Time for new car?

[Noob-Noob]

Time for a new car?

Let me start of by saying I have a crappy IT job so yes, money is a problem.

Currently I drive a 2004 C180 Kompressor (the Face lift), Its sitting on 200k Km’s, The car is in immaculate condition and drives like a dream, not a single mechanical problem, But im starting to worry since it has so much KM’s on it, should I worry and start looking for a new car?
Since I had the Car (almost 6 years) I have never replaced the battery, I cant think the battery is going to last much longer?, and apparently Merc Batteries are not cheap
I read that at 200k KM’s the timing chain starts giving issues, this costs ± R20k to replace, any truth to this?

They told me they will give me 40k for my car which is just not acceptable, what else can I buy for 40k.., Farking Deawoo or something.


So my real question is, must I start looking at a new car, or should I stop worrying and keep driving 

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Stop worrying and keep driving. Invest (somewhere that gives you quick access to cash) the money you would have spent on an instalment for a new car and use that to pay for something that does break.

 

[Sepeng]

I'd stop worrying and keep driving . Perhaps take what you would be spending on a new car, put it away each month and pretty soon you should have enough saved to cater for any major expenses, plus a hefty deposit on when you evetually do need to replace it.
That's the head talking. If your heart desires something new well then that's something else.

 

[Tman*]

Start off by doing some proper research in terms of what parts are due to be replaced at what kilometers. (spesific to your model)

If you have looked after your car (regular services etc), it should look after you.

Also, if you decide to sell your car, do It privately. I got offered R20k trade in for my old BMW. I ended up selling it on Gumtree for R45k.

 

[gregmcc]

If your car has never given you problems then keep on driving. I'd only start worrying when parts start breaking.

Think about how much you are saving by not playing monthly installments on a new car.

 

[Noob-Noob]

Stop worrying and keep driving. Invest (somewhere that gives you quick access to cash) the money you would have spent on an instalment for a new car and use that to pay for something that does break.

Ig I had extra cash, Investing would be easy. Unfortunately I dont, but I always come up with money if I need it.
But I do hear what you are saying, and I do agree

 

[Noob-Noob]

If your car has never given you problems then keep on driving. I'd only start worrying when parts start breaking.

Think about how much you are saving by not playing monthly installments on a new car.

Yeah I know!, if i could i would drive this car another 10 years. Problem is if the timing chain breaks tomorrow or there is a serious enjin problem, I dont have +- 20k te replace that, this is honestly my biggest fear. I dont know how long a Merc can go before breaking or start giving problems.
And it has a full service history, I never skip that, I even go as far as to only use Shell Helix synthetic oil.

 

[gregmcc]

Bottom line is you need to start saving. Even R100 a month accumulates fast and you should have enough for unseen expenses.

If you have zero saved and your car breaks you are stuffed. If you have zero saved you can't get a new car anyway

 

[TehStranger]

Time for a new car?

Let me start of by saying I have a crappy IT job so yes, money is a problem.

Currently I drive a 2004 C180 Kompressor (the Face lift), Its sitting on 200k Km’s, The car is in immaculate condition and drives like a dream, not a single mechanical problem, But im starting to worry since it has so much KM’s on it, should I worry and start looking for a new car?

I wouldn't look at something new just yet, sounds like the car still has some life in it. Start putting a bit aside each month to fix any issues that may come up. Thing is, you know the history and maintenance of this car, trading it for something unknown (albeit lower mileage) is a bit of a gamble (not much, but a bit).

Since I had the Car (almost 6 years) I have never replaced the battery, I cant think the battery is going to last much longer?, and apparently Merc Batteries are not cheap

Yours would have a rather large battery in the boot right? They're a bit pricey, but you should get away with R1,500ish (IIRC). Is the car giving any indication that the battery is on the way out?

I read that at 200k KM’s the timing chain starts giving issues, this costs ± R20k to replace, any truth to this?

Those engines are chain driven and can give issues if the chain stretches, which (if it happens) is usually around 200K+ mileage. You're looking at around R15k or R20k for a good indy to do the work, a lot more if the chain lets go.

They told me they will give me 40k for my car which is just not acceptable, what else can I buy for 40k.., Farking Deawoo or something.

So my real question is, must I start looking at a new car, or should I stop worrying and keep driving

I'd honestly keep driving the Merc, but perhaps have the timing chain checked out as a precaution. If it still looks in acceptable nick than keep the Merc, if it needs to be done consider flogging it, or do the costly replacement and keep it for long enough to justify the expense.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Ig I had extra cash, Investing would be easy. Unfortunately I dont, but I always come up with money if I need it.
But I do hear what you are saying, and I do agree

Well you'd be spending 4-5k(?) on installments, why not save that instead? If your car can last the next 5 months, you'd have enough to pay for anything major that breaks...

 

[Noob-Noob]

I wouldn't look at something new just yet, sounds like the car still has some life in it. Start putting a bit aside each month to fix any issues that may come up. Thing is, you know the history and maintenance of this car, trading it for something unknown (albeit lower mileage) is a bit of a gamble (not much, but a bit).

Yeah, I'll try my best to start saving, just wish it was easier....

Yours would have a rather large battery in the boot right? They're a bit pricey, but you should get away with R1,500ish (IIRC). Is the car giving any indication that the battery is on the way out?

One of the Guys at work replaced his Merc's baterry about 2 years ago, He litteraly called EVERYONE, think the best price he got was R2500, that being 2 years back, its probably R3000 - R3500 at this stage.
Edit. Battery is not in the boot as far as I know, My previous Merc, also W203 (Pre Facelift) had the battery in the front, its covered with this weird black thing, and its HUGE....

Those engines are chain driven and can give issues if the chain stretches, which (if it happens) is usually around 200K+ mileage. You're looking at around R15k or R20k for a good indy to do the work, a lot more if the chain lets go.

I'll ask them to check on my next service, Hopefully its not that big of a mission to check this....

I'd honestly keep driving the Merc, but perhaps have the timing chain checked out as a precaution. If it still looks in acceptable nick than keep the Merc, if it needs to be done consider flogging it, or do the costly replacement and keep it for long enough to justify the expense.

Yip, this is probably what i'll end up doing, hopefully I can find a REAL job in between and buy a new Honda Accord next year this time

 

[Noob-Noob]

Well you'd be spending 4-5k(?) on installments, why not save that instead? If your car can last the next 5 months, you'd have enough to pay for anything major that breaks...

Haha, I wish, I'll would have been spending +- R1200pm. My next car will be 110k max, and i'll sell my Merc privately for +- R60k

 

[TehStranger]

Yeah, I'll try my best to start saving, just wish it was easier....

One of the Guys at work replaced his Merc's baterry about 2 years ago, He litteraly called EVERYONE, think the best price he got was R2500, that being 2 years back, its probably R3000 - R3500 at this stage.
Edit. Battery is not in the boot as far as I know, My previous Merc, also W203 (Pre Facelift) had the battery in the front, its covered with this weird black thing, and its HUGE....

Ah right, I was thinking of the previous W202 with the battery in the boot. We replaced the massive battery around a year ago in a W202 for R1500, though perhaps the prices have shot up in the meantime. That's quite painful to hear. :/

 

[JackWhite]

I drive a 2007 C180k A/T W203 with 180km.

Drives like a dream but has had a few issues since purchase.

Changed my battery last year and it cost me about R1100. Shop around.
As for the timing chain, you should get it checked. If it gives in while you are driving, it could damage the pistons. You dont want that.
It should cost you about 7k to change.
My timing chain was done at 135km.

My wifes dad got offered 35k for his 2001 C180 manual W202 with 230km. One of the best kept mercs i have ever seen and it didnt even make a difference to the trade he was offered. Hell, they didnt even look at the vehicle before making him that offer.
He eventually got 50k on gumtree.

Dealer offered me 62k last year October for mine.
I am keeping my car.

 

[silent_wolf]

My father has the same model, its a 2003 model I think, its sitting on about 250k km, its never had a single problem that stopped it from getting where he needed to go. Its had a few small things like the spring in the central lock breaking and the air con packing up, he still has the original timing chain and clutch on the car.

If I'm not mistaken you can usually hear when the timing chain is starting to stretch, as for the battery he only replaced his original battery 2 months ago. As long as you have the car serviced and treat it well it should still last you a long time, rather save your money each month towards a new car

 

[JackWhite]

Timing chains can go as early as 60k km. There have been a few cases reported on the mercedes german forum.

 

[DanH]

Timing chain is not so expensive. My mum had the same car. 2004 Facelift c180k.

At 200k they had the timing chain replaced preemptively.

Here is the bill, including replacing some aging breather pipes. All original merc parts.


The chain eventually stretches, which destroys the cam gear teeth. Then you need to replace both chain and gears. So it's best to do the chain at around 200k or as soon as you hear noises.

Apparently you get locally made non mercedes cam gears now which are a whole lot cheaper, if it goes so far that you need to replace cam gears.

They also got offered R40k trade in last year when they bought a new merc, so they decided to keep the old one as a 3rd car instead of trading in.

Also original battery and nothing ever went wrong on the car. 250k on the clock now.

 

[Noob-Noob]

Timing chain is not so expensive. My mum had the same car. 2004 Facelift c180k.

At 200k they had the timing chain replaced preemptively.

Here is the bill, including replacing some aging breather pipes. All original merc parts.
View attachment 185374

The chain eventually stretches, which destroys the cam gear teeth. Then you need to replace both chain and gears. So it's best to do the chain at around 200k or as soon as you hear noises.

Apparently you get locally made non mercedes cam gears now which are a whole lot cheaper, if it goes so far that you need to replace cam gears.

They also got offered R40k trade in last year when they bought a new merc, so they decided to keep the old one as a 3rd car instead of trading in.

Also original battery and nothing ever went wrong on the car. 250k on the clock now.

Ken jy die wet van Transvaal? , but those prices are not that bad, much better than the ones I read about....

You mention when I begin to hear noises, what type of noises are we talking about?, hard or soft?, will you feel anything? (currently no noises at all)

Im also thinking about keeping the Merc, We have a old 1989 Toyota Corolla Sprinter, its a 1800 TwinCam GSI or something like that, but it only has +- 30k km on the clock, the car is basically brand new (my grandfather would rather walk than drive), anyway, I'm pretty sure I can get 40k for that car since, its honestly unbelievable that its so old but in such good condition, my father drives it once a week around the block so that the battery does not die.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Im also thinking about keeping the Merc, We have a old 1989 Corolla Corolla Sprinter, its a 1800 TwinCam GSI or something like that, but it only has +- 30k km on the clock, the car is basically brand new (my grandfather would rather walk than drive), anyway, I'm pretty sure I can get 40k for that car since its still basically brand new.

I'll pay 45k for it if he's interested...

 

[Noob-Noob]

I'll pay 45k for it if he's interested...

I will probably only start looking for a new car at the end of this year, (hope and pray I get an Increase so that I can actually afford a new car), but If you are still interested by then, by all means