C-Class Buying (W204)

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....My only worry about her ending up with a diesel is if our lovely government make it harder and harder to use one. We're 12 miles out from Croydon which is only just south of the proposed diesel stitch up zone. She'd look to keep the car a fair while but if they start banning them or charging more and more to use them, that wouldn't be great.

On the premise that diesels won't be banned altogether, just charged for the privilege of driving into city centres, and assuming her incursions into the 'forbiden zone' would be relatively rare then I would say that having to pay the extra charge on the odd occasion should not be a reason for avoiding a diesel car.

Said that, with the exception of the S-Class, I have yet to see a diesel Merc that is as quiet and refined as a petrol car. I drove an S350 CDI on German autobahns and it was fine, but the C220 CDI C-Class and E220 CDI E-Class diesels that pick me up from time to time when I need a taxi all sound rough compared to my C180 Petrol. Perhaps a C350 will be more refined - I don't know.
 
Sounds like a C250CGI could be the beastie for you! As you're thinking family, I'd suggest an S204 (estate) rather than the saloon, makes loading buggies, groceries etc much easier, especially if, like mine, it has the electric tailgate that you can open from the key fob before you get to the car!
..great info now on this thread for would be C Class buyers.. a C250 CGI in estate form is a beaut of a car .. fast enough in terms of accl and top speed for UK roads.. more than twice the national speed limit !!!... so I just don't get the power argument ?!....drive it carefully and if its a sound engine u can get just over 40 mpg.......a great buy used on a 2010-2012 model......foxy52
 
That was my thinking as well, we are just within the M25 but it would be extremely rare for us to drive into London and on that odd occasion I have access to other cars which are petrol.

In terms of refinement, my other half did have a Focus TDCI which was actually quite a good engine but sounded as agricultural as my E320 does. Difference is that the 3.2 straight six in my car has a lot more power/torque and still does 45mpg+.

I think a C220 CDI would suffice in terms of performance, the C250 CDI would be nicer as it'll be quicker.

The car would get at least 150-200 motorway miles a month which should keep the engine healthy and minimise DPF problems.
 
My 08 s204 doesn't have a dpf so just find one without and that will be something less to worry about
 
Handy to know mate. I thought it was all cars from 06 onwards but I'll keep that in mind :)
 
I've done 90 thousand miles in my C320

37 mpg average over that time, I do stretch her legs sometimes, she's fun.

Running costa have been very low I think. I did the glow plugs after the first two failed, but other than the it's just been regular servicing.

Ensure the ATF has been changed and if not get it done.

Front tyres do 25k and the rears need doing at 15k, they're not expensive though.

Servicing costs me around 130 quid at a local Indi, he's very well priced and is as honest as the day is long.

The are great cars.
 
I have a W204 c220cdi Estate - 58 plate with < 95K miles. Just spent nearly £1k on a new electronic steering lock which failed and now faced with a bill for £1500 for fuel injectors x 4 which have been contaminated with oil.

Costs include Independent labour rates and VAT but bloody hell - wasn't expecting this at all.
 
Mike, you're worrying me as my S204 c220 08 plate is approaching 90k miles!! just had to replace the rotational shaft on the comand control knob - $49 for the after market replacement aluminium (instead of cheap thin plastic) shaft BUT 2 hours (£136) labour to remove the module, strip the module down to get at and replace the shaft, then put everything back together. That was at an ICE specialist, not a MB dealer or indie! The supplier's website (www.comand-knob-repair.com) has superb "how to" videos, but the module strip-down looked too finicky for my shaky hands.
 
I've had my C320CDI W204 for just over a year and yes, it is not as smooth as a petrol at low speeds or idle and you get some vibration in the cabin, but the OM642 engine has good torque, and is economical on diesel.

It is very tempting to boot it down to feel the torque rush :D.

All I have done so far is change out a glow plug and a glow plug controller

Just the very basic remap on the ecu produces remarkable figures.

If you decide on going for the OM642 engine you really need to check it out for oil dripping from the turbo oil seal as the result of oil dripping in to the electrics below is an expensive fix.
 
..I think a C220 CDI would suffice in terms of performance, the C250 CDI would be nicer as it'll be quicker...

Another point to consider is that if opting for a model that was in great demand when new, there will be more examples to choose from second hand, thus potentially better chance of finding a car that ticks all the boxes (age, mileage, trim level, options, colour, interior etc etc).

In that sense I believe that the C200 CDI and C220 CDI where more common than the C250 CDI at the time and you are therefore more likely to bag a good one second hand - i.e. it is likely that with a C250 CDI you may have to compromise on some of the items on your check-list.
 
Thanks for all the info, good and cautionary feedback :)

In terms of finding a model, Markjay you're absolutely right. There are for more C220s to choose from which means finding one with the right spec will be a little easier.

For me as a buyer, for the right engine or spec I would compromise on other things. To my other half, she has to like how it looks first of all so colour/wheels etc. Then interior is the next option. Basically she's a fussy mare! haha
 
Parktronic sensors are a good additional option as the rear visibility is not that great. Also the rear camera mod for command is dead easy and costs no more than £40 if you do it yourself.

Also the panoramic roof is a good option.
 
Thank you, I think parking sensors would be a preferred option as they're so handy on the SL and I think in a car like my E Class they're essential really. :)

Were there different spec names? Like how my E Class is an Avantgarde, did the W204 have a range of models as well Mercedes change this?
 
Alex225 as you asked
" Were there different spec names? Like how my E Class is an Avantgarde, did the W204 have a range of models as well Mercedes change this? "

Iam wondering as aswell i have w203 Elegance but in w204 its like Se Executive but cant find Avantgarde and elegance
 

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