Just found myself looking at 204's

[st4]

I was merely looking at them today in MB Glasgow after I dropped my car off. Got chatting to the salesman and the subject of PX's came up.

I like my E320cdi fine but it doesn't half give me niggly troubles. Its in again today under warranty for gearbox stuff. Given the threads on here I do wonder if it will be sorted.

Anyway, I find the ride a tad harsh on mine and the fella said they have a nice C220cdi elegance with leather etc for £15,999. Only problem its a manual, or is it.

Less to go wrong, and a massive haggling point for me, I am more than capable of changing gears myself, and if I get a good PX (say cost of change is about £1000) and I like the drive of it, I will be very very tempted. The car has 43k on it, is a 07 plate and leather seats.

I sense its priced a tad high, maybe £13,999 is a better price for it. I have no shame in saying that to the fella that its too dear to get me a good price.

Is there any particular 204 issues to look out for?

 

[timskemp]

Less to go wrong? I'd disagree with that, the 204 is as complex as a 211, and far less refined. Refinement is not nearly as good, and diesel+manual means lots of gearchanges if pressing on, and expensive clutch / DMF replacements later in life.

Have your springs and dampers replaced with elegance or AG spec items Mine's fine (classic spec) on 18" wheels.

 

[duncanh]

and diesel+manual means lots of gearchanges if pressing on, and expensive clutch / DMF replacements later in life

Depends what you mean by "later in life"

My diesel+manual c220cdi has done over 220K miles on the original clutch, I cannot comment on the DMF, as I don't know what it is (dual mass flywheel maybe?).

Also less gearchanges than with a petrol thanks to the increased torque.

Like the OP, I also believe that there is more to go wrong with an Auto box. I agree that it may be more difficult to sell on because of the negative perceptions about MB manual gearboxes, mostly by people who have never experienced one!

 

[MUGGY]

Just out of interest *** is you car a facelift 211 ?

 

[st4]

Nah pre facelift

 

[del320]

Have you taken leave of your senses?

Apart from my belief that it's better the devil you know - hence my ownership of the coupe entering it's tenth year - you will:

a. take a financial hit far greater than the cost of fixing the niggles - albeit under warranty.

b. at your tender age, you've gone and spoilt yourself with a E320cdi, so dropping to a crummy C220cdi manual will get on you nerves within a week!

c. You will lose all credibility with laydeez.

Have a serious word with youself, man...

...just my opinion...

 

[crockers]

Manual may be harder to move on later...

 

[Charles Morgan]

Wot Del said....

 

[wemorgan]

Steve, I think you had one too many cans of Irnbru for breakfast. Once your car is sorted out I think you'll recognise that it's worth holding on to. Give it a few more months at least.

 

[bouncer]

At the risk of being shot to bits. . . . . . .204’s just plain ugly.

sTeVe

 

[st4]

Del is right I guess. Will post back on my views on the car once I driven it.

 

[BlackC55]

Chalk and cheese cars IMO. Stick with the 211.

 

[SilverSaloon]

dont do it!

 

[Alps]

204 is defo a harsher ride than the 211, more plasticy and general not as luxurious....

dont do it!!!

 

[Charles Morgan]

You'd also have less room in the boot for food and disposable charcoal grills.

 

[Cabe]

Does your morning commute contain stop/start traffic?










*Hint* - Mine does, and you can pry the auto out of my cold dead fingers. Save the gear changes for the weekend.

 

[SilverSaloon]

You'd also have less room in the boot for food

thats made the decision for Steve then. W211 it is.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I drove a manual recently and hated it. All that clutch nonsense and changing down. Best avoided.
Have you looked at a facelifted E class? As far as I know they are highly rated. I see myself in a similar position, the S class will have to go at some point and I wouldn't get another one to put big miles on again and have considered a basic 204 as a replacement.

 

[Schuey]

If you were to go for a w204, I would say you must get a C320 CDI or C350 CDI. After having a V6 with all that torque in your E320 CDI you will not enjoy a 4 cylinder job at all. 4 cylinders are a lot noisier than the v6's too.

 

[LTD]

Steve

Just cut to the chase and buy this - you know it makes sense.