Bought a C250CDi and it feels slow

[Rory]

We get this problem a lot.

Around 2009 they started changing the name to 250 so its a 250 but DVLA etc register it as a 220.

Ive got one in at the moment, same thing, its a 250 as far as mercedes/data card are concerned but the V5 etc says 220... we have had loads like this.

I was just about to post that I'm sure this came up recently and the DVLA had listed the car incorrectly.


ETA: This was the thread I was thinking of - nearly the same thing! http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/135005-c320cdi-advertised-c350cdi.html

 

[NISFAN]

Not un common for DVLA to lazily select other from list when a new vehicle is not listed.

Makes you wonder, as the CO2 and therefore VED is different between the two vehicles.

 

[Geoff A]

I think I'd find someone who can RR test it properly - the difference between 170 and 204hp for your 220/250 dilemma, plus the torques, would show up on a dyno. I had a BMW 535d auto RR'd a few years back, for before and after maps, and a hike in grunt is clearly visible. Although I used the same RR on both occasions.
If you went back to the dealer with some proof that its only making 170hp for example (it'll be much lower at the wheels of course, with losses), I would think it would be much easier to open negotiations.

You may even find that it is a 250 that's just under-performing a little....Have you driven another 250cdi so you can compare?

 

[Steve C250]

We get this problem a lot.

Around 2009 they started changing the name to 250 so its a 250 but DVLA etc register it as a 220.

Ive got one in at the moment, same thing, its a 250 as far as mercedes/data card are concerned but the V5 etc says 220... we have had loads like this.

2009(59) MERCEDES C250 CDI AMG SPORT BLUEEFFICIENCY SALOON AUTO BLACK - Mercland

mine also is a WDB203003 vin number.

Your's looks like a nice car.....which is my other dilema....

I'm trying to find the returns policy, as i bought this car cash, so can't find this 30 day return policy the sales guy mentioned.

The car i bought is a stock model with the only upgrade from standard being the 18" AMG wheels and the paddles shift sports steering wheel, an auto gearbox with speedtronic cruise control.

Don't get me wrong, the car looks amazing! But, my heads mashed with the 220 thing and the fact the 20 bm was quicker off the mark and the other merc was my equal, if not for that, i wouldn't of questioned my purchase, but you know whats its like, once something is in your head, its often difficult to shift!

Really not sure if to get my money back (if thats an option?) or to swap for another 250?? but Red is rare and i love this colour!!!

 

[NISFAN]

I think I'd find someone who can RR test it properly - the difference between 170 and 204hp for your 220/250 dilemma, plus the torques, would show up on a dyno. I had a BMW 535d auto RR'd a few years back, for before and after maps, and a hike in grunt is clearly visible. Although I used the same RR on both occasions.
If you went back to the dealer with some proof that its only making 170hp for example (it'll be much lower at the wheels of course, with losses), I would think it would be much easier to open negotiations.

You may even find that it is a 250 that's just under-performing a little....Have you driven another 250cdi so you can compare?

This is not conclusive unless you have another example to do back to back tests with.
Predicting losses through the drivetrain, lost horsepower due to mileage and dyno variability makes it almost impossible to accurately predict the difference between a 220 and 250 in a one of dyno pull.

 

[NISFAN]

Your's looks like a nice car.....which is my other dilema....

I'm trying to find the returns policy, as i bought this car cash, so can't find this 30 day return policy the sales guy mentioned.

The car i bought is a stock model with the only upgrade from standard being the 18" AMG wheels and the paddles shift sports steering wheel, an auto gearbox with speedtronic cruise control.

Don't get me wrong, the car looks amazing! But, my heads mashed with the 220 thing and the fact the 20 bm was quicker off the mark and the other merc was my equal, if not for that, i wouldn't of questioned my purchase, but you know whats its like, once something is in your head, its often difficult to shift!

Really not sure if to get my money back (if thats an option?) or to swap for another 250?? but Red is rare and i love this colour!!!

30day return is an MB thing, so as long as you mean you bought it from an MB dealer, you have an MBUK (??) backed 30 day exchange program.

Which 320D did you race? A manual? Passenger in car? Full fuel tank? later 320D have 184bhp which is close enough to C250CDI acceleration as I'm thinking it is also a little lighter. My mates 320D leaves my C220CDI behind.

 

[jaymanek]

Im afraid racing someone on the road is about as crude a test as you can get... there are too many variables to list...

It really does sound like you have one of the early 250's.

 

[V12]

Hate to be rude but it sounds like user error. You have a 204003 which is a 250 as dieselman pointed out many posts ago. What else do you need to know?
It's a four pot diesel, if it's too slow for you, go trade it in for a c63?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK

 

[Steve C250]

Hate to be rude but it sounds like user error. You have a 204003 which is a 250 as dieselman pointed out many posts ago. What else do you need to know?
It's a four pot diesel, if it's too slow for you, go trade it in for a c63?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK

Very helpful, thanks lol

 

[Steve C250]

30day return is an MB thing, so as long as you mean you bought it from an MB dealer, you have an MBUK (??) backed 30 day exchange program.

Which 320D did you race? A manual? Passenger in car? Full fuel tank? later 320D have 184bhp which is close enough to C250CDI acceleration as I'm thinking it is also a little lighter. My mates 320D leaves my C220CDI behind.

Yeah i bought the car from a Mercedes main dealer who opperate the 30 day return policy.

I've spoken to them again this afternoon and have decided to go and see them to discuss my options tomorrow afternoon. They've offered me a 59 plate in black wit additonal extras to mine of full leather with heated seats plus what i already have on mine already as a stright swap.

Bottom line, is as a customer that has had all the paper pointing to it being a 220cdi i think anyone, including what Mr Helpful above said about the C63 lol is that if you have doubts planted that they are dificult to shift. And if i was going to get another high performance car, i'd buy another M3 like the one i had prior to this purchase!

So what i'm now looking at is the potential to upgrade to a C350CDi if i can make my mind up about this C250.

Thanks again to everyone though for all your help and support, really is appreciated.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Steve hope you got it!
I'm logged into MB right now if you send me the chassis number.

 

[Dieselman]

Bottom line, is as a customer that has had all the paper pointing to it being a 220cdi

Everything indicates it being a 250, not a 220.

The car i bought is a stock model with the only upgrade from standard being the 18" AMG wheels

And here is the problem.

The bigger the wheel, the slower the car...Fact.

 

[Steve C250]

Steve this email address will be deleted very shortly. "emailaddress"

Got it, thanks

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Got it, thanks

I've not got your chassis number yet.

 

[Dieselman]

The VIN says it's a 250 saloon, what more do we need to know?

 

[Steve C250]

Everything indicates it being a 250, not a 220.




And here is the problem.

The bigger the wheel, the slower the car...Fact.

Having had many high performance cars, going from an 17" to an 18" i genuinely wouldn't of thought would of taken approx a second off the performance!

Even with my previous M3 i had the 19" wheel upgrade from the standard 18" and it made litterally no difference at all, if any tbh, so if that signle upgrade flattens the performance when such grunt is said as torque that the 250 is said to have, i wouldn't of thought it would make any noticeable difference!?

That said, this is the my first heavy oil burner that proclaims reasonable performance figures, but it still doesn't really answer the lack of pace that i expected when compared to a BMW 320d

Anyway, i will update this thread tomorrow once i have been to see the dealer and have an outcome.

I either keep this car or swap into the Black one as a stright swap OR upgrade to a C350CDi but the idea of this move to a burner was to have decent performance with great fuel economy, and thus far, this car isn't really producing either!

Currently covered since pick up 209 miles and have ave 37mpg, will cover another 150'ish tomorrow before i get to the dealer, but even the fuel economy has yet, been a little dissapointing....yes i know, moan moan moan lol

Guess i'm just a little put out with all the uncertainty. So will make a decision tomorrow one way or the other.

Was also considering money back and going back to BMW for a 335d Coupe Msport. Just not as good looking a car as the Merc though, hence why i chose this beauty in the first place.

 

[Dieselman]

What you are experiencing is the way the power is being developed in the 250.
It has high peak torque but only over a very short rev range and it relies on the turbo's blowing well to generate that torque.
From rest they just aren't generating enough puff and iirc they generate less torque low down than the 220 does.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Nite you'all!

 

[Steve C250]

Steve hope you got it!
I'm logged into MB right now if you send me the chassis number.

Sending over in one min, thanks

 

[Dieselman]

Not un common for DVLA to lazily select other from list when a new vehicle is not listed.

If a new model hasn't been assigned a code they have to use an existing one, or refuse to register the car...