3 litre Diesel C Estate
Discussion
Currently have a 530 BM Estate, had it for a few years and need to replace it but not convinced about the current 5 shape. Am tempted by a 330 or 335 but put off slightly because every third car seems to be a 3 estate. So started to take an interest in the 3 litre C estate as the E is too big. Would probably look for one about 12-18 Months old, any comments / advice about the 3l variants of C of that vintage ? The BM engine is superb, how is the Merc version when used in the real world ?
As no C owner has yet replied, I thought I'd speak up for the engine - I have a CLS.
Engine is superb - bags of torque, great mid-range ability, and the seven speeed box is ideally suited to it - car surges right through the gears without any hesitation or loss of acceleration. The box gives very smooth changes apart from occasional down changes at low speed, say crawling in traffic, when it is very lumpen. Mine has had two re-maps at the dealer, and it appears it is one of those features you must learn to live with - it probably only makes itself known once a month or so. I get 27-32 mpg around town, high thirties on a motorway run - my wife who really respects speed limits gets low forties on the motorway.
Engine has had 1 glow-plug under warranty and a crankshaft pulley under recall. Apart from that no problems whatsoever and I have yet to top up the oil between services in 42,000 miles.
I have had a couple of C class courtesy cars when mine was in for service - old and new shape. Old one was fine-to-good, new one a much improved proposition - if you are looking at 12-18 months you'll be looking at the new shape, but there are some late 203 models at great prices.
Engine is superb - bags of torque, great mid-range ability, and the seven speeed box is ideally suited to it - car surges right through the gears without any hesitation or loss of acceleration. The box gives very smooth changes apart from occasional down changes at low speed, say crawling in traffic, when it is very lumpen. Mine has had two re-maps at the dealer, and it appears it is one of those features you must learn to live with - it probably only makes itself known once a month or so. I get 27-32 mpg around town, high thirties on a motorway run - my wife who really respects speed limits gets low forties on the motorway.
Engine has had 1 glow-plug under warranty and a crankshaft pulley under recall. Apart from that no problems whatsoever and I have yet to top up the oil between services in 42,000 miles.
I have had a couple of C class courtesy cars when mine was in for service - old and new shape. Old one was fine-to-good, new one a much improved proposition - if you are looking at 12-18 months you'll be looking at the new shape, but there are some late 203 models at great prices.
Thank you for the reply. Interesting about the gearbox comment as the “Silky Smooth” change has been cited as a selling point, perhaps the mapping is different on the CL version. Same about the fuel figures you are getting, that may alter my decision. The 530 which is presumably a fair bit heavier does and has always done 44 on the motorway, which is where I do most of my miles and the 330 is billed a s being closer to 50.
Yes if I do get one it will be the new shape.
Slightly off topic but if I rather suspect if I had posted a similar question on the BM forum I would have got loads of replies by now, wonder why that is.
Yes if I do get one it will be the new shape.
Slightly off topic but if I rather suspect if I had posted a similar question on the BM forum I would have got loads of replies by now, wonder why that is.
I know of two other CLS drivers who, like me, just occasionally get a poor downchange. The first time it happened I thought the car had been rear-ended! Dealer tried to sort it, but as it happens so rarely I think it may be part of the "learning" gearbox's psychological make up! Other than that, a great drivetrain.
The C is a lot lighter than the CLS so the economy should be better. The mileages I mention are a lot of stop start crawling in town, and on motorways holding a steady low 90s.
Agree with your comments on the forum - perhaps that's why BMW and the likes of TVR get a seperate section while Mercedes is in with the rest? Does this say something about Merc drivers?
The C is a lot lighter than the CLS so the economy should be better. The mileages I mention are a lot of stop start crawling in town, and on motorways holding a steady low 90s.
Agree with your comments on the forum - perhaps that's why BMW and the likes of TVR get a seperate section while Mercedes is in with the rest? Does this say something about Merc drivers?
Stegel said:
I know of two other CLS drivers who, like me, just occasionally get a poor downchange. The first time it happened I thought the car had been rear-ended! Dealer tried to sort it, but as it happens so rarely I think it may be part of the "learning" gearbox's psychological make up! Other than that, a great drivetrain.
The C is a lot lighter than the CLS so the economy should be better. The mileages I mention are a lot of stop start crawling in town, and on motorways holding a steady low 90s.
Agree with your comments on the forum - perhaps that's why BMW and the likes of TVR get a seperate section while Mercedes is in with the rest? Does this say something about Merc drivers?
that rear ended sensation, i used to get that with a saab 9-3 dieselThe C is a lot lighter than the CLS so the economy should be better. The mileages I mention are a lot of stop start crawling in town, and on motorways holding a steady low 90s.
Agree with your comments on the forum - perhaps that's why BMW and the likes of TVR get a seperate section while Mercedes is in with the rest? Does this say something about Merc drivers?
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