Buying advice on a C Class CDI please

[Theo Cupier]

Hi there, first post so forgive me if I've duplicated questions.

I'm interested in buying a C Class CDI saloon.

My budget (£6K or so) means I'm looking at older, higher mileage models.

I know that many people say that Mercedes are bomb-proof up to 250K miles and beyond, but what's the reality of the last C-Class from your expert points of view?

For example, I looked at one with this spec:
270 CDI Elegance SE
2001 51 plate
146K miles
Automatic

Is there anything inherently wrong with that specific car that I should be aware of either in terms of known issues to check have been addressed, or things which owners regularly find go wrong at this stage of life?

I saw a fairly comprehensive set of service receipts (non-Merc after the first 4 years) which suggested:
1. The Glow lamp warning light was staying on too long at start-up
2. The front disks & pads were nearing replacement
3. An MOT advisory that the bearing on one of the front wheels was starting to go (some play in the wheel).

Are these all fairly normal and routine things for a car of this vintage which will be simple to fix?

In short, for about £5K is there any reason to be wary and not just bite the dealer's hand off for this car?

Finally, can someone confirm whether this make should have a CD player fitted? The Radio/cassette player fitted had a "CD" button but neither the dealer nor I could find a CD changer or slot for CDs! Should it be there as standard (if so, where) and will it be a difficult/expensive job to get one fitted at this stage?

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

Glow plug light staying on denotes one or more of the plugs has failed and needs replacing. Can be easy can be a right pain if it snaps off in the head. Get the error codes read by a MB specialist with a Star machine and let him fix it (or get the dealer to do it prior to purchase).
Has the ATF ever been changed? MB used to say the gearboxes were sealed for life now they don't and recommend an ATF changed at 40K miles. If this one hasn't been done then it is overdue IMO.
The 270 engine isn't the smoothest in the world and in the ML has an annoying tendency to go through engine mounts. If it seems rough then budget for replacement of the mounts.
Change the discs and pads normally 30+K for pads & twice that for discs depending upon how it's driven.
CD player not standard if there is a changer they are in the glove box or boot depending upon the model. You could change the head for one with a CD player in they are on ebay often enough. Changers can also be fitted however I'm not sure if you would need the optical wiring.

 

[Theo Cupier]

Thanks for the advice Blobcat.

You mention the 270 being not so smooth. In terms of the car to buy, is the 220 (or even 200) CDI better to look at?

I was quite taken by the performance figures for the 270. I'll be doing low miles so the slightly higher running costs don't bother me too much.

Bottom line, as I say, is whether it's worth the money (£5K), or whether it's worth paying £7K to get a newer (04 registered) model with "only" 78K miles on the clock?

I'd rather keep the extra £2K in my pocket but if it's going to basically guarantee me a less troublesome ownership experience, then it could be worth the extra upfront investment.

 

[jberks]

There were a mass of improvements made in the 04 facelift so if an extra 2k gets you one of those, let alone half the mileage then go for it. 01-04 cars are ok but 04-> are considerably better made and have a lot of improved components, galvanised panels and better paint.

At that mileage it's bound to start needing bits of maintenance (as your list shows) and that will quickly eat up your 2k so I'd say it would be a good up front investment.

Engine wise as Blobcat says, the 270 isn't the smoothest but then as you say, the performance is excellent. To be honest, yes its a bit noisy cold/idle/acceleration but in mine anyway, once rolling, its settles down to near silent. I don't think the 220cdi (we have one of those too) is any smoother really, though performance wise there isn't as much in it as you'd think. Actually, in the E anyway, you be hard pressed to tell a 220 from a 270 for noise, economy and unless you open it up at 70+, performance. We went out in convoy and the computers were 1mpg apart after 80 miles.

So, go for the 04 one if you can.

 

[Theo Cupier]

The more expensive one I'm looking at is a 53 plate but an 04 registration. Are there any quick & easy ways of telling if it is pre- or post-facelift?

Interesting comments about performance between the 220 and 270 CDIs. The experience you mention from your convoy, was that because the 270 was being more economical and behaving itself, or because the 220 is not as economical as on paper?

 

[stumpy]

Try both models and see which you prefer.

 

[Jensen]

The main difference with the facelift is the headlights. These are clear on 04 facelift versions and not so on pre. Plus I think they have more definition seem larger and and the 2 are more noticeable.
I believe you can also tell by the dials somehow.................

 

[stumpy]

Don't know if it's an issue for you betwixt or between a 220 and 270 but is there an emissions and therefore tax issue here? Personally I'd go for a smaller engine facelift car than a bigger engine pre' car. Not because of emissions but the quality on the 04 cars is much better.

 

[Theo Cupier]

To be honest, it's not a big issue for me.

The difference is only about £60 a year in tax and my mileage is low (about 5K/year) so the additional petrol costs won't be huge.

But it's a useful perspective, so thanks.

 

[Blobcat]

If your doing so few miles why not look at a C320 Petrol? nice car with a great engine and more likely to be stacked full of toys as they are not bought for economy reasons. They are also cheaper as people want the diesels.

 

[jberks]

The more expensive one I'm looking at is a 53 plate but an 04 registration. Are there any quick & easy ways of telling if it is pre- or post-facelift?

Interesting comments about performance between the 220 and 270 CDIs. The experience you mention from your convoy, was that because the 270 was being more economical and behaving itself, or because the 220 is not as economical as on paper?

The most obvious difference is the headlights and dash. Facelift ones have clear headlight glass and the dials are round.

On the performance, for the Es anyway, what the dealer said to me was about right. The real performance difference doesn't show itself until motorway speeds. Floor 220,270 and 320 (il6 version) off the line to 50 or so, there won't be a great deal between them. Floor all at 50 however and you can really start to tell. I found this when a 220cdi tried to outrun me once. The best I could do was hold him until we got well over 40, only then did I start to pull ahead.

Economy wise I dare say a 220 is better if set to 60 on cruise but in the real world, with stop-start - it has to work a bit harder so what you gain on cruise you lose on acceleration. The difference is minimal. Some folk claim 50-60mpg - but in my experience with the E, anything over 40 is good. C class 220 should nudge 50 on a long cruise though and the c270 is detuned slightly compared to the E so may be better.

I have to agree with Blobcat though - C320 is very nice. Economy is lousy but if you don't go far it doesn't really matter. You should get a great price too as most people would run a mile. Selling it on however ......

 

[NewMB]

To be honest, it's not a big issue for me.

The difference is only about £60 a year in tax and my mileage is low (about 5K/year) so the additional petrol costs won't be huge.

But it's a useful perspective, so thanks.

With so low yearly mileage I would skip getting a diesel and go for a petrol instead. Like Blobcat and Jberks are saying, the C320 would do a fine job hauling one around. Usually fully loaded too.

 

[st4]

I'd go for the face lift 04 car everytime. The 220cdi is a great engine, and the face lift car significantly better on the road, better made and NO RUST.