Looking to buy a C Class

MattBaigent

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C class estate
Hi all. New to this forum and I’m here for some answers. My partner and I were toying with the idea of getting a new car middle of the year but (annoyingly) someone crashed into our current which has now been written off. Now our car purchasing idea has been brought forward massively and we have narrowed it down to the C Class estate.

We are looking at the (forgive me as I’m not sure on models/engine options/spec etc, I’m coming from and Audi) 2013ish era, so the facelift model but not the new 2014 and it’ll more than likely be the C220 CDI as it seems to be cheap road tax and foot economy.

My main question is, what are the common faults to look out for and is servicing costs/repair expensive (I won’t be going to the main dealer)?

Are the auto boxes fairly solid or is it best to get the manual?

How solid is the engine. Would it take a remap for economy? I have a Navara for work and the engines are notoriously weak. They have power but can’t handle anything like a remap otherwise they break easily.

Think that is all.

Thank you all so much,

Matt
 

John Laidlaw

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Land Rover Discovery 4
Good choice....
My advice
Auto- they are great boxes- you wont go back once you’ve had one
If your running costs will permit a slight increase go for a 350- the 6 cylinder engine is a peach, really smooth and powerful
 
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MattBaigent

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Yes, I would love to but it will mainly be my partners car as I have my truck for work and she wants an eco but useful car and she won’t benefit from a bigger engine.

Are there any weaknesses with the Mercs?
My partner is mostly worried about how much it could cost us if we needed to do any repairs!
 

John Laidlaw

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Lovely that is- lucky partner
There are a couple of tune stages with that engine giving hp and emissions differences - the only small area of concern on it is timing chain stretch which is well documented but in reality very few cases of failure
That one is the 170hp version there are 204s as well. That will be £135 a year tax
Only thing I would look at on it would relate to the Dec 16 MOT where there was mention of a modification to brake discs - not sure what that would be....
 
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umblecumbuz

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S204 and CLC 204 cdi, MX5, Kia Soul
I have had several C class estates over the years. All have been diesels.
The model you're now looking at is excellent, but as every car has weaknesses, this one is not immune.

Check service costs, or an MB service plan if you can get one. The autoboxes are smooth and tough but need proper servicing which is not a diy job. The engines prefer long runs over short journeys - just like many modern diesels. This engine takes a chip or remap very well.

One surprising weakness that is beginning to show up is rusting around the rear axle area, so get that inspected and Waxoyled. Your's is too new for that to be a problem yet, but belt and braces! Other than that, they're great machines and very satisfying to own and drive.
 

ioweddie

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W205 AMG Sport Line Premier Plus Estate C220d
Hi. I have this: see link when I bought it: http://email.citnow.com/wf/click?up...ZBkCdY4jfiL7wN915p1-2BgSnfD9TN8f4Cs3AbI9-2Bjp its done 10650 miles with Mercedes fsh, totally unmarked, looking to sell soon.
Its on a PCP purchase and I owe£20700 at he moment, the dealer offered me £21k last week.
It has airmatic, privacy glass and is in perfect condition. Still under warranty until July when it will need its next service and 1st mot (cost approximately £500 at Mercedes) Its an C220d AMG Line premier plus estate july 2015 (Latest model) Road Tax £30
It still looks like new.
 
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MattBaigent

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Only thing I would look at on it would relate to the Dec 16 MOT where there was mention of a modification to brake discs - not sure what that would be....

Where did you see mention of this?
 
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MattBaigent

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Hi. I have this: see link when I bought it: http://email.citnow.com/wf/click?up...ZBkCdY4jfiL7wN915p1-2BgSnfD9TN8f4Cs3AbI9-2Bjp its done 10650 miles with Mercedes fsh, totally unmarked, looking to sell soon.
Its on a PCP purchase and I owe£20700 at he moment, the dealer offered me £21k last week.
It has airmatic, privacy glass and is in perfect condition. Still under warranty until July when it will need its next service and 1st mot (cost approximately £500 at Mercedes) Its an C220d AMG Line premier plus estate july 2015 (Latest model) Road Tax £30
It still looks like new.

I would love to take you up on that offer but it’s a bit out of our price range unfortunately. Although it is a damn lovely car!
 
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MattBaigent

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Also.. what exactly is parktronic? Is there a reversing camera or is it just sensors?
 

ioweddie

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I
Also.. what exactly is parktronic? Is there a reversing camera or is it just sensors?
Camera plus it parks itself, you pull up just past side a space, indicating, the dash asks if you want auto parking, you press yes on the steering wheel button and in it goes
 

ioweddie

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Its possible to take over the finance from Mercedes, I have been paying £311 per month
 

John Laidlaw

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Where did you see mention of this?
I use a site called total car check Matt but there are others. Free for a basic check but you can also buy credits to do an insured check like HPI - invaluable when you are looking at preowned cars....
 

GlosRichCLK

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The Kompressor petrols are also worth a look, as diesels of that age will fall more and more out of favour, they are euro 4 maybe 5 standard, they will be scrappage fodder soon.
The petrols are better if you do short urban runs, they warm up faster and will still do 40mpg.
Just make sure they have had their oil changes, or the timing chain can wear.
 
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MattBaigent

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I know, I was considering a petrol but they don’t seem to be as available or as cheap! So every C class with that parktronic is a camera? I googled it and it came up with videos of just sensors and that LED thing on the dash!
 

John Laidlaw

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I know, I was considering a petrol but they don’t seem to be as available or as cheap! So every C class with that parktronic is a camera? I googled it and it came up with videos of just sensors and that LED thing on the dash!
Parktronic is the sensors
Parktronic ‘active assist plus’ has the cameras and self parking function
 

keefysher

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I know, I was considering a petrol but they don’t seem to be as available or as cheap! So every C class with that parktronic is a camera? I googled it and it came up with videos of just sensors and that LED thing on the dash!

There are various iterations of assistance aids to park the car, dependent on build date and package as built. The names for the 'assyst' aids also change as time passes.

The sensors in front and rear bumpers in concert with the dash and rear headlining lights (I assume that's what you mean by 'that LED thing on the dash') that you can either look at directly or through the rear view mirror. Some have a camera via Comand. Some have the self park as described by ioweddie above, that again dependent on build date may be 360degree cameras, short wavelength radar, ultrasound; or the lesser system that needs driver input with a display in the dash panel.

When you find a car you like get the VIN and post it in the VIN Decoder and some helpful member will post what is what, at which point it will become clearer what the car actually has.

You could of course rely on google as wot the yoof do, and be none the wiser :cool:
 

daibevan

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I've got the C200 petrol Kompressor and absolutely love it. There is the concern about the timing chain with the M271 engine, but mine hasn't missed a beat yet and I have had it for 2.5 years. To be on the safe side I change the oil every 5000 miles as I usually only do very short journeys.
 

A.J.

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Hi. I have this: see link when I bought it: http://email.citnow.com/wf/click?up...ZBkCdY4jfiL7wN915p1-2BgSnfD9TN8f4Cs3AbI9-2Bjp its done 10650 miles with Mercedes fsh, totally unmarked, looking to sell soon.
Its on a PCP purchase and I owe£20700 at he moment, the dealer offered me £21k last week.
It has airmatic, privacy glass and is in perfect condition. Still under warranty until July when it will need its next service and 1st mot (cost approximately £500 at Mercedes) Its an C220d AMG Line premier plus estate july 2015 (Latest model) Road Tax £30
It still looks like new.
What a lovely looking car Eddie, gorgeous !! :)
 
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MattBaigent

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could someone explain the engines types. i get the 220, 200 etc but I'm seeing a lot of things like w271, m271 etc which i don't really understand.
 

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