C class what to avoid
Discussion
Thinking of getting back into the Mercedes fold, having had several over the years found them very reliable although my ML270 did suffer from rust.
Currently have a Freelander 2 HSE but am not in love with it although it is competent I no longer need a 4 x 4, looking for advice from you knowledgeable guys on what to look out for on a C class Auto probably 2010 to 2012. Any particular engine to avoid and any other pitfalls like rust, electrical gremlins etc. Sorry if this subject has been done to death, if so point me in the right direction.
Many thanks.
Currently have a Freelander 2 HSE but am not in love with it although it is competent I no longer need a 4 x 4, looking for advice from you knowledgeable guys on what to look out for on a C class Auto probably 2010 to 2012. Any particular engine to avoid and any other pitfalls like rust, electrical gremlins etc. Sorry if this subject has been done to death, if so point me in the right direction.
Many thanks.
I have a 13 plate c220 estate with the amg pack which adds sod all to performance but drops the car down a bit. Leather, navigation and heated seats. On 56k miles now and all its needed has been tyres pads and discs. Oh and talking of front pads and discs MB wanted £460 but my local garage did it for £207!!! Parts were only £100 but I didn't have the time to do it myself. In all best car I've ever owned
peteA said:
In my experience the main thing to avoid is the dealer - I live near Newcastle upon Tyne by the way.
The C class is fine although it's a cruiser rather than a sports saloon (it's no 3 series M Sport) so you should spec one accordingly - just my opinion having owned examples of both.
Totally agree with you on thisThe C class is fine although it's a cruiser rather than a sports saloon (it's no 3 series M Sport) so you should spec one accordingly - just my opinion having owned examples of both.
Viperzs said:
I had a C220 estate, albeit a 2013 plate, I loved everything about it. Don't bother with the smaller diesel engine or the small petrol ones, the 220 is the model to get. Unless you have the budget for a V8
Thank you for the replies chaps. Excuse my ignorance, but you say to avoid the small petrol and diesel engines yet you say get the 220 model; does this not have the 2.1 diesel? Or are you in fact saying the 3.0 litre is the best all round engine and this can come with a 3.0 litre engine.cjb44 said:
Viperzs said:
I had a C220 estate, albeit a 2013 plate, I loved everything about it. Don't bother with the smaller diesel engine or the small petrol ones, the 220 is the model to get. Unless you have the budget for a V8
Thank you for the replies chaps. Excuse my ignorance, but you say to avoid the small petrol and diesel engines yet you say get the 220 model; does this not have the 2.1 diesel? Or are you in fact saying the 3.0 litre is the best all round engine and this can come with a 3.0 litre engine.cjb44 said:
Viperzs said:
I had a C220 estate, albeit a 2013 plate, I loved everything about it. Don't bother with the smaller diesel engine or the small petrol ones, the 220 is the model to get. Unless you have the budget for a V8
Thank you for the replies chaps. Excuse my ignorance, but you say to avoid the small petrol and diesel engines yet you say get the 220 model; does this not have the 2.1 diesel? Or are you in fact saying the 3.0 litre is the best all round engine and this can come with a 3.0 litre engine.Hi guys
Bought a 6 month old C200 SE Executive Estate in 2011 and did 48K miles in 3 years. Actually towed a 1500kg caravan around Europe each year. Great car and the SE Exec spec suspension and 17" wheels were excellent. HOWEVER, be aware that the 200 engine is just about adequate with the auto box for everyday motoring and the torque is pretty poor which tends to lower the fuel consumption as your right foot tends to compensate for this.
In 2014, I changed it for a C250 Estate Blue Efficiency AMG model. It was one of the last of the run-out W204 C Class models and the engine is really superb. The torque is immense which really helps the mpg and I get 48mpg around the houses and up to 60mpg on runs. Even when towing the caravan, I get 30mpg average. HOWEVER, the AMG sports suspension and 18" wheels do give a firm ride.
Summing up.....forget the 200 engine and go for the 220 or if money stretches, the 250 which is an excellent buy. You will not regret the extra power, even if not towing.
Bought a 6 month old C200 SE Executive Estate in 2011 and did 48K miles in 3 years. Actually towed a 1500kg caravan around Europe each year. Great car and the SE Exec spec suspension and 17" wheels were excellent. HOWEVER, be aware that the 200 engine is just about adequate with the auto box for everyday motoring and the torque is pretty poor which tends to lower the fuel consumption as your right foot tends to compensate for this.
In 2014, I changed it for a C250 Estate Blue Efficiency AMG model. It was one of the last of the run-out W204 C Class models and the engine is really superb. The torque is immense which really helps the mpg and I get 48mpg around the houses and up to 60mpg on runs. Even when towing the caravan, I get 30mpg average. HOWEVER, the AMG sports suspension and 18" wheels do give a firm ride.
Summing up.....forget the 200 engine and go for the 220 or if money stretches, the 250 which is an excellent buy. You will not regret the extra power, even if not towing.
eldar said:
Mine had the upgraded 14 speaker stereo. It is OK, but not great. I'd concentrate on the 7g+ gearbox (or the 9g+) over the sounds.
Agree with the 7G+ gearbox over upgraded music. Ref the 9G box, try one first. Drove a friend's car with 9G auto the other day....it seemed to spend a fair bit of time hunting for the right gear, particularly in town at slower speeds and around 40/45mph on twisty country roads. This was on a LR Discovery Sport.....maybe better on a Merc.Sheepshanks said:
I'm guessing he's suggesting avoid the 200. Same 2.1 engine but in a lower state of tune than the 220.
Ah, now I see thanks for that, that will teach me to search specifications and model types.So to sum up then, avoid the lower rated petrol engines but little else to worry about; no electrical gremlins or rust to worry about on these later models?
eldar said:
buggalugs said:
I have a c220 auto estate, I really like it, if I was buying again I'd look for a 7 speed with the upgraded stereo.
Mine had the upgraded 14 speaker stereo. It is OK, but not great. I'd concentrate on the 7g+ gearbox (or the 9g+) over the sounds. 
To add to this, I recently moved from a W203 C350 (petrol) to a facelift W204 C350 (diesel). I echo the comments about the stereo and the ride, both of which are noticeably less good than the car it has replaced. Mines also a Sport with 18" wheels and a lower ride height so a reduction in ride quality is perhaps not an enormous surprise. That aside though it's a very good car being quick, quiet and comfortable and so far I've had 1000 miles of drama free motoring. Economy is averaging about 38mpg, which is a 34 miles commute each day along the A3/M25 and a little bit in town, although it is dropping and I expect it to even out to about 36mpg.
However not a day goes by where I don't get in to it wishing it was a C350 petrol. I really miss the noise on both start up and when accelerating and also overall drivetrain smoothness. Whether this one is a bit clunky due to being a diesel, the throttle response or the gearbox mapping I'm not sure but both cars have the 7G box so should be the same. Sadly though very few people bought facelifted petrol C350s, so choice is very very limited and that's before you start refining for things like xenons, command, heated seats and so on. RFL is just £185 on the facelifted versions too, so it can't be explained by that.
If I had my time again I would either buy a C350 petrol for a nice soundtrack and smoothness coupled with great performance or a C250 for the blend of economy and useable performance. For me the economy benefit of a diesel V6 isn't enough to offset the compromises being made elsewhere although if my commute were longer perhaps it would be a different story.
However not a day goes by where I don't get in to it wishing it was a C350 petrol. I really miss the noise on both start up and when accelerating and also overall drivetrain smoothness. Whether this one is a bit clunky due to being a diesel, the throttle response or the gearbox mapping I'm not sure but both cars have the 7G box so should be the same. Sadly though very few people bought facelifted petrol C350s, so choice is very very limited and that's before you start refining for things like xenons, command, heated seats and so on. RFL is just £185 on the facelifted versions too, so it can't be explained by that.
If I had my time again I would either buy a C350 petrol for a nice soundtrack and smoothness coupled with great performance or a C250 for the blend of economy and useable performance. For me the economy benefit of a diesel V6 isn't enough to offset the compromises being made elsewhere although if my commute were longer perhaps it would be a different story.
Main thing on the 4cyl OM651 diesel engine is to check for the timing chain is not clacking on a start from cold or after a oil change.
It's a single row chain now moved to the back of the engine and is a engine out to replace.
Google OM 651 engine problems and there are loads of videos and advice about it.
It's a single row chain now moved to the back of the engine and is a engine out to replace.
Google OM 651 engine problems and there are loads of videos and advice about it.
Dunit said:
Main thing on the 4cyl OM651 diesel engine is to check for the timing chain is not clacking on a start from cold or after a oil change.
It's a single row chain now moved to the back of the engine and is a engine out to replace.
Google OM 651 engine problems and there are loads of videos and advice about it.
My E220CDi is on 293k with that engine, timing chain issues are very rare. Just make sure any car you buy has a proper verifiable service issue and mileage shouldn't be an issue.It's a single row chain now moved to the back of the engine and is a engine out to replace.
Google OM 651 engine problems and there are loads of videos and advice about it.
I would be more concerned about dashboard rattles in the C class.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff