Living with a C-Class
Discussion
There's a distinct possibility that a C-Class Saloon or even Estate (C220 for the extra power over the 200) may be within my budget when I renew my company car in a few months as the lease deals are really good at the moment. I have been told by a couple of people that handling and steering feedback is not that good, but surely this cannot be true. I don't expect sportscar-like handling but would like some driving fun. The option of a Merc on the drive seems too appealing to turn down!! Please can anyone put my mind at rest? My next favourite option would be an Octavia VRS for a completely different vehicle experience.
Thanks for the replies. I will take a test drive - would make more sense and I could see how well the kids fit in the back as well.
It's nice to see someone who has had experience of both cars. I would expect the VRS to be more of a driver's car but then this could become quite tiresome on long journeys. I drive a Passat CC at the moment and this has extremely good handling compared with the standard Passat, whilst still having a very comfy ride.
Surprisingly the BIK of the Merc is only slightly higher than the VRS because, although the value is about £7k more, the percentage is only 18% compared with 23% of the VRS due to emissions - and the tax on fuel is £16 a month LESS just due to this
Time for some test drives then!!
It's nice to see someone who has had experience of both cars. I would expect the VRS to be more of a driver's car but then this could become quite tiresome on long journeys. I drive a Passat CC at the moment and this has extremely good handling compared with the standard Passat, whilst still having a very comfy ride.
Surprisingly the BIK of the Merc is only slightly higher than the VRS because, although the value is about £7k more, the percentage is only 18% compared with 23% of the VRS due to emissions - and the tax on fuel is £16 a month LESS just due to this
Time for some test drives then!!
I need quite a large car as I'm 6'4" tall and like larger cars anyway. The Merc and VRS and Passat are the only things I've seen that I really like. I'm tempted to persue the Merc anyway as I just think it's got to be a good car overall, and, even at SE spec, has pretty much all I need (cruise, parking sensors etc).
BoyBlue said:
Just purchased a 250 CDI Elegance saloon and a 220 CDI Elegance estate for swimbo.
Tried the sport versions but found suspension quite stiff and not good road holding on bumpy roads, ok on billiard smooth surfaces but as we live in a country with deteriorating roads we went for the slightly softer and more compliant Elegance and glad we did so.
The 250 is returning 57 mpg and is quite lively with 204 bhp 0-62 7 sec. The 220 has 170 bhp and not far behind on 0-62, don't know the mpg yet as still sort of running in but expect 57-60 mpg on motorway and 50-54 average.
One has Command and other has Becker, not much to chose between as far as sat nav but you do get speed reminder every time you pass a speed repeat sign with Command. Drive as many cars as you can, how about the new 3 Series. Swimbo had a Passat estate 53reg, so we tried the new Passat estate, very disappointing.
Thanks for the info. I've got a Passat CC at the moment which is much better to drive than the standard Passat as is has a more sporty suspension set-up. The 3-Series is a lot more expensive on lease for a similar spec - and I have found previous ones tighter for driver space. I'm likely to go for the C220 rather than the C200 as it's not much more expensive but is more powerful, and somehow lower on emissions and therefor BIK percentage (so cheaper on the fuel tax). The 250 is quite a bit more expensive on tax and possibly above my ugdet on lease. I'm not worried about the Command as I have a Tom-Tom which I prefer as you can move it between cars. How much different is the spec between the SE and the Elegance? I like the bigger wheels and chrome trim, but I'm not sure how comfy the man-made leather will be on a hot day.Tried the sport versions but found suspension quite stiff and not good road holding on bumpy roads, ok on billiard smooth surfaces but as we live in a country with deteriorating roads we went for the slightly softer and more compliant Elegance and glad we did so.
The 250 is returning 57 mpg and is quite lively with 204 bhp 0-62 7 sec. The 220 has 170 bhp and not far behind on 0-62, don't know the mpg yet as still sort of running in but expect 57-60 mpg on motorway and 50-54 average.
One has Command and other has Becker, not much to chose between as far as sat nav but you do get speed reminder every time you pass a speed repeat sign with Command. Drive as many cars as you can, how about the new 3 Series. Swimbo had a Passat estate 53reg, so we tried the new Passat estate, very disappointing.
Went to the Merc showroom today but they only had a C200 SE Saloon to test drive so I'm waiting for a 220 Estate to have a drive. Was also told (and shown internal brochures) that the Elegance trim level is soon to be dropped (June), and the SE will be updated to include some of the spec - leaving SE Execuive, Sport and AMG. The SE Executive is £35 more than the outgoing SE and will have the Artico leather, 'badge in grille' front (as per the Sport) and has similar DRLs to the Sport.
Drove the manual C200 SE and the auto C220 Sport today. I don't normally like autos but on this occasion just didn't get on with the manual - just didn't feel right. The auto felt really good - better than any auto I've ever driven. The main problem with the manual was that I couldn't get my foot from the foot rest to the clutch pedal without it getting caught on the bottom of the parking brake foot pedal - this was annoying my on a 20 minute test drive so I don't think I could live with it for 3 years!! The auto was instantly responsive though. As an aside, I drove a Skoda VRS DSG in the week and the DSG was really crap - the auto mode was never in the right gear and the DSG was a pain to use - I would probably get used to it after a while but in auto mode it just felt demented!!
BoyBlue said:
cpas,
the 7Gtronic auto box is a dream, must be one of the best auto boxes ever. So little difference in mpg and quicker off the mark than a manual box. Look at the small number of second hand manual cars for sale, must say something. How did you like the stop/start ?
Hi there.the 7Gtronic auto box is a dream, must be one of the best auto boxes ever. So little difference in mpg and quicker off the mark than a manual box. Look at the small number of second hand manual cars for sale, must say something. How did you like the stop/start ?
The manual felt sort of lumpy and even without the pedal issue I just couldn't get a smooth take off - felt a bit like a learner driver. The auto was far better but I'm not sure if I could live with an auto for 3 years as I've always had manuals and enjoy the driving experience. I've driven autos (work cars mainly) and have enjoyed them for a day of two but have always been glad to get back to my manual. The stop/start was a bit weird at first but I soon got used to it (and have had it in a Bluemotion Golf before) - but I'm not to sure how it would feel at a busy junction!! I'm still considering a C220 SE Estate but the other nagging doubt was the leg room behind my seat with it right back - the kids are rapidly getting bigger
Just a quick update as this topic seems to have re-started
For various reasons, but mainly the amount of legroom behind my seat on the Merc, I ended up choosing a Skoda Superb SE with the 170BHP TDi engine and manual 'box.
I still see C Classes about and think how nice and special they look, but the Skudder seems to be a far more practical car for my needs, and is absolutely huge!! It's also extremely quick
I have a couple of gripes - as it's a 'saloon'of sorts it does not have a rear wiper, and also does not have DAB radio which would have been nice. It does have a very clever boot though and an on-board brolly
For various reasons, but mainly the amount of legroom behind my seat on the Merc, I ended up choosing a Skoda Superb SE with the 170BHP TDi engine and manual 'box.
I still see C Classes about and think how nice and special they look, but the Skudder seems to be a far more practical car for my needs, and is absolutely huge!! It's also extremely quick
I have a couple of gripes - as it's a 'saloon'of sorts it does not have a rear wiper, and also does not have DAB radio which would have been nice. It does have a very clever boot though and an on-board brolly
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