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C Class, 20k p/a, circa 10k budget, which one to go for?

Abb

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I have been given the task to find a C Class for a family member. Having a cursory browse I have come to the conclusion I need some advice! I believe this falls into the W204 category (possibly even a facelift)
So here I am folks, any advice of which is best engine to opt for given the requirements below as well as the ones to avoid.

Requirements & considerations:
She will be doing around 20k miles per year
Budget of 10k or thereabouts
An auto box
Diesel (to keep down the fuel costs)
New as possible
No estates, coupes considered (although I think they are out budget!)

TIA
 
Plenty of 2011-2014 (facelift) 200CDI and 220CDI out there...

Her budget will get her an early facelift.

The 220CDI has the better engine overall, but the 200CDI will be cheaper to buy and more economic to run.

Also, the various Sport variants (and 'AMG Line') will have spoilers and side-skirts, sports seats and interior, lowered/stiffened suspension and bigger 17" wheels.

The Executive SE will not have any of those, but will have a softer more comfortable ride and will be cheaper. And it will be the better option if there are speed bumps where she lives.

Other nice-to-have options worth considering:

COMAND (with or without HK)
Reversing camera
Double sunroof or Pano roof
Heated front seats
Leather instead of Artico (rare)
ILS (HIDs)
Driver Aids (Distronic, Lane Keep Assyst, Blind Spot Assyst, Speed Sign Recognition)

But of course these will increase the price...
 
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Also... a common issue on the W204 is knocking front suspension.

Try turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times with the engine running and the car stationary, then do the same at parking speed.

Not a major issue, but if buying from a dealer then get them to fix this before buying the car.
 
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Plenty of 2011-2014 (facelift) 200CDI and 220CDI out there...


Other nice-to-have options worth considering:

COMAND (with or without HK)
Reversing camera
Double sunroof or Pano roof
Heated front seats
Leather instead of Artico (rare)
ILS (HIDs)
Driver Aids (Distronic, Lane Keep Assyst, Blind Spot Assyst, Speed Sign Recognition)

But of course these will increase the price...

I'm sure you can't be right about those options increasing the price of a used car. Whenever it comes to trade-in time, we're always told that they've got no value!
 
I'm sure you can't be right about those options increasing the price of a used car. Whenever it comes to trade-in time, we're always told that they've got no value!
The are two reasons why the options increase the retail price.

The first is that often these options are included with a higher trim level (e.g. Sport Premium Plus AMG Line etc etc), and the higher trim level commands the higher price.

The second is that you often find that traders and car supermarkers have large stock of auctioned cheap ex-company car with base spec and no options. The privately-owned, 1 previous owner, low-mileage cars that had various options specified by the first owner are usually not auctioned but are kept by the dealers for own stock and are sold at a higher price.
 
With an annual mileage of 20k, I'd agree a 220cdi would fit the bill. Less stressed than the 200 engine and still delivers a decent mpg.
 

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