A Luta Continua - My Merc E class

Second hand prices are going mental for ULEZ compliant petrol engines now. This is why I'm thinking of changing again, whilst my E is worth "something" still, and before the market really catches on that good petrol engined cars registered new between say 2006 and 2015 are in a really, really limited supply situation, because diesel was the default during those years. Simple supply and demand. The bandwagon is rolling.

I like Humph's C Class above, but it is in a really, really low spec, and in really, really dull colours inside and out. Not sure it's worth twice the price of an Astra of the same vintage, to me anyway. Nicer colour, beige leather interior, some more toys, and then it'd be more attractive to me at that price.

Drove the E to work this morning.  Christ, I love that torque surge when entering a motorway.  Pretty hard to imagine giving that up.

...and it's one of those dealers you'll have to deal with when it all goes wrong.  My experience with Toyota (whose dealer was brilliant, incidentally; I just didn't like the car) was that 'heated seats' or 'cruise control' looks good on a spec sheet but doesn't mean it's as good as another maker's equivalent. The Toyota cruise control was barely usable, the window controls were in the wrong place, and the expensive-extra iPod interface (it was 2008!) gave me access to about five tracks unless I pre-selected before leaving home - not that the audio system made it worth the effort anyway.  

My experience with Saab, Volvo and now Mercedes is that their designs are more human-centred and ultimately just more effective (silly Mercedes all-in-one stalk apart.)  This is the stuff you miss when you get into something more van ordinaire. 

And what, incidentally, is the point of paying for an internet hotspot in a car?  Mobile data prices have collapsed recently, so you might as well just buy the connectivity from EE or whoever for a fraction of what the car gizmo (without any data) will cost you.  

In other words, be wary of choosing an Astra for the equipment list. The only thing that really makes a difference is good climate control.  If the C has that it'll be a much more comfortable and welcoming thing than the most lavishly-kitted Vauxhall.  Will probably cost you less too.

Couldn't do it, sorry. You know that thing about always making sure you've got clean underpants on in case you get run over? Maybe that's just me. But, at my age, there's always the possibility that whatever car I have, might just be my last one, and I couldn't bear the thought of checking out while I had an Astra. As a life long car nerd, it would feel very much like I'd given up in advance.

That of course makes no sense at all, I know that.

😰

Same performance figures as the Mazda 6 2.0 auto estate I used to have.  That was just about peppy enough.

I don't expect to find the same performance as my E when moving to petrol.  I was just noting that I'll probably miss it.  But other things may be more important.

Fair enough, and I do kind of get that, but I think I could, if pushed, use the same logic/argument to defend the choice of a low spec Merc over an Astra with all the toys. 

If you start with the best ingredients, you'll be in more danger of cooking a satisfying meal even if it's only a simple one. 

Grasshopper. 

😉

No, I probably wouldn't subscribe to the internet hotspot, it was just an illustration of the level of equipment in the car, amongst other examples.

I can't imagine I'd be disappointed with the climate control.  It's just climate control.  It's pretty much the same in any car I've ever driven.  I'd like a heated windscreen though, I wonder if this car has one?  I don't find anything my E does in terms of interior equipment is any more compelling or must-have than any other car make I've experienced, to be honest.  I preferred my old SAAB in terms of comfort and driving position.

Yes, on a straight comparison, my old E is a "better" car than an Astra, until you take in to account age, wear and tear, constant repair bills.  A 2016 Astra in top spec isn't such a significant step down and brings the benefits of  much newer car.  I can't afford a much newer E, so there's no point mooning about one.  Could I consider a £10k E over a 10K Astra?  Sure I could.  But it'd have 80k miles on it or more.  Then I'd most likely have all the joys of fixing things like the turbo, the air suspension, the torque converter, as I have had with my current E.  A £10k 2016 Astra simply won't have that level of probable repair bills.  Also a £10k E would be too old to get a PCP on - if I'm financing, my budget will be £150-180 a month.  Can't achieve that on HP or bank loan.  Thiswould be bloody nice, but for £150-180 a month?  I'd be dreaming, and I'd be a long, long way from having a main dealer warranty on something this age:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910303863204

Remember, I don't want a diesel.  Narrows the Merc field significantly.

I have a beer budget.  That means an old prestige car (which I already have and it's a bloody money pit), or a newer car of a lesser marque.  Choose your eternity.

A C Class is just as much white goods as an Astra in my book.  It's just got a fancy frock on.