Low mileage 2008 C220 - any opinions?
Low mileage 2008 C220 - any opinions?
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Discussion

Elmariachi

Original Poster:

61 posts

88 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Hi.

Considering buying a low mileage (30k) 2008 Merc C220 Elegance that a friend of mine is selling, anyone have an opinion on them? Anything to look for?

I do about 10-11k miles a year, not especially looking for a diesel but it looks in great condition and has really low miles, thinking it might be something I can drive around for a few years without suffering much depreciation (apart from the diesel bit).

Think the later BE engines had some issues but that these are reliable? It's a 5-sp auto.

Cheers!


edthedead

386 posts

211 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
I used to have an earlier, 53 plate IIRC. It is nice, but awful in the wet or snow and ice. Some winter tyres probably would have helped! Mine used to randomly cut out sometimes when it was cold, I never did find the cause and, regrettably, got rid.

Elmariachi

Original Poster:

61 posts

88 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Think these have a DPF which may not be great with such low mileage.

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

212 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Solid cars, if a bit boring. My marginally older E -Class has well over 200k miles now and continues to run faultlessly.

The 5-speed box is bulletproof, the electrics are fine, the interior holds up. It’s a well-made car.

As for depreciation - how much are you looking to pay?

Edited to add: front springs can snap, DPFs don’t tend to clog, and the traction in the wet/cold is laughably poor. Good tyres (and all weathers for winter) are a must. Tailgate motors on the estates almost always fail, and parking sensors aren’t that cheap to replace. Servicing expensive at Mercedes, cheap at an Indy.

Edited by longblackcoat on Thursday 30th January 22:55

Sheepshanks

40,868 posts

148 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
I forget the details - mine is the previous model - but look into subframes rusting.

rallycross

13,737 posts

266 months

Thursday 30th January 2020
quotequote all
Reliable Sensible dull but ok on fuel (not amazing mpg) expect 35 mpg mixed driving.
Completely dull to drive, these are zero fun it just plods along, elegance model will be low spec usually cloth non heated seats, 16 inch alloys (good for ride and low cost of tyres) check if it has Bluetooth and sat nav probably not if a base elegance/ avoid lighter coloured interiors.

Not really worth paying a premium price for this just due to the low mileage as they drive just as well at 100,000 miles as they do when at 30,000 miles and are fairly robust. These make a great mini cab - that pretty much sums them up.

Test drive should reveal floaty soft suspension, very noisy harsh Diesel engine so unrefined it gets annoying in town driving; also numb steering and the front seats not very comfortable (possibly these were designed to suit big fat German cab drivers).

Solid dull saloon with noisy 4 cylinder tractor engine, dull dependable noisy- the 6 cylinder diesel is much smoother.



Edited by rallycross on Friday 31st January 00:44

joropug

3,042 posts

218 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
quotequote all
I have a facelift c220d and drove a pre facelift c220d and the difference is staggering largely down to the gearbox.

I found the 5 speed to be exceptionally dull, as it pulls away in second mostly (like mine) it feels like a 4 speed.

The facelift has twin turbos too although same peak power.

That said if you know the car and like it, and it's well priced....

The Mad Monk

11,425 posts

146 months

Sunday 2nd February 2020
quotequote all
Elmariachi said:
Hi.

Considering buying a low mileage (30k) 2008 Merc C220 Elegance that a friend of mine is selling, anyone have an opinion on them? Anything to look for?

I do about 10-11k miles a year, not especially looking for a diesel but it looks in great condition and has really low miles, thinking it might be something I can drive around for a few years without suffering much depreciation (apart from the diesel bit).

Think the later BE engines had some issues but that these are reliable? It's a 5-sp auto.

Cheers!
I have a 2008 W211 E220CDI. 106,000. Fingers crossed, all ok so far.

I think I would go for it.