bumpnzx3

I am thinking of getting a different daily driver for about the same amount as my current daily driver is worth. I am looking for something at/under $4k. Something reliable, easy to work on, gas mileage is a plus. I love the older c-classes, 3 series and 190's. Any ideas?

khearon

I say get something from Honda, Toyota or maybe VW if you want all of those demands met.

The older Benz's may be easy to work on, but they are expensive to maintain and reliability is always in question with a used ride.

Good luck staying under $4K

alpinweiss

The $4000 ceiling will be your biggest challenge here.

In general terms, you want the simplest car you can find, since it will be many years old. Try to avoid cars with features such as automatic transmission, sunroof, and extensive aftermarket modifications. Rust will be a factor on northern cars.

In terms of BMW, $4K will buy you an average condition E30. This is the designation for the 3 series from about 1984 to 1991. If you can find a decent example, this is a good, reliable, and durable car. Most of these cars are now either in mint condition, or really rough condition; not a lot in-between.

In terms of Mercedes, $4K will buy you a W201 (190E) or maybe a worn W202 (C-Class up to 2000). IMO the best for the money is a well-kept W201 with manual transmission. The 2.6 liter six cylinder is perhaps the best choice for a daily driver, but the 2.3 liter four cylinder is also good. Unlike the BMW's, some Mercedes were owned by older drivers, and you can sometimes find a nice one at an estate sale, or for sale by a person who can no longer maintain a driver's license. Manual transmission models normally sell fast, so be ready when the right car comes along. Automatic transmission may be OK if the car is low mileage and nice, but it is a gamble.

Remember, repair costs can exceed the purchase price.

Want a German nameplate at a lower cost? Look for a good VW Jetta. $4K will buy you more car than BMW or Mercedes.

bumpnzx3

thanks for the tips. i've found a few, but they are all further away than i want to go to buy a cheap DD. i will keep an eye out though.

K-A

I've been in the same boat as you. Trying to find a good Daily Driver. Was looking into M-B or BMW as it would be fun to have one as a beater, but the reliability and age of ones you can get for that price are discouraging.

You can get 126's and 124's all day long for that price, over here you can get a good running 126 for under $2K easily, the 190 E's go for a bit more, but you can get a good example for $4K for sure.

The only problem with those old VW's and the very reliable and Gas friendly Japanese cars that sell for so cheap is that they are really unsafe, which is a major factor for me. Old BMW's are probably not the safest cars either, although will be better than the Japanese rides, but the M-B's, even the older ones without the new Airbags everywhere are known to be really safe.

Just to note, I've even found some W140 S-Classes for under $4K.

sound 8

We have 3 Golf's in the family, and we think there great.
7 year old 1.6 and an 11 year old GTi , and an 10 year old GTi 16v.
All worth less than 4k each, but all going well with 120,000 miles on the 16v.
I think a MB or Beemer has more to go wrong and with 4k to spend you may
have serious repairs to do.
Save the big money for an AMG!!

venezzia

When I used to drive to the train station every day, my daily driver was an E36 - '94 325i w/sport suspension. I loved it and I do miss it. I didn't have any problems with it. You could probably get one around the $4K range these days...

alpinweiss

One of the advantages of buying (or leasing) a NEW Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series is they hold their value well.

One of the disadvantages of buying a USED Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series is they hold their value well.

Quality MB's and BMW's are out there at the right price, but you really have to look for them.

Eurosport

c-class holds value??

Saprissa

C320s / C350s do

don't know about C240s / C230Ks

K-A

Well they sell for alot cheaper so you'll naturally see a smaller percentage in depreciation over the initial selling price, I don't know if that could be considered holding its value better, but you'll take less of a hit come selling time if you bought one new.

Also, when they get to a point of high mileage and/or older age, i.e move into the "cheap Car" market, they are in higher demand as people looking for cars in lower price ranges are looking for better Gas mileage and less complications, i.e better reliability, which the simpler entry level cars usually provide.

I just looked at some cars in the Autotrader, and it looks like the 96+ 5-Series' start at about $5K or so with super high mileage. You can get a 94-95 5-Series for around (even less than) $3K pretty easily. Also, the 95-00 7-Series seem to start at around $3,500-$4K with super high mileage.

I found an '00 (newer body style) 3-Series for pretty damn cheap, I think around $5-6K and the mid 90's examples are anywhere from the $2's to $4's easily.