W203 320 or 220CDI best buy?

[Jackie Chiles]

Time has come to replace my Peugeot 406TD and have just about decided on a C class saloon to go with my E estate.
It will do about 12k miles a year and I have £10 to 12k to spend.

Is it worth going for the 320CDI with the 7G gearbox, which on my budget an 05 with 80k but usually loaded, or a lower millage / newer 220CDI? I haven't driven either yet and I suppose that will provide the answer but any opinions on either would be appreciated.
Or should I save a bit more for a poverty spec W204 180k.

 

[Aletank]

Rather than the poverty spec W204 C180k why not look at a 2006> Facelift W211 E220 CDI Avantgarde - That would be my choice

 

[Smatt]

Hi,
(obviously) it depends what you want from your car...
The 320 will probably give the most fun. I would not personally recommend a 180 as I feel it will be a bit gutless performance wise(particularly as you are used to a 320!), but then I am sure there are many happy 180 owners out there. If you are considering a petrol, then a C200K would be a good allrounder with more performance, but still reasonably economical.

 

[Jackie Chiles]

I hadn't considered another E class as I don't need two big cars but the running costs will probably be about the same I guess. Is the 211 much better quality than the 203?
Also is the 7G gearbox noticably better and what year is the W211 facelift.

Thanks

 

[Colin_b]

I hadn't considered another E class as I don't need two big cars but the running costs will probably be about the same I guess. Is the 211 much better quality than the 203?
Also is the 7G gearbox noticably better and what year is the W211 facelift.

Thanks

If an auto is important, then the 7G is probably the best auto you can buy (from any manufacturer).

 

[crockers]

When I chose my car, after driving the 320cdi I just knew the 220 cdi in either a C or E class wouldn't do. Since remapping mine, now even more convinced. 7-G box is very smooth.

 

[Middletone]

Had a w203 320cdi, great car, great specs, smooth engine. 7G auto gears box is one of the best around these days.

 

[jaymanek]

C class 320 CDI is a licence loser!

 

[moosehead]

I have a 7G in my 2005 W203 V6 petrol and it took 3 years to get the clunky downchanges sorted plus an electro hydraulic control unit failure at 45K miles (fortunately in warrantly - apparently the part is around £1000 plus labour!). I can't really say that it's any better than the 5 speed in the wife's SLK. Maybe they have improved the newer versions but if it is a 2005 model you are looking at make sure it has had all the software upgrades, has had the ATF changed by someone who knows about these boxes and it runs smoothly especially when downchanging at low speed.

 

[BAD300]

stuff the C & go for the E

 

[prm]

I went to buy an E220cdi facelift last December, they didn't have one to test drive. Salesman says we have only got a 280cdi (V6) Sport, i drove that..........bought it, never looked back. 7g box really smooth.

 

[fredT]

forget the 180. i've got the 320 diesel and was lent a 204 180k, and its a complete dog. my mums got a 200 (203) but even that is a bit sluggish for my liking

the 320 is fun, but id go for the 220 diesel next time. pleanty of poke for overtaking though a little slow off the mark. personally i dont see a massive advantage with the 7g box. mum's 200 has 5 speed, dad got 220cdi 5 speed and they ar both silky smooth. if anything i recon they might be better...

 

[davidjpowell]

320 would be my suggestion. The 220's that I have driven have been noticeably 4 cylinder, and a bit more diesel. The 320's are very smooth, make a nice noise and have oodles of torque. I still get it in the neck for changing mine.

7 speed gearbox was not a big thing to me, but it was very smooth, after MB had replaced it.

 

[markjay]

C320CDI 'mit der Sieben-Gang-Getriebe' a real scorcher (I almost bought one! a W204. see below...) - though obviously not the first choice of budget buyers.

C220CDI easiest to sell on... most sought-after C-Class model. Almost as frugal as the C200CDI but with loads of extra zest.

As for the C180K... I have one (albeit W203 not W204), I do very little mileage so don't care much about mpg. In turn I paid less for it in the first place, have a much quieter car which revs more happily, and far less of the potentially-expensive stuff that can go wrong (you don't want to know how much replacing a diesel fuel pump costs...)

As for the W203 vs W204 issue... I am sticking with my W203 for now, I just don't like much what they have done with the W204 interior and dashboard (or the new E-Class, for that matter!), I just hope that the next S-Class - when introduced - does not go the same way i.e. losing the nice curvy wood in favour of large angular plastic panels. No offence intended to any affected owners/members - it is a question of personal taste! And I am and old fashioned guy...

 

[Jackie Chiles]

Thanks everyone, I went for the W203 320CDI its a 55 plate Avantgarde SE with Sport Pack and looks the nuts.
I knew if I drove one I would end up at the top of the budget.

 

[crockers]

Thanks everyone, I went for the W203 320CDI its a 55 plate Avantgarde SE with Sport Pack and looks the nuts.
I knew if I drove one I would end up at the top of the budget.

Good choice...what colour / mileage and what did you pay for it - if you don't mind my asking..sounds same spec as mine.

Did you get leather & comand?

 

[Jackie Chiles]

Its Silver (same as my W210) has Black leather heated memory seats, COMAND with phone pre-wire (put ViseeO in already) Sunroof, Zenon's. I think everything except folding rear seat unless you can think of anything?
It has Sport Pack but other than lower stiffer springs and vented brakes not sure what it consists of - anyone?
Its done 74k full history at Tony Purslows and I paid £11.5k taxed & MOT'd.

It may have a small fault though, have a look at my thread in Electronics http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/94303-w203-summer-opening-problem.html Do you have a fan running in the overhead contol panel when you get in?