Help please - thinking of buying a C Class.

[BTB 500]

Ours is a 2019 car btw. I have never figured out how to display the tyre pressures in PSI on the dash though!

 

[markjay]

Thanks, looks like they’ve finally got round to fixing this. My last few Mercs have shown the speed in km/h instead. I know it was down to Mercedes interpretation of the need to display this but hugely irritating none the less. I can’t think of any other manufacturer who took this approach.

The issue is with the incorrect explanation provided by MB UK Customer Services to all those who enquired about this feature. MB said it was a legal requirement. But this explanation is incorrect because it is not why this change was implemented. Customer Services in the UK probably never actually spoke to Engineering in Germany about this.

The real reason for this feature is slightly more intricate. While simply setting the digital speed display on the instrument cluster to display the speed in Kmh satisfies the legal requirements, it would have also meant that you can't change the instrument cluster display to anything else other than digital speed display (e.g. satnav instructions or phone) when driving in the Continent. So without this feature, a significant part of the instrument cluster functionality would have been unavailable to UK drivers on the Continent.

 

[mits]

I’m on my first Merc, a 2019 facelift and only electrical issue I had was that the centre console display/buttons stopped working the day after pickup.
A software update was carried out, all fine since. I also put this down to the battery draining while sitting on the forecourt. I since keep it on a trickle charge if I’m not using it for more than two weeks.

The quality is better than my previous m3, my premium plus has a good spec, 360 cam, Burmester, pan roof, adaptive leds. I would say it’s better than an equivalent Audi/bmw, although a bmw maybe more dynamic, the Merc is more comfortable.

Service plans help keep costs down and warranty will cover unexpected bills.

 

[colinallcars]

The issue is with the incorrect explanation provided by MB UK Customer Services to all those who enquired about this feature. MB said it was a legal requirement. But this explanation is incorrect because it is not why this change was implemented. Customer Services in the UK probably never actually spoke to Engineering in Germany about this.

The real reason for this feature is slightly more intricate. While simply setting the digital speed display on the instrument cluster to display the speed in Kmh satisfies the legal requirements, it would have also meant that you can't change the instrument cluster display to anything else other than digital speed display (e.g. satnav instructions or phone) when driving in the Continent. So without this feature, a significant part of the instrument cluster functionality would have been unavailable to UK drivers on the Continent.

Out of interest, has this been resolved on the newer models with the large, LCD display.

 

[markjay]

Out of interest, has this been resolved on the newer models with the large, LCD display.

Apparently yes, @BTB 500 should be able to confirm.

 

[BTB 500]

Yes - the photo I posted is of the flat panel display in our UK spec. 2019 Sport Premium.

 

[Germgh0st]

I came from a Mk3.5 Focus ST to a 2019 C-Class. Admittedly I bought a C43 so it was always going to be impressive, but I think the C-Class interior is a very nice place to be

 

[markjay]

I'm thinking that my W204 is my last C-Class... next car will be an EV, but the EQC isn't appealing compared to the competition I'm afraid.

 

[Germgh0st]

If I went electric currently it would be the Volvo Polestar 2.

 

[markjay]

If I went electric currently it would be the Volvo Polestar 2.

I must say that the Polstar 2 is on my EV short list too. Though at the moment the ID.4 is at the top, due to it being a more practical (for my needs) small SUV.

 

[EnEm]

Martinjs wrote "there are plenty of good independent MB specialists around". True but beware: I had my car serviced by an independent specialist (approved by MB) and there were no problems with the service provided, and we got a proper Mercedes stamp in the book (so to speak).

The unexpected problem arose when my wife managed to run out of fuel. The lifetime Mercedes recovery/assistance service, is not available unless you have had the car serviced by the official dealer network. For me this proved to a false economy. It was only the second time I have called on the roadside assistance in over 20 years of Mercedes ownership - the first time was a flat tyre. This may speak to the basic reliability of the brand.

 

[markjay]

Martinjs wrote "there are plenty of good independent MB specialists around". True but beware: I had my car serviced by an independent specialist (approved by MB) and there were no problems with the service provided, and we got a proper Mercedes stamp in the book (so to speak).

The unexpected problem arose when my wife managed to run out of fuel. The lifetime Mercedes recovery/assistance service, is not available unless you have had the car serviced by the official dealer network. For me this proved to a false economy. It was only the second time I have called on the roadside assistance in over 20 years of Mercedes ownership - the first time was a flat tyre. This may speak to the basic reliability of the brand.

I think you meant to say that the specialist was registered with MB - for access to the DSB and spare parts etc - rather than "approved by MB"?

Personally, I service my car under the MB Service Care plan, so benefit from the included Mobilo cover (roadside assistance), which is great even if I never needed to call it so far.

But just to say that quite a few people have roadside assistance via other channels, so Mobilo does not add value for everyone, it really depends on the particular circumstances.

 

[mercmancdi]

I have had 3 cls and have changed to Vw then cls then Toyota then Vw and now bought a nice cls face lift 2015 cls premiere amg version and love it , I do have a problem though with my intelligence lights inactive and fault is a left hand actuator blocked , still trying to find out if this can be repaired or where it’s actually located lol. But I keep system turn off and have to say the cls of this version compared to the older version is way better , not as clumsy or feels as heavy. Although I went for 4 cylinders this time instead of 6 just because £145 Rd tax and no problem getting 48-50 mpg. The 6 cylinder is nice but buying a lot of power with no where to use it comes at a high cost.

 

[OmarMB]

I swapped from the Focus model, I’ve owned all generations the last being a 16 plate ST3.
I now own a 17 plate C Class AMG Line petrol and love it. No problems so far, but I do few miles in it.
If you decide on one, try and find one in a nice colour, red or blue maybe.

bet yours is ruby red ??

 

[uumode]

No real systemic electrical issues with the W205 C Class.

Below some issues that have been reported, they are not across the board, only small set of owners have experienced, others have faultless cars - including high mileage cars.

- If buying diesel, the Nox sensors are fairly unreliable compared to almost clean record of the petrols.
- The faux leather seats can split at the seams from normal use
- There can be a hard to cure wind noise around the top of the drivers door (from factory, does not appear by itself)
- Poor DAB reception
- Electric window button levers can snap off
- Pano roof can jam or rattle
- Washer jets can block if water is not clean/fresh
- Intermittent random brake assist or driving assist system inoperative messages
- The piano black plastic centre console is a nightmare to keep scratch free