Mercedes C-Class Buying Advice Needed Please

[John Laidlaw]

Looks good. Yeah OK there are service 'gaps' but no more than 20k. It's not like it's been neglected otherwise if it's been to Merc to have other stuff done. I'd also be very very surprised if the 2011-2013 period didn't contain a service- the car is 2010 so it'd be getting that to maintain warranty at the time. I don't know of very many (any) owners who would ignore that on new cars
I'd check the oil condition specifically when you get it and if it looks iffy , bring your service with the Indy forward. If you've budgeted, better to get it done sooner than later.

 

[umblecumbuz]

The 200 of that year is a bit of a mixture. Whereas the 220's had the 651 engine with the 7g box, the 200 stuck with the 5g box, and many also kept on with the earlier 646 engine. A terrific combination, and the 5g box is long-term reliable. It's not the year of registration that counts, but the year and month of original manufacture.

To see if your gearbox Atf has been changed or topped up, check the cap on the filler tube - rear left, against the drivers side bulkhead. It will have a cap on the top of the tube. If this cap does not have a red tab covering much of the cap, that indicates that the Atf has been changed or st least topped up to the correct level. Not a completely foolproof test, because a new cap may have been put on when any gearbox work was done, but a good indicator. Ideally it should have been serviced, with filter changed, st 40k miles - but many are running faultlessly after much higher mileages without having a fluid change. Always good insurance to have the gearbox serviced though, whatever previous history the car has.

Smooth machine, and built for a long life.

Umble.

 

[Vx-Man-G]

So, on the basis of all the above, would you say I should be OK to continue with the purchase?

 

[LostKiwi]

Personally if the car was in good nick, drives well and seems otherwise good I'd do it.

 

[Vx-Man-G]

Its practically mint, and very smooth to drive

 

[JBell]

Nice looking motor, unusual wheels as well, best colour

 

[davemercedes]

One of the clues that it's been looked after/well treated are the wheels - which on this side your picture shows are in extremely good unmarked condition. The service history gaps are a nuisance but with the other work done at MB etc I would probably go for it. Does it have two dipsticks? If it does, a look at the colour of the oil and ATF can be reassuring and if you're lucky enough to have an ATF dipstick the old smell test is always worthwhile (burnt toffee = burnt box!).

btw: Do you still have the time to get it checked out by an indie (independent MB specialist) in your area? It's worth it if you can.

I bought my '07 C2220 Estate with 62K on the clock in Feb 2013. On the test drive I slowed down and stopped before moving off again on a long steep hill and it felt fine. I'm nearly nudging 99K now (my miles per year have dropped off now) and tbh it still drives like a new car with plenty of poke if I wanted to be silly. The only unexpected cost I've had in those 4 and a bit years was rear coil springs 25 months after I bought it and including some other bits n bobs they only cost £180 fitted.

I hope everything is fine - and by the middle of next week, you'll love it!
- And btw it's mandatory in a Merc to look down your nose at those bad mannered Beamer drivers!

btw - when you talked about 4 auto gears I think you actually do have 5 - you only see 1-2-3-4 if you use the tiptronic lever but in D it goes on up to 5th which is a sort of built-in overdrive. After a year of driving it, you might just notice the revs drop slightly when it goes on up to the top.

 

[Vx-Man-G]

The wheels are practically mint, the car also in very good shape apart from the odd expected mark for a 6-7 year old car. It drove very well. Unfortunately, I cannot now go back any check for dipsticks, etc.

If I have a dealer code, will anyone be able to advise which garage that is? One being 27485 ?

Its frustrating because it appears that every time its needed something it went to Merc, but then Service was done elsewhere. I have spoken with 5-6 Merc dealers now and they have all said that due to this info I have, it looks very well cared for, but just not knowing somethings can be a pain.

Look at the attached image, it shows worn done 20111, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 at mileages 16k, 27k, 32k, 57k, 67k, 74k.

Due to Data Protection, the dealer was only able to share a small amount of information with me.



Thanks.

 

[umblecumbuz]

My Estate version of your (intended) model is nudging 200k miles, and it still drives like new.
I have also a 2009 coupe version with the same engine/box combo and that is now on 179k miles - still a joy to drive. That one already had twice the mileage of your intended purchase when I bought it, but it was so pretty and well-cared for I couldn't resist it!
And I have had three earlier (203 model) versions, all with the 5g box, and nary a hint of mechanical trouble.

I think you've got little to be afraid of except your own indecision because it's an unknown quantity to you.
Reading the reassurance on here from guys who know these vehicles should give you some confidence - not just in this particular car, but in all the help you'll get from now on if you buy it.
This is a great forum.

Umble.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Looking at it, the current owner (for past 3+ years) has had it serviced twice, and looks like they prefer to service on 10k miles, which is entirely reasonable. They've given it one major and one minor service at a known (MB) service centre. It possibly hasn't had a service in 2016 as it hasn't done the miles.
That history would give me comfort that it's been well enough cared for, additionally it's had everything done that it's needed.
If it were me I'd go ahead on what I see.

 

[JBell]

Looking at it, the current owner (for past 3+ years) has had it serviced twice, and looks like they prefer to service on 10k miles, which is entirely reasonable. They've given it one major and one minor service at a known (MB) service centre.

They should be done every 12 months

 

[John Laidlaw]

They should be done every 12 months

Yes they should, but not everyone does- I personally wouldn't do anything else. I wasn't endorsing it as such Jon, just maybe mirroring some other folks mindset on service, right or wrong...

 

[Vx-Man-G]

Right, I have a little update, my digging continues .

- In 2012 Loughborough Mercedes did a fuel filter replacement on it (which the chap said is actually probably a service, but it came in for a fuel filter problem hence why it says fuel filter, but it was due a service so was done then).
- In 2016 Derby Mercedes did a health check on it and it wasnt deemed necessary to service it as it hand done the mileage (exactly as John said).

I guess thats confident building?

 

[LostKiwi]

Yep. I'd definitely be going ahead with the purchase.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Right, I have a little update, my digging continues .

- In 2012 Loughborough Mercedes did a fuel filter replacement on it (which the chap said is actually probably a service, but it came in for a fuel filter problem hence why it says fuel filter, but it was due a service so was done then).
- In 2016 Derby Mercedes did a health check on it and it wasnt deemed necessary to service it as it hand done the mileage (exactly as John said).

I guess thats confident building?

It is....good digging
Crack on, it looks like a keeper!

 

[JBell]

Yes they should, but not everyone does- I personally wouldn't do anything else. I wasn't endorsing it as such Jon, just maybe mirroring some other folks mindset on service, right or wrong...

Mine tells me when it wants servicing and it is every 12 months

 

[John Laidlaw]

Mine tells me when it wants servicing and it is every 12 months

And being the gentlemen we are, we would never think to ignore them either

 

[JBell]

And being the gentlemen we are, we would never think to ignore them either

Nope, can't be doing with the beeping!!!!

 

[Vx-Man-G]

So more info, numerous garages have now said to me the fact that it want doing the miles probably didnt warrant them needing another service or the owner did it "locally", however, they said that it is probably worth saying that to get a cheaper service the garage they used (Independant) probably didnt update the online system as apparently there is a charge for that?

So, it looks like 2011 was a main dealer in Derby, and then in 2012 it came in for a Service Measure for the Fuel Filter, possibly a recall or the Service Measure was done on the back of a Service. The kind lady did say that they wouldn't usually call a vehicle in for a Service Measure and is normally done at the time of a Service, so one would need to assume it was Service time at 32,080 miles, which kind of makes sense as thats really the missing one for me.

So it looks like services were done at:
- Derby 2011 @ 16051,
- Loughborough 2012 @ 32080 (this is the oddity, but ties in with the 15500 service interval),
- Falcoln & Hull Lincoln 2013 @ 57651
- Birmingham Lawley 2015 @ 67318
- Health check Derby 2016 @ 74368
- ...........and now I will get it serviced around 80000.

Does that sound about right?

Also, even with the oddity above, does it still sound decently maintained? Should I still be curious about that missing link? The picture is building up!!

 

[Vx-Man-G]

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Here is another picture of it.

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