Booster Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 A mate of mine has just been round in his new motor. A Mercedes S350 Limosine (the long wheelbase version). 2003 03 plate done 60k in silver, one owner from new. Literally unmarked interior, satnav, TV, air suspension, xenons, parking sensors front and rear, electric seats (including rear and seat behind passenger can also be controlled from the back to give more leg room), phone kit and gods knows what else. Wouldn't be my bag but drives very smoothly and not too slow either. It was on the forecourt at £23,500 (which was well behind book anyway) and he drove it and then left it for a fortnight went back for a haggle and got it for £19,700 with four new tyres. That's a lot of metal for the money if you want that kind of thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 That's a hell of a lot of metal for the money! I only have one issue with bigger cars when they get out of warranty.....that's the fact that even if you pay £5k for it, you'll still get £30k, £40k, £50k, £60k+ new car bills when it goes wrong. All too often I think people think the price they pay will be reflected in their running costs and then get a shock when someone tells them their 'minor trouble' will cost £1k+ to fix. BTW - not saying that's your friends case, just a point I wanted to make in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted August 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Indeedy. Lots and lots of gadgetry to go wrong. Its not as if back street garages can touch these cars anymore. They just don't have the diagnostic kit. Fear the cost when the rear headrest motor packs up . Oh, and he managed to fit £90 worth of Optimax in it the other day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 I by old big well made wagons, due to the reason that they ARE extremely well made. Have defo been looked after by the first owner/company. Never been thrashed by said owner. Value plummets and makes it a bargain. Another reason, is that being extremely well made, means it should only need standard maintenance and no repairs. None of the big cars I have owned have needed fixing, only standard maintenance. Including my 180K mile, 8yr old A8! The smaller cars I have had, have generally needed soemthing, as they have had a harder life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted August 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Just checked in Glass's and the car is currently retailing for £23,225 and trading at £18,225. Now there is no way that car would fetch anything like that in the current climate but I think to get this car from a main dealer with a one year warranty and four new tyres for the price he did is not bad. Cost new with all the options: £57k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 So, 3 yrs old and £40K drop! Great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 That is an awful lot of car for the money. Best alternative I can think of is a Lexus LS430, if you can stand the exterior looks (it's passable in black...). You'd probably have to go a year older to get under £20k, but at least with the LS you have the bonus that a) the electrics will continue to work, and b) the dealers are excellent. Very good level of warranty on Lexus pre-owned too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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