C250 buying advice - low mileage or medium mileage?

[CL63Tom]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping for some advice as I am considering buying either a diesel Mercedes estate C250 or C350 W204 - 2010 -> 2015

I was wondering if I should go with a higher mileage 75k to 100k example for cheap and then spend a bit getting all the required maintenance done at the start. Are they pretty bullet proof if maintenance done?

eg, I can get an 84k mileage one for 7500 https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14681344

57k for 11k C250 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...to=25000&transmission=&year-from=2010&fromsra

15k mileage for £15k, waste of money? Better to get higher mileage and spend 1k on maintenance with money in pocket? Or is this well priced? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...to=25000&transmission=&year-from=2010&fromsra

22k mileage £15k here too https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...smission=&year-from=2009&year-to=2014&fromsra

My research suggests check for the below, have I missed anything?

1) Timing chain should be replaced on higher mileage
2) Get the subframe and rear axles inspected before purchasing the car
3) Auxiliary belt pulleys are prone to heavy wear. They become loud and need replacing
4) Camshaft position actuator failures
5) Vehicles with more than 60,000 miles / 100 000km’s are known to have MAF (Mass airflow sensor) issues, a replacement is needed.

 

[ajlsl600]

Seems like u have it sussed, suggest if fitted? You avoid 0m651
1 lots of sensor dramas
2 avoid anything adblue
3 don't go near dealer updates unless you have deep pockets or good warranty
4 in. Mine 0m651 fitted in wrong way around, maintanenance. More headache.
Whichever buy decent diagnostics, learn how to use.
Research repair costs.

 

[s5tuart]

I always try to buy on condition and service history ( doesn't always work if it's pretty and I fall in love!)
That to me is the most sensible path. Lots of paperwork and a fully stamped service log along with quality tyres and genuine MB parts will sell itself to me.

 

[JBell]

From personal experience get a 350CDi, it's just nicer

Check for Oil Intercooler leak (Will be at rear of engine undertray)

 

[Kudly]

I always try to buy on condition and service history ( doesn't always work if it's pretty and I fall in love!)
That to me is the most sensible path. Lots of paperwork and a fully stamped service log along with quality tyres and genuine MB parts will sell itself to me.

That first sentence resonates

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

+

From personal experience get a 350CDi, it's just nicer

Check for Oil Intercooler leak (Will be at rear of engine undertray)

+1 - the 350cdi engine is the one to go for as said the oil cooler seals can leak so check for that but no other real dramas with that engine in cdi form avoid ADBLUE versions if you can

 

[ajlsl600]

From personal experience get a 350CDi, it's just nicer

Check for Oil Intercooler leak (Will be at rear of engine undertray)

Good advise if no adblue ect

 

[dry run]

Adblue will get you Euro6 compliant as opposed to Euro5 for CDi. That may be important depending on whare you plan to drive.

 

[rf065]

Adblue will get you Euro6 compliant as opposed to Euro5 for CDi. That may be important depending on whare you plan to drive.

Far cheaper to pay fines than fix adblue!

 

[CL63Tom]

From personal experience get a 350CDi, it's just nicer

Check for Oil Intercooler leak (Will be at rear of engine undertray)

Thanks, why are they nicer, engine aside. Trim levels etc seem the same?

Ideally looking at a c350d but if a c250d comes up in great condition etc, I will go for one of those then tune it to make similar power.

 

[CL63Tom]

Adblue will get you Euro6 compliant as opposed to Euro5 for CDi. That may be important depending on whare you plan to drive.

Compliance no concern to me, thanks for the tip though

 

[ajlsl600]

Thanks, why are they nicer, engine aside. Trim levels etc seem the same?

Ideally looking at a c350d but if a c250d comes up in great condition etc, I will go for one of those then tune it to make similar power.

I believe that with origional maps you will get better reliability, given 0m651 costs I personally won't be doing anything that may effect reliability. I don't think mapping out adblue or egr will effect reliability, hopefully the exact opposite.

 

[CL63Tom]

I believe that with origional maps you will get better reliability, given 0m651 costs I personally won't be doing anything that may effect reliability. I don't think mapping out adblue or egr will effect reliability, hopefully the exact opposite.

Are these generally pretty reliable? Reliability more important than some extra bhp and torque to me.

Also, 0m651 engine code covers all of those diesel models?

Thanks

 

[ajlsl600]

50/50 high milers seem more reliable than mid lo milers in states over 500k miles is not unusual long runs seems the key. Not lots of opportunity for that in family car here

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

From experience 25k a year is better for the car than 4k a year. Parts have proven to last longer when used i have found.

 

[JBell]

Thanks, why are they nicer, engine aside. Trim levels etc seem the same?

Ideally looking at a c350d but if a c250d comes up in great condition etc, I will go for one of those then tune it to make similar power.

2010 - 2015 will be a C350CDi

Get a "Sport" ideally with COMAND and Leather

You will never get a 250 to the power levels of a standard 350, mine is a 350CDi mapped to 300bhp and 700Nm of torque.

I had a 220CDi before and the 350CDi is sooo much better, just more power and much smoother

 

[ajlsl600]

Guess ur 350 is v6? V are smooth running motors

 

[mioba]

For me its a combination of spec (is it the car I want),
condition (has the PO used it as a dogem) and service history (in addition to overall maintenance).
Lots to look out for in the equation.