W204 C Class Estate - which engine?

[fred52]

I currently drive a W203 C270 CDi Auto Estate (Avantgarde SE spec), which is now nealry 6 years and just over 60,000 miles old. I am looking to purchase a new style (W204) Estate and as there is no CD270i on offer I really am stumped as to what engine to go for. I do about 10,000 miles a year so the diesel versus petrol option is marginal - although my tendency is for diesel. I am concerned that I will find the CD220 engine too noisy and underpowered compared to the CD270, and I am also unsure which petrol variant will give the best price/performance mix. (CO2 levels etc)

Any views or experience would be most welcome - as would any other hints on what to have or what not to bother with on the new C Class Estate.

Many thanks

 

[oldcro]

If the extra fuel consumption is not a problem the 320CDi is the best by far.

 

[Rory]

I've been thinking about this as I too have a C270.

Have you looked at the figures for the latest C220CDi? It's now the same power and torque as the C270. I gather it also feels much more responsive that the 5cyl, although if you do test drive I would welcome your comments. I really like the 5cyl and I'm glad I got it but for me it was basically free - I went to buy a 220 but it had sold and I got the 270 at a price I was very happy with.

For your mileage though, I doubt diesel makes sense and the C200K would probably be perfectly adequate. If you're happy to lash out the money then I'm sure a C230 would be lovely, but there might be residual value impacts etc in the future.

 

[moosehead]

My 203 has the same 2.5L V6 as the new C230. Silky smooth and I've just returned 36mpg for a return trip to London today. If you are looking for economy go for the diesel. If you want the driving experience go for the V6 and you won't be disappointed. I've driven the new C220CDI and couldn't wait to get back into my C230. The wife has the old 4 cyl 2.3 Kompressor inher SLK. Whilst it goes extremely well it's a bit thrashy and does less mpg than the 203.

 

[colechelle]

280 cdi v6 642 engine is a beaut, good mpg and bags of power,

 

[NewMB]

I currently drive a W203 C270 CDi Auto Estate (Avantgarde SE spec), which is now nealry 6 years and just over 60,000 miles old. I am looking to purchase a new style (W204) Estate and as there is no CD270i on offer I really am stumped as to what engine to go for. I do about 10,000 miles a year so the diesel versus petrol option is marginal - although my tendency is for diesel. I am concerned that I will find the CD220 engine too noisy and underpowered compared to the CD270, and I am also unsure which petrol variant will give the best price/performance mix. (CO2 levels etc)

Any views or experience would be most welcome - as would any other hints on what to have or what not to bother with on the new C Class Estate.

Many thanks

The 320Cdi engine is the best by far and suprisingly good on economy. I reguarly get over 45 mpg on the motorway and around 39 so far mixed since new. Although I wonder if it's worth paying the premium to have a powerful diesel over the almost as powerful (and smoooooth) C280 or even C230 as moosehead have. At 10K per year, it will take quite a while before getting your money's worth going for the diesel.

The C220cdi engine fitted in the new C class are more powerful than the "old" 220cdi. Now have 170 bhp and most important of all, a whopping 400 Nm of torque (compared to 170bhp/370Nm in the C270cdi).

Looking at figures between the 220cdi and the V6 230, the 220cdi is actually quicker.... but probably nowhere near as smooth and quiet.

As a note, on a recent trip to Germany I found myself in an Avis rental C200cdi. very quiet indeed. Same engine as the 220 - different power.

 

[Rory]

280 cdi v6 642 engine is a beaut, good mpg and bags of power,

That's great, but it isn't available in W204.

 

[fred52]

I'll test drive the CD220 tomorrow

I take the point about the CD220 having the same bhp as the old CD270, so I will try a test drive tomorrow and see what the power and noise side are like.

I'll also try the V6 petrol. I'm a bit worried abou the CO2 and therefore future VED bills for the CD320, so it looks like a battle beween the C230 and CD220.

I will let you know my findings, but any more thoughts are most welcome.

 

[jberks]

Fuel economy may not matter too much but there is no point buying fuel you don't need to. The VED on the diesel is also much better, as will be the resale value.
I have sat in a new style E220cdi and was very impressed at how smooth and quiet it was compared to my E270cdi. Power wise, allegedly there isn't much, if anything, in it. In actual fact, when I swapped my E240, I test drove the old E220cdi expecting it to be a slug, and whilst a tad slower than the 270 I bought, there wasn't half as much in it as I expected. At town speeds its hard to tell them apart. As the salesman at the time put it, and having driven all 3 on my trans-Pennine motorway commute, I tend to agree, The real difference between the 220,270 and 320cdis didn't show until you were up above 70mph. The same is true of the modern ones.

Sure the petrol V6's are lovely but its going to hurt each time you wite the VED cheque and if the gov continue as they are, selling it on is going to be a struggle when the time comes. A low mileage 220cdi however will be a doddle to move on. Plus, having been used to 40mpg, how are you going to feel every time you see 19mpg on the computer? (I assume you do mainly town driving?)

All that said, the 320cdi is a wonderful compromise if budget allows. If you are seriously considering a petrol, do take the 320cdi out, it will almost certainly change your mind!

We all wonder what we'll go for when the time comes. As a fellow 270 owner I'm torn too. I think my answer is, if money is a concern I will be very happy with a new 220 (even more happy with the twin turbo 220 that is due out next year mind!). If money is a bit freer, no question, it will be a 320. What a beast!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I currently drive a W203 C270 CDi Auto Estate (Avantgarde SE spec), which is now nealry 6 years and just over 60,000 miles old. I am looking to purchase a new style (W204) Estate and as there is no CD270i on offer I really am stumped as to what engine to go for. I do about 10,000 miles a year so the diesel versus petrol option is marginal - although my tendency is for diesel. I am concerned that I will find the CD220 engine too noisy and underpowered compared to the CD270, and I am also unsure which petrol variant will give the best price/performance mix. (CO2 levels etc)

Any views or experience would be most welcome - as would any other hints on what to have or what not to bother with on the new C Class Estate.

Many thanks

Having read the other comments in this string, here is my experience.

I have an S 320 CDI, an SL 500 and probably hold some land speed records for long distance trips in the UK, offset by some very good economy data in everyday use.
Madam has a C 220 CDI estate and driving that, I feel at no disadvantage on pick up in the mid range, power on hills and general motoring. Economy is good, although viewing other members' comments over the years, I get the impression that the C 270 CDI might have been the most economical C Class diesel.
However - the W204 C 220 CDI has the same power and torque as the C 270 had, presumably with less frictional losses, so more efficiency.
I agree that the start up and maintenace costs of the C 200K are less, especially at 10,000 miles per year.
Where the diesel wins from day one is on torque, mid range performance, fewer fill ups and ultimately on resale value and ease of resale.
It all boils down to personal choice but if we suddenly had to become a one car family, the C Class would stay.

 

[NewMB]

Well, to be honest. The price of VED is still nothing compared to the time it takes to make up for the price diff between a petrol and a diesel model.

I pay £210 at the moment for my C320cdi, having 208g/km of CO2. Not cheap, but not that bad either.

The new twin turbo will be named C250cdi and boasts 204bhp if memory serves me right. Makes one wonder what the plans are for the 320cdi engine. Probably an upgrade, ie more bhp and better mpg.... higher price for sure! I would imagine 250bhp at least....

 

[NewMB]

Fuel economy may not matter too much but there is no point buying fuel you don't need to. The VED on the diesel is also much better, as will be the resale value.
I have sat in a new style E220cdi and was very impressed at how smooth and quiet it was compared to my E270cdi. Power wise, allegedly there isn't much, if anything, in it. In actual fact, when I swapped my E240, I test drove the old E220cdi expecting it to be a slug, and whilst a tad slower than the 270 I bought, there wasn't half as much in it as I expected. At town speeds its hard to tell them apart. As the salesman at the time put it, and having driven all 3 on my trans-Pennine motorway commute, I tend to agree, The real difference between the 220,270 and 320cdis didn't show until you were up above 70mph. The same is true of the modern ones.

Sure the petrol V6's are lovely but its going to hurt each time you wite the VED cheque and if the gov continue as they are, selling it on is going to be a struggle when the time comes. A low mileage 220cdi however will be a doddle to move on. Plus, having been used to 40mpg, how are you going to feel every time you see 19mpg on the computer? (I assume you do mainly town driving?)

All that said, the 320cdi is a wonderful compromise if budget allows. If you are seriously considering a petrol, do take the 320cdi out, it will almost certainly change your mind!

We all wonder what we'll go for when the time comes. As a fellow 270 owner I'm torn too. I think my answer is, if money is a concern I will be very happy with a new 220 (even more happy with the twin turbo 220 that is due out next year mind!). If money is a bit freer, no question, it will be a 320. What a beast!

double post....

 

[Rory]

We all wonder what we'll go for when the time comes. As a fellow 270 owner I'm torn too. I think my answer is, if money is a concern I will be very happy with a new 220 (even more happy with the twin turbo 220 that is due out next year mind!). If money is a bit freer, no question, it will be a 320. What a beast!

Well, if you're staying with E Class then you do have the 280CDi option too.

 

[st4]

No one has mentioned the 63AMG petrol. You just need to wait 3 years and it will be nicely in budget

 

[NewMB]

No one has mentioned the 63AMG petrol. You just need to wait 3 years and it will be nicely in budget

Exactly my thought!

 

[fred52]

Its the CD220!!

Many thanks for all the helpful suggestions including waiting 3 years!

The CD220 bears up very well against the CD270. Dare I say it - it sounds quieter and the power curve seems very similar with plenty of mid-range acceleration. Admittedly, the salesman was a bit concerned when I was crusing at 70mph and told him that I just wanted to see what the acceleration was like.

I have no doubt that he C320 is very good too, but the CO2 levels and future chancellor actions worry me. In auto Estate form the CD220 emission is a reaonable 178g/km.

I was also a little concered about the ride. My current CD270 is an Avantgarde and the CD220 Sport had very similar handling and seemed a bit more engaging to drive. All in all I was very impressed - just need to work through all the options now!

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[Rory]

I was also a little concered about the ride. My current CD270 is an Avantgarde and the CD220 Sport had very similar handling and seemed a bit more engaging to drive.

Was it an estate that you test drove? I have a facelift W203 Avantgarde (on 16" wheels) and the ride on poor surfaces is almost painful. I gather the saloon is better, so I'd want to be sure I tried the estate version of the W204.

 

[NewMB]

Was it an estate that you test drove? I have a facelift W203 Avantgarde (on 16" wheels) and the ride on poor surfaces is almost painful. I gather the saloon is better, so I'd want to be sure I tried the estate version of the W204.

You think it's poor on 16"... try my Sport Pack with 17" and lowered sports suspension. Can be very hard at times.

 

[NewMB]

Many thanks for all the helpful suggestions including waiting 3 years!

The CD220 bears up very well against the CD270. Dare I say it - it sounds quieter and the power curve seems very similar with plenty of mid-range acceleration. Admittedly, the salesman was a bit concerned when I was crusing at 70mph and told him that I just wanted to see what the acceleration was like.

I have no doubt that he C320 is very good too, but the CO2 levels and future chancellor actions worry me. In auto Estate form the CD220 emission is a reaonable 178g/km.

I was also a little concered about the ride. My current CD270 is an Avantgarde and the CD220 Sport had very similar handling and seemed a bit more engaging to drive. All in all I was very impressed - just need to work through all the options now!

Thanks again for all the input.

I am sure you would be very please with the 220cdi engine. Very nice indeed.

Options.... leather, parktronic, heated seats (must have with leather), command or aps50, auto'box, cd changer and telephone prewire and you are off with a great car.

If you are worried about the ride, go for the elegance model with smaller wheels, ie 16", not the 17" as the sport model has.

 

[fred52]

Was it an estate that you test drove? I have a facelift W203 Avantgarde (on 16" wheels) and the ride on poor surfaces is almost painful. I gather the saloon is better, so I'd want to be sure I tried the estate version of the W204.

Hi - yes, it was the Estate that I test drove and the ride was just fine.