Help! C200K - about to take plunge

[Ubi]

Hello from a forum newbie. I'm just about to order a W204 C200K auto. I test drove the C220CDi auto, liked the car but hated the engine and noise. I don't do a big enough mileage to justify the extra cost of the diesel.

Just before I jump off on the C200K, does anyone out there have an experience which would advise against doing it?

Thanks, I may be a regular contributor soon.

Ubi

 

[amb67]

I've had a C200 204 and a C220 204 and have to say that they are far quieter than the 203's.

The C200 lacked acceleration on motorways but it did return around 46mpg average.

The C220 which I have at the moment returns an average of 36mpg but my the acceleration is fantastic.

You'll find that when you come to sell it a C220 will be easier to shift, the C200's are what you might call unloved. Don't know why but they are, I think they are great.

If you have any more questions just ask.

 

[jberks]

Hello from a forum newbie. I'm just about to order a W204 C200K auto. I test drove the C220CDi auto, liked the car but hated the engine and noise. I don't do a big enough mileage to justify the extra cost of the diesel.

Just before I jump off on the C200K, does anyone out there have an experience which would advise against doing it?

Thanks, I may be a regular contributor soon.

Ubi

I can't thyink of a reason to talk you out of it. If you're not doing mega miles then the 220cdi doesn't make that much sense. Economy difference on small miles is minimal and with diesel costing more the difference is even smaller. Clearly the 220cdi will depreciate a little less but aside from that, whilst diesels are great these days (says the owner of 2), the immediate response, sound and refinement of a petrol are still hard to beat.
Go for it.

 

[aero8]

200cdi 136bhp 270nm torque 10.2sec to 62mph

220cdi 170bhp 400nm torque 8.5sec to 62mph

All that extra muscle and torque for an extra £1000, a total bargain IMO, it certainly make your journey far more enjoyable, and I also agree with amb67, the C220cdi will be easier to shift when you come to sell/trade-in...

 

[jberks]

guys -
200cdi and 220cdi - yes the 220cdi all day every day but its the choice between a 200K and a 220cdi.
It does show how used we all are to everyone buying diesels these days. Unthinkable just 5 years ago!

 

[Ubi]

Gearing, manual override and performance

I've done quite a bit of reading about the C200K auto although I've not actually driven one yet.

I wonder if anyone can point me at a resource where I can find the gearing (ie mph/1000rpm.)

There have been some adverse comments elsewhere on the responsiveness (or lack of it) of the auto box to +/- manual shift requests. Anyone here found that?

Also, does anyone find that the car has to hunt through the autobox to maintain pace with motorway traffic at, say, an indicated 80mph?

Thanks again.

 

[verytalldave]

About 7 months ago I bought a 2.5 year old W203 C200K. I also drove a diesel equivalent and like you found the noise of the diesel too intrusive. Even though at motorway speeds it made very little difference. Again, like you, I only do about 10,000 miles PA so economy wasnt a big consideration. So I went for the petrol C200K and havent regretted one second. I get about 38ish MPG on a coast trip and about 27 MPG around town. I dare say if I drove through central London at peak time it would drop to below 25, but thats slightly academic. I would expect a W204 to better these figures by at least 10%.
My only recomendations are....
1. Automatic only (obvious I know)
2. Front and rear parktronic are worth their weight in gold.
3. Leather trim
4. Silver or Black is best for residual values
5. COMAND is very nice but expensive. If you can stretch to it, then buy
6. Xexon headlamps are costly but worthwhile if you do alot of night driving.
7. Sunroof is a nice option

If you do go for COMAND unit, then also get a multi-disc changer fitted. Having to eject the navigation disc every time just to play a CD is a real pain.

The only other choice is whether to buy the Elegance or the Sports model.
I would guess the Sport will retain slightly higher residuals.

As for your comment about the gearbox hunting at around 80mph, this is simply not true. Under normal driving conditions top is selected at around 30-40mph, and unless you floor the throttle will remain in top between about 40mph all the way up to top speed.
I dont know whether the W204 has the C/S mode selector switch. If so, then for your reference, I drive mainly in C mode.

Enjoy ! ! ! ! ! !

 

[jberks]

your comments about the auto box ring true for all of them, including mine. Tiptronic is not an instant response manual mode. There can be a delay. It may also hunt a little at certain speeds, in response to a sudden request for more power.
BUT
it is silky smooth and changes are normally only noticable from the tacho, so whilst it may jump down a gear in response to you pressing the throttle, you'll probably not be aware it's done it. All you'll notice is the power, but do remember that a 200k is not in the same torque league as a 220cdi so it has to shift down to produce the same acceleration. It will also change down more eagerly if you drive enthusiastically as the gearbox learns your driving style. Drive leasurely and it will be more reluctant to shift down.

If you like charging around swapping gears manually as you fly in and out if corners, then you'll find the tipshift useless (actually I do find it relatively useless) but it's so good in auto mode, I just leave it there.

 

[verytalldave]

I have only bothered to use the tipshift once or twice (really just to make sure it worked properly). But as you say, its not worth the bother. The auto box is so smooth and quick, I just leave it alone and let it work it out for itself.
While I agree with you that the diesel does have more grunt, I just couldnt live with the noise. To me its a good trade-off. One that I am happy to live with.

 

[Ubi]

Thanks for the information. This is very helpful. I currently have an Audi Tiptronic (not DSG) and manual +/- changes are pretty much instantaneous with it.

If you like charging around swapping gears manually as you fly in and out if corners, then you'll find the tipshift useless (actually I do find it relatively useless) but it's so good in auto mode, I just leave it there.

No, I don't do any of that stuff! I just ocassionally use the Tip for climbing a hill wihout labouring the engine, engine braking, over-taking or a quick start to hit a gap in traffic at a roundabout.

 

[Ubi]

Thanks for the detail.

 

[jberks]

I just ocassionally use the Tip for climbing a hill wihout labouring the engine, engine braking, over-taking or a quick start to hit a gap in traffic at a roundabout.

Well, the merc auto will step in before the engine is labouring so no worries there. Its also quite pro-active in engine braking too, especially if you use the speed limiter where it will change down to keep you below a set speed. Quick off the line, you could use it for that but as soon as you're moving, better to drop it back to D.

 

[Ubi]

Gearing

I've written Mercedes UK to ask about the gearing. When you're cruising at, say, 80mph what is the tacho showing? (You have the C200K auto too, right?)

 

[verytalldave]

I do................

I wouldnt know. I have never exceeded the speed limit

Actually, I really dont know, I rarely ever bother to look at the tacho.

As top speed is officially about 145mph and its red lined at 6500rpm (Ithink), then I would guess it going to be about 3500 rpm.
But that is a total guess.

You might find this interesting.............
http://www.indiacar.com/roadtest/merc_c200k/index1.htm
Even though it relates to the W203 in India, many of the points still hold true for the W204 - IN ANY COUNTRY.

 

[Ubi]

Gearing

Thanks. I did have a look at the test. The data suggests for that car the gearing in fifth is about 26mph/1000rpm. But that's for a 2003 test. Might well have changed in the new model.

 

[jberks]

The old model was a 5 speed, the new one is a 7 speed so it will be different I'd imagine.

 

[Rory]

I have a C270CDi and I find the tip function works well. I only regularly use it for slowing the car on downslope, or if I want to slow the car with pressing the brake pedal, but I find it responds fast enough. I've also used it on the odd occasion on twisty fast A roads and it did the job.

Of course there is the part throttle kick-down, and the full throttle kickdown button which will always force the box to drop to the lowesr possible gear, depending on road-speed.

 

[verytalldave]

I've written Mercedes UK to ask about the gearing. When you're cruising at, say, 80mph what is the tacho showing? (You have the C200K auto too, right?)

Checked this last night.
At an indicated 80 its showing exactly 3050rpm on a flat straight stretch of road.

 

[Ubi]

That does suggest gearing of about 26mph/1000rpm in 5th.

Was the cabin still quiet at 80mph? Did it feel is if there was still ample power available if you needed it?

Thanks, really appreciate it.

 

[jberks]

That does suggest gearing of about 26mph/1000rpm in 5th.

Was the cabin still quiet at 80mph? Did it feel is if there was still ample power available if you needed it?

Thanks, really appreciate it.

You're comparing apples with oranges. I can say, based on a 1995 4 speed W202 C220, it was quiet and smooth with plenty of grunt at 80, but that no more relates to a 203 200k (other than them both being 2l 4cyl petrol C class Mercs) than a 203 5 speed 200k does to a 204 7 speed 200k. The badges match but that's about it. You really need to drive one, but I've never driven a merc that wasn't quiet with plenty of go, at 80. Remember, they are built for the autobahn and on there, 80 is slow.