W204 IS the 2012 that much better than the 2008-2010

[Merco34]

Is the 2012 C W204 that much better than the 2008-2011 version, if so why .

 

[M11GUL]

I think the front end looks better on the facelift. The interior is also much better and the dash and switchgear looks more like the w212 e-class.

I thought the interior was always the one factor that let the pre facelift w204 down

 

[Chrishazle]

If a facelift 204 has Comand, updating the maps is far more expensive as Star is needed for NTG4.5, whereas second hand DVD's can be used for pre-facelift NTG4. However, you get 7 digit postcode instead of 5. I may be wrong, but I think my 2008 S204 does not have a DPF, but I'm pretty sure the facelift does.

The facelift also brought the BE engines with better mpg and lower road fund than the equivalent pre-facelift.

 

[grober]

The earlier single turbo OM611 2148 engines reckoned to be slightly more reliable than the later OM651 engines but they will have some miles on them by now. You could still buy 204bhp 1796CC turbo petrol or a 272bhp V6 petrol back then too. The early interiors and electronics left a bit to be desired however and improved a lot with the facelift in 2012. The core car bodyshell and suspension are the same but there was amove from 5speed to 7speed automatic in there somewhere also altho that depended on model also.

 

[Merco34]

So the 2008 W204 is slightly more Reliable in terms of motorisation?

 

[grober]

Mercedes 4 pot diesels tend to be pretty reliable but the later higher power diesels have twin turbo/exhaust manifold assemblies and single row timing chains at the rear of the engine meaning expensive repairs should something go wrong. Mercedes also had problems when they introduced piezo type injectors with the OM651 unlike the older OM611 which had solenoid injectors. Mercedes eventually retrofitted solenoid injectors to the OM651 for cars still under warranty but there may still be quite a few " orphan" OM651 engined cars out there with piezo injectors .

 

[Merco34]

So the older W204 is reliable as the Newer W204 LOL

Ive heard of the Black death on Vitos but didnt realise that the 204 had the same problem.

What about the 5 speed auto box? IS this more reliable in general than the 7G?

thanks guys appreciate it

Ive seen this one

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/735187043.htm?ca=6_s

 

[grober]

The early 7 speed boxes had problems IIRC but sorted now. I notice that car is a 4 matic- not marketed in the UK [ no RHD versions] It may retain the 5 speed box because of this.
Looks a nice car but with the older interior? In general despite the widely publicised faults mentioned above the W204 was regarded as a step up in quality compared to the previous model the W203.

 

[Merco34]

Thanks Graeme

Yes I think the best choice for me is going to be the 220 tbh, As 170 bhp is farmore than enough for me.

Car prices are high here, and trying to find an AMG under 19000 euros is hard going.

 

[pembssurf]

I have the c180 CGI 2011 pre facelift by a month... Only had for a couple of months and no issues.. With hindsight I would get 220 petrol just for extra HP... Basically same engine just in a different state of tune.im getting 37mpg on short mixed runs and 40+ on long runs. Didn't buy for economy though!