Buying w204 C350 CGI - advice?

[Iaind]

Hi all

Apologies if this is the wrong section, couldn’t see a specific forum more appropriate but please move if it’s wrong!

I was looking for some advice from the experts. I’m keeping a keen eye out for a nice facelift w204 C350 saloon. Rare as hens teeth I know, I may be waiting a while!

I want to be well prepared when one does come up - what should I be looking for? As they’re so rare there’s very little advice. Am I right in thinking the engine in the facelift (the blueefficiency one with £200/year tax) is pretty reliable? I’d expect the usual full history, quality parts and tyres etc but are there any other problem areas to be aware of?

What about spec, what would you consider essentials? For me if it has command nav and heated seats I’m probably OK as the AMG Sport spec seems pretty comprehensive otherwise. Panoramic sunroof would be awesome but that seems much more common on the coupes.

Finally, can any owners comment on what these cars are like day to day? I’m looking for something refined but powerful that doesn’t drink too much fuel, these seem to be the ideal balance of everything. I’ve driven a few w204s before and know I like them but never a petrol 350 due to the aforementioned rareness!

Oh and if anyone knows of a good one for sale, do let me know! Looking for an 11/12 with sensible mileage for about £12k

Thanks all!

 

[rusky]

One thing I'll say, don't get hung up on the pano roof. My Honda has one & I really wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it.

 

[Iaind]

Yeah It wouldn’t be a deal breaker. I quite like them but they’re such rare cars I wouldn’t rule one out because of that

 

[Moonwai]

Join the queue, I have been waiting for a low mileage saloon since around April and haven't seen one appear yet.

 

[Iaind]

I’m not super bothered about mileage so I might get one ahead of you!

There were 2 for sale for less than 12k when I came up with the idea which is really annoying.

The local merc dealer is trying their best to coax me into a coupe they have but they’re after 16k for it!

 

[Moonwai]

Haha you might get one ahead of me for sure!

Yeah, the coupes are more expensive for some reason? If I don't find one soon ill probably buy a coupe as there is a few of those for sale. @knighterrant might be tempted to sell his???

 

[Iaind]

Yeah I was wondering that. I didn’t save or screenshot the ads but I could swear there were 2, one was 10k and the other 12k with lower miles and more kit (had the dynamic handling pack iirc). Whereas the only coupes less than 12k are private sale. The c350cdi saloons are that sort of price too so I should probably hold out for a saloon as it’s what I really want!

They’re doing their best though, they’ve already upped the part ex from 5000 to 7500 without me even haggling and had 3 missed calls from them this afternoon.... they really want to sell me that coupe, which is odd as they’re sure it’ll sell within the week

 

[anglaslt]

If you're considering a C204 coupe you may as well buy a C207 E coupe instead. Same size platform and better finish. Then you can buy an E400 with the uprated M276 V6 petrol engine.

Nice spending someone else's money.

 

[Iaind]

Surely the E is larger? Otherwise what’s the point?

 

[anglaslt]

Surely the E is larger? Otherwise what’s the point?

The C207 E Coupe is only 10 cms longer and about the same width so the difference is marginal. I'd imagine that from Mercedes point of view they were able to offer another coupe in the E Class segment. Whereas the E class saloon W212 was built on a larger platform the E coupe was built on the smaller 204 platform. The new E class though are the same, saloon or coupe.

Maybe worth a look at the C207 before deciding, especially the post facelift (2013 MY on I think).

 

[Iaind]

So the dealer near me continues to push - still not seen this car as I've not had time but wondering what you thought

It's a 2012 W204 Coupe with 37k miles. Approved used, so 1 years warranty etc. Has these options

Front seats - comfort ventilated
Panoramic glass sunroof
Dynamic handling package
COMAND Online with Media Interface with single CD
18" AMG alloy wheels: 5-twin-spoke design
Harman Kardon® Logic 7® Surround-sound system.
Privacy glass (from B-pillar backwards)
Palladium silver metallic
Leather - black

They were originally asking 15995 but offered a strong p/x value of mine (£7500). They've now dropped it to 14995 - its not even gone on Autotrader yet so suspect i could get them to £7k plus my p/x without too much hassle

What do we think? Decent deal?

 

[Londonscottish]

One thing I'll say, don't get hung up on the pano roof. My Honda has one & I really wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it.

I couldn't find an E500 with one so had to do without.

Having had a glass sunroof in every single car I've had since 1989-2017 I really miss not having light coming in from above. What makes it worse is that my wife's car has one as an irritating reminder of what I'm missing. On a sunny day I still sometimes absent mindedly reach up to pull the sun blind back only to remember (yet again) that there's just roof lining up there :-(