Regretting New 220CDi Coupe What to do

[Teflonso]

Go to dealer. Ask if they have the same car in used stock that you can borrow for a few days. Drive around in it. See if there is any difference. As others have mentioned, the transport blocks may still be in place.

There's nothing you can do about the noise of a diesel, but that was a no-brainer before you bought it. At least it isn't a convertible - diesel drop tops are an abomination.

I lean toward there possibly being somethiong amiss with the car. I have an E350 AMG Sport that I fully expected to be a bit of a bone shaker, but it is absolutely fine. I was tempted to specify the comfort suspension but it absolutely doesn't need it.

I also recently test drove a B200 Sport, for which the road tests are very critical of the ride - but I found it perfectly acceptable. I should mention also that the roads around here are frequently cited as the worst in the country and I have a bad back.

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[kinaero]

I used to have a C250CDI Sport with 18" wheels, when I swapped it for 17" winter wheels, I did find the ride more comfier.
Why don't you ask the dealer to lend you a set of 17" to try for a few days?
It it works out for you, buy yourself a set of 17", better than losing sht loads if you trade it in??!!

 

[RFdesigner]

I had a 124 coupe that was sold to me with 17" alloys and rubber bands. When I took it back to stock 15s the comfort and economy both got better.

Also lower profile tyres protect the rims less.. I recently snapped a stock 16" wheel on my 210 when I hit a seriously big bit of debris, I'm pretty sure my old 15s would have survived.

 

[survey]

I've got a E220 Cdi Sport Coupe. Came to it from a W220 S500.

Yes, it's a harder ride. Yes, the seats are firm but careful adjustment gets them fine. Yes, the diesel is a diesel and can make a clatter - that's the nature of the beast.

But yes, it's a bloody good car. Quick enough, economical to run, comfortable, tactile in controls and built well. Pretty to look at and a car most want to aspire to.

What's not to like ? It's not an S Class or a Ferrari so look at it for what it is. There will always be compromises to accept if you do not buy a car at the top end of the scale

As many have said - changing wheels might just be the answer.

I'll second that. Mine's a sport and I thought the wheel/tyres would be a pain; Yes, I would have preferred the smaller wheels but that meant going for the SE. In reality, no real problem and certainly not bad enough to warrant buying new wheels! After 20K miles, I am used to the ride!

 

[mickl]

For the hard riding modern cars, I blame motoring magazines and shows like Top Gear where they rag a boggo saloon around a track and country roads and then denouncing it as rubbish when it doesn't turn in or slide like a Ferrari.

 

[survey]

For the hard riding modern cars, I blame motoring magazines and shows like Top Gear where they rag a boggo saloon around a track and country roads and then denouncing it as rubbish when it doesn't turn in or slide like a Ferrari.

Right on!

 

[mickl]

I'm seriously considering getting a used Citroen C6 as a replacement for the company car when I come out of the scheme. To be able to waft is one of the best things a car can do.

 

[BTB 500]

For the hard riding modern cars, I blame motoring magazines and shows like Top Gear where they rag a boggo saloon around a track and country roads and then denouncing it as rubbish when it doesn't turn in or slide like a Ferrari.

Actually ... TG complained more often about suspension etc. being biased towards performance and hence excessively harsh for normal road use!

 

[mickl]

Actually ... TG complained more often about suspension etc. being biased towards performance and hence excessively harsh for normal road use!

I grant you, their stance has changed a bit in the last few series, especially when Captain Slow is down the review. It's probably because they are all getting older.

 

[Dryce]

I grant you, their stance has changed a bit in the last few series, especially when Captain Slow is down the review. It's probably because they are all getting older.

I suspect it is because they are all getting older.

But also our roads have felt worse over the last 10+ years.

And generally tyres and suspension have become a lot less forgiving in the vehicles marketed in the UK.

It was Clarkson ISTR that started banging on about hard suspension about 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[Berkshire Rich]

Case for the defence here! I like cars that handle very well. No, I would go further: for me, its essential that my car handles very well. I fully appreciate this may be a minority view, but I would always sacrifice a good deal of comfort and ease of ride for sharp, goes where you want it under power, turn in, line holding and quick changes of direction.

IMHO this is more so with a Coupe. I have always believed that a coupe should drive as well as it looks. It should be a firmer ride than any (normal, non AMG) corresponding saloon model - thats the point! Taking the car in question, it is badged as an "AMG Sport" coupe, so while it may not be the snappiest looking car in its class, it was always going to have a firmer set up. I dont believe that it is actually that firm though, which is why I specced mine to have the handling pack upgrade. Even with this, I find my car to be far more compliant and usable every day than my old RX8, or a 370z.

I know that many people will have different requirements from me, but reading this thread, it suggested that firm suspension was the devil incarnate. Just wanted to put the alternate view. And no, I have been driving over 20 years

 

[mickl]

Case for the defence here! I like cars that handle very well. No, I would go further: for me, its essential that my car handles very well. I fully appreciate this may be a minority view, but I would always sacrifice a good deal of comfort and ease of ride for sharp, goes where you want it under power, turn in, line holding and quick changes of direction.

IMHO this is more so with a Coupe. I have always believed that a coupe should drive as well as it looks. It should be a firmer ride than any (normal, non AMG) corresponding saloon model - thats the point! Taking the car in question, it is badged as an "AMG Sport" coupe, so while it may not be the snappiest looking car in its class, it was always going to have a firmer set up. I dont believe that it is actually that firm though, which is why I specced mine to have the handling pack upgrade. Even with this, I find my car to be far more compliant and usable every day than my old RX8, or a 370z.

I know that many people will have different requirements from me, but reading this thread, it suggested that firm suspension was the devil incarnate. Just wanted to put the alternate view. And no, I have been driving over 20 years

I don't think anyone is saying a car should not handle but these days, a rock hard ride is deemed to be sporty and giving great handling. If your suspension is so stiff that the tyres fail to keep in touch with the tarmac then I deem that a fail. You only have to look at how well Jaguars manage the compromise between comfort and handling on their bread and butter saloons.

 

[Berkshire Rich]

I don't think anyone is saying a car should not handle but these days, a rock hard ride is deemed to be sporty and giving great handling. If your suspension is so stiff that the tyres fail to keep in touch with the tarmac then I deem that a fail. You only have to look at how well Jaguars manage the compromise between comfort and handling on their bread and butter saloons.

With you on that. The W204 is a decent compromise in my experience - a long way short of a bone jarring wild thing and actually pretty docile

 

[Pacamack]

Not that it helps the OP any, but I switched to a C250 CDI AMG Sport Plus Coupe from a W211 E500 Saloon. To be perfectly honest, whilst it sounds a bit rattly below 30 mph I find it very quiet and refined above this speed and the torque is fantastic.

In terms of ride it is obviously a little firmer than the E500 but I still find it remarkably comfortable on a long ride. With the electric seats it's almost impossible not to find a good seating position.

We also have an Audi A3 Sportback S Line, if people really want to experience stiff suspension they should have a go in one of those, it feels like the wheels are bolted directly to the chassis!

In short I think the C250 has got things just about right and I'd happily buy another.

 

[scottc]

So from someone that has just gone/going through this here are my thoughts. Don't try and sell the car it will only pi** you off. The trade in values you will get will be scary even if you got a massive discount (i got 22%and still was a few £k off). The best thing to do is speak to your dealer and see if they will help you, mine have been really good and although i have still lost a few £k i have got into a e350cdi (new) for £50 a month more. Its worth the conversation at least.

I totally agree with on the engine note, its terrible and mix that with a awful sports exhaust, terrible mpg i just couldn't live with it so i chopped it.

 

[BimMerc]

The term "Sport" coupled with a 4cyl CDI is enough to set the alarms IMHO. It's merely a design statement, given there is pointier handling...but sport it is not.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

The term "Sport" coupled with a 4cyl CDI is enough to set the alarms IMHO. It's merely a design statement, given there is pointier handling...but sport it is not.

And then they have the audacity to add "AMG" to the name. :fail

 

[RFdesigner]

And then they have the audacity to add "AMG" to the name. :fail

Too right...

I'm a prime 4banger clatter box target, and frankly I want.

Longevity
Get-me-home Reliability
MPG
Comfort

Handling isn't even on the list... When my S210 dies I'll be looking for a E220/250CDi SE , not the Sport. Alas that's rare.

 

[kinaero]

And then they have the audacity to add "AMG" to the name. :fail

Thankfully, they didn't actually stuck a AMG badge on it!

 

[latent]

update

I took it to the dealer and no surprise..they said that there is no problem and the noise level is what they would expect.