C Class or GLA

[B26]

Hi folks

Just looking for some advice if possible please. I'm looking at either getting a C class or an Gla. I'm probably looking at a budget of around 15k.

Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which car or engines/model I should look for. Also what miles I should aim for. As I don't want to buy one for say 40k miles and to be stung with massive service a year later ect.

I'm 6ft3 and looking for something to be comfortable but also be able to fit rear passengers.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[markjay]

The C-Class is a bigger car than the A-Class (GLA included), full stop....

Additionally there will be much more choice of second hand C-Class.

I am assuming you are looking for a petrol car. £15K will buy you a C200, probably 2017/2018 which is just before the late-2018 facelift.

The C200 petrol will have the M274 Turbocharged 2.0L engine (the facelift will have the 1.5L EQ engine with electric boost, but a late 2018 or newer car will be out of your budget). The only common issue with these engines is failed thermostat - £700 job at the dealer, or half that at an indie. A Service Care Plan will cost you around £40 per month and will cover all your servicing need, with the execution of brakes, batteries, tyres, and repairs.

Note that there are two basic types: SE which has a softer ride, or Sport that has spoilers, larger wheels with low-profile tyres, and lower/stiffened suspension with harsher ride. The Sport model also has the AMG-Line variant that comes with additional cosmetic sporty bits.

The Premium Plus variants also get the COMAND infotainment system over the more-basic Audio20.

There are many options to be had:

- Sunroof or panoramic roof

- Heated front seats

- Electric memory seats

- Intelligent Light System

- Burmester sound system

- Driver aids (adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition assist, blind spot assist, active parking assist)

- 360 camera view

- Leather interior (as opposed to Artico)

- Keyless Go

- COMAND Online NTG5*2 with built-in navigation (over the standard Audio20 with the optional Garmin Map Pilot)

- Head-Up Display (HUD) - very rare.

Dealers will typically have ex-privately owned cars with low mileage and lots of options, while non-franchised dealers will typically have ex-fleet cars with only very basic spec. So you are likely to face the choice between (for the same money) and younger car witness gadgets, or a fully-loaded but slightly older one.

 

[B26]

The C-Class is a bigger car than the A-Class (GLA included), full stop....

Additionally there will be much more choice of second hand C-Class.

I am assuming you are looking for a petrol car. £15K will buy you a C200, probably 2017/2018 which is just before the late-2018 facelift.

The C200 petrol will have the M274 Turbocharged 2.0L engine (the facelift will have the 1.5L EQ engine with electric boost, but a late 2018 or newer car will be out of your budget). The only common issue with these engines is failed thermostat - £700 job at the dealer, or half that at an indie. A Service Care Plan will cost you around £40 per month and will cover all your servicing need, with the execution of brakes, batteries, tyres, and repairs.

Note that there are two basic types: SE which has a softer ride, or Sport that has spoilers, larger wheels with low-profile tyres, and lower/stiffened suspension with harsher ride. The Sport model also has the AMG-Line variant that comes with additional cosmetic sporty bits.

The Premium Plus variants also get the COMAND infotainment system over the more-basic Audio20.

There are many options to be had:

- Sunroof or panoramic roof

- Heated front seats

- Electric memory seats

- Intelligent Light System

- Burmester sound system

- Driver aids (adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition assist, blind spot assist, active parking assist)

- 360 camera view

- Leather interior (as opposed to Artico)

- Keyless Go

- COMAND Online NTG5*2 with built-in navigation (over the standard Audio20 with the optional Garmin Map Pilot)

- Head-Up Display (HUD) - very rare.

Dealers will typically have ex-privately owned cars with low mileage and lots of options, while non-franchised dealers will typically have ex-fleet cars with only very basic spec. So you are likely to face the choice between (for the same money) and younger car witness gadgets, or a fully-loaded but slightly older one.

Thank you for that,this does help. Been looking at the c classes and as you said petrol would be the C200. Also noticed the C220D is also around the same price. Would there be any recommendations on either. Think I've seen 2016/17 models on auto trader.

 

[markjay]

No issue at all with the C220d, it is just that buying Diesel doesn't seem like a smart move these days, i.e. the way emissions legislation is going.

 

[B26]

No issue at all with the C220d, it is just that buying Diesel doesn't seem like a smart move these days, i.e. the way emissions legislation is going.

C class. Yeah I know what you mean, but seem to be better spec cars available with diesel. I suppose its the same reason if people are staying away from them. I'm not against it as long as its a good engine and a good deal.

Do you know on the off chance what the servicing is like. How many miles until like the big service. As a I know a few cars it's 60k ect.

 

[markjay]

C class. Yeah I know what you mean, but seem to be better spec cars available with diesel. I suppose its the same reason if people are staying away from them. I'm not against it as long as its a good engine and a good deal.

Do you know on the off chance what the servicing is like. How many miles until like the big service. As a I know a few cars it's 60k ect.

There is indeed currently an over-supply of second hand Diesel cars, because cars that were purchased towards the twilight years of the Diesel 'Golden Era' (2016-2018) are coming off lease and enter the secondhand market.

Servicing is every 12 months or 15,500 miles, whichever is sooner.

Dealer servicing cost on a service contract is around £40 per month (i.e. ~£480 annually), it's a flat rate that includes everything apart from brakes, tyres, batteries, and repairs. And, at current MB are offering 20% discount if you pay in advance (as opposed to monthly payments).

Typically, years 4 and 5 are the bigger services, but, again, if you opt for a service contract, then it makes no difference to you, because your monthly payment if fixed, regardless of what service is due.

Or you could have the car serviced at an independent specialist, and pay for each service when it's due.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

At 6’3” both cars will be really at the limit for comfort; I’m 6’ and when I was driving my C-Class the rear legroom was tiny to the point that you’d only really be able to seat a small child there.

GLA - although based on a ‘smaller’ model - is a little more ‘sat up’ which is more allowing (quite hard to describe but when you sit in both you’ll know what I mean)

 

[Deleted member 37751]

C class. Yeah I know what you mean, but seem to be better spec cars available with diesel. I suppose its the same reason if people are staying away from them. I'm not against it as long as its a good engine and a good deal.

The anti-diesel mindset is quite a London centric thing, elsewhere hardly anyone really seems to care!

 

[Eddy77]

At 6’3” both cars will be really at the limit for comfort; I’m 6’ and when I was driving my C-Class the rear legroom was tiny to the point that you’d only really be able to seat a small child there.

GLA - although based on a ‘smaller’ model - is a little more ‘sat up’ which is more allowing (quite hard to describe but when you sit in both you’ll know what I mean)

Totally agree. I am 6ft 1 and we looked at the C class estate last year. Way too tight if you want to use rear seats when a tall person is driving. Really you need an e class at your height (we ended up getting an Audi A6 Avant). C class is not much good if you are much over 6ft and want to use the rear seats for passengers.

 

[markjay]

Totally agree. I am 6ft 1 and we looked at the C class estate last year. Way too tight if you want to use rear seats when a tall person is driving. Really you need an e class at your height (we ended up getting an Audi A6 Avant). C class is not much good if you are much over 6ft and want to use the rear seats for passengers.

Agreed, if you want to comfortably transport 4 'full-size' adults over a long distance, you really need a car that is bigger than the C-Class.

 

[SW18]

I agree on the internal sizing, I’m too tall for a C class (if anyone is to fit behind me). And your budget would see you into a decent E class, e.g. offerings from MercLand who have an excellent reputation.
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