Any experiance of the new c-class?

[Piepiepie]

I love the new c-class estate, with the AMG sport pack. Looking for a manual, (probaby a petrol) however my budget only really extends to the high milers, 90k plus.

Any experiance of these? Any faults or issues to be careful of? Cam belt or chain? And am i right in saying they are all RWD?

[TomJS]

The 3 directors at my work have new C classes, having got them on stunningly cheap lease deals.

One got a coupe, one a saloon, one an estate.

The estate has loads of room, and appears to be built like a tank. It's not quick with a relatively small diesel engine (low company car tax). But it's quite a nice place to be, with good quality leather which has contrasting stitching. It's also a good car to be in the back of, as the front seats are shaped so as to give the rear passengers extra legroom due to 'knee slots'. Not very fun, but very practical, and decent for long journeys/client visits.

That said, one of the directors has given up his C class to wifey and bought a 17 year old Mitsubishi 3000 GTO which is far more fun, but nothing like as roomy or suitable for long trips (noise, fuel economy & occasional reliability issues) or for client visits....

[Piepiepie]

bump

[Max M4X WW]

TomJS said:

good quality leather

Really? My parents had an 06 C Class and I've been passenger in an 08 Sport and in both the seats were like plastic.

[Codswallop]

Drove a new C220 CDi auto for 2000km. Very comfy, and good to drive, and yes, all are RWD. However, rear space is a bit small to comfortably accomodate taller passengers, and the boot is smaller than you may be expecting (possibly due to RWD gubbins). The boot is larger than other lifestyle estates, but it had less space than the last gen Mazda 6 hatchback, which was a pain for me. You may be fine with the space though, and overall I really liked the blend of comfort to driving fun in the non-sport model.

[GeraldSmith]

I had one as a hire car for a week, it was OK but not great. The seat belts really got to me, they tighten up as you start off, I thought I'd get used to it but by the end of the week I was hating it. On that alone I'd not have one.

[williamp]

Max M4X WW said:

TomJS said:

good quality leather

Really? My parents had an 06 C Class and I've been passenger in an 08 Sport and in both the seats were like plastic.

Mercedes do an artificial leather called "Artico", which is standard on the Elegance trim level, and I think an option on all. They also do real leather as an option on all trim levels. It was possibly the Artico you saw.

I have a 900 mile old 200 CDI elegance estate, and so far I'm very impressed. Lots of clever touches, and very practical. As others have said not very exciting, but nice to drive, solid, with enough toys to keep me occupied and a good look for clients when on business.

I like the 10GB hard drive for the music, the easy to use computer (unlike my wife's Audi A6) and the estate part is clever: like the dog guard net as part of the rear blind, which you can also use when the seats are folded to protect those in the front from anything in the back.

And so far, I have averaged over 40mpg with only one really long trip (to kent with the family).

[Codswallop]

Max M4X WW said:

TomJS said:

good quality leather

Really? My parents had an 06 C Class and I've been passenger in an 08 Sport and in both the seats were like plastic.

Are you sure they had leather? Or was it the Mercedes Artico material (ie. man made 'leather'). Proper leather was an upgrade option.

[Max M4X WW]

Codswallop said:

Max M4X WW said:

TomJS said:

good quality leather

Really? My parents had an 06 C Class and I've been passenger in an 08 Sport and in both the seats were like plastic.

Are you sure they had leather? Or was it the Mercedes Artico material (ie. man made 'leather'). Proper leather was an upgrade option.

OK it was probably this in both. The 06 was a Classic SE so a low spec model with plastic seats an AVG wheels. Later one was a Sport but they obviously still use plastic leather.

I'm not keen on the interior in the latest shape C until the facelift last year.

[Piepiepie]

It doesnt bother me, after spending 14 months with the recaros in my mondeo, i fking hate leather seats. Never again.