About to buy a 2016 C350e or should I?

[Nomadic]

And disclaimer I used to own an RX8. And never had an issue despite the scare stories.

The alternative is I swallow the 500 quid hit and get a VW Passat GTE. It's around 3k more at 20K but is a 2018 plate. Understand VW warranty is 8 years or 100k miles.

 

[Nomadic]

Mmm, it's not specific to hybrids, but non-manufacturer warranties can be a chocolate teapot. I would never buy one, but other opinions are available.

But again, if batteries are "a risk," where are the examples of batteries dying at the kinds of mileage that you are expecting to drive?

That's true about the battery. And if it dies then I still have the petrol engine.

 

[Nomadic]

And I like the speed of the thing!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

And I like the speed of the thing!

I buy that, and the quietness when it's running on electric. And the novelty and the new tech-ery

Can we tempt you with a C350d, BMW 330d or 330i ?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

And disclaimer I used to own an RX8. And never had an issue despite the scare stories.

The alternative is I swallow the 500 quid hit and get a VW Passat GTE. It's around 3k more at 20K but is a 2018 plate. Understand VW warranty is 8 years or 100k miles.

An Rx8 ? They you are someone who likes a bit of alternative tech.

The inside of a Passat won't compare favourably with the C class. Depends if that's relevant ?

 

[fabes]

To Mike's point about usage, having recently bought an E400, I won the arguement with a (Corolla) hybrid driver in the office last week when stating that my car is greener and has lower annual emissions than his.....



As I drive it less!

He didn't like the fact and did quite a bit of but,but,but, but the fact is my 3.5L twin turbo V6 has lower annual emmissions than his Corolla, which does 20k plus a year.

Perhaps next car in 4 plus years will have a power train battery.

 

[BTB 500]

For sure, and have a premium as they are the automatic choice for taxi drivers. But £4k residual at 250,000 miles and 10 years compares well to any Prius equivalent, such as the A class.

I think the point about an old Prius with a knackered battery is that it's still (presumably) exempt from congestion charge etc., even though it's running on IC the whole time. Hence the value of old ones to delivery drivers etc.

 

[Nomadic]

I buy that, and the quietness when it's running on electric. And the novelty and the new tech-ery

Can we tempt you with a C350d, BMW 330d or 330i ?

Possibly if I give my wife a cheap ev.

 

[ALFAitalia]

And don’t fly: a long haul holiday is the equivalent of a year’s motoring

Only because of the distance. On a modern plane full of passengers the estimate is that a long-haul flight can release the equivalent to 102g of CO2 for every kilometre per person – a lower figure on average per kilometre than driving there in a small economical car.
Short haul (like London/Edinburgh of Paris) is worse...perhaps 240 g plus....this is because of all the extra fuel used in take off and landing. But even 240 g per km is better than most high performance cars.
Sure if you don't go it's much better......but if you rebel4 long distance planes are pretty good on the carbon per km per person.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Only because of the distance. On a modern plane full of passengers the estimate is that a long-haul flight can release the equivalent to 102g of CO2 for every kilometre per person – a lower figure on average per kilometre than driving there in a small economical car.
Short haul (like London/Edinburgh of Paris) is worse...perhaps 240 g plus....this is because of all the extra fuel used in take off and landing. But even 240 g per km is better than most high performance cars.
Sure if you don't go it's much better......but if you rebel4 long distance planes are pretty good on the carbon per km per person.

For sure, my point was that one long haul holiday or business flight blows away any “achievement” in buying an EV.

Which is why so many people say that EV purchase is “just rich people waving at the door.”

CO2 per km is absolutely irrelevant in judging why it was justified to take your kids to Disney, or to visit that client in South Africa

Not that CO2 savings in Europe are in any way relevant to the enormous increases in CO2 output in Asia, which make our insignificant European fettling irrelevant

 

[Nomadic]

Thanks all for your contributions so far.

Still in a bind. Option to get a cheap EV for Mrs to run about and then go to a petrol or diesel car for me for longer trips away from London.

2 kids, a dog and occasionally an adult in tow. If I didn't get the c350e I would be looking at a budget of 10k.

What reg is your 320i Mike?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Nissan Leaf and an older C class: job done.

Horses for courses, but you do need the parking space in London to keep it charged all the time.

Take away cheap home charging and the financial and convenience case evaporated quite quickly.

 

[Nomadic]

Hi all

So I bought the C350E in the end. Managed to haggle to get a 3 year warranty thrown in free of charge. I paid £150 extra to be able to use a Merc dealer garage for repairs. I couldn't find anything available that I liked.

So, next question for you all is what is the best dealer (indie) for servicing in North London?

Thank you for all your support and advice.

 

[AMGeed]

Hi all

So I bought the C350E in the end. Managed to haggle to get a 3 year warranty thrown in free of charge. I paid £150 extra to be able to use a Merc dealer garage for repairs. I couldn't find anything available that I liked.

So, next question for you all is what is the best dealer (indie) for servicing in North London?

Thank you for all your support and advice.

You have an excellent indy in Terry at Wayne Gates in Harrow. Well recommended by many London based members.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Servicing & Repairs

The Independent Merc Specialist you can trust. Based in Harrow, Middlesex servicing the surrounding areas and Hertfordshire. Call now to book

www.mercservicing.co.uk

 

[Rcast1989]

Hi all

So I bought the C350E in the end. Managed to haggle to get a 3 year warranty thrown in free of charge. I paid £150 extra to be able to use a Merc dealer garage for repairs. I couldn't find anything available that I liked.

So, next question for you all is what is the best dealer (indie) for servicing in North London?

Thank you for all your support and advice.

Would love to see how your getting on with it as I'm just about to make the same choice with a 2016 C350 , pretty high mileage at 140k but very decent price with this factored in.

Wondering if you stand by the decision or have any advice

 

[Nomadic]

Hi

Yes I would recommend. It requires more charging than I thought.

How much are you buying for? Mine was 17,800 with warranty and 60k on the clock.

Mrs would rather have a full electric.

 

[Rcast1989]

Hi

Yes I would recommend. It requires more charging than I thought.

How much are you buying for? Mine was 17,800 with warranty and 60k on the clock.

Mrs would rather have a full electric.

2016 plate (145k on the clock) in the lovely metallic blue and Android auto is up for just under 12k which again makes me a little skeptical as even at that seems quite cheap especially from dealer.

 

[ajshughes]

And disclaimer I used to own an RX8. And never had an issue despite the scare stories.

The alternative is I swallow the 500 quid hit and get a VW Passat GTE. It's around 3k more at 20K but is a 2018 plate. Understand VW warranty is 8 years or 100k miles.

I thought VWs had a standard 3yr 60k warranty? Unless the first owner purchased an extended care package? Presumably such an extension would only be honoured in subsequent owners of purchased through VW approved vehicle dealership or something like that?

 

[richard]

Dont do this without a warranty that you are absolutely sure covers battery and all powertrain components.

Also, I've been. telling people buying fully electric "normal" cars to finance it with a guaranteed residual because I don't believe anyone has any idea what new tech will be here in 3 years time rendering your vehicle "too slow to charge" or "too short range" compared to others and thus impacting the value greatly ..

Feel free to ignore me though

Richard

 

[Wheeker]

Being offered a warranty at £480 for 2 years from them to cover any issuee

I wish I had extended my warranty on my 2016 C350e! I bought it in 2020 with a standard 3 month warranty from an independent dealer. This year I have been plagued with issues: Air suspension compressor replaced, Auxiliary Battery replaced, Starter motor replaced & now one of my rear shocks has started leaking. So frustrating I am not sure if MB reliability is that bad, if I bought a lemon or if I'm just unlucky? The parts are expensive. I should note that probably only the starter motor was a hybrid-specific issue.