C Classe W204 Estate

[AGOG]

Hi all,
I'm seriously thinking of buying a W204 Estate C220 or 200 diesel 7G auto.
I need one car than can do it all.
I'm favouring the 2012MY 125 edition. You know the "Facelift" last of the line models.
Should I go for Sport or SE? Any great differences with comfort, style, dynamics?

So if anyone out there has any thoughts regarding the differences between these two engine versions, trim levels etc I would really be grateful for any knowledgeable insider info.
Such as, will the 200 be enough for the long hauls to southern Spain and France?
Will there be any significant fuel savings between the 200 and the 220 do you think? etc, etc..
Well you know the sort of stuff, pros & cons really.

Thanks guys.

 

[geraldrobins]

According to the official figures the 220 is more economical.

 

[Chrishazle]

Test drive both to see which gives the most acceptable ride.

200 underpowered, go for the 220.

 

[geraldrobins]

Yes test drive and make your decision. I find the 200 perfectly adequate for my mainly motorway use. Depends what you want.There is always something with more power and people here with C63s are having them chipped etc.

 

[kimbos1961]

hi
i have just bought a c250 estate. I couldnt decide but eventually went for the c250 as i do a lot of motorway driving and this seemed to be the best eco compromise kim

 

[AGOG]

Anyone have a definitive answer as to whether the std Halogen headlamps on a non-sport model can flick to LHD mode for use on the continent?
I'm pretty sure the bi-xenons do on the Sport versions, or do they?

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Anyone have a definitive answer as to whether the std Halogen headlamps on a non-sport model can flick to LHD mode for use on the continent?
I'm pretty sure the bi-xenons do on the Sport versions, or do they?

They certainly do on the Sport versions, simply using the steering wheel buttons. I don't know about the halogens, but suspect not. Bi-xenons, as part of the Intelligent Light System, were an option on the Elegance. Get a car with them if you can - they're the best lights I've ever experienced.

As far as comfort is concerned between Sport and Elegance, my Sport model is very comfortable on all road surfaces, despite the 18" wheels. But I do have the Dynamic Handling Pack which may effect how the suspension was set-up, and I also have non-sport seats (because they're heated/comfort seats). Both of those may make for a more comfortable ride than the standard version.

 

[MBScoob]

hi
i have just bought a c250 estate. I couldnt decide but eventually went for the c250 as i do a lot of motorway driving and this seemed to be the best eco compromise kim

I agree, the 250 is a great little engine, both responsive, with good mid-range torque yet can still return excellent MPG if driven with that in mind. Almost got one myself, but having been in my friends E350 CDI Coupe and experiencing the V6 I sorta fell for that engine

Even though the 220 and 250 are essentially the same physical engine with a different state of tune, the 250 does have greater tuning potential ultimately, suggesting there is some slight restriction on the 220. Might be important, might not, depending on what you want from the car.

Scoob.

 

[kimbos1961]

yes they do on mine

 

[martinc65]

I've been running a C250 CDI Estate for the last 12 months, a very responsive engine and on a good run I'm averaging 58 MPG. In & around town that drops to 40 MPG, which isn't bad for 204BHP car.

 

[MBScoob]

I've been running a C250 CDI Estate for the last 12 months, a very responsive engine and on a good run I'm averaging 58 MPG. In & around town that drops to 40 MPG, which isn't bad for 204BHP car.

Very good indeed. All the more amazing considering how heavy these cars are. My 500kg lighter Focus Diesel didn't do much better than that!

Scoob.

 

[AGOG]

kimbos1961 Have you the halogens or bi-xenons?

 

[Westbarn1]

I've been running a C250 CDI Estate for the last 12 months, a very responsive engine and on a good run I'm averaging 58 MPG. In & around town that drops to 40 MPG, which isn't bad for 204BHP car.

58 mpg, thats amazing! I hope my new to me C250 is as good with me behind the wheel

 

[AGOG]

Can anyone describe how exactly does the "stop/start" function operate in conjunction with the 7G-tronic gearbox?

 

[grober]

The C200 is a simpler engine with a single turbo. It always had the old style solenoid type injectors so missed out on the piezo-injector fiasco--- it wasn't co-incidence the C200 was the vehicle of choice for the dealership workshops back then. They all share the 651 "single timing chain at the back of the engine" layout which may spell trouble down the line. The C200 has plenty low down torque to handle any extra load imposed by the estate layout and gets up to illegal speed quickly enough to comfortably keep pace with most run of the mill traffic.
While the bigger wheels do look good the extra ride comfort and resistance to pothole damage offered by the higher profile tyres on 16inch wheels might be an advantage on rougher roads. The stop start is seamless with the 7 speed but you can switch it off when you start your journey [ defaults to ON] Of more use I find is the HOLD FACILITY on the brakes where you can "tap" the pedal to apply them on coming to a halt- they release automatically when the accelerator is re-applied---- meaning handbrake use is essentially confined to " parking up"

Ps the hold facility came in with the better new dash in 2012 along with things like tyre underinflation warning and the "prewired for becker sat nav" etc

 

[rw.perkins]

I have the (2014) C220 AMG Estate, with 18" wheels. Halogen lights, according to the manual/handbook do not need adjusting for driving abroad. Wheel/tyre size does make the ride hard, and potholes can be alarming. I was advised to go for 17", but the AMG I stumbled across has 18" standard. Start/Stop is unpredictable in so much as many other variables control when it is active, such as outside air temp, engine temp, aircon on/off etc. But I have to admit to more often than not having it turned off.
Over a year and 11k miles, a lot of which is short, slow journeys, but also included 2.5k to southern France and back, it has averaged 38.6 mpg. However, even a short A road journey of 30 miles will see the average indicate high forties. I don't know what I would need to do to return 58MPG as in MartinC65's post.

 

[Andy76]

I just got rid of a 2011 facelift c250 AMG sport estate. I averaged around 45mpg over 30k miles in 18 months. It was a fair mix of motorway and A road driving with probably 50 miles a week on minor back roads. Ride was firm but not bone jarring on 18's and the car didn't eat tyres, brakes or anything else. it would happily travel with 4 adults and baggage on the motorway at any speed you like with little adverse effect on fuel economy.

Only complaint would be a few niggly squeaks and rattles but you will get that whatever engine or model you opt for if you do enough miles.

I looked at all models before buying but general consensus was 220 is best allrounder. I bought a 250 for a little more power for a road overtaking.

A guy at work had a c220 coupe and on average he was getting 10% better economy across the board. On journeys where I saw mid 50's he would achieve 60mpg. May be down to engine or because it was a coupe?

Stop/start functions automatically whilst you are stopped and holding brake or hold function is active. Can be switched off from dash.

If I was doing it again I would probably opt for the 220. WRT the 200 you may find it is underpowered but this would be entirely dependant on driving style and use.

Best of luck

 

[geraldrobins]

I have the (2014) C220 AMG Estate, with 18" wheels. Halogen lights, according to the manual/handbook do not need adjusting for driving abroad. Wheel/tyre size does make the ride hard, and potholes can be alarming. I was advised to go for 17", but the AMG I stumbled across has 18" standard. Start/Stop is unpredictable in so much as many other variables control when it is active, such as outside air temp, engine temp, aircon on/off etc. But I have to admit to more often than not having it turned off.
Over a year and 11k miles, a lot of which is short, slow journeys, but also included 2.5k to southern France and back, it has averaged 38.6 mpg. However, even a short A road journey of 30 miles will see the average indicate high forties. I don't know what I would need to do to return 58MPG as in MartinC65's post.

Drive on the motorway with cruise set at 75mph and you will see high 50s mpg providing its not really cold. I drove 200 miles to Cornwall with cruise set to 80 after the first 25 miles and obc showed 60.2. In reality probably around 55-56. This was early September and early morning so temperature probably 15-20.

 

[MDC250]

Drive like Miss Daisy and on my 25 mile commute on A roads can get...

 

[Markjames]

I have a c220 sport+ on 18 inch alloys. I don't find the ride to firm, In fact its very comfortable for my 30 mile each way commute every day but I do find the tire noise very tiresome. I also suffer wind noise around the passenger a pillar that mercy have never been able to sort.
I generally only achieve early to mid 40 mpg but I do have quite a heavy right foot. Love the car though and seriously considering keeping it when 3 year deal is up as currently not so keen on exterior shape of w205.