Hello all, ( im Jeff and new to the forum and to Mercs , formally an unhappy Jag owner)

Im intending on buying a C220i about 2001 / 2002 year automatic , estate or salloon.

After listening to a "merc specialist" in London he has for noww seemingly made my head scratch.....he said that this type of merc are unrealiable and many things go wrong with them?.

do you think this is only this mans experience , and is he somewhat perhaps incorrect?

I have just said good bye to Jaguar after many years, and the s-yptes nasty gearbox problems, caused me many many sleepless nights. I wanted to "move" to Merc as i thoguht they were both robust and seriousyl reliable.
I wont go back to Jag for sure.

However, i want to make sure im making a sensible buy and not inheriting any more serious problems.

After a recent business failure due to the credit issues, i have 4k for car,so the merc i want and can afford would of probably done about 120,000 miles.
do you think i have a few yrs left on a car of this spec ?
is there any sensible things i can do before i buy the car?

im sorry if these questions seem somewhat innocent....
am i "safe" buying a c220i automatic?
I just wonder if you can share any experience with me, and give me your sound opinion on this model and year / spec / gearbox. as your opinion is fully valid and seriously valued.
Do you think and have confidence on a C220i estate?
i mean on forums we usually hear so many scarey stories it can put us off , im sure there may be positive ones?
Im due to travel to london in the next few days to look at a potential 3 Mercs. I really love the look, the feel and i personally have read some positive stuff.
Im really dissillusioned now, not quite depressed yet, but thinking "shall i invest in a skateboard, ditch the wife and try to find a hippy looking 21 yr old who doesnt care if she is driven or we have to walk, ..no but seriously, i hope you can reassure me, or not,...

I only have 4k, the last jaguar finished me, 2 gearboxes and many other faults.
I spent a few years on jagur forums helping guys, and if i get an audi i hope to continue writing here, as its fun and informative.

I suppose it would be great for someone to fix this problem for me,, but im the one who has to go and listen to the car, put it in reverse etc,and make the decision. see if i can tell if a potential problem exists....im so nervous and a little anxious to be honest, as the last few years my Jaguar gearbox problems caused me so much angst and sleepless nights, that the last last thing i need is another gearbox few years...

anyway sorry if i have gone on a bit. I am reading up loads on the forum and know that the best way to learn, ( or one of them ) is to read up on peoples posts...;

many thanks


jeff

 

my experience of 3 Mercs, 2 CLKs and a C200K (that was a 2001) is the gearbox is excellent - the best in the business

 

hi mate i have had a few mercs in my time a 190 e and a c180 at the moment which is a 1994 m reg i have had this car for 10 years now and apart from a few stupid things eg fan for radiator and a track rod end i cannot fault them you will get good and bad in any car but ignore this bloke thats trying to put you off if its got a good service history and its sounds and drives ok fingers crossed you should have many care free years of driving even parts are not that expensive as long as you dont need engine parts gear box parts etc but every day bits and bobs dont cost the earth as long as you dont go to dealers so i wouldent wory to much about buying mercedes