C Class coupe - "sweet spot" - age, mileage, engine, etc.
Discussion
I'll be looking for a relatively fast, relatively reliable, relatively cheap to run and most importantly comfy car in a couple of weeks.
Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
I rarely have anyone in the rear seats, but I don't want a proper sports car - comfort takes precedence over everything else here. I want something that looks a bit more special than a saloon, and I don't need an estate, so a coupe seems to fit the bill.
I do need a few creature comforts, such as heated seats, bluetooth phone, sat nav and a USB port for music.
Performance, anything that can safely overtake traffic will be fine, say 8 secs to 60 or less.
I don't want V8 fuel consumption or top rate road tax. I really don't drive that fast anymore, so 250+bhp would just be wasted on me.
The car will only get used once or twice a week, and is unlikely to do more than 3k miles a year (I have another, runabout, car).
Budget is up to £15k, but I'd rather spend a lot less. With this car purchase, I'm thinking about depreciation!
What's the oldest car and highest mileage I should be looking at if I want a C Class coupe that's going to be reasonably cheap to run over, say, 5 years?
Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
I rarely have anyone in the rear seats, but I don't want a proper sports car - comfort takes precedence over everything else here. I want something that looks a bit more special than a saloon, and I don't need an estate, so a coupe seems to fit the bill.
I do need a few creature comforts, such as heated seats, bluetooth phone, sat nav and a USB port for music.
Performance, anything that can safely overtake traffic will be fine, say 8 secs to 60 or less.
I don't want V8 fuel consumption or top rate road tax. I really don't drive that fast anymore, so 250+bhp would just be wasted on me.
The car will only get used once or twice a week, and is unlikely to do more than 3k miles a year (I have another, runabout, car).
Budget is up to £15k, but I'd rather spend a lot less. With this car purchase, I'm thinking about depreciation!
What's the oldest car and highest mileage I should be looking at if I want a C Class coupe that's going to be reasonably cheap to run over, say, 5 years?
clockworks said:
I'll be looking for a relatively fast, relatively reliable, relatively cheap to run and most importantly comfy car in a couple of weeks.
Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
I'm not sure that's quite right. I'm fairly sure the current C-Class coupe (since 2015) is based on the outgoing C-Class saloon platform, the W205.Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
The previous E-Class coupe was based on the C-Class platform (W204), not vice-versa.
History of C-Class based Coupes:
| Model | Code | Years | Based On C-Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLK | C208 | 1997-2003 | W202 |
| CLK | C209 | 2002-2010 | W203 |
| E-Class Coupe | C207 | 2009-2017 | W204 |
| C-Class coupe | C205 | 2015-present | W205 |
For completeness there was also the "C-Class SportCoupe" based on the W203 C-Class from 2000-2011, with a facelift and a rebrand as the "CLC Class" in 2008. This was a shorter and cheaper 3-door coupe version; the growth of the A-Class range presumably obsoleted it so it wasn't directly replaced.
Edited by samoht on Saturday 23 October 13:23
samoht said:
I'm not sure that's quite right. I'm fairly sure the current C-Class coupe (since 2015) is based on the outgoing C-Class saloon platform, the W205.
The previous E-Class coupe was based on the C-Class platform (W204), not vice-versa.
History of C-Class based Coupes:
I think you've missed the W204 C-Class coupe 2011-15 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Clas... and the text agrees with what the OP said. The recent PH Spotted C63 was one: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/m...The previous E-Class coupe was based on the C-Class platform (W204), not vice-versa.
History of C-Class based Coupes:
| Model | Code | Years | Based On C-Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLK | C208 | 1997-2003 | W202 |
| CLK | C209 | 2002-2010 | W203 |
| E-Class Coupe | C207 | 2009-2017 | W204 |
| C-Class coupe | C205 | 2015-present | W205 |
I've no specific advice for the OP on engines, but once you've got some ideas then I would urge you to do your homework, as some of the engines, like the M271 1.8 petrol, had issues that I'm not sure were ever fully resolved. However, it is possible that the internet has magnified some potentially rare occurrences.
trevalvole said:
I think you've missed the W204 C-Class coupe 2011-15 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Clas... and the text agrees with what the OP said. The recent PH Spotted C63 was one: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/m...
Doh! You're quite right, that makes more sense. Hard to understand the "C-Class coupe" and "E-Class coupe" both being sold alongside each other on the same platform, but you're absolutely right of course.Ok, so it should be:
| Model | Code | Years | Based On C-Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLK | C208 | 1997-2003 | W202 |
| CLK | C209 | 2002-2010 | W203 |
| C-Class SportCoupe | CL203 | 2000-2008 | W203 |
| CLC | CL203 | 2008-2011 | W203 |
| E-Class Coupe | C207 | 2009-2017 | W204 |
| C-Class Coupe | C204 | 2011–2015 | W204 |
| C-Class coupe | C205 | 2015-present | W205 |
Edited by samoht on Saturday 23 October 13:59
samoht said:
Doh! You're quite right, that makes more sense. Hard to understand the "C-Class coupe" and "E-Class coupe" both being sold alongside each other on the same platform, but you're absolutely right of course.
The E Class is on a strethed & widened platform which is why the E Coupe is more spacious & why they were sold along side each other.clockworks said:
I'll be looking for a relatively fast, relatively reliable, relatively cheap to run and most importantly comfy car in a couple of weeks.
Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
I rarely have anyone in the rear seats, but I don't want a proper sports car - comfort takes precedence over everything else here. I want something that looks a bit more special than a saloon, and I don't need an estate, so a coupe seems to fit the bill.
I do need a few creature comforts, such as heated seats, bluetooth phone, sat nav and a USB port for music.
Performance, anything that can safely overtake traffic will be fine, say 8 secs to 60 or less.
I don't want V8 fuel consumption or top rate road tax. I really don't drive that fast anymore, so 250+bhp would just be wasted on me.
The car will only get used once or twice a week, and is unlikely to do more than 3k miles a year (I have another, runabout, car).
Budget is up to £15k, but I'd rather spend a lot less. With this car purchase, I'm thinking about depreciation!
What's the oldest car and highest mileage I should be looking at if I want a C Class coupe that's going to be reasonably cheap to run over, say, 5 years?
With your low annual mileage I'd go for a high mileage C350cgi you're depreciation will low due to your mileage & you get the best C Coupe bar a C63:Originally I was thinking of an E class, but it seems that the later C class coupe is a slightly smaller car on the same platform. Since many of the roads where I live are quite narrow, a smaller version of the same car makes more sense to me.
I rarely have anyone in the rear seats, but I don't want a proper sports car - comfort takes precedence over everything else here. I want something that looks a bit more special than a saloon, and I don't need an estate, so a coupe seems to fit the bill.
I do need a few creature comforts, such as heated seats, bluetooth phone, sat nav and a USB port for music.
Performance, anything that can safely overtake traffic will be fine, say 8 secs to 60 or less.
I don't want V8 fuel consumption or top rate road tax. I really don't drive that fast anymore, so 250+bhp would just be wasted on me.
The car will only get used once or twice a week, and is unlikely to do more than 3k miles a year (I have another, runabout, car).
Budget is up to £15k, but I'd rather spend a lot less. With this car purchase, I'm thinking about depreciation!
What's the oldest car and highest mileage I should be looking at if I want a C Class coupe that's going to be reasonably cheap to run over, say, 5 years?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
There is an alternative & that's the Infiniti G37 (basically a 4 seater 370Z) S the only downside is the £585 but you do get a very nice coupe with Adaptive Cruise/Bi Xenons etc. You can add Android Auto/Apple CarPlay for £500.
Depreciation wise these are at the same rate as their German rivals at this price point but you get a newer lower mileage car for your money, along with the lower running costs these for me would offset the extra £'s spent on tax.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...
Good to know that I'm not the only one who finds Mercedes models so confusing, lol.
C350 petrol coupe looks like the ideal mix of performance and reasonable running costs. I'll be happy with something that gets mid 30's average. Mileage doesn't bother me, as long as the car is built to last. My brother briefly owned a 2005 63, bought for peanuts as it was a bit tatty and had no MOT. As well as a rusty rear subframe, it needed £500 of welding at the front to pass. He was actually pleased when someone turned right in front of him and it was written off. He got 3 times what he spent on it.
I'm sure the G37 is a decent car, and probably a better ownership prospect as it gets older, but I just can't get past the looks from the front. That's saying something, as I quite liked the similarly-challenged Ford Scorpio and Chrysler Crossfire coupe, and my runaround car is a C3 Picasso. Maybe they look better in real life, but I've never actually seen one. If one turns up locally, I'll have a look, and maybe I'll change my mind.
C350 petrol coupe looks like the ideal mix of performance and reasonable running costs. I'll be happy with something that gets mid 30's average. Mileage doesn't bother me, as long as the car is built to last. My brother briefly owned a 2005 63, bought for peanuts as it was a bit tatty and had no MOT. As well as a rusty rear subframe, it needed £500 of welding at the front to pass. He was actually pleased when someone turned right in front of him and it was written off. He got 3 times what he spent on it.
I'm sure the G37 is a decent car, and probably a better ownership prospect as it gets older, but I just can't get past the looks from the front. That's saying something, as I quite liked the similarly-challenged Ford Scorpio and Chrysler Crossfire coupe, and my runaround car is a C3 Picasso. Maybe they look better in real life, but I've never actually seen one. If one turns up locally, I'll have a look, and maybe I'll change my mind.
trevalvole said:
Well this is something you'd be able to bond over, as W204s are known for rusty sub-frames, though I hear Merc often pay for them to be fixed.
I thought that the rusty subframe issue had been resolved by 2012, but it seems that you are correct, and it hadn't. Puts me off buying a W204.Is the W205 better? Problem is, they start at about £18k.
Maybe I should just get a 3 (or 4) series?
clockworks said:
Maybe I should just get a 3 (or 4) series?
or a 2 series?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...
clockworks said:
I thought that the rusty subframe issue had been resolved by 2012, but it seems that you are correct, and it hadn't. Puts me off buying a W204.
Is the W205 better? Problem is, they start at about £18k.
Maybe I should just get a 3 (or 4) series?
The sub frame isn't as prominent an issue as the internet would have you believe, get an inspection carried out & go from there.Is the W205 better? Problem is, they start at about £18k.
Maybe I should just get a 3 (or 4) series?
There's always the 3.0T Audi S5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108136...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...
I'm now thinking about a 4 series coupe. I think the 2 litre diesel will be fast enough for my needs. I'd like a 6 cylinder, but it would have well over 100k on the clock at my budget. £15k should get me a 2 litre with below average miles.
From what I can make out, the 2 litre diesel engine fitted to the 4 series doesn't suffer from any major issues?
From what I can make out, the 2 litre diesel engine fitted to the 4 series doesn't suffer from any major issues?
You'll get a decent C250 for your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...
C220
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110178...
What about the 220d M Sport with Pro Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...
220d Manual
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275...
The 4 Series is as wide as an E Class at which point I'd be looking at an E Class:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...
C220
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110178...
What about the 220d M Sport with Pro Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...
220d Manual
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275...
The 4 Series is as wide as an E Class at which point I'd be looking at an E Class:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...
I really don't like the look of the 1 and 2 series, pretty much the only fairly recent BMWs I like are the Z4 and 4 series.
The thought of rust problems lurking puts me right off Mercedes. Even if a car passes a thorough inspection before I buy it, there's no guarantee there won't be problems in a few years. I don't think rust has been an issue on any BMW since the E46?
This is probably going to be the last halfway decent car that I purchase, so it's got to last. I hit state retirement age in 18 months.
For this reason, I'll probably up the budget a bit, and go for a 4 year old Approved Used 4 series. Unless I change my mind again....
The thought of rust problems lurking puts me right off Mercedes. Even if a car passes a thorough inspection before I buy it, there's no guarantee there won't be problems in a few years. I don't think rust has been an issue on any BMW since the E46?
This is probably going to be the last halfway decent car that I purchase, so it's got to last. I hit state retirement age in 18 months.
For this reason, I'll probably up the budget a bit, and go for a 4 year old Approved Used 4 series. Unless I change my mind again....
Just to update this post:
I decided it would either be a fairly new 4 series for £20k+, or a facelift W204 C Class coupe for less than half that.
Big difference in price, bit it made sense to me.
I spotted a 2012 C220 coupe locally on Facebook Marketplace. Fairly high mileage (108k), but a very clean MOT history. Previous advisories for tyres, and advisory last time for split rubber covers on the front drop links - easy and cheap fix. Seller seemed straight, lived in a nice house, valid excuse for selling, etc.
Car drove nicely, everything worked. Needs a new set of steering wheel buttons, as the rubberised coating is wearing off. Seems to be a common M-B problem, and aftermarket replacements are available.
What really sold it to me was that the owner had taken it to the main dealer for a health check when he bought it 6 months ago, passed with no issues.
Deal done, seller delivered the car for me. It's now sat on my drive until Sunday - renewal date for my insurance policy. Seemed pointless spending £25 to get the car put on the old policy for 2 days.
I've accepted a fair offer on the Picanto, so that should be gone next week.
I decided it would either be a fairly new 4 series for £20k+, or a facelift W204 C Class coupe for less than half that.
Big difference in price, bit it made sense to me.
I spotted a 2012 C220 coupe locally on Facebook Marketplace. Fairly high mileage (108k), but a very clean MOT history. Previous advisories for tyres, and advisory last time for split rubber covers on the front drop links - easy and cheap fix. Seller seemed straight, lived in a nice house, valid excuse for selling, etc.
Car drove nicely, everything worked. Needs a new set of steering wheel buttons, as the rubberised coating is wearing off. Seems to be a common M-B problem, and aftermarket replacements are available.
What really sold it to me was that the owner had taken it to the main dealer for a health check when he bought it 6 months ago, passed with no issues.
Deal done, seller delivered the car for me. It's now sat on my drive until Sunday - renewal date for my insurance policy. Seemed pointless spending £25 to get the car put on the old policy for 2 days.
I've accepted a fair offer on the Picanto, so that should be gone next week.
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