Mercedes benz versus BMW

tichkayz

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Hi guys, I am new in this motor industry and I would like your input in this one. I saved some money but not much to buy myself a car. My dream car since I was still a boy is a BMW. I am considering BMW 320i, 320d, 330i 2003 models but again someone told me that a mercedes benz like C180, C200, C240 compresser vesion is much better than the BMW. So to those who knows much about the motoring industry please give me some advice as to which route to take. I also develop the liking in the Mercedes. I can not afford the latest models that is why i am looking for 2001-2004.
 

werfie

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Buy a cheaper, newer car. Those types of cars are very expensive to maintain and they like to break if not maintained to the tee (any of the "big" cars).

Rather get yourself a newer VW Polo or something.

I know all about dream cars, but they very easily turn into nightmares when they start giving problems.

I have also said this before, a nice car is impressive, but I can assure you no one is impressed by a fancy car that is broken the whole time and that is busy bankrupting its owner.

Edit:
My advice is based on very expensive experience.
 

Sinbad

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Get yourself something cheap and reliable. The maintenance on those will bankrupt you.
Save your dream for when you're earning enough to support it.
 

Aghori

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Get yourself a older Honda Jazz. You will thank your wallet for it.
 

kooldude

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Buy a cheaper, newer car. Those types of cars are very expensive to maintain and they like to break if not maintained to the tee (any of the "big" cars).

Rather get yourself a newer VW Polo or something.

I know all about dream cars, but they very easily turn into nightmares when they start giving problems.

I have also said this before, a nice car is impressive, but I can assure you no one is impressed by a fancy car that is broken the whole time and that is busy bankrupting its owner.

Edit:
My advice is based on very expensive experience.

Very sensible advice that.
 

Nuke

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Interesting responses, I thought the question was about BMW or Merc.

I don't know the details on those models, but I would suggest that you check what breaks and are expensive on what models. eg. a second hand multitronic on Audi is bad news.

What is your budget?
 

Rouxenator

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If you have the budget to maintain those types of cars then by all means go for it. There is a saying that goes "old BMWs don't break down, they just end up with owners who can't look after them".

Between a 3-series and a C-class I would take the later. The W203 is an excellent car and if you kind find a nice C200K with Elegance or Avantgarde trim you have yourself a nice slice of motoring heaven pie. Just take care of it and be aware of potential issues that can crop up. Those are well documented by now.

Rather get yourself a newer VW Polo or something.
Opt for the "or something", always go with the "or something" option when faced with that choice.
 

ToxicBunny

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Yup, if you can't afford to maintain them atm then don't go down that road...

But for once I agree with Roux, much to my shame and dismay, but the W203 beats the same era BMW into a cocked hat in terms of just being a great car to drive.. Yes the BMW is a better car to thrash around, but for daily pleasurable driving the Merc is amazing. I had a C200k Avantgarde for a few years.
 

Aghori

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Yup, if you can't afford to maintain them atm then don't go down that road...

But for once I agree with Roux, much to my shame and dismay, but the W203 beats the same era BMW into a cocked hat in terms of just being a great car to drive.. Yes the BMW is a better car to thrash around, but for daily pleasurable driving the Merc is amazing. I had a C200k Avantgarde for a few years.

Yup, ToxicBunneh is right. You can't beat the feel of driving a Merc.
 

Rouxenator

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I know I asked before but I forgot the answer. Why did you get rid of your W203 in the end?
 

ToxicBunny

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I know I asked before but I forgot the answer. Why did you get rid of your W203 in the end?

Bought a house and had the option of a cheap 4x4 DC... which made more sense and still does atm for my use case...

In the next year or 2 a sedan will come back into my garage, but it will be a real car... not one of those German pieces of rubbish :p
 

Deep78

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Bought a house and had the option of a cheap 4x4 DC... which made more sense and still does atm for my use case...

In the next year or 2 a sedan will come back into my garage, but it will be a real car... not one of those German pieces of rubbish :p
and what exactly would you consider a real car?
 

Deep78

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if you gonna spend that money on a car why not get a fortuna or something worth while?
 

jansdejager

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I speak from experience that if you want an old car and want to save money, invest in a set of tools and consumables to maintain this car. Do a full service as soon as you obtain this car - oil filters, air filters, drain the tanks, multimeter every nook and cranny. I say this because I lost a perfectly good car that I had spent a year's salary on due to crummy electrical work. At the first sign of engine trouble, crank open that sucker and do the pressure tests and get yourself ready for refitting the tappet cover and potentially retiming the cam, replacing cam belts and fan belts on your way. If you want to drive a bespoke car as you have described these are the minimum requirements before you even get to body, suspension, interior and special features like electric windows and air con and sound.
 

WaxLyrical

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A 15 year old BMW or Merc is never a dream car. It's a nightmare car. You want a dream BM buy newish with motor plan otherwise its Polo and Corolla for you my boy.
 

Rouxenator

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Last night after I had one (or three) too many I checked out some W220 S-class models for sale on autotrader. The W220 came out when I was in high school and it was my dream car (along side the VW W12) and I read all the reviews of the car, all of them spoke fondly of this glorious car. I had posters of it on my wall and thought to myself, someday it will be affordable.

Well they are pretty affordable, however some of them are in questionable conditions with 5L V8 engines that will not only drink petrol but also cost a pretty penny when something goes wrong. Maybe if I paid off my bond and put the little one though school I might be able to buy myself one, or what is left of them by that time anyway.

So sad to see some of them in the condition they are now in.
 
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