New W204

[Meldrew2]

Well, I've had the W203 for quite a while, and I've finally got used to the new shape, so I'm taking the leap.

Out goes the 51 reg C200K Avantgarde and in comes a 59 reg C180K Blue Efficiency Elegance.

Trim level on the two cars is pretty similar - but I gain Artico "leather" instead of cloth seats, and bluetooth phone kit.

Hopefully better MPG... (I've had 29mpg on average since getting the C200K), and I know the road tax is cheaper.

The only thing I am worried about is the seat adjuster. Both cars have part electric seats, and I am in the habit of moving the seat back to exit the car. The handles are in the same location on both cars, but while the W203 has a loop, the W204 has a bar, which is at the height of the bottom of the W203 loop... so I have to reach an extra inch.

Hopefully there will be no back issues involved in the extra reach - but I am hoping that the "leather" upholstery will make sliding in and out easier.

I've gone for a dark metallic grey - Tenorite Grey - which I have seen quite a few of recently and liked what I saw. Traditional grille with bonnet star... I like the grille star om the ML and SLK but I think the saloon cars look better with the traditional grill (but lets not get into an argument).

The W203 has a button to drop the rear head restraints... I can't remember seeing one on the W204 during the test drive... then again I've never used it on the W203.

Collecting the car tomorrow afternoon.

Not changing the W163 ML for a while yet... 5 years old, 23K miles, and I still can't get used to the rear wheel arches on the new model!

 

[grober]

You do realise its got a 1600cc engine?

 

[fuzzer]

You do realise its got a 1600cc engine?

Im sure the C180k is a 1797cc engine with a supercharger.

youre refering to the C180 CGI engine which is a 1595cc Turbocharged.

The engines changed in november 2009 production.

 

[Meldrew2]

It is a C180 CGI not a K... sorry for the typo. My bad. (as they say in the US)

First Reg is Jan 2010

Whatever the engine size, the performance was not lacking... there were 3 adults in the car when I test drove it, and it seemed slightly less powerful than the older car, but with the "sport" button pressed it sharpened up.

 

[st13phil]

Congratulations on the new arrival!

My W204 (in Tenorite Grey - great colour choice ) is coming up to 3 years old and continues to be a great car. Hope you've got the heated seats: the Artico is a bit chilly on cold mornings without.

 

[fuzzer]

It is a C180 CGI not a K... sorry for the typo. My bad. (as they say in the US)

First Reg is Jan 2010

Whatever the engine size, the performance was not lacking... there were 3 adults in the car when I test drove it, and it seemed slightly less powerful than the older car, but with the "sport" button pressed it sharpened up.

Cool i really like the CGI engines too. Ive driven the 183bhp 1.8 engine and it was rather nippy to say the least.

Congrats on the new car.

 

[grober]

Im sure the C180k is a 1797cc engine with a supercharger.

youre refering to the C180 CGI engine which is a 1595cc Turbocharged.

The engines changed in november 2009 production.

Nope the C180 CGI Blue Efficiency is a turbocharged direct injection engine with 1,796 cc 156 bhp 250Nm torque

the previous model C180K Blue Efficiency was a Kompressor indirectly injected engine with 1,597cc 156bhp 230Nm torque.

to complicate matters before the "blue efficiency version " there was a Kompressor indirect injected 1,796 cc 153bhp 230Nm torque called the C180K -------- go figure.
ps. all the CGI direct injected turbo 4 cylinder engined cars C180CGI, C200CGI [ not available in the UK at present] and C250CGI are 1,796 cc afaik

pps my experience so far is that the latest turbocharged CGI engines are a lot quieter/smoother with a broader spread of torque than the previous Kompressors

 

[Meldrew2]

pps my experience so far is that the latest turbocharged CGI engines are a lot quieter/smoother with a broader spread of torque than the previous Kompressors

That is exactly the impression I got on the test drive - given a hard kick down the car pulled well (maybe not quite as well as my old one, but I was really looking for any loss in performance) - but there was less noise, less vibration, altogether less drama, just perfectly competent.

I drove about 20 miles on A roads, B roads and a bit of motorway, and was very impressed.

I don't want an AMG that can go round the Top Gear track sideways, I want a car that can go round the M60 without effort. To be in a smooth, safe car is a must - to get good fuel economy is an added bonus.

 

[markjay]

Nope the C180 CGI Blue Efficiency is a turbocharged direct injection engine with 1,796 cc 156 bhp 250Nm torque

the previous model C180K Blue Efficiency was a Kompressor indirectly injected engine with 1,597cc 156bhp 230Nm torque.

to complicate matters before the "blue efficiency version " there was a Kompressor indirect injected 1,796 cc 153bhp 230Nm torque called the C180K -------- go figure.

..while the CLC 180K sold alongside the w204 still has the old w203 1,796 cc 143bhp engine, which is not exactly the same as any of the three '180' engines fitted to w204 during the various periods mentioned by Grobber....

 

[markjay]

Meldrew2 - it's a fine car, enjoy!

 

[grober]

..while the CLC 180K sold alongside the w204 still has the old w203 1,796 cc 143bhp engine, which is not exactly the same as any of the three '180' engines fitted to w204 during the various periods mentioned by Grober....

Its almost impossible to keep up with all the permutations in all the models especially when the model designation bears no resemblance to the engine capacity/power any more -most confusing.

 

[Meldrew2]

On the bright side... the car is debadged, so nobody knows which model... does that make it less or more confusing?!

 

[grober]

On the bright side... the car is debadged, so nobody knows which model... does that make it less or more confusing?!

You're then into "gazing at exhaust pipes " territory!

 

[fuzzer]

Nope the C180 CGI Blue Efficiency is a turbocharged direct injection engine with 1,796 cc 156 bhp 250Nm torque

the previous model C180K Blue Efficiency was a Kompressor indirectly injected engine with 1,597cc 156bhp 230Nm torque.

to complicate matters before the "blue efficiency version " there was a Kompressor indirect injected 1,796 cc 153bhp 230Nm torque called the C180K -------- go figure.
ps. all the CGI direct injected turbo 4 cylinder engined cars C180CGI, C200CGI [ not available in the UK at present] and C250CGI are 1,796 cc afaik

pps my experience so far is that the latest turbocharged CGI engines are a lot quieter/smoother with a broader spread of torque than the previous Kompressors

Oh well , i must be wrong then. CGI engines are great , i drove the 200 CGI last week and it was brilliant. Even the MPG was good doing about 80ish with 4 up was getting 39mpg. It was very quiet and very smooth too. Can't say enough good things about them.

 

[mika]

You're then into "gazing at exhaust pipes " territory!

ive got several exhaust pipes

 

[st4]

Oh well , i must be wrong then. CGI engines are great , i drove the 200 CGI last week and it was brilliant. Even the MPG was good doing about 80ish with 4 up was getting 39mpg. It was very quiet and very smooth too. Can't say enough good things about them.

Hopefully they will prove to be long term reliable.

39mpg, cant argue, a diesel doesnt do a heap more and wont be as smooth.

 

[grober]

There was been a direct petrol injection+ compressor version of this engine the 271.942 fitted in the W203 and CLK during 2003-2005 which used stratified charge injection. http://www.neoriginal.ru/cat/mb/par...imgno/1/retcat/69M/rettype/209/retsubtype/343 It was never available in the UK. The newer 271.820/271.860 engines use twin inlet ports instead with adjustable swirl flaps to achieve mixing in the combustion chambers like Audi.
Problems I foresee would be with these flap systems and perhaps injectors crudding up. The other is that they routinely require the more expensive 98 octane fuel ??.

 

[Meldrew2]

I've just got back to the office after collecting the car, (driving really carefully through busy city traffic) so I can answer a few of the questions that were on my mind...

Grober: it runs on regular unleaded - 95 octane - afaik - I'll check the manual before I fill up!

st13phil - no heated seats - I didn't think about them and my wife is a bit cross as she loves heated seats! On the bright side, I'll be mainly using the ML (for the 4x4) when the weather turns bad, and the seats in that car are heated.

I'm just constantly glancing up at the CCTV monitor in my office... camera 1 is trained directly at my parking space... it's just a shame that my wife's Scenic is parked alongside spoiling the picture!

 

[grober]

Good news on the petrol octane front if true. ---Excerpt from the online manual

Only refuel using unleaded premium-grade petrol with at least 95 RON/85 MON, which conforms to European standard EN 228 or an equivalent specification.

Do not use the following:

* E85 (petrol with 85 % ethanol)
* E100 (100 % ethanol)
* M15 (petrol with 15 % methanol)
* M85 (petrol with 85 % methanol)
* M100 (100 % methanol)
* diesel
Do not mix these fuels with petrol and do not use any special additives. Otherwise, this can lead to damage to the engine. This does not include additives for the removal and prevention of residue build-up on the inlet valves.

If the recommended fuel is not available, but only as a temporary measure, you may also use regular unleaded petrol, 91 RON/82.5 MON. This may reduce engine performance and increase fuel consumption. Avoid driving at full throttle.
In some countries, the fuel grade available may not be adequate and could cause residue to build up around the inlet valve. In such cases, and in consultation with a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, the petrol may be mixed with the additive recommended by Mercedes-Benz (part no. A000989254510). You must observe the notes and mixing ratios specified on the container.

The early engines required 98 RON not sure about the latest ones but if they are running a higher compression ratio??? with a turbo charger they may benefit from the higher octane fuel. One problem with direct injection engines is that its just air that's rushing past the inlet valves rather than a petrol vapour which evidently helps keep them clean. Using low grade fuel can exacerbate this.

some M271 ENGINE DATA here
Google Translate

 

[Meldrew2]

Good news on the petrol octane front if true.

I've been going through the manual that came with the car.

Under "Petrol Engines" it says ..... 95 RON/85 MON .....

It says ..... 98 RON/88MON ..... only under the heading "AMG vehicles"