"Nicer" car - doable for £6k?

Dave

Dave

Dave

Soldato
Joined
30 Oct 2004
Posts
4,955
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
Hi all

My wife is looking jealously at Mercedes/BMWs and the like and wants to consider upgrading the trusty Mondeo to something more "posh". My concern is that she only wants to budget around £6k for the car, but I don't really want a car that is older than my current car ('54 plate) or has done more miles (80k) and I'd rather a petrol. We don't do many miles in the car - about 100 miles per week on dual carriageways and about 5 or so miles a week around town.

She wants something along the lines of a C Class / 3/5 series. I've had a quick look on AutoTrader in my area (Cambridge) and not really found much - the C series coupe seems to crop up more commonly, and searches are awash with diesels. Current Mondeo is a 54 Zetec TDCi with 80k on the clock for reference - if we spend around 6-7k ish on something like a C class / 3 series are we likely to get something that hasn't been through the best of years? How well do these cars age - I'd rather not go older than my current car but if they keep going strongly then I would think twice, as that would open up the options more. I've managed to convince her that at the price she's looking at, colour is the least important specification :p

Many thanks :)
 
you can easily get some poverty spec c class / 3 series for that budget thats a bit newer and less miles, but then are you interested in features/options/engine etc. or does it just have to have the badge on it?

Just the badge seems easy enough, but if you start getting specific on colours and options etc. could prove tricky.
 
TomO said:
you can easily get some poverty spec c class / 3 series for that budget thats a bit newer and less miles, but then are you interested in features/options/engine etc. or does it just have to have the badge on it?

Just the badge seems easy enough, but if you start getting specific on colours and options etc. could prove tricky.
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Not too fussed about the spec - I do most of the driving, just need basic mp3 connectivity (aux jack, like in the Mondeo), air conditioning and cruise control. Think my wife just wants the badge and posher interior - if it was up to me, I'd keep the good old Mondeo!

Forgot to ask in the OP - I've heard of the BMW warranty, which I presume would be rather high for a car of this value. Do Mercedes offer something similar, or are you stuck with what I presume will be silly garage bills? Cambridge seems to be pretty expensive for these things, but I suppose there must be lots of specialists here as most of the taxis are Mercs!
 
Just buy a newer shape Mondeo (if in budget), will look smart, have a newer plate and be full of kit compared to a 6k c class/ 3series
 
Morba said:
Just buy a newer shape Mondeo (if in budget), will look smart, have a newer plate and be full of kit compared to a 6k c class/ 3series
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I dont think it matters on the car/spec...the his missus wants a 'posh' car & FORD will not do!
 
GinG said:
I dont think it matters on the car/spec...the his missus wants a 'posh' car & FORD will not do!
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Unfortunately this is the case - even Audis are out of the question! If it were up to me it would be Mondeo Mk4 or keep the current Mk3 :p


wingman said:
Seems highly doable. However, as previously mentioned, you won't be able to be too fussy with the entire spec and engine.

The C180K seems popular;
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Seems nice but the dealership troubles me - is that a DiamondMark special? :eek:

edit/ what kind of running costs are we looking at for these sorts of car with regards to tyres/servicing? Tyres on the Mondeo have been about £130 for 2 Bridgestones when I replaced the front tyres a few months ago, major service was £150 at my local garage including breaking & replacing the bonnet catch which had broken. I presume Merc/BMW will be a lot more - is it worth keeping it to a dealership for that age of car or are any indy specialists / trustworthy indies OK for the car? (assuming that the service history is not all dealership ones, in which case it'd most likely be better to keep it that way for future resale)
 
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Champagne taste, beer money. You'll just end up with a car that isn't really appreciably better but will leave your wallet all the lighter for the sake of a badge.
 
Janesy B said:
Champagne taste, beer money. You'll just end up with a car that isn't really appreciably better but will leave your wallet all the lighter for the sake of a badge.
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This is my thoughts as well. Running costs won't really be a problem, but I've had a trouble-free life out of the Mondeo and I'd rather keep life trouble-free.

GinG said:
Why are Audi's out? They are up there with the Big 3 - BMW, Merc & Audi!
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My wife is Chinese and does not like Audis, as they are (unfortunately) the marque of a fu'er dai in China.
 
Janesy B said:
Sounds like a divorce would be cheaper.
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Lol :p She's not totally irrational - colours are not a problem and if the car isn't an actual step-up from the Mondeo whilst still being a good car with regards to not being in the garage all the time then we won't buy.
 
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