Consideing a diesel W204 Estate 2008-2010. What to look for.

[Droverunner]

Been on here 18mths since Mrs Droverunner bought a 2007 CLK 220CDI. Myself over that period I've been running a 17yr old but superb condition BMW 5 series Estate with the 2.5 6cyl engine. It's been brilliant for the past 5yrs but been feeling a change is due for a while.

As well as considering a newer model 5 series I'm looking at the possibility of a W204 C-class diesel estate, manual gearbox, around 2008-2010. I am a lifetime DIYer so all routine suspension, brake, servicing etc no problem but want to avoid anything as big as the engine/gearbox ever coming out.

Any thoughts on what to look for specific to this model. I guess some of the running gear will be similar to the CLK which has been good to us an now covered 128k. Hers is an auto and I'm set on a manual. I'd be happy for the W204's mileage to be 125k or a bit more.

Re engines looking about I see some of the 2.2 diesels are 136hp and some 170hp, I assume the 170 version is far preferable. Is this the age where I remember there were troubles with injectors when they were quite new. If so was that cured by an upgrade at the time and not an issue now?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Blobcat]

Only thing I’d be concerned about is the manual gearbox, just don’t do it.

 

[keefysher]

You don't buy a manual Mercedes, just as you don't buy an Auto BMW are watchwords that have served well over the years.

 

[Blobcat]

You don't buy a manual Mercedes, just as you don't buy an Auto BMW are watchwords that have served well over the years.

I had an auto 5 series that was about as bland as a magnolia wall. Throughly capable just zero engagement.

 

[Droverunner]

What goes wrong with the manual gearboxes?

Also will I be in the 646 vs 651 diesel engine types and I forget, what is it that is a problem on one or the other?

 

[JBell]

What goes wrong with the manual gearboxes?

Why would you, the auto are so good what is the point

 

[Droverunner]

I prefer manual... it's just a personal thing. I've driven manuals with varying change qualities but never had one I hated. Main disadvantage for me re this purchase is it massively restricts number of cars available.

 

[peternutkins]

I have a 6 speed manual C220 Cdi estate and although its not the best gear change in the world it does the job and gives 60 + mpg on the motorway and its very unlikely to go wrong. I bought this particular car because it had a manual box.

Peter

 

[Blobcat]

I prefer manual... it's just a personal thing. I've driven manuals with varying change qualities but never had one I hated. Main disadvantage for me re this purchase is it massively restricts number of cars available.

There’s a reason for that, manual and Mercedes don’t really go together. Yes you can buy them if you look hard enough but there is no time ever that I’ve though a manual box would have been better on this drive.

The auto boxes are just as economical and faster than the manuals. With the massively congested roads we have why would you want your left foot up and down on the clutch crawling along a smart motorway?

Manual gearboxes for road cars are about as useful and practical as starting handles these days.

(Other opinions are available...)

 

[Droverunner]

Yep OK I get your point... but in the age/vehicle type we're looking I've not driven any auto I liked more than a manual so easy choice for me. Re congestion I'm early retired and live in and travel to areas where I rarely see any queue... particularly as my time's my own and I can pick when I travel.

The only exception may be if I found a car in favourite colour with right interior trim and all other aspects OK at a good price... and it was close by... then I might just consider it

 

[JBell]

The only exception may be if I found a car in favourite colour with right interior trim and all other aspects OK at a good price... and it was close by... then I might just consider it

So what are you looking for?

 

[peternutkins]

I also live in a rural area and travel mostly on country roads and motorways, I can understand the need for an auto if you are driving in towns and cities but I like the engine to do what I want not the box. Also for the price I pay for cars an auto box problem would write the car off, in the unlikely event of a manual box failing I can probably repair it myself, I have many times in the past - probably the distant past.

Peter

 

[Droverunner]

>>>what are you looking for?

A W204 diesel estate up to 2010 (to keep within budget) but just as happy with an earlier one if it meets needs. Not black, not white and probably not red due to the issue with that paint. Silver, met blue or met green OK... met dark grey just OK. Interior far prefer cream "leather" which I understand is actually plastic but ideally don't want cloth. Manual gearbox of course. Quite happy with modest size alloys. Probably prefer a non-sport if their suspension gives a much harder ride (although Mrs D's CLK Sport on big wheels is fine). Up to 150k miles. Good service history for at least first 75% of its life. Doesn't have to be mint but certainly not tatty. Would be wary of one on budget Chinese tyres. Genuine private preferred but certainly not from a guy who is selling for his auntie.

And it needs to be within a reasonable reach of Cambridgeshire… rather travel North if needed... won't buy a car from London, South East, Wales or Scotland.

Quite a few boxes to tick but it can be tomorrow... next week... next month... or the Autumn... no rush.

 

[umblecumbuz]

An auto with torque convertor makes better use of a turbo diesel's characteristics than a manual.

If you can live with a four cylinder, then a W204 with the 646 engine and 5g box makes a terrific, burst-proof, long life combination. A 204 diesel estate is actually designated S204.

Check rear subframe for rust. Some are rust free, others totally rotted out. It's a known weakness.

 

[JBell]

What is the budget?

 

[Droverunner]

>>>budget?

From what I've seen about it looks as if £5k max should buy it. £1000 on top in hand to do tyres, service and pre-emptive repairs.

auto with torque convertor makes better use of a turbo diesel's characteristics than a manual.

I think we'll have to just accept I know I like manuals and draw a line under that aspect. Between self and Mrs D over 44yrs we've owned about 70 cars... the last 14 being turbo diesel which for our driving style, the roads we use and our preference have been perfectly suited to manual gearboxes.

Bit worrying the rear subframe could have serious rust. Will need to look at that issue very carefully.

 

[Droverunner]

If you can live with a four cylinder, then a W204 with the 646 engine and 5g box makes a terrific, burst-proof, long life combination. A 204 diesel estate is actually designated S204.

Which of course is the combo in our CLK. I know the 4cyl is not that refined from our CLK but happy with that. Equally happy to go for the larger engine diesel but hadn't noticed any in my search. Thanks for the correction re model designation S204.

 

[peternutkins]

If you don't mind an older model the W203 is a very good buy, the early ones have no DPF or DMF simplifying the service and repair and improving reliability. The very early ones did suffer from rust around the rear wheel arches but its not structural so doesn't affect the MOT. Mine has some rust but I plan to repair it in the summer, otherwise a sound buy, the engines can go on forever, pull really well and give very good economy driven gently.

Peter

 

[John Laidlaw]

I had an auto 5 series that was about as bland as a magnolia wall. Throughly capable just zero engagement.

Audi are considerably blander imo...

 

[Blobcat]

Audi are considerably blander imo...

I just find Audi's depressingly dark inside and really uncomfortable (S-Line)