Looking at going from an astra to a C-Class

[gIzzE]

A Volvo is seriously dull!!

Light steering is one thing that puts me off just about every FWD car out there.


We all see thing differently I guess.

 

[gIzzE]

I agree as well, buy an estate, far younger and sportier looking than the 'sales rep saloon' and a proper load space.

My old 3 series....

 

[tomlad]

A Volvo is seriously dull!!

Light steering is one thing that puts me off just about every FWD car out there.


We all see thing differently I guess.

my first car was an n reg ford fiesta which had no power steering. after driving that for nearly a year, believe me the lighter the steering the better lol. it scarred me for life that thing!! and its nearly 6 years ago that i was in that thing! plus it would do this mad thing where if you went over 3000 revs in any gear, when you came to stop the car it would stall. and no matter what garage we took it to, nobody could fix it permanently.

so the lighter the steering the more i (currently) enjoy the car. my astra is a fairly firm steer but not mental. that volvo was like 1 finger driving though, thought it was nice!

 

[gIzzE]

Don't confuse heavy steering with feedback.
It may take a few weeks of driving it to get it, but once you do there is no going back.

 

[chriswt]

I agree as well, buy an estate, far younger and sportier looking than the 'sales rep saloon' and a proper load space.

My old 3 series....

...and hold their value much better as well as actually having folding rear seats as standard (never fails the amaze me that you have to pay extra if you want your German saloon with folding rear seats!!)

 

[tomlad]

...and hold their value much better as well as actually having folding rear seats as standard (never fails the amaze me that you have to pay extra if you want your German saloon with folding rear seats!!)

are there 3 series (post 2006) out there that do have folding seats?

 

[chriswt]

are there 3 series (post 2006) out there that do have folding seats?

Yes but you had to pay for it so many of the first 'company car' owners never bothered specing it.

 

[st4]

Someone mentioned estates....

Hateful things

 

[tomlad]

Yes but you had to pay for it so many of the first 'company car' owners never bothered specing it.

how strange. i shall keep that in mind then! i think at the moment its going to be between a diesel 3 series (providing i can find one with folding seats although im not holding my breath) a chick repellant volvo s40 ;-)

id probably get a manual c-class but i imagine if that thing goes wrong, the cost will be a bit silly considering the lack of manual models around compared to the autos.

 

[JasM]

The manual MB boxes are quite reliable. My previous W202, which had been in the family since new was a manual and it gave me no problems. Also their was a member on here with a 2005 manual C class which had done 175k and it had given him no problems either.

 

[tomlad]

The manual MB boxes are quite reliable. My previous W202, which had been in the family since new was a manual and it gave me no problems. Also their was a member on here with a 2005 manual C class which had done 175k and it had given him no problems.

ah thats quite a good sign. if i find one close enough to me (post 2004 facelift) i will try and get a test drive for sure. im eager to check one out!

 

[st4]

The manual MB boxes are quite reliable. My previous W202 was a manual and it gave me no problems. Also their was a member on here with a 2005 manual C class which had done 175k and it had given him no problems.

Theres a big question mark over the M271 engine though?

The diesels are tough but if he goes for a manual there are dual mass fly wheels to contend with. A C200 or 220cdi auto is the best option for the C class.

Not that I am biased or anything?

 

[tomlad]

Theres a big question mark over the M271 engine though?

The diesels are tough but if he goes for a manual there are dual mass fly wheels to contend with. A C200 or 220cdi auto is the best option for the C class.

Not that I am biased or anything?

i have no preference in regards to diesel or petrol. if the price is right and the spec and mileage is right i will go for it.

 

[st4]

careful of BMW 2litre diesels. There is a known issue with the swirl flap mechanism. Easily fixed.

What are BMW swirl flaps

Manual diesels have dual mass fly wheels, these can fail.

An Audi A4 1.9TDi is a robust thing, bit lifeless to drive, but lovely manual box (same as my mates old golf) and a lovely engine too. Really rapid and very reliable.

 

[chriswt]

how strange. i shall keep that in mind then! i think at the moment its going to be between a diesel 3 series (providing i can find one with folding seats although im not holding my breath) a chick repellant volvo s40 ;-)

If you get a diesel BMW budget an extra £200 to blank of the swirl flaps. If you google 'swirl flaps' you'll be reading for days but its an easy fix.

 

[JasM]

Theres a big question mark over the M271 engine though?

The diesels are tough but if he goes for a manual there are dual mass fly wheels to contend with. A C200 or 220cdi auto is the best option for the C class.

Not that I am biased or anything?

The member's car had actually covered 177k when he put it up for sale.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/clas...468-2005-c180k-avantgarde-se-sports-pack.html

In another thread he posted this:

C180K is a very good engine. My 2005 C180K with sports pack currently has 175,000 miles on the clock and still on the original clutch, exthaust and timing chain and has never caused me any issues Parts are not too expensive if you stay out of the main dealer network, Euro Car Parts offer decent quality and value for money

Have some friends who have the C200 / C220 CDI's with less miles than mine and all 3 of them seem to be having ongoing reliability issues so not so sure about reliability with the diesels.

I don't think their is any real issue with the M271 engine, I know the early ones had a few problems but I think the later ones are totally fine.

At the end of the day with any car, it just depends on how well the car has been maintained throughout its life.

 

[st4]

Poor shortys engine gave up the ghost at 40k miles and I was in at Ian B Walkers and he was rebuilding one, and I got the feeling he done it before.

 

[gIzzE]

i have no preference in regards to diesel or petrol. if the price is right and the spec and mileage is right i will go for it.

Diesel manual, how hateful!!

You have from around 2000 to 4000rpm to play with, so constantly swapping cogs, it get very tiring.

And you were worried about heavy steering being hard work!!

 

[gIzzE]

Swirl flaps not an issue from the E90, so the shape you're looking at.

 

[st4]

Swirl flaps not an issue from the E90, so the shape you're looking at.

I thought any M46 engine potentially suffered, then the N46 has the timing gear issues etc