RE: Driven: Mercedes C250 CDI Coupe
Discussion
RicksAlfas said:
Numeric said:
not least my grandad who got his first during the war
Interesting time to buy a Merc!Lease and PCP deals on these are incredible at the moment.
If you go for the 220 you can get down to £320ish a month, equivaent beemers are nearer £500.
A lot of people will buy these on leases, Merc seem to be making the prices very competitive.
I had a drive of an auto 220CDi Sport, but it was an estate. Seemed very nice and refined. I'm not used to an auto at all and I just found it annoying I couldn't use all the torque (or it felt like that). Felt a bit disconnected.
If you go for the 220 you can get down to £320ish a month, equivaent beemers are nearer £500.
A lot of people will buy these on leases, Merc seem to be making the prices very competitive.
I had a drive of an auto 220CDi Sport, but it was an estate. Seemed very nice and refined. I'm not used to an auto at all and I just found it annoying I couldn't use all the torque (or it felt like that). Felt a bit disconnected.
Just as an example... http://www.autochoices.co.uk/ scroll down to the Mercedes C250 CDi BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport Coupe Auto.
I'm sure a quote with decent mileage would come back higher, but I reckon not far off that.
I'm sure a quote with decent mileage would come back higher, but I reckon not far off that.
I've driven the saloon C250CDI also with a manual box a number of times now. I have to say I really like the Manual box it, though the 4 pedal thing is just ridiculous. A handbrake lever or even a button works fine. It's the steering I don't like in these, it's far too light, also the clutch pedal seems to have a ridiculously long travel, which for me means I can never get the seating position right. I wouldn't buy one myself, but still a good car, just for me not as good as a 320d.
RicksAlfas said:
Interesting time to buy a Merc!
He hasn't mentioned which side his grandfather was on 
I have to say, 40K for a 4 pot diesel seems insane to me. I really do fail to see the point of this car - who could be happy at spending so much with that nasty thing yammering away behind the bulkhead? It's f
king awful in the taxicab spec E-class. One for those who think shiny trinkets and stupid electronic toys are what make a luxury car perhaps?Edited by dme123 on Wednesday 8th February 21:52
dme123 said:
One for those who think shiny trinkets and stupid electronic toys are what make a luxury car perhaps?
1. It's a C-Class2. It's a diesel
Ergo, it is not a luxury car, it is a small executive car
For me a luxury car needs to be at least 20ft long and have a V8 under the bonnet. Hence I have the Jag for the weekends. However, during the week, I need a 50mpg commutemobile. I'm running a Fiesta diesel currently (economising), but if business picks up over the next year or so, this will be on my radar for my next lease.
Numeric said:
RicksAlfas said:
Numeric said:
not least my grandad who got his first during the war
Interesting time to buy a Merc!partially burning wood to get a gas, which can then be burnt in the engine (I think...)
Quite common in wartime Germany and France I understand. Less so over here
Crunchy Nutter said:
I've got to disagree with that as well! The 11-plate one I drive recently was lovely and smooth; quiet and refined. I liked it a lot. Sounds like you had a right mule.
Driving one as an isolated incident is one thing, living with it for 2 years is a sentence. And it wasn't an isolated "mule" as the M-B garage kindly loaned me C220d's and C250d's while they were doing odds and ends on the car and they were equally turgid.Never again.... has put me off diesels for life
Surely the auto box has the typical 'manual over-ride' option whereby you can move the lever backwards and forwards to change gear? I'd be surprised if not. I haven't driven neither variations of the car, but even before that, the issue of price is a sticking point. With petrol cars not that bad on economy these days, and if you do low miles, the extra premium for the diesel may be a false economy
Personally, not for me, although I do prefer manuals, and not a fan of buying a product for its badge (most cases).
Personally, not for me, although I do prefer manuals, and not a fan of buying a product for its badge (most cases).
jas16 said:
Surely the auto box has the typical 'manual over-ride' option whereby you can move the lever backwards and forwards to change gear?
Well, there's a tiptronic type function which worked OK on the 5 speed auto. These cars are now fitted with a 7 speed auto (which I think has flappy paddles as standard, certainly as an option) but it still tends to do its own thing. Especially as the revs rise, it'll still change up on its own.Deva Link said:
Oddball RS said:
TBH if you want a TDI anything and are trying to save money on tax / fuel, i don't understand why anyone would pick the auto.
It costs more, so there is a tax effect, and it will return 10% less to the gallon no matter what the brochures say. I've had both and i know.
That's true if the money is your only consideration but I find 6 speed gearboxes with the limited rev range of a diesel make everyday driving a palava. I had a 5spd diesel Accord for a while and that was OK but the engine was more flexible and it could be left in 3rd most of the time.It costs more, so there is a tax effect, and it will return 10% less to the gallon no matter what the brochures say. I've had both and i know.
Around town the manual should be a lot more economical but autos usually have higher overall gearing so can be more economical in cruising. The 7 speed auto box this car would have locks up in every gear too.
As for motorway work, and the auto being more efficient, i can't say i agree. Gearing aside, whenever you put you foot down (Todays hurry up and slow down motorway driving) in a auto its off doing its own thing, changing down etc etc, its just not needed with a diesel you leave it in top and just let the car pick up speed.
Oddball RS said:
... if you are running out of revs all the time and having to change up then it would suggest you are driving it as if it were a petrol engined car.
That's an odd statement - you have to change up earlier in a diesel as you run out of revs earlier. In practice you're driving in something like a band of 1500-2000 revs (ie keeping it between 1500 to 3000/3500). You can block change depending on the car and how flowing the other traffic is.Edited by Deva Link on Thursday 9th February 15:43
f1colin said:
Driving one as an isolated incident is one thing, living with it for 2 years is a sentence. And it wasn't an isolated "mule" as the M-B garage kindly loaned me C220d's and C250d's while they were doing odds and ends on the car and they were equally turgid.
Never again.... has put me off diesels for life
Have you driven many other diesel engine cars, or were you expecting it to have petrol engine levels of refinement?Never again.... has put me off diesels for life
My C220cdi certainly isn't befitting of your description (apart from perhaps the first 30 secs on a cold morning), neither was my previous E220cdi and both are infinitely quieter and smoother than the competition from VW, Skoda, Audi, Ford and Vauxhall diesels IMO.
Sounds like you just don't get on with 4 cylinder diesel engines! ETA I'm only suggesting you're perhaps unfairly judging the engine as your car history in your profile suggests you've owned a lot of nice petrol engined metal, very few with as few as 4 cylinders.
Edited by yellowbentines on Thursday 9th February 14:57
Never thought I'd say it but I like the new C class coupe, a friend of mine has just bought one and I went out on the test drive with him and I have to say I was impressed and I didn't expect to be.
And if they are still offering the same PCP deals this time next year that my friend got I will definetly be giving serious consideration to one myself.
And if they are still offering the same PCP deals this time next year that my friend got I will definetly be giving serious consideration to one myself.
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