New car time - might be defecting to a Mercedes.........

[Degudodger]

Its that time of year again where i have to choose between a company car or cash allowance, after doing the maths, based on my business mileage i'm going to stick with the cash allowance however i need to replace the golf due to mileage/age.

I could just get another MK6 GTD but after owning 5-6 Golfs i feel like a change.

Based on my budget of £15-£16k i have been looking at:
2013 Mercedes C220 / C250 AMG (White or course!)
2013 Audi A4/A5 S-Line
2012+ Subaru Legacy 2.0 SE Sport

At the moment i am leaning towards the C250 - do we have any Mercedes C Class owners on the forum?

[Andy]

Don't get the legacy

[Degudodger]

Don't get the legacy

Took one for a 30 mile test drive and found it okay, nothing more.

After doing a bit of research it seems Subaru build quality isn't what it used to be!

[Andy]

Work on them at work and the built quality has got worse in recent  years

[D_Philli_82]

If these are the only options then it has to be the a5 hands down....


VW Golf mk5 1.9tdi 150

[dansmith180]

I would go A5 as well, although I do quite like the C class.

[Degudodger]

Thats the thing, i actually like the look of the W204 in white. I have found one with everything i want including air conditioned leather seats, however i need to sell the Golf first as i don't really want to take out finance.

I'm going to see a A5 tomorrow afternoon, the garage is about 10 minutes from a clients office so i'll pop in on my way back.

[Eccie]

This what your looking for Anthony? PM me any questions you have , we've been running this for a couple of years, its a nice change from the old GiT GTi

[Degudodger]

Exactly. Is yours a C250?

[Eccie]

Yeah C250 with Pano roof, DAB, Sat Nav

[Degudodger]

Currently looking at a 2013, same spec as yours but with half leather heated and aircondited seats. It's a 7 speed auto (tri-tronic) So has flappy paddles as well :)

[rdfcpete]

@Degudodger I find the A5's really expensive for what they are, particularly the 3.0 tdi S-Line and Black Edition. I wouldn't buy a 320d but I expect they're far better value than the 2.0 tdi A5. The A4 probably represents best ROI and up-front costs...

The Merc's do nothing for me personally but with an AMG badge... 

Is an F30 330d out of reach @Degudodger? If they're in, my money would be there. Early 2013 models for around £21k now with very reasonable miles. Faster, a better drive and good real world economy against the others on the plate 

[Degudodger]

I looked at a couple of 330s but wasn't that impressed. Nothing technically wrong with the drive, just wasn't blown over. In the end I bought a 2012 C220 AMG Sport 125 Tri-tronic Coupe which I pick up tomorrow.

[Andy]

I looked at a couple of 330s but wasn't that impressed. Nothing technically wrong with the drive, just wasn't blown over. In the end I bought a 2012 C220 AMG Sport 125 Tri-tronic Coupe which I pick up tomorrow.

Sounds nice Anthony what colour did you go for

[Degudodger]

Its pretty much like Storm Grey - can't remember what MB call it.


VERY impressed with the spec especially as most of it was missed of the advert. Negotiated two new rear tyres (current ones are on 3mm) tank of diesel and 12 month warranty with unlimited number of claims.

The too negatives:
Alloys have been curbed and cheaply refurbished but its not a massive deal as i'll be changing them next year.
The car was last serviced by a MB Specialist including gearbox fluid change - again not a massive issue but i would have preferred FULL MBSH.