W204 advice from owners - reliability

[corpjones]

I've got an 06 Accord 2.2 Ex with 18" alloys, the sport one will probably be similar or better then my one anyway so I might go and test drive the model I mentioned earlier, its a good price and decent spec, it has done 80k miles but has got a full history.

 

[corpjones]

I've just noticed its a 2007 57 plate but still the new shape, are the early ones still ok to buy or are there any niggles that need to be sorted?

 

[st4]

They're ok

 

[corpjones]

Thanks, just found out the one I was interested in has 3 previous owners which is a bit off putting, will probably have to look at another one..

 

[corpjones]

Ok its actually an Ex Demo hence number of owners, still not sure, doubt its been looked after initially..

 

[ernieh]

Before we bought the Elegance, we tried a Sport and found it too firm on the road. Apart from that my wife found the seats a bit constricting at the sides.

That said, the Elegance had a wheel upgrade to 17s which is just about a right balance of comfort with poise. Again, with 16 inch winters, I find ours a bit soft.

Its all a bit horses for courses, I think you need to try the car to see what suits you.

You mentioned a 57 plate car....some of the early ones had a problem with the roof lining above the rear window; it wasn't secured and rattled terribly.

Hope you find one OK.


Ernie

 

[corpjones]

Thanks for that i'll try and listen for rattles from that area the search goes on, looks like I'll have to spend between 10-12k.

 

[davemercedes]

I'm looking to spend £8.5k so it'll have 100k - 120k miles on the clock..

You don't have to expect 100K+ miles for that price. I bought my 2007 CDi Estate Auto Avantgarde from a MB Dealer (Wakefield) in February 2013 for about that price. It had 66K on the clock with full MB history and came with 12 months warranty. I love it. I just had the MOT done - at an MB dealership under their special offer at £27.50. Passed with no advisories.

Go to the official MB "approved" Used Car search and keep checking - of course it's full of £40 - £99K cars but you might be in for a good surprise (as I was) at the availability if you search with a limit of say £10K. If there's nothing there today have another go in a few days. ***

*** NB
I have no connection other than what I mentioned - I bought a car.. . the usual "buyer beware" caveats apply.

PS: Regarding mpg - I have another thread going - take a look at "What real mpg should I expect?". You mentioned driving 14K a year so it should be better but I think my local driving is dragging it down.

 

[corpjones]

Thanks Dave, I was expecting high mileage because I am only after one with leather and built in sat nav, all the ones with nav are that sort of price, apart from the ex demo one which I've decided against as it wouldnt of been looked after while it was a demo.

I will however keep checking dealerships as like you said you never know I wonder if waiting until Dec or Jan might be better as i'm guessing sales slow down then.

 

[corpjones]

A bit strange, newer cars with Executive SE spec are not much more then the older pre BE cars, are the pre BE cars meant to be better?!

 

[SAABfan]

I think the w204 c-class is a very good looking car.

 

[corpjones]

Update - Just test drove a C200 and C250 sport, the C250 felt very powerful, unfortunately they did not have a C220 but I imagine its in the middle? addicted to the C250 power now, the sport suspension seems fine to me so i'll stick with that as much prefer the looks of the sport.

Not too sure how the seats will feel on a long journey but being Mercedes i'm sure longer mileages should still feel comfortable on a sport, after driving the C250 not sure if the C220 will feel as powerful, C200 was definitely lacking.

 

[st4]

Try a C350cdi...LOL