Used car advice - Merc C class

[Matt_c]

Thinking about a Merc C320 CDI Sport saloon (2005). Anyone any experience/views?? Want a highish performing diesel with the toys thats not 4cylinder! Merc seems alot better value (cheaper) than similar specc'd BMW & Audis.
TIA

[jamiebae]

Folding back seats were an option and a lot don't have them, I was looking at an '06 C180K a little while back and couldn't find one in the right spec with folding rear seats.

Nice cars though, a few colleagues have them and all seem to be OK, although one (an '05 270 CDi) seems a bit iffy at high miles with injector problems and the like.

[SVX]

I've ran several Mercedes to very high mileages... Apart from the *blip* with the rusting in the W202/210/208, and a few electrical niggles on the first generation W203 they are bombproof from an engineering perspective.

Good cars, but of course, they don't have the *imagine* of an Audi of course.

[davidjpowell]

Had an 05 C320 Avantgarde SE with the AMG sports pack.

Fantastic engine and gearbox, in my view far better than the BMW 3.0 unit of the same engine.

Quality not as good as the top range cars, but it's the car that I still miss. Used to get about 44 on a run (not taking it easy).

[davidjpowell]

[Matt_c]

Its the sport model, so 15mm lowered and some AMG add-ons...
Thanks for feedback chaps.

[ALawson]

What years are these safe from rust 2003 onwards?

[RESSE]

Experience so far with a C220 CDi Avantgarde (obvious a 4 cylinder car).

Purchased from main dealer 18/06/2008 a C220 CDi Avantgarde saloon registered 01/03/2004.



This is a pre-facelift model (non xeons) and older style dash/centre console and I think the model was given a few "tweeks" mid 04/54 registration change?



Car has been good so far, a few minor niggles (central locking on passenger door malfuntion was a £338.80 repair/fix) and main delaer did not fix broken front springs at £976 service (spotted by local MOT garage on day of MOT and was a £430 repair).

A service £976.10
B service £598.10

Rear tyres 245/40W R17 £153 each
Front tyres 22/45Y 17 £135 each

Main dealer experience - need to try harder (much harder).

Other issues - the alloys are deteriorating and will need a refurb (probably for next owner) and I cannot find a phone to fit the handsfree kit thing installed by first owner.

550 miles from a tank of dis-easil, comfortable, all in all a "nice" drive, but I would have rather bought a 6 cylinder petrol model (car was a company purchase).

You have to choose A road overtaking (single carriage way) with care as feels a bit "flat" above mid rev range.

Brilliant silver is easy to live with.

Command centre/sat nav is a pain - will not accept post codes.

PS I like the look of the current C Class very much (handsome car in Sport spec).

[davidjpowell]

Alloys seem to be a weak point with MB. I had 2 of mine changed under warranty because of corrosion.

The phone fitting looks like it needs a MB cradle and then a Viseoo. forum at www.mbclub.co.uk is useful for information on stuff like this.

Springs can go, but should not cost that much, provided you use an indie.

Only very recently does the SatNav take 7 digit postcodes.

[SVX]

RESSE said:

Main dealer experience - need to try harder (much harder).

Sorry for the blatant snip, but I have to agree with you. My experiences with M-B, BMW and Audi dealers are all the same, no trust in them whatsoever. However, running my first C-Class from 80,000 to 170,000 miles with a really good indy on hand for things more complex than an oil change made it an effortless and utterly enjoyable experience. Finally sold to a friend, and last spotted at 210,000 miles and still running really well.