Regretting New 220CDi Coupe What to do

[latent]

Ive had my new C coupe 220CDi AMG sports two months. Already, I think Im regretting it. I just cant be doing with the noise from this diesel 4 cyl. I also dont feel comfortable with the hard ride. Yes, I did a test drive, but lets face it an hour test drive is very different from living with a car day to day. Thing is the MB dealer probably wont have much sympathy to help me change model and may even think 'kerching' more money! So pondering what to do and to be honest not sure what I would be happier with in the MB range

 

[PXW]

Doesn't really sound like you are in a position to make a change at the moment...unless you can be much more specific about what you would prefer....

Even if you do decide you want to change now, I'm sure you are aware that you will have just done probably the most expensive two months motoring of your life your car was new just a few weeks back...the depreciation on a per mile basis won't bear thinking about. Actually, maybe it does - the hard calculation might make the current car seem more bearable!

 

[Dr-Nab]

You're quite correct, the dealer will be thinking easy money. Your options are pretty simple, sell the car and get a petrol model/6cyl diesel or put some higher profile Michelin PSS tyres on and turn your music up.

 

[gIzzE]

Ive had my new C coupe 220CDi AMG sports two months. Already, I think Im regretting it. I just cant be doing with the noise from this diesel 4 cyl. I also dont feel comfortable with the hard ride. Yes, I did a test drive, but lets face it an hour test drive is very different from living with a car day to day. Thing is the MB dealer probably wont have much sympathy to help me change model and may even think 'kerching' more money! So pondering what to do and to be honest not sure what I would be happier with in the MB range

Let's hope you got a cracking discount on new?

I would explain to them that you simply hate it and ask what the possibility is of swapping for something else that is maybe a year old and worth around the same at new list price?

They may well take a 13 plate car and swap you for a 2012 C250 GCI SE or something?

 

[V12]

If those are the only 2 things you dislike about the car then they can be sorted.
Unless you've completely fallen out of love with it and a change is now a must.

Sound deadening to the engine bay, bonnet, firewall and undertrays is a good place to start with blocking the diesel rattle out.
From the interior, footwells and tunnel can usually be insulated quite well without dismantling the whole car.
If you really want to get extreme, dash out and sound deaden from the cabin side of the firewall as well.

For a better ride, you can at look at downsizing wheels or changing springs.

 

[DSM10000]

If those are the only 2 things you dislike about the car then they can be sorted.
Unless you've completely fallen out of love with it and a change is now a must.

Sound deadening to the engine bay, bonnet, firewall and undertrays is a good place to start with blocking the diesel rattle out.
From the interior, footwells and tunnel can usually be insulated quite well without dismantling the whole car.
If you really want to get extreme, dash out and sound deaden from the cabin side of the firewall as well.

For a better ride, you can at look at downsizing wheels or changing springs.

Having to do this to make a new car bearable is ridiculous and would almost certainly invalidate the warranty if you later had trim or suspension issues.

Ask to drive an identical car and see if it is the same, you may just have a problem that is causing the noise issue and / or harsh ride.

 

[Sp!ke]

It does beg the question - why do they put such low profile wheels and harsh suspension on cars now?

Is it just a fashion thing or is there some reasoning behind it?

 

[BlackC55]

Because it looks better. The initial turn in can be improved to due to less sidewall flex.

Back on topic. I would talk to the dealer and see if they can sort something for you.

 

[baxlin]

Ask to drive an identical car and see if it is the same, you may just have a problem that is causing the noise issue and / or harsh ride.

I agree with this, I have a 13 plate C220 exec SE, which I understand is the entry level C-class, but I have no problem with the diesel engine noise.

Mind you it's my 3rd diesel, (BMW-engined Rover 75, then Euro 4 engined SAAB convertible) so I suppose I'm well tuned to the 4 cyl diesel.

Also the ride is fine on the standard wheel/higher profile tyre setup.

Hope you can sort it without too much expense or compromise.

Malcolm

 

[w124nut]

Because it looks better......

That may be true but.....when driving the car you don't see the wheel/tyre combination but you do feel the lumps and bumps.

For me cos I am old and grey, give me the higher profile tyres without the AMG this and the AMG that.

 

[Charles Morgan]

It is what I experience from behind the steering wheel that is now the fundamental thing that matters to me. Driving 90% of the time is tedious and slow and in a day to day car I really resent being uncomfortable because some marketing says people like big wheels and hard suspension.

Do some research on what you do like (test a non-amg model) then have a negotiation. Whether you sell it or no, the depreciation has happened and all you are doing is recognising it rather than suffering it.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Take out GAP insurance and then smash it into a wall and get it written-off, then get paid out.

Or...take it back to the dealer and let them have your pants down.

Or...keep the car and turn the stereo up. A lot. And definitely don't open a window.

 

[kinaero]

not too sure if its still being practised, some car manufacturers used to put some sort of suspension block when the car was being transported.

The removal of such block was part of the PDI service, there might just be a minute chance your car might have the block still on the suspension??

 

[stephen coy]

The car is now a used vehicle, so to me p/xing for another used car is'nt in itself quite so controversial as first might appear.A non AMG model would probably be less expensive than the AMG badged equivelent so the financial loss although inevitable might be less than anticipated.

I would have thought most cars with 18'' or larger wheels would err on the firm side (my petrol w208 with 16'' wheels is very comfotable- I'm not a bad judge as my back's a little delicate due to an injury from way back when)

 

[st13phil]

It does beg the question - why do they put such low profile wheels and harsh suspension on cars now?

Is it just a fashion thing or is there some reasoning behind it?

As Olly says, people have become convinced that it looks better - but as more and more buyers are finding out, those looks have a penalty.

The initial turn in can be improved to due to less sidewall flex.

Agreed (to a point) but I would suggest that 99% of drivers, on a public road, wouldn't even notice that.

My wife had an R56 MINI Cooper S that we'd spec'd with Sport Suspension. It was also on 17's with runflats. The thing was all but undriveable on anything other than billiard-table smooth surfaces - something that's a bit of a rarity in the UK - and it was always a pleasure to get out of it. Sure the initial turn-in was sharp, and the steering was super-responsive, but you could dislocate your spine if you ran over a match stick and on a bumpy bend all it did was skip and hop and scrabble for grip.

For UK roads we need 45% aspect tyres as an absolute minimum and compliant suspension. Anything else is just a fashion statement.

 

[Andopose]

I would suggest getting some smaller wheels with higher profile tyres from somewhere like ebay or this forum. Shouldn't bet to much money as a first attempt to cure some of the problem. If that works then try a little sound proofing.
If you spend £1000 and it works then job done. You will even get most of the outlay back when you eventually sell.
Good luck

 

[gIzzE]

All this about bigger wheels giving a better 'driver experience' for those that want t hardcore is also ******** most of the time. On a smooth track yeah, but on UK roads more often than not a smaller wheel can be far better, more bite on rough corners.

I had 19's on my M3 and they were not great, put some 18's on for the track, to save money on tyres, and they were 100x better on the road.

19's...

18's...

The 19's gave the impression of being the more dynamic, more focused wheel, but when you are pressing on the 18's let you push it so much further.

Oh, and the 18's were so comfy and quiet in comparison too.

 

[Palfrem]

Give me comfy every day.

 

[jamesfuller]

If you don't like the car, sell it. The longer you keep it the more money it will lose!


If a car needs ultra low profile tyres to turn in nicely then the suspension setup is compromised!

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

Hmmmmmmmm , I think I could live with your problems !