C250 CDI Pros and Cons. Opinion needed.

[anand322]

Hi All,

I am hoping to get hold of a W204 - C250 CDI AMG sport, preferably the face-lifted version post 2011

Please can someone advice what should I be looking for? Any pitfalls that I should be aware of? Any specific issues that I should know prior to buying it?

I would also like to know what should the ideal price range be for a car that is run around the 25K to 30K mark?

Also, having mentioned the version that I want, I am not too rigid on it,if you think it makes more sense to buy any other version please feel free to voice your opinion. I am looking to get the best of both worlds really. I like the fact that it is 200 odd BHP, but still manages a decent 50 MPG (albeit this is just my research of reading forums and blogs).


Thanks in advance.

[anand322]

Thanks for that!

This is the first ever diesel car that I am planning to buy. I have always had petrol cars. So, I am a little unsure on the extent to which the rattling of the engine is going to annoy me.

How much did the injectors cost if you don't mind sharing that?

As much I'd love to buy the C350, I am consciously thinking about my wallet at the same time. Soon.. one day!

[anand322]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I was in the same position and had the same worry when I bought my C220 CDI. It's actually no bother at all. Most of the time when actually moving the engine is close to silent and only really makes much noise at cold idle and when accelerating harder using over 2k rpm. There is enough low torque that using over 2k isn't needed most of the time and I've actually come to enjoy the noise over 2k as it sounds more of a grown than a diesel rattle.

As I say, that's on a 220 but I can't see the 250 being much different as it's basically the same engine with different turbos & ecu (I think).

Thanks for the re-assurance. Yes the engines on the 220 and 250 are pretty much the same. I just wasn't quite sure about how would that be living with it.

[anand322]

TheAllSeeingPie said:

Merc inline diesels are very smooth and you barely hear them apart from startup and sometimes idling. I've certainly never "felt" them do anything worrying like shudder or vibrations in the cabin and I've so far driven a variety of them as rentals: C220, C250, E220, E250 & E350 and I also had a 2002 S320 CDI and that was amazingly quiet and smooth, but that's probably due to insane levels of sound deadening.

One thing I might say though, and obviously it's a personal choice, but I wouldn't bother with an AMG sport pack. You'll get more toys and a better ride from a normal one and they will still go round corners almost the same. Also tyres will be cheaper and last longer!

Also if it's a private car, not leased / financed, you also have the option of a mild remap to give it a little more poke. I know my S was transformed by a map and also ended up doing 50 instead of 40mpg on a long run.

Thanks! The one's that I have driven yet were all cold starts. The test drive wasn't long enough for a diesel to warm up I guess.

Glad that you actually mentioned the AMG sport pack, that was going to be my next question, is that worth it? Considering that I am financing the car and re-mapping won't be an option. Is the AMG pack extremely superficial? How much of a premium is it really worth?

My train of thought on the AMG sport pack was not only about the ride and handling, but the rate at which the car would depreciate as well. I would've thought that the car would be worth more 3 years down the line which makes it a worthwhile investment up front. Feel free to correct me if you think otherwise.

[anand322]

TheAllSeeingPie said:

If you're buying on MB finance then look at the guaranteed buy back value? Viezu (and others) do a box that allows you to load 1 or 2 custom maps but you can set it back to factory if you need to hand the car back. As long as your insurer is aware of the map the finance guys probably won't care too much as they will only find out if you crash it.

The AMG stuff is stiffer suspension, change to the steering and AMG brakes (although this only appears to be cosmetic). I've driven the AMG and the Standard of the C and the E and they are quite different. If this is a motorway mile muncher you'll want the Standard, if this is something to tool around in then go for the AMG.

I am currently exploring my finance options. I looking at PCP vs HP.

As for the roads, I do a bit of both really. My daily commute involves an A road and weekends consists of motorways.