C or E class estate?
Discussion
I'm in a quandry about which to get. I currently run a Volvo V70 but need to replace it with a newer estate.
I realise the E is bigger than the C Class, but I'm not bothered by the actual sizes, it's more the estate rear door I like to have. I intend keeping it long term. Either one would be the CDI 220.
Are there any advantages to having the C Class over the E Class? Price differences and running costs don't matter.
Is one more reliable than the other?
Any replies appreciated.
Forgot to add - I'm looking at the facelift W204 and the facelift W212.
I realise the E is bigger than the C Class, but I'm not bothered by the actual sizes, it's more the estate rear door I like to have. I intend keeping it long term. Either one would be the CDI 220.
Are there any advantages to having the C Class over the E Class? Price differences and running costs don't matter.
Is one more reliable than the other?
Any replies appreciated.
Forgot to add - I'm looking at the facelift W204 and the facelift W212.
Edited by Smokehead on Sunday 7th August 17:28
I've currently got a 2014 facelift W212 E220 cdi, previously had the W212 E200 CGI (gutless petrol!), and also a W204 facelift C220 cdi beforehand.
There's no point in taking our advice on looks as it's personal opinion, poster above things the shooting brakes look better, I think all shooting brakes look like melted estate cars
E loadspace is noticeably bigger seats up and seats down than C, in every dimension, and where it triumphs over most other estate cars on the market is seats up bootpace, and seats down width and height of loadspace between the arches and rear tailgate opening - very tall and very wide. E also has self levelling rear suspension which is nice to have if you load it right up. E always felt better built to me than C, less squeaks and rattles, better insulation from road and engine noise, a wider cabin and generally a nicer place to sit on long journeys. From cold my C sounded horrible and the dash vibrated too much for my liking, yet it had the same engine as my E .
As for reliability I've had a few E and C classes over the years and in all honesty they've all been very reliable, the only issues I've ever had have been minor electronics such as a parking sensor failing or an electric window not auto opening/closing - mechanically they've all been superb needing nothing other than standard servicing of oil/brakes/tyres/fluids.
Space in the back of an E for passengers isn't as big as you might think for the size of car but I don't carry passengers so it's never bothered me, it's not tight, but I also have a Skoda Superb which is vast in the back so maybe I'm being unfair?
My C with the same engine felt well powered for the size, in the E I wish I had more though it is adequate, just, for overtaking safely etc but if buying again I'd try and get a 250 or 350 if budget allowed. It handles like it should for what it is, a huge heavy barge, though the stiffer suspension of the AMG-sport-line (or whatever it is!) I have helps, and it's sensitive to tyres - stick with tyres known for stiff sidewalls if you want less wallow! Running costs much the same for both in my experience.
There's no point in taking our advice on looks as it's personal opinion, poster above things the shooting brakes look better, I think all shooting brakes look like melted estate cars
E loadspace is noticeably bigger seats up and seats down than C, in every dimension, and where it triumphs over most other estate cars on the market is seats up bootpace, and seats down width and height of loadspace between the arches and rear tailgate opening - very tall and very wide. E also has self levelling rear suspension which is nice to have if you load it right up. E always felt better built to me than C, less squeaks and rattles, better insulation from road and engine noise, a wider cabin and generally a nicer place to sit on long journeys. From cold my C sounded horrible and the dash vibrated too much for my liking, yet it had the same engine as my E .
As for reliability I've had a few E and C classes over the years and in all honesty they've all been very reliable, the only issues I've ever had have been minor electronics such as a parking sensor failing or an electric window not auto opening/closing - mechanically they've all been superb needing nothing other than standard servicing of oil/brakes/tyres/fluids.
Space in the back of an E for passengers isn't as big as you might think for the size of car but I don't carry passengers so it's never bothered me, it's not tight, but I also have a Skoda Superb which is vast in the back so maybe I'm being unfair?
My C with the same engine felt well powered for the size, in the E I wish I had more though it is adequate, just, for overtaking safely etc but if buying again I'd try and get a 250 or 350 if budget allowed. It handles like it should for what it is, a huge heavy barge, though the stiffer suspension of the AMG-sport-line (or whatever it is!) I have helps, and it's sensitive to tyres - stick with tyres known for stiff sidewalls if you want less wallow! Running costs much the same for both in my experience.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 8th August 12:21
I find our e class quite large for daily town driving but it's a great travelling car (211). The boot is huge and power tailgate is a nice option. We looked at C class/a4/3 series size too but there wasn't much cost difference so it seemed to make sense to have the extra space "free".
We shall look at downsizing next time if we don't need the extra space. I'd like a merc equivalnet of the 335xdrive estate as that's the car I want but I don't really want a BMW.
Oh and - anorak mode on - the estates are s212 and the saloons are w212.
We shall look at downsizing next time if we don't need the extra space. I'd like a merc equivalnet of the 335xdrive estate as that's the car I want but I don't really want a BMW.
Oh and - anorak mode on - the estates are s212 and the saloons are w212.
I'm afraid I'm not keen on the CLS, I'm from a Volvo estate background, so used to more angular designs .
I much prefer the E Class, but there is some little accountant gremlin in my head which says C Class.
As I'll be buying the car outright, it's down to running costs really.
I'm doing a sixty mile commute in the petrol V70 so I'd imagine I'd be saving a bit on fuel with either Merc.
I think I will go with the E class. It is a nice place to be in a traffic jam
.I much prefer the E Class, but there is some little accountant gremlin in my head which says C Class.
As I'll be buying the car outright, it's down to running costs really.
I'm doing a sixty mile commute in the petrol V70 so I'd imagine I'd be saving a bit on fuel with either Merc.
I think I will go with the E class. It is a nice place to be in a traffic jam
If it helps I changed from a V70 D5 to an E350 estate a few years ago. Love the size and space - more room for my 18 year old in the back (the is 6'1"). The AMG seats are nearly as nice as the SE LUX Volvo ones, I do not like the the SE ones, but this is my back and yours may feel different.
Looked at the latest C class a few weeks ago, and cannot see a reason to go smaller.
Ed
Looked at the latest C class a few weeks ago, and cannot see a reason to go smaller.
Ed
yellowbentines said:
E loadspace is noticeably bigger seats up and seats down than C, in every dimension, and where it triumphs over most other estate cars on the market is seats up bootpace, and seats down width and height of loadspace between the arches and rear tailgate opening - very tall and very wide. E also has self levelling rear suspension which is nice to have if you load it right up. E always felt better built to me than C, less squeaks and rattles, better insulation from road and engine noise, a wider cabin and generally a nicer place to sit on long journeys.
Having also owned C and E Class Estates I agree with the above. 100% spot on.Smokehead said:
Strangely enough, I have had a drive in an E350, a 2012 S212. What a machine! Very tempting over the 220. Unfortunately, part of the brief is for cheaper running, so the E220 it is.
E300h?We have a few in our fleet and the users are really happy with them. Above my grade on the company car list, without a big chunk of personal contribution from me each month, though.
Trabi601 said:
Smokehead said:
Strangely enough, I have had a drive in an E350, a 2012 S212. What a machine! Very tempting over the 220. Unfortunately, part of the brief is for cheaper running, so the E220 it is.
E300h?We have a few in our fleet and the users are really happy with them. Above my grade on the company car list, without a big chunk of personal contribution from me each month, though.
. None about in my area (East Coast Scotland) for sale, and I'm a bit wary of hybrid as a private secondhand buyer. Mr E said:
Smokehead said:
Strangely enough, I have had a drive in an E350, a 2012 S212. What a machine! Very tempting over the 220. Unfortunately, part of the brief is for cheaper running, so the E220 it is.
Try the 500...Smokehead said:
Just no... Had a drive of a friends 500SL. Addictive as crack cocaine but more expensive to run.
26-28mpg on a brisk motorway commute. Bills in line with a large exec car most of the time, the unexpected wallet sting came from a part of the car common with all models.
Smokehead said:
Had to look that one up . None about in my area (East Coast Scotland) for sale, and I'm a bit wary of hybrid as a private secondhand buyer.
I've a coming-up 2 year old E300h with 18k miles on it (I've had it since new).. None about in my area (East Coast Scotland) for sale, and I'm a bit wary of hybrid as a private secondhand buyer. - It's had an injector recall
- It broke down on me when an EGT sensor failed.
I average 45mpg with it. If I were buying an E-class again, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that I'd go E350. Real world I'd say there's probably only a few mpg in it, but it's vastly more refined and pleasant (for a diesel).
And that's before we get to the E300h's dreadful gearbox...
ghibbett said:
If I were buying an E-class again, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that I'd go E350. Real world I'd say there's probably only a few mpg in it, but it's vastly more refined and pleasant (for a diesel).
Yes, ive gone from an E270 cdi to an E350 & love it, plenty of power & the main reason we opted for an E instead of a C is to have the child seat option in the boot, very handy to have 7 seats if you need to take the kids friends out as well as your own. 
Got to admit, the 350 feels so smooth and quiet. The 220 is probably cheaper to run, but both on running costs are still probably cheaper than the petrol V70. I can see me going into the car shop for a 220 and then pointing at the 350 and going all Little Britain on it. 'I want that one!' 
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