Advise needed on a 2006/2007 E200K

[Guest alexera]

Dear fellow Bros of SGMERC,

Need some honest advise, I'm currently considering getting the following vehicle from Republic Auto:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=117646&DL=1213

or

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=116364&DL=1213

As I'm new to Merc and been a while since I last bought a pre-own ride, can i check:

1) Is there anything I need to pay special attention to, for this particular model?

2) Is the price reasonable? How much can I nego assuming I'm taking a 80% loan.

3) Any major diff between the a 2006 & the 2007 model?

Welcome all advises(Pls PM me if there's anything sensitive), really hope to get my first ever Mercedes soon and catch up with you guys!

Thanks in advance!

[Guest ACSLK]

alexera wrote:

Dear fellow Bros of SGMERC,

Need some honest advise, I'm currently considering getting the following vehicle from Republic Auto:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=117646&DL=1213

or

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=116364&DL=1213

As I'm new to Merc and been a while since I last bought a pre-own ride, can i check:

1) Is there anything I need to pay special attention to, for this particular model?

2) Is the price reasonable? How much can I nego assuming I'm taking a 80% loan.

3) Any major diff between the a 2006 & the 2007 model?

Welcome all advises(Pls PM me if there's anything sensitive), really hope to get my first ever Mercedes soon and catch up with you guys!

Thanks in advance!

Hi alexera,

go with the one with the lower mileage........

anyway both cars mileage are still considered low so dun think anything will give-way as yet......

enjoy

cheers

[Guest alexera]

ACSLK wrote:

Hi alexera,

go with the one with the lower mileage........

anyway both cars mileage are still considered low so dun think anything will give-way as yet......

enjoy

cheers

Thanks for the advise bro...

[Guest kepiting1sg]

alexera wrote:

Dear fellow Bros of SGMERC,

Need some honest advise, I'm currently considering getting the following vehicle from Republic Auto:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=117646&DL=1213

or

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=116364&DL=1213

As I'm new to Merc and been a while since I last bought a pre-own ride, can i check:

1) Is there anything I need to pay special attention to, for this particular model?

2) Is the price reasonable? How much can I nego assuming I'm taking a 80% loan.

3) Any major diff between the a 2006 & the 2007 model?

Welcome all advises(Pls PM me if there's anything sensitive), really hope to get my first ever Mercedes soon and catch up with you guys!

Thanks in advance!

No diff between this 2006 & 2007 since both are the FL E200 Elegance

Republic prices are usually high but U do feel comfortable that U are buying from C&C used car branch.

Last year Feb 2009 I bought a Dec 2007 E200K Avantgarde with 18k+km for $115k cash or $112k with loans.

So U can see that the used car prices have went up with the current "high COE"

Like Bro ACSLK has said - go for the one with the lower mileage if "all things are equal" since it's registered 2007.

[Guest alexera]

kepiting1sg wrote:

No diff between this 2006 & 2007 since both are the FL E200 Elegance

Republic prices are usually high but U do feel comfortable that U are buying from C&C used car branch.

Last year Feb 2009 I bought a Dec 2007 E200K Avantgarde with 18k+km for $115k cash or $112k with loans.

So U can see that the used car prices have went up with the current "high COE"

Like Bro ACSLK has said - go for the one with the lower mileage if "all things are equal" since it's registered 2007.

Hi bro, yup agree on Republic auto, at least 80% piece of mind

Thanks for letting me know the price diff with/without loan. In fact I was there this afternoon to check out the one with 40+K mileage, car condition is very good indeed!

Also saw a near 5 year old E200ML with around 70+K mileage, going at around $80K, good condition too! Very Tempting....

However end of day no confirmation yet as they were not sure how much to offer for my current ride...so still pending..

Yes Pre-own prices has really gone up fast, by right they should take in my car at current price too, to be fair?...haha.

[Guest bbwannabe]

agreed. lower mileage, the models sold in sg are more or less the same in spec.

look for physical wear I guess and make sure there was no accident on the car.

i would advice against the pre-fl as the vibrator brakes drove me nuts during the test drive!

[Guest alexera]

bbwannabe wrote:

agreed. lower mileage, the models sold in sg are more or less the same in spec.

look for physical wear I guess and make sure there was no accident on the car.

i would advice against the pre-fl as the vibrator brakes drove me nuts during the test drive!

Oh is it? Noted on that! Thanks!

[Guest blackmercs]

alexera wrote:

Oh is it? Noted on that! Thanks!

Make sure u send it for inspection check. Read up on e paint data report, if difference nos given means indication of being respray. Don't save up e inspection check, one of bru here got con from a reputable 2nd hand dealer. Take a hard look on e front & spare tyres compartment on e four corners for rewelding job being done. Take out put e spare tyres don't be shy hor!!!

[Guest alexera]

blackmercs wrote:

Make sure u send it for inspection check. Read up on e paint data report, if difference nos given means indication of being respray. Don't save up e inspection check, one of bru here got con from a reputable 2nd hand dealer. Take a hard look on e front & spare tyres compartment on e four corners for rewelding job being done. Take out put e spare tyres don't be shy hor!!!

Thanks very much for the kind advises bro!

[Guest alexera]

May I also ask what's the general opinion on a 4 to 5 years old E240? Price seems quite attractive. Other than the higher road tax & consumption, is it a problematic model & expensive to maintain? Read from somewhere the V6 is running 3 valves per cylinder?

Actually considering this too :

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=112585&DL=1213

Thanks in advance....

[Guest kepiting1sg]

alexera wrote:

May I also ask what's the general opinion on a 4 to 5 years old E240? Price seems quite attractive. Other than the higher road tax & consumption, is it a problematic model & expensive to maintain? Read from somewhere the V6 is running 3 valves per cylinder?

Actually considering this too :

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=112585&DL=1213

Thanks in advance....

IMHO,

If U dun mind the pre FL looks, this is a good car to buy!

1 owner, low mileage and proven 2.6L V6 engine - much much quieter & smoother than the E200 SC engine.

A few months back I sat in my boss 2003 E240.

It was so quiet in the car and the ride was so smooth that I can't

believe I was sitting in a >7 years old ride.(abt 50k+ km)

He has traded in his E240 for a R350.

[Guest ACSLK]

alexera wrote:

May I also ask what's the general opinion on a 4 to 5 years old E240? Price seems quite attractive. Other than the higher road tax & consumption, is it a problematic model & expensive to maintain? Read from somewhere the V6 is running 3 valves per cylinder?

Actually considering this too :

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=112585&DL=1213

Thanks in advance....

Bigger engine of course shiok.............(if budget allows)

V6, 6cyc / 24 valve: 4 valves per cylinder.....

go with your heart.......if the power of the E200 is good enough for you then save the $ for something else ya.............(buy your family a nice dinner)

cheers

[Guest alexera]

Noted on all the kind advises...hope to be part of Merc family soon...

[Guest bbwannabe]

lol... you know what. after i bought my fl e200. i feel that i should've gotten an e230. since i can't afford it, it is not a problem. it is really good, less rough than the e200. but you need to know that e240 is NOT 7 gears, the plain vanila 5 gear only. (so the e230 can only be that much better!)

as long as you can stand the:

a) looks for the pre-fl (converting costs 8$k don't bother!)

vibrator brakes

c) slightly poorer build quality of pre-fl (imho)

then go go go!

[Guest alexera]

bbwannabe wrote:

lol... you know what. after i bought my fl e200. i feel that i should've gotten an e230. since i can't afford it, it is not a problem. it is really good, less rough than the e200. but you need to know that e240 is NOT 7 gears, the plain vanila 5 gear only. (so the e230 can only be that much better!)

as long as you can stand the:

a) looks for the pre-fl (converting costs 8$k don't bother!)

vibrator brakes

c) slightly poorer build quality of pre-fl (imho)

then go go go!

Would love to get the improved V6 E230, but over my budget at the moment.

Didn't know the E240 is also having the vibrator brakes...I read about the bad experience ... Guess I I need to test drive to see if it really bothers me...

Perhaps I'm new to Merc or been seeing too many on the road, I find them(E200ML, E200K, E230, E240 etc) almost the same, face lift or not I can't really tell to be honest...

Thanks bro...

[Guest nuoyah]

If you are prepared to consider the E240, may I suggest that you take a test drive on the E280. It offers terrific value and with a high OMV. The 3.0 V6 is coupled to a 7G tronic gear box (same setup as S300) and the engine is smooth, quiet and powerful. The high torque available at low revs moves the beast easily and the E-class is a heavy car. It really is a pleasure to drive this car and honestly, this is the best car I've owned. The comfort is the truly outstanding. It's true you pay more road tax (approx $2.4k per yr) and slightly more petrol (abt the same as my BMW 525); but the pros IMHO trumps the cons. You can keep this car for another 10 years if cars become more expensive in future, otherwise scrap it and you get at least 50k for it. Just my 2 cents worth.....no offense meant to the bros here but the Kompressor can get noisy.

[Guest ACSLK]

alexera wrote:

Would love to get the improved V6 E230, but over my budget at the moment.

Didn't know the E240 is also having the vibrator brakes...I read about the bad experience ... Guess I I need to test drive to see if it really bothers me...

Perhaps I'm new to Merc or been seeing too many on the road, I find them(E200ML, E200K, E230, E240 etc) almost the same, face lift or not I can't really tell to be honest...

Thanks bro...

Hi alexera,

if you prefer 6 cyc, why not try the 523i? very good handling

BMW=Sheer driving Pleasure

no harm having a test drive......

happy searching

cheers

[Guest st8800]

Bro

I just bought an April 09 E200k Avantgarde at 139k. Like u, I was toying around with an 06/07 model but decided that the 1 yr 8mths warranty really gave me a piece of mind. I'm normally an impatient driver and like more powerful cars. However, I do find the 200k Kompressor 184 horses good enough to overtake in most situations.

An E230 would probably have a sweeter engine and nicer 7Gtronic transmission. I found a nice 09 AMG kitted unit at Republic but it costed a whopping 160+k! So for 20k+ more and higher road tax, insurance, depreciation and petrol comsumption, I naturally settled for the 200k. So far no regrets... the ride is sweet and powerful enough. The engine does growl at high rpm but still sounds sporty... I don't mind. I think it is great value for money considering a new Passat CC base price is now 142k!

IMHO, if u find a nicely priced E230... go for it! But a 200k is no slouch and really... a very nice alternative. :becky:

Good luck in your search!

[Guest alexera]

nuoyah wrote:

If you are prepared to consider the E240, may I suggest that you take a test drive on the E280. It offers terrific value and with a high OMV. The 3.0 V6 is coupled to a 7G tronic gear box (same setup as S300) and the engine is smooth, quiet and powerful. The high torque available at low revs moves the beast easily and the E-class is a heavy car. It really is a pleasure to drive this car and honestly, this is the best car I've owned. The comfort is the truly outstanding. It's true you pay more road tax (approx $2.4k per yr) and slightly more petrol (abt the same as my BMW 525); but the pros IMHO trumps the cons. You can keep this car for another 10 years if cars become more expensive in future, otherwise scrap it and you get at least 50k for it. Just my 2 cents worth.....no offense meant to the bros here but the Kompressor can get noisy.

I'm drooling already!....Tks bro will definitely check that out...

[Guest alexera]

ACSLK wrote:

Hi alexera,

if you prefer 6 cyc, why not try the 523i? very good handling

BMW=Sheer driving Pleasure

no harm having a test drive......

happy searching

cheers

I did bro! In fact the 523i was my first choice! Loves the sporty appearance of the 5 series, very solid looking/feeling car inside out! However reliability issues made me think twice, many of my friends also advised me to avoid unless it's a really low mileage machine with warranty.

[Guest ACSLK]

alexera wrote:

I did bro! In fact the 523i was my first choice! Loves the sporty appearance of the 5 series, very solid looking/feeling car inside out! However reliability issues made me think twice, many of my friends also advised me to avoid unless it's a really low mileage machine with warranty.

Hi alexera,

er, how old was the 523i you viewed? BMW is a very reliable car leh (Merc too).........(have driven 7 BMWs) and still driving...............

by the way what's your budget range? there's quite a few on sgcarmart...

happy searching.

cheers

[Guest alexera]

st8800 wrote:

Bro

I just bought an April 09 E200k Avantgarde at 139k. Like u, I was toying around with an 06/07 model but decided that the 1 yr 8mths warranty really gave me a piece of mind. I'm normally an impatient driver and like more powerful cars. However, I do find the 200k Kompressor 184 horses good enough to overtake in most situations.

An E230 would probably have a sweeter engine and nicer 7Gtronic transmission. I found a nice 09 AMG kitted unit at Republic but it costed a whopping 160+k! So for 20k+ more and higher road tax, insurance, depreciation and petrol comsumption, I naturally settled for the 200k. So far no regrets... the ride is sweet and powerful enough. The engine does growl at high rpm but still sounds sporty... I don't mind. I think it is great value for money considering a new Passat CC base price is now 142k!

IMHO, if u find a nicely priced E230... go for it! But a 200k is no slouch and really... a very nice alternative. :becky:

Good luck in your search!

True bro, definitely like to get one with warranty(if no budget constraint)

I think in general all W211 E class has more than adequate power for daily commuting and occasional overtaking even if it's a classic E200ML(if you floor the pedal?). For me basically just looking for one that's reasonably priced & can serve me at least another 4 yrs without major problems.

Noise wise not an issue as currently driving a 2.5 Turbo with modded exhaust.

There was once while in a 2nd hand car dealer checking out a 523i, was surprised how come the Air Cond can be running so cold when the engine have not started... Guess what the salesman told me the engine all the while was running! haha!

[Guest alexera]

ACSLK wrote:

Hi alexera,

er, how old was the 523i you viewed? BMW is a very reliable car leh (Merc too).........(have driven 7 BMWs) and still driving...............

by the way what's your budget range? there's quite a few on sgcarmart...

happy searching.

cheers

That one was about 2.5yrs old with around 50K mileage. Didn't know you're BM fan(No offence). I dunno why but majority tell me to go for Merc over BM for preowned models above 4 yrs old or those reached certain mileage, could be the maint cost. I do have friends driving without any major problems too, guess sometimes it's luck...

My budget max around $110K, been checking out sgcarmart every day... price has really gone up quite a bit after COE rise.. guess have to be patient in searching for my first ever Benz...

Tks bro!

[Guest blackmercs]

alexera wrote:

That one was about 2.5yrs old with around 50K mileage. Didn't know you're BM fan(No offence). I dunno why but majority tell me to go for Merc over BM for preowned models above 4 yrs old or those reached certain mileage, could be the maint cost. I do have friends driving without any major problems too, guess sometimes it's luck...

My budget max around $110K, been checking out sgcarmart every day... price has really gone up quite a bit after COE rise.. guess have to be patient in searching for my first ever Benz...

Tks bro!

Cos in those days, after 3 yrs or so BM problems are :-

1) interior roof liner will drop

2) air con malfunction

3) radiator leaking

and so on!!! Is kinda of standard!!

[Guest nuoyah]

blackmercs wrote:

Cos in those days, after 3 yrs or so BM problems are :-

1) interior roof liner will drop

2) air con malfunction

3) radiator leaking

and so on!!! Is kinda of standard!!

One day, my 525 active steering kaput. Initial advice was to change the sensor on the front bumper would fix the problem but this was not to be. After a while, the active steering still conk out and I had to drive manual steering with a crooked wheel. Brought it back and diagnosed with steering column problem. I researched this and some of the BM forum also reported this issue. Had to change entire steering wheel column and it cost me $7k - problem solved but I prefer normal power steering now. Sometimes more electronics simply provides more cause for repairs.

I heard that the FL W211 with electronic hill brake also tends to break down. Repairs also cost approx $8k and that MB decided to do away with this feature subsequently. Can this be confirmed by anyone here?