Review of c220d (2019)

[Deletedmember130310]

i had the loan of a c220d for the day whilst my car was being serviced and i completed c100 miles.

First impressions - ok but not as good a quality as i expected.

The dash is ridiculously complicated with something always flashing or flickering in your peripheral vision. After a while i figured this was the irrelevant current mpg or battery charge indicator. Lots of info scattered over the display.

Engine - gruff and rough. Slow off the line but good mid range although very hard to drive at 30mph - the slightest tickle on the throttle had the car surging done the road. This was largely a consequence of the ride - harsh and jiggly but without the payback of secure handling. Too much roll and numb steering.

But the biggest complaint - despite multi way adjustable electric seats i found it impossible to get comfortable, let alone find a position where i could see the full dash. I eventually realised this was largely due to the appalling seat / steering wheel position, with the steering wheel horribly offset to the left / centre of the car, forcing me to sit sideways. It felt as if the centre of the wheel was over my knee rather than in line with my groin.


All in all i was very unimpressed but relieved i had been able to complete and extended test drive as i had been considering a 300 convertible. Not now.

MB do seem to have lost their way, especially with ergonomics. Talking with the service manager, he agreed with all my comments and mentioned that the vast majority of questions and issues he faces concern the software - how to connect my phone, how to read my texts/ emails on the move, how to surf the internet on the move.... i guess i am a generation too old for MB target market,.

 

[C240Sport97]

I have had a facelift C220d - with the new 2 litre diesel engine - on 2 separate occasions, once for 4 days and the other for 10 days. In total around 1500 miles.

I thought the drivetrain excellent, the engine smooth and surprisingly powerful and the ride compliant and not too soft. The 9G gearbox was pretty accomplished too; seamless, always in the right gear and quick shifting.

I agree the pedals are offset to the right but that is a “feature” of RHD Mercs.

Steering is too light and feel free. ICE a bit too complicated but overall good functionality.

I reckon the C220d is a superb all round compact executive saloon. The artico interior was the worst thing - nasty.

 

[wivenhoe]

I have had a facelift C220d - with the new 2 litre diesel engine - on 2 separate occasions, once for 4 days and the other for 10 days. In total around 1500 miles.

I thought the drivetrain excellent, the engine smooth and surprisingly powerful and the ride compliant and not too soft. The 9G gearbox was pretty accomplished too; seamless, always in the right gear and quick shifting.

I agree the pedals are offset to the right but that is a “feature” of RHD Mercs.

Steering is too light and feel free. ICE a bit too complicated but overall good functionality.

I reckon the C220d is a superb all round compact executive saloon. The artico interior was the worst thing - nasty.

I had a new C200 petrol hire car whilst my car was having a recall. I came from a C to my present E. I found the engine to be very gruff when pushed and much more intrusive than the 2L petrol in my E. I agree the Artico looked more plastic than leather. It was a PP and due to the new packages it didn’t have all electric seats which seemed odd and I also couldn’t really get comfortable. I may be being unfair as I am probably in my mind comparing it with my E which is a far more expensive car.

 

[C240Sport97]

I think C200 petrol is a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder from Renault/Nissan?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I think C200 petrol is a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder from Renault/Nissan?

Explains alot.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I have had a facelift C220d - with the new 2 litre diesel engine - on 2 separate occasions, once for 4 days and the other for 10 days. In total around 1500 miles.

I thought the drivetrain excellent, the engine smooth and surprisingly powerful and the ride compliant and not too soft. The 9G gearbox was pretty accomplished too; seamless, always in the right gear and quick shifting.

I agree the pedals are offset to the right but that is a “feature” of RHD Mercs.

Steering is too light and feel free. ICE a bit too complicated but overall good functionality.

I reckon the C220d is a superb all round compact executive saloon. The artico interior was the worst thing - nasty.

I am not it is the pedals that are offset - it is the steering wheel! I thought MB had borrowed it from the Mclaren F1....

 

[Eddy77]

I looked at the latest C recently when searching for a new car for my wife. I didn’t like them at all and found the driving position ‘odd’....I didn’t test drive one as within two minutes of being sat in one realised it was way too small for us. We did consider the E class but my wife in particular couldn’t get on with the looks and I must admit, I did find them challenging. We ended up with an audi which so far has been excellent.

 

[wivenhoe]

I think C200 petrol is a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder from Renault/Nissan?

Certainly sounds like it ! The consumption reflected the noise.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

I eventually realised this was largely due to the appalling seat / steering wheel position, with the steering wheel horribly offset to the left / centre of the car, forcing me to sit sideways. It felt as if the centre of the wheel was over my knee rather than in line with my groin.

I've been driving my 2018 pre facelift "C" class for over a year now and I've yet to notice the "appalling seat / steering wheel position", I find the seating position extremely comfortable and not at all offset.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I was driven around last weekend in the petrol version - about a hundred miles as well, I think.

My friend, the owner, loves it, but have to say I wasn't impressed by the tech interface or the cabin quality. Looks modern, for sure, but seemed to "lack the thought" about the priority of information being displayed.

On ride quality, to use my usual gripe, I wonder whether the wheels were simply too big on your demo car. The dealers love putting on larger wheels because they "look good," but there often not a match for British roads.

 

[wrighty senior]

I drive approximately 25,000 miles per year and keep my cars about 3 years. Everytime I change, I look at all the available options. My recent preferences generally mean that I am looking at what the industry consider 'small executive' class but I look at others as well. My car choices have been 'eclectic' (Rx8; EvoX; C350; A4 Quattro; C350e) and I have had short spells in Jaguar XF & XE; Audi A6; BMW 5Series & 3Series. I have recently purchased a C300d - I am delighted with it and do not recognise any of the negative comments in this thread. Before choosing the C300d I tried the BMW 320 and 420 (hated the acres of cheap black plastic, chunky stalks, the way it made me feel claustrophobic, the lack of rear leg room and the 'laid-back' driving position I had to adopt to get comfortable with peddles and steering wheel); Audi A5 (disliked some of the ergonomics but mainly hated the really harsh ride); Jaguar XE (too slow!); E350 (too big).
Basically, choice is a very personal thing!
In defense of the C-class I have found the new digital dash really easy to use and it provides some useful formats, the seating position is really comfortable over very long distances, I have traveled with four large adults in the car with absolutely no problem; it is very fast and yet remains economical. The C300d gets a thumbs up from me.

 

[C240Sport97]

The C300d gets a thumbs up from me.

what made you choose C300d over C220d?

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I've been driving my 2018 pre facelift "C" class for over a year now and I've yet to notice the "appalling seat / steering wheel position", I find the seating position extremely comfortable and not at all offset.

When I sat in the car and held my arms out parallel to my legs, my hands were no where near the rim of the steering wheel. Indeed, drawing a centre line from the middle of the steering wheel passed through my left shoulder, not my mid chest. The discomfort was compounded by the fact the pedals are offset the other way.

Maybe it depends on our build and statue.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

When I sat in the car and held my arms out parallel to my legs, my hands were no where near the rim of the steering wheel. Indeed, drawing a centre line from the middle of the steering wheel passed through my left shoulder, not my mid chest. The discomfort was compounded by the fact the pedals are offset the other way.

I actually went and sat in mine to check whether I'd not noticed the off centre problem you describe , as far as I could make out there was absolutely no problem , everything seemed OK and no offset problem whatsoever. I appreciate that you sat in the facelift model but as far as I know the facelift was basically a bumper change and digital dashboard. Are you sure it was a "C" class .

 

[rf065]

I actually went and sat in mine to check whether I'd not noticed the off centre problem you describe , as far as I could make out there was absolutely no problem , everything seemed OK and no offset problem whatsoever. I appreciate that you sat in the facelift model but as far as I know the facelift was basically a bumper change and digital dashboard. Are you sure it was a "C" class .

I had a C220 loan car while my C250 was in and I did notice the wheel appeared to be offset, whereas I don't notice it in my own car. The biggest thing that struck me about the new one, was getting 70mpg without even trying.

 

[wrighty senior]

what made you choose C300d over C220d?

245bhp v 192bhp and 0-62mph in 5.9s instead of 6.9s

 

[CaptainChaos]

I have a 2015 C350e. The wheel is offset to the left, but I've had it three years and I had to make a point of sitting in it and checking, so it's not particularly noticeable. I didn't get a tape measure out, but if I sit in the seat normally, the centre of the steering wheel is in line with my left inner thigh (steady at the back! ) rather than the centre of the seat.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I have a 2015 C350e. The wheel is offset to the left, but I've had it three years and I had to make a point of sitting in it and checking, so it's not particularly noticeable. I didn't get a tape measure out, but if I sit in the seat normally, the centre of the steering wheel is in line with my left inner thigh (steady at the back! ) rather than the centre of the seat.

phew - at least I wasn't imagining it and become Quasimodo overnight...

 

[wivenhoe]

phew - at least I wasn't imagining it and become Quasimodo overnight...

What’s more embarrassing is that in the 2.5 years driving my C350e I never noticed it. I checked my E350e today and it is all central (I think)

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I think most cars have a degree of offset but the wide transmission tunnel in the C forced my legs further to the right.....