Advice To Buy Merc

[Guest Kelv]

Hi guys,

Would like to seek advise from the seniors, who are already existing owners of Merc.

I'm looking to buy the lowest cost (used) Merc, of 2-3yrs old.

I'd like some advise as to which model, to buy.

Requirements:

1) for wife to drive around for work (heavy driving = good FC is a must).

2) lowest cost to buy (no need for nice styling or track).

3) to ferry my 2yr old kid, to & from sch (hence a conti for safety. 4 seater is a must, not necessary 4doors.).

4) problem free (reason for selling my BMer).

Hope to seek all your kind advise & comments.

I was toying with a used C180 AvantGarde for the last 2yrs.

Seems like a decent operating cost (1.6l, supercharged).

Pls do advise, where convenient.

PM for certain confidentiality, is also welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

Kelvin

[Guest E-CAB]

B160 sounds suitable for your wife.

[Guest blackmercs]

Welcome!! Most C class sedan of 2-3 years old can meets yr requirement. Good luck on yr search.

[Guest joey2003]

Hi...

Yes, I would think a 2-3 year old C class is the right choice...

The new merc engines are more fuel efficient...

But choose carefully when you are choosing from 2nd hand market...

[Guest Zjared]

Hi guys,

Requirements:

1) for wife to drive around for work (heavy driving = good FC is a must).

2) lowest cost to buy (no need for nice styling or track).

3) to ferry my 2yr old kid, to & from sch (hence a conti for safety. 4 seater is a must, not necessary 4doors.).

4) problem free (reason for selling my BMer).

Conti and good FC don't seems to go together. Buy disel car lor, Like me CLS 250 la. 1 full tank at least 10 days lor. I step, step, step and step and the fuel is still so much and I step harder somemore......then....Kns........I saw speed camera, jam brake until like ah siao. Frankly, I don't think there will be a merc better in FC than this car. 1 month less than $300 of disel. I got super heavy foot. If u see grey Mercs very fast and furious but still signal and won't let people jam brake, it's me on the road.

Nowadays I drive back my E250 better. Next year when S class got new total different model then I upgrade to S class. Coming in ard May I heard.

[Guest Kelv]

Thank you all, for the valuable insights & advise.

B160 sounds suitable for your wife.

Thanks for your advise. Might I ask, what's the FC for the B160?

Can I assume it 1.6l? Would the FC be heavy (pull-ing a heavy chassis)?

I'm currently on a E60 2.5l (single vanos) and my FC is 5.5km per litre.

It's kinda killing me at the moment.

Welcome!! Most C class sedan of 2-3 years old can meets yr requirement. Good luck on yr search.

Thank you for the warm welcome, & thanks for your advise.

Might I seek your advise, as to what you'd reckon to be a reasonable buying price (for a used unit of C180)?

I reckon you'd agree, Republic Auto (C&C resale wing) would be a good place to buy frm (with warranty)?

Hi...

Yes, I would think a 2-3 year old C class is the right choice...

The new merc engines are more fuel efficient...

But choose carefully when you are choosing from 2nd hand market...

Thanks for your advise. I'm assuming you are driving this at the moment.

Can you advise on the FC & possible problems to look out for (I've a very conservative budget at the moment)?

Heavy "Home Tax", due to my kid's increasing fixed cost (but safety is never a compromise. ha.).

Conti and good FC don't seems to go together. Buy disel car lor, Like me CLS 250 la. 1 full tank at least 10 days lor. I step, step, step and step and the fuel is still so much and I step harder somemore......then....Kns........I saw speed camera, jam brake until like ah siao. Frankly, I don't think there will be a merc better in FC than this car. 1 month less than $300 of disel. I got super heavy foot. If u see grey Mercs very fast and furious but still signal and won't let people jam brake, it's me on the road.

Nowadays I drive back my E250 better. Next year when S class got new total different model then I upgrade to S class. Coming in ard May I heard.

Wow! Sounds amazing, & not forgetting the nice styling of a CLS.

$300 a mth is darn good! I reckon it'll be approx 11-15k km / ?

Calculation:

- Approx $1.62-1.63 / litre of diesel purchase. Base on $300 = approx 185litres.

- Approx 25 to 30k km per yr (Avg SG) = 2.1k km to 2.5k km per mth of mileage.

- Base on $300 a mth of diesel, its approx FC us 11-15k km / litre??? Wow!

Base on my recollection, diesel veh require business license.

Anyone can get a diesel veh now (pardon my limited knowledge, with diesel)?

There is a Diesel option for both CLS250 & E250?

Thanks again.

[Guest blackmercs]

Hi

During 2009 financial crisis COE were only $5k plus or less. The price of C180 about $140k, so the value of used 3 years old shld be around $90k to $120k or less. Pricing depening on the option, mileage etc

[Guest desmondtoo]

I'm driving a B160. Avg FC is 8.2 - 8.5km/litre.

I think the CGI C-Class hv much better FC.

Happy Hunting...

[Guest Kelv]

Hi

During 2009 financial crisis COE were only $5k plus or less. The price of C180 about $140k, so the value of used 3 years old shld be around $90k to $120k or less. Pricing depening on the option, mileage etc

Sounds fairly decent. So $90k shld be the lowest asking, I reckon.

I'll start comparing, base on the 3 recommendations here (C180, B160 & CLS Diesel).

Thanks again.

I'm driving a B160. Avg FC is 8.2 - 8.5km/litre.

I think the CGI C-Class hv much better FC.

Happy Hunting...

Thanks go your advise.

As a B160 owner, any common problems to take note of?

(ie: BM usually has gearbox "valvetronic" issues, which can be easily fixed. But at least I can have a heads-up to identify the problems, before buying that unit, etc. I'm sure every car has its nicks&nacs.)

Thanks again.

[Guest Zack]

Conti and good FC don't seems to go together. Buy disel car lor, Like me CLS 250 la. 1 full tank at least 10 days lor. I step, step, step and step and the fuel is still so much and I step harder somemore......then....Kns........I saw speed camera, jam brake until like ah siao. Frankly, I don't think there will be a merc better in FC than this car. 1 month less than $300 of disel. I got super heavy foot. If u see grey Mercs very fast and furious but still signal and won't let people jam brake, it's me on the road.

Nowadays I drive back my E250 better. Next year when S class got new total different model then I upgrade to S class. Coming in ard May I heard.

how many km per litre does ur cls clock? but have to pay diesel tax right?

[Guest desmondtoo]

Hi

During 2009 financial crisis COE were only $5k plus or less. The price of C180 about $140k, so the value of used 3 years old shld be around $90k to $120k or less. Pricing depening on the option, mileage etc

Sounds fairly decent. So $90k shld be the lowest asking, I reckon.

I'll start comparing, base on the 3 recommendations here (C180, B160 & CLS Diesel).

Thanks again.

I'm driving a B160. Avg FC is 8.2 - 8.5km/litre.

I think the CGI C-Class hv much better FC.

Happy Hunting...

Thanks go your advise.

As a B160 owner, any common problems to take note of?

(ie: BM usually has gearbox "valvetronic" issues, which can be easily fixed. But at least I can have a heads-up to identify the problems, before buying that unit, etc. I'm sure every car has its nicks&nacs.)

Thanks again.

For the B160, other than its under powered, the ride is smooth. Not much problems encountered. Do read up at the B-Class threads for more info. B is comfortable and very spacious. In fact the B rear Pax space is much better than the C. Boot space is great. If you need a spacious family car...the B is the right choice. Maybe a B180 or B200 will be a good consideration for a pre-owned.

[Guest Zjared]

Thank you all, for the valuable insights & advise.

B160 sounds suitable for your wife.

Conti and good FC don't seems to go together. Buy disel car lor, Like me CLS 250 la. 1 full tank at least 10 days lor. I step, step, step and step and the fuel is still so much and I step harder somemore......then....Kns........I saw speed camera, jam brake until like ah siao. Frankly, I don't think there will be a merc better in FC than this car. 1 month less than $300 of disel. I got super heavy foot. If u see grey Mercs very fast and furious but still signal and won't let people jam brake, it's me on the road.

Nowadays I drive back my E250 better. Next year when S class got new total different model then I upgrade to S class. Coming in ard May I heard.

Wow! Sounds amazing, & not forgetting the nice styling of a CLS.

$300 a mth is darn good! I reckon it'll be approx 11-15k km / ?

Calculation:

- Approx $1.62-1.63 / litre of diesel purchase. Base on $300 = approx 185litres.

- Approx 25 to 30k km per yr (Avg SG) = 2.1k km to 2.5k km per mth of mileage.

- Base on $300 a mth of diesel, its approx FC us 11-15k km / litre??? Wow!

Base on my recollection, diesel veh require business license.

Anyone can get a diesel veh now (pardon my limited knowledge, with diesel)?

There is a Diesel option for both CLS250 & E250?

Thanks again.

CLS don't need business license but your yearly road tax is $4000 compare to $3k for petrol. Savings is good but you have to bear with disel engine noise. I change back to E250 for my day use because of the diesel sound + a few other reason la. E250 no disel for Singapore as of now from C&C.

[Guest joey2003]

Hi...

Yes, I would think a 2-3 year old C class is the right choice...

The new merc engines are more fuel efficient...

But choose carefully when you are choosing from 2nd hand market...

Thanks for your advise. I'm assuming you are driving this at the moment.

Can you advise on the FC & possible problems to look out for (I've a very conservative budget at the moment)?

Heavy "Home Tax", due to my kid's increasing fixed cost (but safety is never a compromise. ha.).

I'm driving a 5.5 year old C class.. my FC is around 10-11km/l...

but the new engines found in the new C Class would be much better...

I have to agree that safety was one of the reasons why I got a merc... as for whether to get a B class or C class.. i guess it depends on your budget as well?

[Guest Kelv]

For the B160' date=' other than its under powered, the ride is smooth. Not much problems encountered. Do read up at the B-Class threads for more info. B is comfortable and very spacious. In fact the B rear Pax space is much better than the C. Boot space is great. If you need a spacious family car...the B is the right choice. Maybe a B180 or B200 will be a good consideration for a pre-owned. [/quote']

Thanks for the valuable feedback. Looking into the B-Class thread today.

CLS don't need business license but your yearly road tax is $4000 compare to $3k for petrol. Savings is good but you have to bear with disel engine noise. I change back to E250 for my day use because of the diesel sound + a few other reason la. E250 no disel for Singapore as of now from C&C.

Sounds very reasonable.

This $1k difference ($4k Diesel Rd Tax & $3k Petrol Rd Tax), does not impact the overall savings (petrol consumption gap is too big for me. This Car's use clogs an avg of 35-45k km a year, at it's minimum.)

Been checking SGCarmart, but there ain't any indication of Diesel.

Called into RAuto, & they don't have either.

CLS Diesel is rare?

I'm driving a 5.5 year old C class.. my FC is around 10-11km/l...

but the new engines found in the new C Class would be much better...

I have to agree that safety was one of the reasons why I got a merc... as for whether to get a B class or C class.. i guess it depends on your budget as well?

That's pretty good FC. Maintained by C&C? Btw, yours is a C200 to achieve this FC (I reckon C180 wuld be underpowered.C200 would have better torque for city SG & less revs to pull car-due to displacement.)?

You mentioned abt engine. Might I ask, how different are the engines, between the older & newer C?

Could you care to comment on the difference, base on you own feel?

Thanks again.

Thanks everyone, for your advise.

Hope to sort everything out, by next mth at its latest.

Cheers!

[Guest Red Devil]

Been checking SGCarmart, but there ain't any indication of Diesel.

Called into RAuto, & they don't have either.

CLS Diesel is rare?

CLS itself is already rather rare breed, not to mention new diesel model. Surely not available in re-sale mkt as yet.

Moreover CLS is diff league from B/C class, not exactly apple-apple comparison.

So far my W204 C180K is not FC friendly also. Thus if FC is your primary concern, errr ... if safety is primary concern, people always say Volvo is like a tank (?) ... if budget is a concern, maybe concern something lesser ?

Just my 2 cents ... happy searching ...

[Guest Kelv]

CLS itself is already rather rare breed, not to mention new diesel model. Surely not available in re-sale mkt as yet.

Moreover CLS is diff league from B/C class, not exactly apple-apple comparison.

So far my W204 C180K is not FC friendly also. Thus if FC is your primary concern, errr ... if safety is primary concern, people always say Volvo is like a tank (?) ... if budget is a concern, maybe concern something lesser ?

Just my 2 cents ... happy searching ...

Thank you for the advise.

A diesel CLS is indeed a rare breed.

From a cost point of view, I'd like to look at it from a total price (cost of car & fuel cost, over 3yrs).

Due to the heavy usage (current fuel cost per mth is approx $900+), FC contributes a big factor over the 3yrs.

But I do understand where you're coming from.

As for Volvos have pretty high FC too, so I guess that's out for me.

From what i've heard, Merc has 1 of the better FC, among the Conti.

You'd advise any other Merc models?

Thanks again.

[Guest Icez]

I'm feeling my c class abit too low profile leh even on stock setup...guess b class might be easier to ferry kid around and getting them onto the car seat etc...didn't get my wife to test drive to sit behind...else sure fail test to purchase

[Guest chiaster]

Try and get a C180 CGI.

I've had mine since October 2010 and FC is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

[Guest arshavin]

Try and get a C180 CGI.

I've had mine since October 2010 and FC is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Haha. U r the champion. Mine c180k only 11.5km/l. Average

[Guest Kelv]

I'm feeling my c class abit too low profile leh even on stock setup...guess b class might be easier to ferry kid around and getting them onto the car seat etc...didn't get my wife to test drive to sit behind...else sure fail test to purchase

Oh my! This will be a problem for me.

Thanks for this critical advise, since I have a kid also.

I'll get my wife to sit in on this too.

Try and get a C180 CGI.

I've had mine since October 2010 and FC is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Wow! I'm curious on this 1. Out of this world, as in high or low?

What's your FC like? Is its supported by a re-tune (any mods)?

Btw, can I enquire:

1) What RPM does the boost come in, for a C180 CGI?

2) What is the main difference between a C180 & C200 CGI.

From sgcarmart & some web search, both are abt the same displacement & features.

Is the intake manifold & charger different (concept is similar to a 523 & 525 BMW?)?

C180 CGI:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=232983&DL=2153

C200 CGI:

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=235967&DL=1013

Thanks again, for this advise.

Try and get a C180 CGI.

I've had mine since October 2010 and FC is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Haha. U r the champion. Mine c180k only 11.5km/l. Average

I must agree with you on this, for a force-induction TC.

My previous 4G63 only squeezed 7-8l/km.

Is yours a CGI or Supercharge?

Thanks.

[Guest Red Devil]

Thank you for the advise.

A diesel CLS is indeed a rare breed.

From a cost point of view, I'd like to look at it from a total price (cost of car & fuel cost, over 3yrs).

Due to the heavy usage (current fuel cost per mth is approx $900+), FC contributes a big factor over the 3yrs.

But I do understand where you're coming from.

As for Volvos have pretty high FC too, so I guess that's out for me.

From what i've heard, Merc has 1 of the better FC, among the Conti.

You'd advise any other Merc models?

Thanks again.

Sad to say, my ownership with MB is only limited to a C180K. Thus not qualify to give advice for any other model. However fellow-forumers highly recommend CGI models for being FC friendly. So may you can check that out.

[Guest joey2003]

I'm driving a 5.5 year old C class.. my FC is around 10-11km/l...

but the new engines found in the new C Class would be much better...

I have to agree that safety was one of the reasons why I got a merc... as for whether to get a B class or C class.. i guess it depends on your budget as well?

That's pretty good FC. Maintained by C&C? Btw, yours is a C200 to achieve this FC (I reckon C180 wuld be underpowered.C200 would have better torque for city SG & less revs to pull car-due to displacement.)?

You mentioned abt engine. Might I ask, how different are the engines, between the older & newer C?

Could you care to comment on the difference, base on you own feel?

Thanks again.

Thanks everyone, for your advise.

Hope to sort everything out, by next mth at its latest.

Cheers!

haha.. nope.. mine's a C180 Sports... not that sluggish though.. even on Comfort mode.. better response in Sports mode..

it was maintained by C&C... but warranty over... so now.. i goto Star black to service..

New C class engine are improved and better tuned.. hence better performance for lower FC..

can't comment much on the new versus old as I was only passenger in my friend's new C class.. didn't drive it though...

[Guest yc2005]

My C180 7G gets about 10L/100km

My mum's Pre FL C180K gets about 12L/100km

[Guest Cklasse]

I have just clocked 1500km in my Jan C180 7g. I must say this 7 speed gearbox match the 1.8L turbo nicely for good and smooth acceleration.

[Guest mulderang]

My C180 7G gets about 10L/100km

My mum's Pre FL C180K gets about 12L/100km

same here as well......pretty good if you ask me.