Advice on buying a C-Class Diesel estate.

[Police State]

My wife wants an estate, and after having a look at various makes, she would like a merc (nice interiors). I don’t really have a clue about Mercs and have always perceived them as ‘expensive when they go wrong…’ So to help me avoid buying a lemon and keeping my Mrs smiling, does anyone have any advice on which one to go for, and what issues I should look out for? It will be 2nd hand, and ideally I don’t want to spend more than £7k. It’s not a lot of money I know, but I don’t want to keep chucking big money at the family car pool. So for that budget can I get something that is not going to become a money pit, or do the ‘modern’ mercs still last ‘forever’?...

[niva441]

Which generation of C class are you thinking of?

I'm assuming based on your budget the second, which would be one of the earlier examples. Post facelift cars (2005/2006) were better quality. Although by now an older cars quality problem could have been sorted.

I'm currently running 2006 C220 Sport Coupe, I am very pleased with it and haven't experienced any problem. Previously I've run 1998 and 1999 C250 1st generation cars, both were extremely reliable and pleasing to drive, eventhough the first had 193,000 miles on it when I bought it.

[Police State]

niva441 said:

Which generation of C class are you thinking of?

I'm assuming based on your budget the second, which would be one of the earlier examples. Post facelift cars (2005/2006) were better quality. Although by now an older cars quality problem could have been sorted.

I'm currently running 2006 C220 Sport Coupe, I am very pleased with it and haven't experienced any problem. Previously I've run 1998 and 1999 C250 1st generation cars, both were extremely reliable and pleasing to drive, eventhough the first had 193,000 miles on it when I bought it.

I was thinking about a post facelift, and if I have to, will increase the budget a little (but I don't want to...). Was there anything in particular about the later models that made them better quality, or were they just overall better?

[niva441]

Police State said:

niva441 said:

Which generation of C class are you thinking of?

I'm assuming based on your budget the second, which would be one of the earlier examples. Post facelift cars (2005/2006) were better quality. Although by now an older cars quality problem could have been sorted.

I'm currently running 2006 C220 Sport Coupe, I am very pleased with it and haven't experienced any problem. Previously I've run 1998 and 1999 C250 1st generation cars, both were extremely reliable and pleasing to drive, eventhough the first had 193,000 miles on it when I bought it.

I was thinking about a post facelift, and if I have to, will increase the budget a little (but I don't want to...). Was there anything in particular about the later models that made them better quality, or were they just overall better?

Mostly detail changes visually (the Sport Coupe benefited more in this respect), but more usefully they pulled their finger out a bit on quality.

[Orb the Impaler]

Mrs Orb(s) has a 2002 C220CDi Sportcoupe with Evo pack (which is, as far as I know, lowered with a sports eggzorst) and panoramic roof.

The only things I'm aware of to watch for on this age of C class - saloon, estate or coupe - is knocking front suspension (I did my own with parts from Dronsfields - cheap as chips!) and RUST! Later models are ok.

Other than that they're lovely cars (we like the estate too) and despite 136,000 miles on the clock her car still looks well and the interior is good as new.

Engine is a bit agricultural compared with the equivalent Audi, I reckon.

[Police State]

Orb the Impaler said:

Mrs Orb(s) has a 2002 C220CDi Sportcoupe with Evo pack (which is, as far as I know, lowered with a sports eggzorst) and panoramic roof.

The only things I'm aware of to watch for on this age of C class - saloon, estate or coupe - is knocking front suspension (I did my own with parts from Dronsfields - cheap as chips!) and RUST! Later models are ok.

Other than that they're lovely cars (we like the estate too) and despite 136,000 miles on the clock her car still looks well and the interior is good as new.

Engine is a bit agricultural compared with the equivalent Audi, I reckon.

Thanks Orb, I'm a little more reassured. I think it will have to be a post 2005 car; but we're looking for that rare treat of fully loaded car/lowish miles; but a good price... ideally we would like one with leather/heated seats/park assist, which so far we have been unable to find.

does anyone know any non-franchised merc dealers I could go to?

[amokwa]

Pick up a copy of Mercedes Enthusiast from WHS there are some independents in there. BTW the Dec. '09 edition has a buyer's guide feature on late model W203 C-Classes.

The pick of the bunch is the C320 CDI still quite expensive though.

[Police State]

amokwa said:

Pick up a copy of Mercedes Enthusiast from WHS there are some independents in there. BTW the Dec. '09 edition has a buyer's guide feature on late model W203 C-Classes.

The pick of the bunch is the C320 CDI still quite expensive though.

Thanks for that tip. I'm not sure about the C320, would it not be too thirsty when compared to a C220?

[amokwa]

Police State said:

Thanks for that tip. I'm not sure about the C320, would it not be too thirsty when compared to a C220?

Figures from Merc. Enthusiast.

C220 CDI - 46.3mpg.
C320 CDI - 37.2mpg.

In the case of the C320 you also get sub 7sec for the 0-62mph sprint and it is limited to 155 mph so a genuinely fast car.

[angusc43]

Orb the Impaler said:

The only things I'm aware of to watch for on this age of C class - saloon, estate or coupe - is knocking front suspension (I did my own with parts from Dronsfields - cheap as chips!) and RUST! Later models are ok.

Hi there - what parts did you change to sort the clonking?

[Orb the Impaler]

angusc43 said:

Orb the Impaler said:

The only things I'm aware of to watch for on this age of C class - saloon, estate or coupe - is knocking front suspension (I did my own with parts from Dronsfields - cheap as chips!) and RUST! Later models are ok.

Hi there - what parts did you change to sort the clonking?

The drop links (little rods with a ball-joint on each end - cheap as chips) and the upper control arms. 40-odd quid.

Dronsfields in Dobcross (I think!).

The control arm ball-joint separation was an UTTER bd! The rest was easy peasy!

[814 SWC]

I have a 270CDI estate and love it..44MPH and no lag

[niva441]

If I could have had the Sport Coupe with a 270 engine I would have been very tempted. It is so much smoother than the 4 cylinder (oh yes and more powerful). Plus as I don't think it is as lumbered with as much emissions kit as the later 4 cylinders, it almost as economical.