250CDI Coupe long term reliability

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SmartMAC

SmartMAC

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2012
Messages
389
Location
Madrid, Spain
Car
C250 CDI Sport Coupe AMG
I just bought a new (well, almost new) C250 CDI Coupe. I intend to keep the car for a few years (7+) and I do look after my cars. I am new to Mercedes and my previous car was a BMW 120d Sport.

I part exchanged the BMW when I got the Mercedes. The ownership experience with BMW has been very good. The car was strong, never broke down and it felt as good as new when it went last week. Everything in the car worked except the rear parking sensors (common problem on the 1er). Servicing on the car has been quite economical with the condition servicing BMW apply to all their cars. Most services carried out every 2 years and not costing more than £200 on and independent dealer (much more at BMW).

Is the Mercedes likely to be as strong as the BMW? The new C Coupe has so much technology that I wonder if things will start to stop working at some point after warranty has expired. I got an A service done before I collected the car and complementary B service agreed so I don't have any major expenses in the horizon but the yearly servicing on the car scares me a little.
The engine on the BMW was very good. The one on the Merc feels even better but reliability appears to be in doubt with the injector recalls and fuel filter issues.

Just wanted a little feedback from 'experienced' owners on what is like to own a Mercedes long term.
 
Last edited:
Quite ironic really, I sold my 118D Sport for a brand new C220 CDI Coupe :)

My BMW was great, it was a 55 plate with 80k on the clock but was still running strong with no problems.
 
jonnystuartuk said:
Quite ironic really, I sold my 118D Sport for a brand new C220 CDI Coupe :)

My BMW was great, it was a 55 plate with 80k on the clock but was still running strong with no problems.
Click to expand...

Same here. Mine was 2005 on a 54 Reg with 94K and running perfectly. Are you a member of BabyBMW.net too?

I am a little scared (probably without a reason :)) that this Merc won't be as good as the BMW and that I should have bought a 3 series coupe instead.
 
Not a member of BabyBMW unfortunately.

I was umming and arrring about a 3 series coupe, but what put me off was a) they were more expensive than the merc b) the shape never seems to change.

That was the only BMW I've had and I loved it, didn't want to part with it really but it was at a good mileage to get rid. Even though I said I would stick with BMW, I test drove the merc then had to drive my BMW home and that swayed it for me!
 
jonnystuartuk said:
Not a member of BabyBMW unfortunately.

I was umming and arrring about a 3 series coupe, but what put me off was a) they were more expensive than the merc b) the shape never seems to change.

That was the only BMW I've had and I loved it, didn't want to part with it really but it was at a good mileage to get rid. Even though I said I would stick with BMW, I test drove the merc then had to drive my BMW home and that swayed it for me!
Click to expand...

Same here, AGAIN!

I always said I would stick with BMW but when I test drove the Merc (a C220CDI) I was sold. 3 series coupe is changing soon and the current shape feels a little outdated. I couldn't live with the basic sound package on the BMW either.
 
There is a growing school of thought that owning the high end/prestige highly tuned electronic laden cars produced in the last few year "out of warranty" or possible official manufacturer backed "extended warranty" is not a good idea. Witness the large no of second hand cars of this type that suddenly appear on forecourts at the age of 3 years + . :dk:
 
grober said:
There is a growing school of thought that owning the high end/prestige highly tuned electronic laden cars produced in the last few year "out of warranty" or possible official manufacturer backed "extended warranty" is not a good idea. Witness the large no of second hand cars of this type that suddenly appear on forecourts at the age of 3 years + . :dk:
Click to expand...

I do a lot of motorway driving and since the 12 plate has arrived for some reason I have noticed a hell of a lot of 11 plates on the back of transporters. Am I right in thinking that they are 1 year old? The market for nearly new cars is massive now.
 
SmartMAC said:
Same here, AGAIN!

I always said I would stick with BMW but when I test drove the Merc (a C220CDI) I was sold. 3 series coupe is changing soon and the current shape feels a little outdated. I couldn't live with the basic sound package on the BMW either.
Click to expand...

I was quite lucky to have bose speakers in mine so the sound was pretty good! I saw the new 3 series saloon when they blasted us with all the adverts on the tv and just thought they had not really put much effort into updating the design of it.
 
The injector problems on 250BE engines were well documented at the time but reportedly resolved, and shouldn't affect your vehicle which would have been built afterward.

Regarding your other concerns, I've just changed to my 2012 C250CDI having done 94,000 miles in my previous 2008 C320CDI and it was absolutely reliable during that time; not a single thing was required beyond routine servicing and the odd lightbulb, and it was fresh and rattle free when it went. The customer experience was very good too with a courteous, reliable and efficient service from my local dealership.

By comparison, my wife ran a 525d over 85k during approximately the same time period and it too was flawlessly reliable and the BMW dealer was equally excellent, so in my experience there's nothing between the two marques.

I'd say relax and enjoy your car :)
 
SmartMAC said:
I just bought a new (well, almost new) C250 CDI Coupe. I intend to keep the car for a few years (7+) and I do look after my cars. I am new to Mercedes and my previous car was a BMW 120d Sport.

I part exchanged the BMW when I got the Mercedes. The ownership experience with BMW has been very good. The car was strong, never broke down and it felt as good as new when it went last week. Everything in the car worked except the rear parking sensors (common problem on the 1er). Servicing on the car has been quite economical with the condition servicing BMW apply to all their cars. Most services carried out every 2 years and not costing more than £200 on and independent dealer (much more at BMW).

Is the Mercedes likely to be as strong as the BMW? The new C Coupe has so much technology that I wonder if things will start to stop working at some point after warranty has expired. I got an A service done before I collected the car and complementary B service agreed so I don't have any major expenses in the horizon but the yearly servicing on the car scares me a little.
The engine on the BMW was very good. The one on the Merc feels even better but reliability appears to be in doubt with the injector recalls and fuel filter issues.

Just wanted a little feedback from 'experienced' owners on what is like to own a Mercedes long term.
Click to expand...
Hi,from experience getting the car serviced as scheduled(pref mb or specialist)is key to a reliable trouble free car(of any make),as has been mentioned the injector problems on the early 250 cdi cars has been resolved & won't affect your car.There have been issues with the diesel particulate filter but as long as your car gets a run at least once a week that won't be an issue.Other than that the 250cdi seems to be a good strong unit with reasonable mpg/performance.
 
steve333 said:
Hi,from experience getting the car serviced as scheduled(pref mb or specialist)is key to a reliable trouble free car(of any make),as has been mentioned the injector problems on the early 250 cdi cars has been resolved & won't affect your car.There have been issues with the diesel particulate filter but as long as your car gets a run at least once a week that won't be an issue.Other than that the 250cdi seems to be a good strong unit with reasonable mpg/performance.
Click to expand...
I hope so, I pick mine up in 78 minutes time !!
 
grober said:
Witness the large no of second hand cars of this type that suddenly appear on forecourts at the age of 3 years + . :dk:
Click to expand...

Is that not, in significant part, due to the mechanisms used to acquire these cars? PCP and leasing is often based on 3 years. How many drivers on these deals actually keep their vehicles once the agreement comes to an end rather than switch?
 
I am enjoying the car. The relax thing will be more difficult for me. ;)
 
Dryce said:
Is that not, in significant part, due to the mechanisms used to acquire these cars? PCP and leasing is often based on 3 years. How many drivers on these deals actually keep their vehicles once the agreement comes to an end rather than switch?
Click to expand...

I think you are right.
 
I am sure everything will be fine. I am very happy with the car, like I said in another post bit disappointed with the iPhone SMS function not working but other than that can't complain. And the MPG is getting better the more miles I am doing.
 
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