Long time VW driver looking to defect to a 2012+ W204

[AntC43]

Evening

So after owning more VW's than i can remember (at least 6 MK5's and a MK6) i'm looking to jump ship and get a Mercedes 2012+ C220 AMG.

Couple of questions if i may.

Subjective i know but in relation to performance and economy which is better the C220 or C250
General consenious is the manual box is better than the Tip-Tronic. Coming from driving manuals only i have very little experience of automatics other than driving them abroad. Is Tiptronic a slush box or the more refined DSG?

Other than the standard checks is there anything specific to the W204 i need to check. I cover 20K+ miles a year so the DPF will get nice and hot so shouldn't be a problem

 

[flango]

My advice DONT DO IT. I've just gone back the other way to VW build quality is much better both petrol and diesel VW units are leagues ahead of MB as is interior trim.

As for the auto box the VAG DSG makes the MB 7 speed boxes seem archaic MB 5 speed boxes are solid though.

Seriously you will regret moving to MB from VW. I love my CLK but it's 18 years old and still better than any new MB or VW for that matter

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Evening

So after owning more VW's than i can remember (at least 6 MK5's and a MK6) i'm looking to jump ship and get a Mercedes 2012+ C220 AMG.

Couple of questions if i may.

Subjective i know but in relation to performance and economy which is better the C220 or C250
General consenious is the manual box is better than the Tip-Tronic. Coming from driving manuals only i have very little experience of automatics other than driving them abroad. Is Tiptronic a slush box or the more refined DSG?

Other than the standard checks is there anything specific to the W204 i need to check. I cover 20K+ miles a year so the DPF will get nice and hot so shouldn't be a problem

I've covered 5k miles in my 2011 facelift C220 estate and besides the slightly harsh 18" wheels ride and at 6'1" I'm probably too big for the drivers seat; it's not missed a beat at all.

The facelift W204 (which is what you're looking at) was a big jump up in my opinion from the pre-facelift; better looks, interior better laid-out, technology a lot crisper etc. It's a lot better than any Skoda Fabia I've been in, errr I meant Golf...

Yes, it'll be a traditional auto box, not the best out there in the earlier models but the 7G+ was another big step up. I've got to say the DSG boxes I've driven were a bit marmite to be honest, I didn't like the characteristics of it, and while the Mercedes gearbox might not be a motoring journalists wet dream they were made with more of an eye on longevity than reaction times.

Best thing to do is to go out and test one, have a poke around, kick some tyres etc etc and I'm sure you'll make your own mind up; this forum has had a lot of people visit looking for info who're coming from Audi/BMW etc who, once they've been in one can't get on with it due to their familiarity and little tricks of the car they're coming out of and I'm sure it's the same but the other way round.

 

[AntC43]

After various MK5 & MK6 Golfs, Jetta, Passat CC's etc I'm just a little bored of the VW brand. I test drove a 2014 Audi A3 S-line and it just didn't flick my switch.

The C220 & C250 is what i am looking for, different yet

I have test driven a couple of C220s like the way they drove but the size of the door mirrors will get some getting used to!

Regarding trim quality. I have found the Mk6 Golf to be the worse marque when it comes to build quality. I've had my GTD for 10 months now and have removed pretty much all the plastic trim to felt the joins and silicon spray moving parts to stop squeaks, however that only goes so far.

If i'm honest, the biggest issue for me is going to be reliability, W204 seems to have a couple of issues, however you can say the same about the MK5-Mk6 platform.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If i'm honest, the biggest issue for me is going to be reliability, W204 seems to have a couple of issues, however you can say the same about the MK5-Mk6 platform.

You sound pragmatic in your approach which will, I'm sure, stand you in good stead; every model of car will have the odd common fault.

What are the issues that are giving you cause for concern?

 

[grober]

a couple of introductory articles on the OM651 engine- they are in French so you will need to use Google translate!
Le moteur OM 651 (4 cylindres en ligne CDI) (Page 1) / Moteur VP / Forum-mercedes.com
Présentation du moteur OM651 (Page 1) / Moteur VUL / VI / Forum-mercedes.com

The W204 in facelift guise is pretty well sorted. Engine wise prelimary problems with the piezo injectors were finally sorted with retrofitting of solenoid injectors under warranty mid 2012. easily checked under the engine cover as the solenoid injectors have fuel return pipes. Lots of anecdotal evidence of premature timing chain wear [ at least on early models] exacerbated by its location at the rear of the engine] and the complex waste gated twin turbo set up is potentially expensive to repair. It is interesting to note its been largely abandoned in the latest versions of the OM651 in favour of a single variable vane set-up.

SO --- injectors, timing chain, turbos------- potentially expensive repairs to look for in any appraising any w204 diesel 4 cylinder car particularly at high mileage----- should not put you off a car as they are pretty solid bits of kit ------but should be reflected in the price.

Injector problems dealt with here http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/77050-blue-efficiency-injector-recall.html

 

[flango]

After various MK5 & MK6 Golfs, Jetta, Passat CC's etc I'm just a little bored of the VW brand. I test drove a 2014 Audi A3 S-line and it just didn't flick my switch.

The C220 & C250 is what i am looking for, different yet

I have test driven a couple of C220s like the way they drove but the size of the door mirrors will get some getting used to!

Regarding trim quality. I have found the Mk6 Golf to be the worse marque when it comes to build quality. I've had my GTD for 10 months now and have removed pretty much all the plastic trim to felt the joins and silicon spray moving parts to stop squeaks, however that only goes so far.

If i'm honest, the biggest issue for me is going to be reliability, W204 seems to have a couple of issues, however you can say the same about the MK5-Mk6 platform.

I'd agree with your comments VW went backwards from the MkV to the MkVI but the new MkV11 is awesome I'm currently running a GTD mapped to 238 bhp and its build quality and performance is leagues ahead of its German peers.

I get the getting bored with a brand bit, earlier I just sold a Volvo V70 this was my 16th Volvo and I needed a change but I test drove MB C&E class and BMW 2,3,4 & 5 and none of them did it for me at all the MkV11 Golf makes them all look stupid in terms of build quality, performance, handling and reliability. Doesn't come cheap though you can get mega discounts on MB & BMW I got as high as 21% but nowhere near that high on high end Golf's

 

[C180CGI]

You are like me. Ive had 4 MK5, 2 MK6 (just sold 1 2 days ago) and 3 MK4s all in a total of 4 years. I have a W204 2012 C Class and honestly, you will love it. The car feels solid, very powerful and quiet too. It feels pretty much like a MK6 Golf 2.0 TDI just more luxury. I am 100% sure you will like it more than a Golf. I myself am a VW enthusiastic but when I sat in a Merc and drove it, it took my heart away. VW is no match for a Merc.

 

[C180CGI]

You sound pragmatic in your approach which will, I'm sure, stand you in good stead; every model of car will have the odd common fault.

What are the issues that are giving you cause for concern?

Im very sorry to say but the most unreliable car I have had was VW. No matter new or old, they always have problems. I just had a 2012 Golf with mileage of only 50k... It had the turbo replaced, cambelt, waterpump(as this was leaking so i got cambelt changed too), aircon compressor and other sensors all for just under £4.5K at VW main stealer.... Very sad shows how badly built engines they have. Thats not all, all the MK5's golfs ive had have been 1.6 FSI. EVERY single one of them has had problems, all of them were below 80k miles, one of which with 78k miles had a DSG gearbox which finished. This car had full VW service history too, absolutely rubbish cars. Only VW's I can vouch for are the old Bora's and MK4 Golfs which are bullet proof. My French cars have given me less problems.

I havent heard of any MAJOR problems with the W204, small things are expected. If you had a VW and spent 'x' amount on it, be prepared to pay much less on a Merc even though your instinct may have thought the other way around.

 

[Venomous]

I chose a C250 over a C220, same engine - but such a difference (40BHP).

When run on BP ultimate Diesel, it gives 50+ MPG consistently on a 110 mile round trip daily commute.

 

[Jonesy161]

Love mine, only issue so far at 30k miles was a new water pump done under warranty, I was warned about the pump so expected it. I know two more 2011/12 c220's that are close to 200k miles without any failures.

Probably the best finished car inside and out I've ever owned, then again, Its in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Markjames]

I did 57000 miles in 32 months in my c220 sports + and apart from a few little niggly issues when it was new it never missed a beat. Gearbox did give the odd jolt but that was about it.
Loved the car and may have actually kept it if hadnt got a good deal on my e coupe.

 

[Fletcher]

i had my c250 for 8 months / 12 k miles it's be perfect no issues great for long motorway journeys quite and relaxing and on B roads in sport+ mode good fun to drive - compare to VW golf ( I own 2 ) it's in a different league for interior quality /design /image .

 

[AntC43]

Sooooooooooo In the end i bought a 2012 C220 BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport Edition 125 7G-Tronic Coupe.

Apart from the last service it has full MB history but i'll be getting it serviced by MB to bring it back in line. Managed to negotiate a set of rear tyres and 12 months unlimited warranty which i'm happy with. Didn't get much off the price but i'm not too worried as given the extras and condition its worth it.

Not the best photo (from the dealer advert)

 

[gIzzE]

And your thoughts??

I went back to an Audi a few weeks ago, an A4 2.0T S-Line Avant, loved the looks of it, but they just feel so hollow compared to BMWs and Mercs, and the FWD was just horrid.

Lasted around 12 weeks.

Bought an old C320cdi Sport Estate this week, it may be a 2006 but it feels rock solid and so pleased to be back.
I tired a Passat and a GTi and thought both were plasticky and about as exciting as...........sorry drifted off.

Be interested to hear your thoughts on the Merc coming from VW.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I went from a 2012 Passat to a 2009 W211.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the VW, I owned for about 9 months with out fault, it's days were numbered after a drive from Santander to Girona and back. The roads were epic and the camera sites easily identified via satnav but the VW was boring, buzzy, uncomfortable and more boring.

Within weeks I had bought the W211, I wish that I had acted sooner and taken it to Spain.

 

[AntC43]

After driving only VWs (6+ Golfs my last being a MK6 GTD) including 2012Passat CC the C220 is a welcome change. Okay there are a couple of things i need to get used to, like the seat height as you sit significantly lower than a MK6 Golf and the size of the door mirrors but i can get used to these.

When compared to the recent VWs i have driven, what hit me first when driving the C220 is the built quality in that there is some!

I pick the Mercedes up tomorrow - can't wait