W203

[Mercman786]

This too much like the W202 I find a comfortable, refined and well-built saloon with a touch of class.
Some people have found it a bit tricky to operate the parking brake on the manual versions.

Remember to watch for un-even tyre wear because it is difficult to set up. Some had turbo problems early on, also check the rear screen heater works.

There have also been widespread reports of problems with the electronics and software.
The automatic gearboxes are not bulletproof so check if the transmission is jerky or has a tendency to hang on to gears.
You should keep an ear out for odd noises from the suspension.
If you can find one, I would personally reccomend the supercharged C180 which was introduced in late 2002. Otherwise track down the 143 BHP 2.2 litre which was available from launch.
There are several trims to choose from but even I find the Classic SE could give you all you want.

Go for - C180 Classic SE
Avoid - C350 Sport

C180 (Pre-facelift/2000-2004) -
Urban - 20.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 38.7 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.3 seconds
Top Speed - 128 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 129 BHP

Co2 Emissions - 230 g/km - 1 Year/£445.00 6 months/£244.75
Insurance Group - 12A

C200K -
Urban - 19.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 38.2 mpg
Combined - 28.5 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.6 seconds
Top Speed - 140 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 163 BHP

Insurance Group - 13A
Co2 Emissions - 237 g/km - 1 Year/£445.00 6 months/£244.75

C220 CDI -
Urban - 31.7 mpg
Extra Urban - 53.3 mpg
Combined - 43.5 mpg
0-62 mph - 10.9 seconds
Top Speed - 130 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 143 BHP

Insurance Group - 13
Co2 Emissions - 172 g/km - 1 Year/£190.00 6 months/£104.50

C240 -
Urban - 17.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 35.3 mpg
Combined - 25.9 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.5 seconds
Top Speed - 142 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 18v
Engine Power - 170 BHP

Insurance Group - 15
Co2 Emissions - 263 g/km - 1 Year/£460.00 6 months/£253.00

C270 CDI -
Urban - 28.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 50.4 mpg
Combined - 39.8 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.1 seconds
Top Speed - 141 mph
Cylinders - 5
Valves - 20v
Engine Power - 170 BHP

Insurance Group - 15
Co2 Emissions - 189 g/km - 1 Year/£245.00 6 months/£134.75

C320 -
Urban - 19.1 mpg
Extra Urban - 35.3 mpg
Combined - 26.9 mpg
0-62 mph - 8.1 seconds
Top Speed - 150 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 18v
Engine Power - 218 BHP

Insurance Group - 17
Co2 Emissions - 249 g/km - 1 Year/£445.00 6 months/£244.75

C32 AMG -
Urban - 16.9 mpg
Extra Urban - 32.8 mpg
Combined - 24.6 mpg
0-62 mph - 5.2 seconds
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 18v
Engine Power - 354 BHP

Insurance Group - 19D
Co2 Emissions - 276 g/km - 1 Year/£460.00 6 months/£253.00

C180 Komp (facelift/2004-2008) -
Urban - 24.1 mpg
Extra Urban - 46.3 mpg
Combined - 34.4 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.7 seconds
Top Speed - 139 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 143 BHP
Engine Torque - 162 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 12
Co2 Emissions - 189 g/km - 1 Year/£245.00 6 months/£134.75

C200 Komp -
Urban - 23 mpg
Extra Urban - 42.8 mpg
Combined - 32.5 mpg
0-62 mph - 9.4 seconds
Top Speed - 139 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 163 BHP
Engine Torque - 177 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 14
Co2 Emissions - 212 g/km - 1 Year/£260.00 6 months/£143.00

C200 CDI -
Urban - 31.7 mpg
Extra Urban - 50.4 mpg
Combined - 41.5 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.9 seconds
Top Speed - 139 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 122 BHP
Engine Torque - 199 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 12
Co2 Emissions - 180 g/km - 1 Year/£210.00 6 months/£115.50

C220 CDI -
Urban - 32.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 55.4 mpg
Combined - 44.1 mpg
0-62 mph - 10.1 seconds
Top Speed - 139 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 150 BHP
Engine Torque - 251 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 13
Co2 Emissions - 169 g/km - 1 Year/£190.00 6 months/£104.50

C230 7G tronic -
Urban - 21.4 mpg
Extra Urban - 39.8 mpg
Combined - 30.4 mpg
0-62 mph - 8.9 seconds
Top Speed - 145 mph (estimate)
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 204 BHP

Insurance Group - 16
Co2 Emissions - 222 g/km - 1 Year/£260.00 6 months/£143.00

C280 -
Urban - 21.2 mpg
Extra Urban - 39.2 mpg
Combined - 30.1 mpg
0-62 mph - 7.2 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph (estimate)
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 231 BHP

Insurance Group - 17
Co2 Emissions - 225 g/km - 1 Year/£260.00 6 months/£143.00

C320 CDI -
Urban - 26.9 mpg
Extra Urban - 47.9 mpg
Combined - 37.2 mpg
0-62 mph - 6.9 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 224 BHP

Insurance Group - 17
Co2 Emissions - 201 g/km - 1 Year/£260.00 6 months/£143.00

C350 -
Urban - 19.9 mpg
Extra Urban - 37.2 mpg
Combined - 28.2 mpg
0-62 mph - 6.4 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 272 BHP

Insurance Group - 18
Co2 Emissions - 239 g/km - 1 Year/£445.00 6 months/£244.75

C55 AMG -
Urban - 15.9 mpg
Extra Urban - 30.7 mpg
Combined - 23 mpg
0-62 mph - 5.4 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph
Cylinders - 8
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 367 BHP
Engine Torque - 376 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 20
Co2 Emissions - 293 g/km - 1 Year/£460.00 6 months/£253.00

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Is this a copy/paste from Parkers, Glass, Honest John website (delete as applicable)?

 

[MOCAŠ]

C180 (Pre-facelift/2000-2004) -
Urban - 20.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 38.7 mpg
0-62 mph - 11.3 seconds
Top Speed - 128 mph
Cylinders - 4
Valves - 16v
Engine Power - 129 BHP

Co2 Emissions - 230 g/km - 1 Year/£445.00 6 months/£244.75
Insurance Group - 12A

Cars registered between 1st March 2001 and 22nd March 2006 inclusive fall into Band K if their emissions are 201g/km or more. Thus, the VED cost is £260 for 1 year or £143 for 6 months.

 

[Mercman786]

Cars registered between 1st March 2001 and 22nd March 2006 inclusive fall into Band K if their emissions are 201g/km or more. Thus, the VED cost is £260 for 1 year or £143 for 6 months.

Thanks for the correction

 

[Mercman786]

Is this a copy/paste from Parkers, Glass, Honest John website (delete as applicable)?

It was actually from none of those sites

 

[Markedes]

Each to their own on this opinion ..... Or Mercedes would only produce one model for all .

Maybe misjudged purpose of post ????

 

[renault12ts]

Another good thread MM. Thanks.

 

[Mercman786]

Each to their own on this opinion ..... Or Mercedes would only produce one model for all .

Maybe misjudged purpose of post ????

I think maybe you have??

 

[martyz]

thanks for another useful post.

 

[robotech]

Another useful post 'Thanks

 

[BlackC55]

Why avoid the C350? Cracking engine.

They dont suffer with turbo issues either. Who writes this BS?

 

[Markedes]

Well said Olly

 

[Mercman786]

Why avoid the C350? Cracking engine.

They dont suffer with turbo issues either. Who writes this BS?

It was the advice given by WhatCar, even I will admit that it is a cracking engine, I had a 2006 C350 from a Mercedes-Benz Dealership (Robinsons), she was a beauty, more recently, my brother-in-law got a 2007 56 C350 (salvage).

 

[C350]

It was the advice given by WhatCar, even I will admit that it is a cracking engine, I had a 2006 C350 from a Mercedes-Benz Dealership (Robinsons), she was a beauty, more recently, my brother-in-law got a 2007 56 C350 (salvage).

I have a C350 2006 and think it is a cracking car too (and thats coming from an E39 M5)

 

[BenzedUP]

Why avoid the C350? Cracking engine.

They dont suffer with turbo issues either. Who writes this BS?

Well said, and someone thinks a c55 does 0-60 in 5.4 lol more like 4.9secs

Most of that info is wrong and there is some crap advice - like avoid a 3.5L V6 and go for a 4pot

 

[markjay]

...Most of that info is wrong and there is some crap advice - like avoid a 3.5L V6 and go for a 4pot

Sound advice if you ask me...
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[Dizwen]

Well said, and someone thinks a c55 does 0-60 in 5.4 lol more like 4.9secs

Most of that info is wrong and there is some crap advice - like avoid a 3.5L V6 and go for a 4pot

C55 0-60 only 4.9 seconds? God thats slow. You need a C32 0-60 4.5 seconds...

 

[BenzedUP]

C55 0-60 only 4.9 seconds? God thats slow. You need a C32 0-60 4.5 seconds...

Yes, so damn slow..

Been there, done that.. yes the C32 is very nice but it's just a c320 with a supercharger.

Given the choice, i'd take an E46 M3 over it tbh, even if the C32 is slightly faster!

 

[Dizwen]

C32 is very nice but it's just a c320 with a supercharger.

Ouch, that's low...