Buying Tips

[marvinb]

Hi all, apologies for this when i only joined this morning, but hopefully it will be a long term friendship.
We are considering replacing our S Line A4 with a c220 estate, 2010or so. We bought the A4 as a functional offset to our Disco in respect of economy, it is still fas reliable fun to drive and returns 50 plus mpg, when needed easy to maintain and repair, parts arent expensive, current one has 250k on it previous one had 400k when it was written off. All our vehicles are repared and maintained by me. We were looking for another S Line, but those we have loooked at were poor example, often even broken in some way, hence considering a new direction.
Having never owned a merc long term I'm looking for advice on what to check when buying, best engines etc, economy will be important, I am assuming merc engines still do high mileages without issue when looked after, but then most engines do. There are there any usual suspects, for body rust, doors / windows mirrors failing, and how much might they cost to repair etc?
I feel cheeky asking immediately, but needs must.

 

[JBell]

The W204 C Class is an excellent car (I have run one for 7 years), they are bigger than the A4 as well and a much nicer car to drive

The 2.1 CDi is a frugal engine (I have the 3L V6 CDi which does over 40mpg on a run)

 

[Chrishazle]

2010 is on the cusp of the 204 facelift which introduced the joys of blue efficiency (Adblue) and worst of all (if you go for one with Comand satnav) Comand NTG4.5 plus compared to the 203, the service interval was changed from 15.5K miles/2 years (whichever came first) to 15.5k miles/1 year - whcih as we normally don't get close to 15.5k miles in 2 years I ignore!!. We've had our S204 C220Cdi since March 2012, love the car, it has plenty of grunt when required but is also a calm and comfortable long distance cruiser. I believe some 204's have had rear subframe rust problems that can be hard to spot, but so far ours is OK (touches wood rapidly!!). Other than routine servicingI've had very few problems - screen was jet and pump, dashboard loosing its programming somehow. Fortunately until recently I had a local cheap MB specialist with the full genuine MB Star/Xentry system - big help!

Mine came on 16" rims which I found a bit soft and wallowy, changed to 17" staggered AMG rims and it's much better (and still comfortable) but personally I would not go any bigger.

 

[ajlsl600]

I am a big fan or the older MBs not so much the newer. Too much that can and does go wrong the business model of mb and likely most others has changed. Its about keeping u on the hook now , best advise use this forum and spend some time researching ur desired model then ur making an informed choice.. Act in haste repent at leasure. Don't ask how I know..

 

[Srdl]

2010 is on the cusp of the 204 facelift which introduced the joys of blue efficiency (Adblue)

BlueTec was Adblue, I believe, Blue Efficiency was just DPF.

 

[Chrishazle]

You may be correct, I've never been sure whether my pre-facelift S204 has a DPF or not, I just know that the road fund is higher than I initially expected!

 

[JBell]

Mine came on 16" rims which I found a bit soft and wallowy, changed to 17" staggered AMG rims and it's much better (and still comfortable) but personally I would not go any bigger.

Mine has 18" wheels and my Mothers has 17", there is little difference in ride quality

 

[alexanderfoti]

You may be correct, I've never been sure whether my pre-facelift S204 has a DPF or not, I just know that the road fund is higher than I initially expected!

DPF was optional on the pfl 204. You can check the data card. No ad blue on any w204