• The Forums are now open to new registrations, adverts are also being de-tuned.

C205 buying guide/advice please

Abb

MB Enthusiast
SUPPORTER
Joined
Aug 28, 2013
Messages
3,805
Location
UK
Car
Mercedes
I have been asked by a friend for advice regarding the purchase of a used 205 coupe. His criteria is that it has to be a diesel, preferably white or blue, budget circa £27k. Not deal breakers, but would like pan roof, COMAND, ILS.
Having had a quick initial look, I am at a loss of what the differences are between AMG Line, Premium plus, Sport etc. I appreciate they are different trim levels but which is which.
So my queries are:
Any particular engine model to avoid?
Which trim level is best or is that personal preference?
Any desirable optional extras?

Thank you greatly for your input.
 
Just to say that all 2014 and most 2015 C-Class coupe cars are actually W204. Naught wrong with that... but if he is after a W205, then it will have to be 2016 car or later.
 
AFAIK COMAND only came with the Sport Premium Plus.
 
Def a 205 so 2016 or younger it is. Does anyone know the trim level options or how I can find them for 2016/17 cars?
 
From memory the highest standard spec was the Sport Premium Plus, with or without AMG-Line trim bits.

Executive SE cars were higher and softer and with less spoilers (and my personal preference), but the Executive trim level ends at poverty spec. So you if you want goodies, you'll have to settle for the firmer ride and lowered suspension of the Sport variants.

But there were a lot of extra options, e.g. Driver Aids package, Memory seats, ILS, etc etc, so it will be very good if you can also 'catch' a car with lots of options.

Also, full real leather interior is nice but quite rare - mostly you'll find Artico or part-leather (i.e. leather seat bolsters).

So if you want max features, then look for Sport Premium Plus as baseline, and try and see what other options that particular car has.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abb
Have managed to find a little more info, so thought I would post it on here and hopefully it may help someone in the future.

Standard Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon equipment
The C-Class SE kicks off the range, with the following standard kit:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Dynamic Select driving mode selection
  • 10.25-inch colour infotainment display with sat-nav, DAB radio and Bluetooth
  • Active Parking Assist (automatic parking) with parking sensors and reversing camera
  • Automatic lights and wipers
  • Cruise control
  • Artico man-made leather seat upholstery with heated front seats
Moving up to the C-Class Sport brings the following on top of SE:

  • 17-inch AMG Aero alloy wheels
  • 15mm lowered suspension
  • Full LED headlights
  • Sports seats in Artico man-made leather
  • Nappa leather wrapped steering wheel
Next up is the C-Class AMG Line, which builds on Sport with:

  • 18-inch grey alloy wheels
  • AMG body styling with sportier front and rear bumpers and side skirts
  • Alternative radiator grille
  • Sports braking system, sports suspension and sports steering set-up
  • Sports pedals in brushed stainless steel
  • AMG sports seats
  • Flat-bottomed steering wheel
Buyers can build on standard specification of Sport and AMG Line trims by opting for the Premium or Premium Plus equipment lines.

Premium adds:

  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 64-colour ambient lighting
  • Comand Online infotainment upgrade with 3D mapping for the sat-nav, online services with traffic and weather information, voice control, SD card slots and two USB ports
  • Midline sound system
  • Multibeam LED Intelligent Light System
  • Wireless phone charging
Premium Plus adds even more on top of Premium:

  • 360-degree cameras
  • Burmester surround sound system
  • Keyless entry and ignition and automatic tailgate
  • Panoramic glass sunroof
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic is largely based on the AMG Line trim in terms of look, but comes exclusively with a 3.0-litre V6 engine, and the following differences over AMG Line:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Biturbo 4Matic badging
  • Black mirror housings
  • AMG-specific radiator grille with double louvres and AMG lettering
  • Red contrast stitching to the sports seats
  • AMG lettering on door sills
  • Red seat belts
  • High gloss black and aluminium interior trim
Mercedes-Benz C-Class optional extras
There’s a selection of optional extras available for the C-Class, some of which are more desirable than others.

One of particular interest is the Driving Assistance package, which adds:

  • Active Blind Spot Assist – monitors the car’s blindspot and alerts the driver of any vehicles in the blindspot
  • Active Lane Keeping Assist – warns the driver if they start to veer out of the lane, and will intervene if you drift over the line without indicating to keep you in correct lane
  • BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist – applies extra braking force if the driver isn’t applying enough and the car detects a potential incident
  • Distronic Plus – adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop and go function in queuing traffic
  • Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection – autonomous emergency braking
  • Pre-Safe Plus – detects a rear-end collision and prepares the car by putting on hazard lights, tensioning the seat belts and closing the windows/sunroof
Other options include a range of paint schemes, interior trims and alloys. You can order a tow bar, a 360-degree reversing camera to cars without Premium or Premium Plus lines, a head-up display, a system to keep the cabin smelling nice, as well as Airmatic air suspension, memory function for the electric front seats and full leather upholstery.
 
Options are as you describe. It comes down to what you want. The AMG Line options are style over substance. If you like the look then it’s worth it. It does add to the VED rating as the CO2 goes up with this option. Personally Premium Plus is excellent spec and adds anything you would want. Airmatic makes the handling much better and is a rare option on second hand cars. Basically gives adjustable suspension.
 
It has quickly been narrowed down to a premium plus as a definite. However, just to add to the confusion it appears the 220 and 250 are the same engine but with a different map?
Can anyone confirm this or shed some light on this?

Reason being, he has found a car that ticks all the boxes but is a 220.
 
The 250 is slightly different engine wise. It’s a bit more powerful and has higher CO2 as a result. I didn’t think it was worth it as I do mostly motorway miles. The 220 isn’t slow but he should test drive and see if it works.
 
Not sure if you've seen the brochure, I assume you got the bit you posted earlier from it but here it is anyway. https://www.mercedes-benzsouthwest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/c-class-coupe-cabriolet-2.pdf

I test drove a C250d Coupe and didn't think it was worth the extra over the 220d, which seems to be the best for economy and performance. Although I went petrol in the end anyway! I guess Sport or AMG Line trim is personal preference, I personally preferred the latter despite the ride being a bit harsher.
 
It has quickly been narrowed down to a premium plus as a definite. However, just to add to the confusion it appears the 220 and 250 are the same engine but with a different map?
Can anyone confirm this or shed some light on this?

Reason being, he has found a car that ticks all the boxes but is a 220.
Our previous car was a C204 C220d Coupe and it went along pretty well. The C250d we have now does pull more strongly and I'm glad we have it, but I think we would have also been happy with a C220d version of the same car. Noting much in it for fuel economy, both will achieve 50mpg plus if driven reasonably and both will achieve less if driven hard.

I looked on Autotrader and would be all over this one myself:
2016 Red MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS 2.1 C220d AMG Line (Premium Plus) 9G-Tronic Plus (s/s) 2dr for sale for £27995 in Poole, Dorset

Wrong colour for your friend, but looks great to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abb
Avoid Sport, it’s been discontinued and they’re not really particularly desirable

Premium adds keyless entry, pan roof, memory seats and 3 colour ambient lighting.

Premium Plus then adds to that, Burmester 13 speaker system and COMAND

ILS is a stand alone option at £545 new


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom