly wrote:

I've little knowledge abt cars despite driving many years. What sort of mods are usually done? Particularly for merc why nd to mod since it shld alrdy be a good drive. Paiseh if asking silly qns.

For me, coz life is short. Depends on individual needs and wants, as for some by adding a pce of metal plate onto their ride also will make their day.

[Guest Cerano]

pongster wrote:

True that C200 is already a good ride but we can make it better go to the C-class forum and you can help many "enlightenment" on performance modifications.

When fully modded, a C200 can match C280 (stock) performance.

Go checkout the C-class forum

kekeke i thought bro simon modded his E200 to C350 level

[Guest Gasman]

lightning wrote:

bro Gasman...so what is the finding?...we are eagerly following your case...update us leh...:whistle:

Well, getting a 2nd hand car is always a gamble.

USUALLY a 2nd hand car salesman would not tell u that the car kenna accident unless its a damm serious one and cannot cover up.

Every salesman wants more profit rite.

As for my case, even though mine was a reputable 2nd hand dealer, they lied to me. things cannot be seen with a naked eye. As for my case, I only realized it when removed the back bumper to install the reverse sensor. That was too late already.

Actually during the transaction, many unpleasant things happened AFTER I placed the deposit!

[Guest contilover]

hi there, new here. thinking of getting a c180, prob 05 or 06 model. anything i should note, especially on the wear and tear part?

thanks.

[g8crasher]

contilover wrote:

hi there, new here. thinking of getting a c180, prob 05 or 06 model. anything i should note, especially on the wear and tear part?

thanks.

Worn breather hoses located under the air filter box and plastic pipe connection on the coolant overflow tank. - Tks Cklasse for the info.

[Guest contilover]

g8crasher wrote:

Worn breather hoses located under the air filter box and plastic pipe connection on the coolant overflow tank. - Tks Cklasse for the info.

thanks. seems like a common item.just curious, how abt the other essentials like shocks, bushing etc?

i am driving a megane and the wear and tear is driving me nuts. simply put - lifespan too short.

i wld like my next ride to be more durable where i can drive longer.

i would suppose MB, in terms of design is still one of the best as it does not seem to 'age' over time.

[g8crasher]

contilover wrote:

thanks. seems like a common item.just curious, how abt the other essentials like shocks, bushing etc?

i am driving a megane and the wear and tear is driving me nuts. simply put - lifespan too short.

i wld like my next ride to be more durable where i can drive longer.

i would suppose MB, in terms of design is still one of the best as it does not seem to 'age' over time.

Shocks - general lifespan 50,000+++kms so yes I reckon they would need to be swapped out (assuming mileage of around 20,000kms per year). Bilstein replacements shouldn't be too expensive. You can ring around (ie, Tye Soon) to check.

Bushings wise perhaps those on the control arms.. hmm.. Cklasse has put close to 180,000kms on his W203. Other than regular servicing and the odd wear and tear bits, it's been great since 2004. Some members have the odd issue with the air conditioning not functioning to it's full potential.

Hope it helps.

[Guest contilover]

g8crasher wrote:

Shocks - general lifespan 50,000+++kms so yes I reckon they would need to be swapped out (assuming mileage of around 20,000kms per year). Bilstein replacements shouldn't be too expensive. You can ring around (ie, Tye Soon) to check.

Bushings wise perhaps those on the control arms.. hmm.. Cklasse has put close to 180,000kms on his W203. Other than regular servicing and the odd wear and tear bits, it's been great since 2004. Some members have the odd issue with the air conditioning not functioning to it's full potential.

Hope it helps.

u hv been a great help. many thanks.

have picked a few c180. will be testing them out this weekend ...

cheers!

[Guest bbwannabe]

Before you continue, might I suggest looking at the SPORT edition of W203 (it starts '06). It is really the Avantgarde version wrapped in some nice trimmings.

The key benefit will be that it has many convenience features that the earlier editions do not have.

Changes are it has a black interior that is much much more resistants to stains and might I say, easier on the eye.

Even in a C180 (SPORT edition, usually available only on C200 and up), it already has memory seats and electronic steering adjustments. Comes in useful if you need to share the car with your spouse, say. One setting for him/her, one for you.

It also has a nice chrome tail exhaust that plays this thoarty note (I know it is not real, but it sounds real!)

The rims that come it also looks very nice and modern, great for young executive I would say. The suspension is also lowered by 15mm. It makes the ride a bit firmer but a bit sportier. The tyres are stagged for better grip too.

I believe it also has folding electrical side mirrors. I am not sure if the previous versions of the C class have it but it is a convenient feature to have.

I guess the best part is, it is considered the final batch of W203 and they corrected all the problems in the previous version and added what features they could.

Good luck in your search!

P.S.: I drove a '07 Black W203 SPORT edition before, that I why I am sharing this with you. Haha...

[Guest contilover]

bbwannabe wrote:

P.S.: I drove a '07 Black W203 SPORT edition before, that I why I am sharing this with you. Haha...

great suggestion. noted with thanks.

will make the necessary comparisons.

not aiming for a sporty ride. kinda way past my age but i dun mind if the price is not far between the 2 ...

[Guest NewC180]

bbwannabe wrote:

Before you continue, might I suggest looking at the SPORT edition of W203 (it starts '06). It is really the Avantgarde version wrapped in some nice trimmings.

The key benefit will be that it has many convenience features that the earlier editions do not have.

Changes are it has a black interior that is much much more resistants to stains and might I say, easier on the eye.

Even in a C180 (SPORT edition, usually available only on C200 and up), it already has memory seats and electronic steering adjustments. Comes in useful if you need to share the car with your spouse, say. One setting for him/her, one for you.

It also has a nice chrome tail exhaust that plays this thoarty note (I know it is not real, but it sounds real!)

The rims that come it also looks very nice and modern, great for young executive I would say. The suspension is also lowered by 15mm. It makes the ride a bit firmer but a bit sportier. The tyres are stagged for better grip too.

I believe it also has folding electrical side mirrors. I am not sure if the previous versions of the C class have it but it is a convenient feature to have.

I guess the best part is, it is considered the final batch of W203 and they corrected all the problems in the previous version and added what features they could.

Good luck in your search!

P.S.: I drove a '07 Black W203 SPORT edition before, that I why I am sharing this with you. Haha...

Wow, fantastic info! Thumbsup to you!

All these 'little' features adds up to a lot of comfort and conveniences.

Most distributors will throw in a lot of freebies into the last batch of vehicles, before the new model comes in. If not nobody will wanna buy the outgoing model liao!

Happy searching!

.

[g8crasher]

Well there you are... even better to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Thanks for the mini write up CheeF. :becky:

[Guest bbwannabe]

lol! I should add one last bit of information. Last I checked, the price of a C200ML is about the same as C180ML (both SPORT edition). Surprise surprise. Cause new buyers usually go for entry level and forget about the higher model. (Wanted to change into that after selling C180ML, didn't though, long story)

Not only is it more powerful (+20BHP), it has nearly 10K higher OMV (price diff with C180ML is about 5K but you recover it via residual PARF), Parktronic (Front and Rear Visual Parking Sensor+Beepers) and a better air con system (Thermotronic).

I particularly like the Thermotronic system. It has true 2 air con system (you can control the air flow on the left and right side indepedently) and full digital control (up down temperature control buttons for left, right, and rear!). The system is still being used in the new W204