On the other hand Mercedes have chain cams unlike the Audi and have less problems with the pumps etc the has more room and better to drive.

Thanks for the advice, hadn't realised the 60K miles bit, which means both are out of warranty. I am now thinking of an unrecorded damaged car, as per a new post.

Actually, I believe that the Mercedes warranty is 3 years unlimited mileage, so the C220 should be OK in that respect.

I love Mercs, but I am the first to admit that RWD can be dodgy in wintry conditions, and this needs to be considered (along with the fact that in some winters were are lucky and only get mild conditions)

Edited by LikedDrivingOnce on 25/09/2010 at 22:15

Try a Skoda Octavia diesel (for that kind of mileage, you probably do need diesel). A Honda Accord or Toyota Avensis is also worth a look. If you want prestige, then I would recommend a BMW 320d, or 118d, depending on the size required. The later 118d has start/stop, which would work well in town.

She drives about 80 miles a day on both stop start motorway and towns, so comfort, reliability and economy is needed, hence the need for an auto and a diesel (I think).

Make out a list of wants - things she would like

and musts - things that she cannot do without.

Given your criteria so far I would say:

comfort

reliability

and

ease of parking..

Parking is often neglected. Having seen drivers of not very large cars struggle to reverse park....

She will not thank you for parking hassle nor high bills.

Buying a Mercedes guarantees both....

Ignore all the diesel/petrol stuff. You want a cost per mile over x years. What Car are ideal for that. No point in a diesel if it depreciates 70% in 3 years.. Nor a petrol either.

Given her 20k miles/year a diesel would make sense.. But it's simple to do sums before hand.

And don't buy a Sports model with rubber band tyres as they cost a fortune to replace and are not comfortable.

A written out list agreed with both will enable you to quickly get rid of a huge number of cars. Then look at the rest in your price/mileage/running cost range.

The art of choosing cars is to eliminate the unsuitable - whcih will probably be 95% of all models.

EDIT: and if she HAS to drive in winter, buying a RWD is plain stupid unless you fit winter tyres which is £££s...There will be snowy days. Mercedes on normal tyres in snow are scary... unless you like spinning...

Edited by Avant on 29/09/2010 at 01:01