As many of you know I have had three Mercedes all known as R2 (due to my number plate). Since I felt I had achieved everything I could with R2 No3 i.e. every mod or option I needed on my C180k, I had been looking for the “new R2” for ages.
I decided to not limit my search to only Mercedes because I’d driven 250,000 miles in C Classes and wondered what else was out there. I considered a Kenwood A4 but it was so bland, I considered several Alfas but they were fun but coarse and the build quality still isn’t in Mercedes league and so after months of test drives I ended up positively choosing to remain with Mercedes rather than just buying another one.
I decided that I wanted something practical, suitable for work, FUN and FAST and therefore I started a nationwide hunt for a C55 AMG. I drove good ones, bad ones and saw all sorts of worn ones but the only superb one, sold before I got to it. Then one day I was at an independent MB dealer who let me take out various W204s back to back. I discovered that W204 Sports are much firmer than my old Avantgarde even though mine had AMG springs! I drive a fair few long journeys and I couldn’t cope with the Sport suspension every day. He then sent me out in a C350 (Petrol) Elegance which was wonderful. It had proper suspension and ride becoming a luxury car and was a very nice place to be. This set me thinking about what I wanted from the next R2.
On Tuesday I sold my C180 k to a forum member who doubtless will report in due course. But I hope he enjoys the car as much as I have
When looking for C55 AMGs I discovered that there are only 131 left in the UK, hence my difficulty in finding a good one. I then started researching W204C350 Elegance's and discovered that there are only 103 in the UK! The one I’d test driven had already been sold
Performance wise a C350 is only 0.5 sec slower to 60 than a C55 and frankly I couldn’t feel the difference. Whilst the 3.5 litre doesn’t sound like a V8 it does sound lovely and above 3000 revs makes a great sound.
To cut to the chase, I searched everywhere for a low mileage W204 C350 Elegance and yesterday bought a lovely example with only 17,000 miles on the clock. I took it straight away to Comand uk where Mark, Rob and Richard were ready to do all my mods for me! They did a full and proper factory comand install with the factory vents and fans and different air vent controls and everything is perfect. Mark had helped me with advice when buying my car and advised me what was possible from a retro fit point of view. Yesterday Rob and Richard did the install and a lovely and perfect job it is as well. Thank you guys! :bannana:
Sadly since spending 5 hours detailing my “new” car, it has rained constantly and so it’s been hard to get photos but here are a few to be going on with!
The new R2 is my first V6, my first "limited to 155mph" and first "6. sec" car
I decided to not limit my search to only Mercedes because I’d driven 250,000 miles in C Classes and wondered what else was out there. I considered a Kenwood A4 but it was so bland, I considered several Alfas but they were fun but coarse and the build quality still isn’t in Mercedes league and so after months of test drives I ended up positively choosing to remain with Mercedes rather than just buying another one.
I decided that I wanted something practical, suitable for work, FUN and FAST and therefore I started a nationwide hunt for a C55 AMG. I drove good ones, bad ones and saw all sorts of worn ones but the only superb one, sold before I got to it. Then one day I was at an independent MB dealer who let me take out various W204s back to back. I discovered that W204 Sports are much firmer than my old Avantgarde even though mine had AMG springs! I drive a fair few long journeys and I couldn’t cope with the Sport suspension every day. He then sent me out in a C350 (Petrol) Elegance which was wonderful. It had proper suspension and ride becoming a luxury car and was a very nice place to be. This set me thinking about what I wanted from the next R2.
On Tuesday I sold my C180 k to a forum member who doubtless will report in due course. But I hope he enjoys the car as much as I have
When looking for C55 AMGs I discovered that there are only 131 left in the UK, hence my difficulty in finding a good one. I then started researching W204C350 Elegance's and discovered that there are only 103 in the UK! The one I’d test driven had already been sold
Performance wise a C350 is only 0.5 sec slower to 60 than a C55 and frankly I couldn’t feel the difference. Whilst the 3.5 litre doesn’t sound like a V8 it does sound lovely and above 3000 revs makes a great sound.
To cut to the chase, I searched everywhere for a low mileage W204 C350 Elegance and yesterday bought a lovely example with only 17,000 miles on the clock. I took it straight away to Comand uk where Mark, Rob and Richard were ready to do all my mods for me! They did a full and proper factory comand install with the factory vents and fans and different air vent controls and everything is perfect. Mark had helped me with advice when buying my car and advised me what was possible from a retro fit point of view. Yesterday Rob and Richard did the install and a lovely and perfect job it is as well. Thank you guys! :bannana:
Sadly since spending 5 hours detailing my “new” car, it has rained constantly and so it’s been hard to get photos but here are a few to be going on with!
The new R2 is my first V6, my first "limited to 155mph" and first "6. sec" car
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