2010 C220 CDI versus BMW 320d

[Smile]

I am in the market for a new car. I have had my current BMW 325i SE Touring for 9 years (from new) without any problems. I love it but the ex-husband (decent sort) has offered to buy me a brand new 2010 car, either a C Class C220 Estate Elegance Auto or a MW 320d Touring Auto. Despite the fondness for my current car, I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth!

I live in Central London. The car has only been used for the school run, supermarket shopping and a one off trip to Southern France. My current milage on my Y reg car is 53k. My on-board computer tells me that I average about 12 miles to the gallon! Saying that I do like driving and it took me a while to get used to the auto as I felt I had lost contact with the road.

The children are now in their teens, with one at boarding school (the school run has become longer but less regular!). I need an estate car which will see me through the years at university and beyond. I forsee having this next car for a good ten years (this is the last time the ex will buy me one).

I want a diesel automatic with leather seats, metallic paint, parking beepers and xenon lights. The marginal difference in total purchase price is unimportant but the long term reliability is.

My ex is pro-MB and so am I - my image of diesel MBs is the extremely reliable 15+ year old large saloon cars used as taxi's in developing countries - this is what I would like for the next ten years or so.

I then started reading the driver reviews which are, to be honest, hugely damning about reliabilty and running costs. Even on this site.

What to do? - Straw poll - C220 CDI or the 320d?

All advice will be gratefully welcome.

 

[turbopete]

as all cars have their faults, and MB and BMW are no exception, id still opt for the merc. better ride quality, better looking in my view, and the problems are less horrific!

thats my own opinion, others will have their own.

and welcome to the forums

 

[st4]

C220cdi every-time. Be aware though there have been issues with the injectors failing on these cars, although not recently, a new one should have had these issues fixed from memory although I cannot be sure.

However, what you really want is a 2yr old C320cdi estate. The engine is in another league for smoothness and coming from a 325i BMW you'll find a 4 cylinder diesel engine (as found in the C220cdi and BMW 320d) somewhat gruff.

I'd advise you try both these cars to make sure they are refined enough for you. I doubt the C320cdi (or BMW 330d-try a 6 clylider 3 litre diesel BMW too) will seem corse and will still make your current car seem like it had a leaky petrol tank.

 

[*Thumper]

Well on this site .. your going to get a biased opinion .......... but welcome to the forum, anyway.

I had exactly the same dilema, just over a year ago, and went for the C220, over the BMW 320 ........ reasons

Slightly larger vehicle (although not much in it)
Very reliable tried and test 2.1 litre engine(been around for years)
Image ........ the MB has a fair better image, and looks more expensive, especially in estate version.
....... and, because I wanted it !!


Good luck with your purchase ............ I'm sure you are already heading down one train of thought ..... or you would'nt be here ...........

 

[st4]

Well on this sire .. your going to get a biased opinion .......... but welcome to the forum, anyway.

I had exactly the same dilema, just over a year ago, and went for the C220, over the BMW 320 ........ reasons

Slightly larger vehicle (although not much in it)
Very reliable tried and test 2.1 litre engine(been around for years)
Image ........ the MB has a fair better image, and looks more expensive, especially in estate version.
....... and, because I wanted it !!


Good luck with your purchase ............ I'm sure you are already heading down one train of thought ..... or you would'nt be here ...........

Is yours the Blue efficieny engine?

The pre BE engines are brilliant, the new ones, well time will tell but not off to a good start.

 

[Xtractorfan]

I suggest you drive both cars and make your mind up based on which car you would prefer to drive.. The outer looks or presence of the car is irrelevant, unless you like to cruise around showing off your bling machine..
I would also suggest that you drive a few other estate cars.. the new Insignia (vauxhall) is a very handsome looking car and a brillaint driver also the New Mondeo estate is a fantastic drive .. But not to confuse the issue .. Both have electrical gremlins (the Merc and BM) and only by driving and feeling good about the car you choose will you be happy...Good Luck.
Oh and stay away from the Sport suspension ..you will live to regret it...believe me.. I know of around five owners who would gladly change to normal suspension if they could

 

[Smile]

What about the C250cdi?

C220cdi every-time. Be aware though there have been issues with the injectors failing on these cars, although not recently, a new one should have had these issues fixed from memory although I cannot be sure.

However, what you really want is a 2yr old C320cdi estate. The engine is in another league for smoothness and coming from a 325i BMW you'll find a 4 cylinder diesel engine (as found in the C220cdi and BMW 320d) somewhat gruff.

I'd advise you try both these cars to make sure they are refined enough for you. I doubt the C320cdi (or BMW 330d-try a 6 clylider 3 litre diesel BMW too) will seem corse and will still make your current car seem like it had a leaky petrol tank.

Thanks for that advice - The MB salesman is trying to persuade me to look at the C250cdi - he thinks it is a better car... I am put off by the higher running costs but maybe I am being short sighted. I haven't considered the C320cdi but is the C250cdi a 'better' car?

 

[st4]

The C250cdi is merely more powerful than the C220cdi whilst using more fuel. Both the c220cdi and c250cdi have 2 turbo's, just the 250cdi is more powerful.

I'd have a look at C350cdi/C320cdi even if they are marginally used.

 

[GSM1]

BMW offer the best diesel cars on the market, although mercedes are better on the inside. Drive both and make up your own mind, only you will know what suits you

 

[Smile]

Just checked out the list price for the C350cdi estate (no C320) - £2k more with the specs I want and I feel it would be pushing the generosity of the ex too far - and I haven't checked the running costs yet.... I will check the price of nearly new tomorrow - but thanks for the tip st4.

Now of course GSM1 has advised me that BMW make the better diesel - hmmmm. I do need to test drive a C220 but the sales rep (Chelsea) is struggling to find me one!

You guys have been great with the feedback - all valuable. Thanks.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Smaller engine if you are doing mainly town runs .. bigger engine if you are doing longer and motorway runs.. The 250 engine is I think ideal..

 

[*Thumper]

C220, for around London town .... the V6 will clobber the deisel .............. forget the C250 ........ it's a pointless car, made for the emmissions consious company car driver, and his tax bill.

You could have a 220 re-mapped, but I doubt you'd need it ................ 170 BHP is adequate ...... and 35+MPG around town ........... 45+ on a run

 

[st4]

Smile-look for a used C320cdi estate thats maybe 1 year old, there will be plenty that have the specs you want and ideal car.

Thumper-I ran a E220cdi for 2 years and now have put 3k on a E320cdi V6. The difference in fuel consumption between the tweo (and yes I do town driving) is about 10% worse in town and about 5% (if that) out of town. The V6 is not the thirsty a car.

 

[BarryF]

There is a very good reason why most foreign taxi drivers use Mercedes diesels and not BMW's.
Barry

 

[drdre78]

i sorry to say i have the bmw it feels better car.both have there troubles.if you get bmw 330 diesel you forget it is diesel cos it so fast.great car.test drive them both

 

[Smile]

There is a very good reason why most foreign taxi drivers use Mercedes diesels and not BMW's.
Barry

This is just what I want - a solid, reliable taxi - to shunt my lackless teenagers - and their kit -from A to B and back to A again!

You are right - I have never seen a BMW taxi! :lol:

However I will carry on researching and looking forward to an MB test drive - the fact remains that the BMW is cheaper - more specs as standard - and they have a great pre-paid servicing package which is not to be sniffed at........

 

[st4]

This is just what I want - a solid, reliable taxi - to shunt my lackless teenagers - and their kit -from A to B and back to A again!

You are right - I have never seen a BMW taxi! :lol:

However I will carry on researching and looking forward to an MB test drive - the fact remains that the BMW is cheaper - more specs as standard - and they have a great pre-paid servicing package which is not to be sniffed at........

I have seen a couple. 530d and a few 730d's in Aberdeen but mostly Skoda and Mercedes.

If performance is not an over riding factor a C220cdi is fine, just the 320cdi is a lot smoother and it really goes but that probably isn't an issue for you.

Would you consider a Skoda Superb estate, massive cavernous things for the same price as the Mercedes or a used last Gen E class estate. You mentioned taking kids to uni/boarding schools, these have heaps of room over the C class and can be had for the same or less money.

 

[Juddian]

Go on laugh but i'm deadly serious here, living in central London i assume you have to pay the congestion charge almost daily.

Test drive a Toyota Prius, the silent progressive drive, the ultra smooth gearbox and the uncanny way the engine fires up almost imperceptibly once your are moving to assist the electric motors must be felt to be appreciated, the new model which is more powerful is a huge improvement on the open road.

Probably didn't want to hear that but don't dismiss it out of hand till you've driven one with an open mind.

Unless of course you could persuade your jolly decent sounding ex into stumping up for a Lexus RX450h hybrid.

 

[survey]

As per Thumper, I had the same dilemma a year ago. In the end I opted for the MB C220cdi rather than the BMW. One of the reasons for my choice was that the BMW dealerships (several I checked out) were too arrogant to even acknowledge my presence in their showrooms. Another reason was that BMW use runflat tyres, so if you get a non-repairable blowout, you are absolutely snookered. MB have a skinny and although I think that is crazy, it is better than being stranded. The c220cdi is a pretty good runner, smooth and comfortable and reasonably economical (42mpg over 26K); however the BMW will be more economical.

 

[Smile]

The Skoda is an idea for sheer volume - I have considered the Subaru and the BMW X1 as well; I could have done with 4x4 last January (but only on one occasion!). And the Passat, the Audi and the Mazda.

I have also considered the Prius - I would only buy one, however, to save on congestion charge - and I worry that either the CC will have gone in Ken&Chelsea (a supposed Boris pledge) or they will stop letting the hybrids in for nothing - the number of Lexus RXs are quite alarming but sadly I (or the ex) can't afford to join the exclusive group - the CC is turning K&C into a rich man's ghetto - but that is a discussion for another time.....

And anyway this is a long term purchase and I am not sure how reliable the hybrid engine will still be in 10 years - unproven, unlike the good old MB diesel.....

The C220cdi is running a neck in front of the 320d - the maths is less attractive but I am hanging on to this romantic view of driving a worn and well used old Merc in 15/20 years time.....

I am appreciating all the advice you are all giving me - it is really helping me to focus. Thanks.