New C Class..

[PeteTheOldGit]

Hi guys,
I'm seriously thinking of buying a C Class 2007 on Sport Amg Auto. Diesel or petrol, what's the better car. Anything I should be looking for.

 

[st4]

A diesel. Way better on fuel and quite refined and punchy.

Depending on your budget you will get a C220cdi which is a good car, reliable engine, great gearbox and powerful enough.

For a bit more you will get the torque monster C320cdi with (and everyone disagrees with me on this one) crap gearbox, but awe inspiring engine and not far off 220cdi economy. Reliable engine as well.

 

[whitenemesis]

If you do a lot of miles, go diesel, otherwise go for the petrol.

 

[st4]

Yes and no, if someone does a lot of short journeys, a petrol motor is better. However a low milliage driver might only use the car once a week but do 100 miles the time they use it.

A diesel would be better. Plus most are diesel so easy to find a nice C220cdi in the colour/interior you want

 

[st13phil]

Which is better, diesel or petrol? Well, it depends on what you want.

A C200k is marginally more refined than a C220cdi but I find the latter better to drive. The mid-range punch of the diesel is much more useful than the top end of the petrol in most driving conditions. The cost of a journey at the pump is massively better for the diesel too. As Steve says, if you can stretch a little further then the 320cdi is a corker.

 

[markjay]

Also... 2007 could be either the older model (W203 / S203) or the latest model (W204 / S204). Which one did you have in mind?

 

[PeteTheOldGit]

Also... 2007 could be either the older model (W203 / S203) or the latest model (W204 / S204). Which one did you have in mind?

The 2007 on model. Bar the racy convertibles this model is the only Merc that appeals. It's seems Mercedes have spent a lot of money and time in trying to compete with the 3 series. The sport version with the Amg kit looks the dogs bits I think. I'm going for a test drive today in a 70k 220cdi up at 14k . Any known quality issues I should be looking for. It's got the auto box which is a must and the full leather. Mileage worries me thou even thou my yearly mileage is about 6k. Should I be looking at the petrol version as the daily drive is only a couple of miles. Short journeys and DPF's dont go well together I imagine. My budget is 15k max and the must is auto box, sport, and not black, hopefully full leather. Most in this bracket seem high milers. Should I be concerced with any big service bills with big mileage?.

 

[st4]

A 2007 diesel does not have a DPF but if you only do 2 miles/day a petrol would be ok. 15k should get you something nice.

 

[grober]

Pretty sure that all DIESEL W204 Class 2007 on are equipped with a DPF to meet EURO IV standards from the off?? 2007 cars will be out of manufacturer warranty now but I would recommend buying within the MB dealer network to get a proper MB used car warranty. The W204 is turning out to be a more reliable a car than its predecessor but they can still go wrong .Lots out there to chose from, so be fussy and get the car spec you want.

 

[st13phil]

Pretty sure that all DIESEL W204 Class 2007 on are equipped with a DPF to meet EURO IV standards from the off??

Nope, no DPF on the W204 in the UK.

 

[markjay]

As far as other running cost go... servicing should be very slightly higher for the petrol car due to the spark plugs renew at 4 years. But, when things go wrong, diesel engines can generally be more expensive to repair than petrols, especially any elements to do with the fuel and air supply systems (try diesel fuel pump...). Also, diesels are more prone to suffer terminal engine damage as result of mis-fuelling (petrol in diesel engine) or overfilling with oil ('runaway' engine). Said that, you could get mechanical breakdown cover, and on a good car this will not be an issue anyway.

Also, the diesel will cost more to buy, so if buying a petrol car you may be able to get newer model or better spec for same money. But then again the diesel will be easier to sell on and you will get more for it when you do.

On another note, in the past diesel cars used to be lower on the insurance group than their petrol counterparts, though I am not sure if this is till the case nowadays given that diesel engines have become quite powerful.