Help please! Buying c220D

[Jumbo Whiffy]

Hi,
New here and just wondering if anyone can give me advice about potential faults/things to look out for on a 51reg C220D with 89k miles I'm thinking of buying.
It's been well looked after, and regularly serviced as a company director's works car.
I'm new to Mercedes, so please assume I know nothing!


Thanks!

 

[jberks]

Its a C220CDI - the C220D was an earlier model.
Anyway, provided it's been properly maintained in accordance with MB specs and nothing has been skimped on, then I can't think of anything to warn you about. They are pretty solid and there are loads around with 150-200k on the clock.

 

[Jensen]

What about build quality at this time. Is this not a period when quality went down?

 

[Jumbo Whiffy]

Its a C220CDI - the C220D was an earlier model.
Anyway, provided it's been properly maintained in accordance with MB specs and nothing has been skimped on, then I can't think of anything to warn you about. They are pretty solid and there are loads around with 150-200k on the clock.

Many thanks. I take it there are no issues with cam belts?

 

[robbi-wan]

What about build quality at this time. Is this not a period when quality went down?

Mine is a 2001 (Y) and there and it is very well built. I think that some of the different body shapes were manufactured in different countries, and i believe estates were made in Germany. (but dont quote me!)
rob

 

[jberks]

Many thanks. I take it there are no issues with cam belts?

As far as I know, they are duplex chain driven so no - attend to the chain if it's noisy but that shouldn't be for a long while yet.
One thing that does come to mind is the gearbox. If it's an auto, they are officially sealed for life but many people recommend changing the oil and filters around 100k anyway as some have been known to let go. Not too common, but common enough to be worth spending £100 or so as a preventative measure.

What about build quality at this time. Is this not a period when quality went down?

As above- many people are very happy with them. I test drove one when they came out and felt the quality had reduced a little at the time, Flimsier plastics, shiny plastic trim where it had been rubberised before etc. But then I was running a W202 which had a more solid and heavier feel (didn't handle as well though). I thought my W202 was almost tank like but even that was critisised as shoddy by the 190 boys! It depends on your perspective. No modern Merc is made like the 70's and 80's models, but then they don't handle as heavily, use as much fuel or cost as much to buy either. Even my W211 has aspects that don't give the same 'hewn from a block' feel that my W210 had, but that's just an illusion - its still rock solid really. Its down to things like making parts from plastic where cast metal was used previously, but they are just as strong only lighter so why not. I suspect a straw poll would find far more happy owners than unhappy ones.

 

[fionanallan]

C220cdi

We've got one...a C220 CDI Manual. Can't fault it. Solid, reliable and fast enough for us. Also...40 plus miles (when you drive it sensibly) to a gallon is a huge attraction! Anyway...nothing we can think of to warn you away...it's all good! Hope we're not tempting fate!

 

[robbi-wan]

Also...40 plus miles (when you drive it sensibly) to a gallon is a huge attraction!

Aye
55 / gallon on a run too!!8)

 

[tamrsoft]

The 220 CDi engine is a torqey and reliable enough engine. This engine can develop faults giving rough idle (especially when cold) due to heavy vibration in the drive belt. Check the drive belt on idle and if the top section is vibrating badly this is normally caused by a seized freewheel clutch in the alternator pulley (expensive job). Poor idle can also be caused by a built up of crud in the Mixing Chamber causing an EGR valve to stick and leak on idle (I have managed to clean mine out).
Also agree very strongly with other members comments on ATF renewal (80K miles or thereabouts), 'Sealed for Life' means life of warranty not life of transmission.