Mercedes-Benz C-Class C SERIES

CALC2012 · 20-01-2012 1:02pm #1

Hi I'm looking at two very similar Mercedes-Benz C-Class C SERIES 180 SPORT COUPEs

Approx 30,000K miles on both.
Both automatic, petrol.

O5/O6 D and prices are 9-11K.

Any comments welcome.

R.O.R · 20-01-2012 1:16pm

CALC2012 wrote: »

Hi I'm looking at two very similar Mercedes-Benz C-Class C SERIES 180 SPORT COUPEs

Approx 30,000K miles on both.
Both automatic, petrol.

O5/O6 D and prices are 9-11K.

Any comments welcome.

Why are you looking at C180 Sport Coupe's is the big question..........

CALC2012 · 20-01-2012 1:23pm

R.O.R wrote: »

Why are you looking at C180 Sport Coupe's is the big question..........

I'm not a petrolhead, clearly you are. Please feel free to enlighten me.

Tea 1000 · 20-01-2012 2:21pm

They're not very good. Based on the old C-Class chassis, which isn't great, and just not fantastically well built. Something like a Scoricco would be a better bet.
The new C-Class coupe is a better car, but I think it only came out last year, maybe the year before.

CALC2012 · 20-01-2012 2:49pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

They're not very good. Based on the old C-Class chassis, which isn't great, and just not fantastically well built. Something like a Scoricco would be a better bet.
The new C-Class coupe is a better car, but I think it only came out last year, maybe the year before.

Thanks!

Saw a Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR A/T
80K, 2005, auto/coupe. E12K.

Any better?

Mr Benevolent · 20-01-2012 3:07pm

CALC2012 wrote: »

Thanks!

Saw a Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR A/T
80K, 2005, auto/coupe. E12K.

Any better?

Not really. You're just paying for the badge, they're not fantastic cars. Buy something for the quality, not the badge. Are you only looking for a coupe?

CALC2012 · 20-01-2012 3:17pm

Confab wrote: »

Not really. You're just paying for the badge, they're not fantastic cars. Buy something for the quality, not the badge. Are you only looking for a coupe?

Surely a marquee brand like Merc brings with it quality?

Of course they look nice, but I was wondering about build quality also.

Not necessarily coupe, 3 door hatchback is fine. Have no need for anything bigger at the moment.

bazz26 · 20-01-2012 4:16pm

CALC2012 wrote: »

Surely a marquee brand like Merc brings with it quality?
Of course they look nice, but I was wondering about build quality also.

Not necessarily coupe, 3 door hatchback is fine. Have no need for anything bigger at the moment.

Mercedes went through some very stringent cost cutting measures during the early 1990s and alot of their cars suffered as a result. Models like the C and E Class just were not as well engineered compared to older models which in most cases outlived their owners. They had poorer build quality, electrical problems, etc just like many other makes meaning there was no point paying a premium for something that was no longer superior. They really are only getting back on track in the last 6 or 7 years.

That model C Class was never a great car, it was always the runt of the litter in the company of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, you would be much better off looking at 3 door versions from "less prestigious" manufacturers if you want a good car imo.

RobAMerc · 20-01-2012 4:23pm

As previously said - best stay away from any 00 - 06 Mercs.

My Dad has a 200 CLK, nice car but the e90 series ( 05 on in saloon 06 for coupe I think) BMW is a far better car imo ( in fairness its a good bit newer ) although probably no better for reliability, or a late model e46 coupe. Both BMW's are far better to drive - the Merc is nice in a slow lazy kinda way, but the Bavarians just do it better.

edit: btw - I have had an e46 , an e90 an e91 BMW and now have a Merc w211 (E200), so I have a good idea where I am coming from.

CALC2012 · 22-01-2012 2:27pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

As previously said - best stay away from any 00 - 06 Mercs.

My Dad has a 200 CLK, nice car but the e90 series ( 05 on in saloon 06 for coupe I think) BMW is a far better car imo ( in fairness its a good bit newer ) although probably no better for reliability, or a late model e46 coupe. Both BMW's are far better to drive - the Merc is nice in a slow lazy kinda way, but the Bavarians just do it better.

edit: btw - I have had an e46 , an e90 an e91 BMW and now have a Merc w211 (E200), so I have a good idea where I am coming from.

Thanks for all replies.:)

So after a bit of reading here I should not buy either of the 2 cars that I was interested in: a C-class Coupe or Audi A3 1.6 (8V).:o
That leaves maybe a VW Golf which I think is overpriced and not remotely stylish, though reliable.

Any other suggestions? I only do about 5,000 miles a year, mostly short trips. Should I go for a higher Audi engine size/Diesel which is more tax, insurance etc but should save in long-term in fuel and reliability?

colm_mcm · 22-01-2012 2:34pm

But if you were gonna consider a 1.8 merc, why limit yourself to a 1.6 Audi?

CALC2012 · 22-01-2012 3:21pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

But if you were gonna consider a 1.8 merc, why limit yourself to a 1.6 Audi?

"Should I go for a higher Audi engine size/Diesel which is more tax, insurance etc but should save in long-term in fuel and reliability".

I've noticed over 1.6 that mileage is higher (mostly >70K, dealers in Dublin). I'd prefer lower mileage

bazz26 · 22-01-2012 4:10pm

How about a Volvo C30:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713256685500050

You will not find that spec on anything German within your price range.

CALC2012 · 22-01-2012 4:52pm

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a Volvo C30:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713256685500050

You will not find that spec on anything German within your price range.

Nice - I got really excited with the price, specs and inside - but the front and particularly the rear views?!!:eek:

What about:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Coupe/1.6-1%232L/713267198044350/advert?channel=CARS

Yes I am a girl but not a hairdresser:D

CALC2012 · 22-01-2012 4:56pm

bazz26 wrote: »

How about a Volvo C30:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713256685500050

You will not find that spec on anything German within your price range.

This link should work:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713267198044350

colm_mcm · 22-01-2012 5:22pm

C30 is a kazillion times nicer to be in than a coupe

pburns · 22-01-2012 6:07pm

Black probably not the best colour for the Volvo C30 as it camouflages that nice, black, glass-like rear hatch. Looks are subjective but in the flesh, in a nice colour they're a lovely distinctive motor IMO.

Hyundai Coupe - nice looks, probably reliable but just...no...class...

What about a MINI?

CALC2012 · 22-01-2012 7:05pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

C30 is a kazillion times nicer to be in than a coupe

Noticed a thread saying there are not many dealers for parts around - how far can you go using Ford parts?
I assume value will keep dropping faster than equivalent cars so I'll have to be in it for the long haul so am keeping in mind repairs.

pburns wrote: »

Black probably not the best colour for the Volvo C30 as it camouflages that nice, black, glass-like rear hatch. Looks are subjective but in the flesh, in a nice colour they're a lovely distinctive motor IMO.

Hyundai Coupe - nice looks, probably reliable but just...no...class...

What about a MINI?

The back really put me off at first..it looks like a back of a distorted Porsche Carrera? But it's growing on me...

So it's a trade off in either overpaying for a marque that can disappoint (see start of discussion) or currently making do with a lesser car to have a bit of fun with - compromise I guess? (bit like wife/girlfriend analogy supposedly;))

Mini would be a great option but I'm tall so don't need the obvious jokes!

Seamu$ · 22-01-2012 7:16pm

Something like this appeal OP?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-S/131642262837451/advert?channel=CARS

Engine size a bit too big for your liking perhaps?

veetwin · 22-01-2012 7:56pm

Audi TT - Way nicer than the Merc?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/COUPE-1./413271760225710/advert?channel=CARS

I'd be double checking the mileage on this one though!

CALC2012 · 29-01-2012 1:10pm

Seamu$ wrote: »

Something like this appeal OP?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-S/131642262837451/advert?channel=CARS

Engine size a bit too big for your liking perhaps?

veetwin wrote: »

Audi TT - Way nicer than the Merc?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/COUPE-1./413271760225710/advert?channel=CARS

I'd be double checking the mileage on this one though!

Thanks for the suggestions. I spent last week selling my car (1L Polo). Now I have the use of a friends car until I decide what to buy next.
It's a 02 BMW 318CI SE - let's say I certainly notice the difference:D

Boardstiff · 29-01-2012 9:13pm

Hi CALC2012, are you only looking for automatics ?

i just bought a jeep (needed one for work) and will be selling my 06 coupe merc if your interested. (based in dublin)

you can pm me if you'd like to see it or it will be up on carzone/adverts in the next week.

great car IMO, never gave me any trouble.

@mods: hope im not breaking any rules, ill try and get some basic listing up on adverts asap.
(EDIT: adverts basic listing up -> link )

RobAMerc · 29-01-2012 10:25pm

veetwin wrote: »

Audi TT - Way nicer than the Merc?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/COUPE-1./413271760225710/advert?channel=CARS

I'd be double checking the mileage on this one though!

the mk1 TT does look great but they are pants to drive and give a fair amount of trouble.

colm_mcm · 29-01-2012 11:02pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

the mk1 TT does look great but they are pants to drive and give a fair amount of trouble.

Ah come on now, they're not awful to drive. they mightn't be a barrel of laughs, but they're grippy and nippy, also the styling still looks fresh and the curved roofline looks even better from the inside.

We're benchmarking against a C180 coupe, a 2WD 1.6 A3 and a C30 here.

CALC2012 · 31-01-2012 1:27pm

Boardstiff wrote: »

Hi CALC2012, are you only looking for automatics ?

i just bought a jeep (needed one for work) and will be selling my 06 coupe merc if your interested. (based in dublin)

you can pm me if you'd like to see it or it will be up on carzone/adverts in the next week.

great car IMO, never gave me any trouble.

@mods: hope im not breaking any rules, ill try and get some basic listing up on adverts asap.
(EDIT: adverts basic listing up -> link )

Thanks. I'm going to stick with the BMW for a couple of weeks for now:D

RobAMerc · 31-01-2012 1:39pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Ah come on now, they're not awful to drive. they mightn't be a barrel of laughs, but they're grippy and nippy, also the styling still looks fresh and the curved roofline looks even better from the inside.

We're benchmarking against a C180 coupe, a 2WD 1.6 A3 and a C30 here.

Ok - I might have been a bit harsh, but they don't live up to the 180/225bhp looks and 4*4 drive train - that's all I was getting at. BTW the C30 is a Focus in drag, I'm willing to bet its not a bad handling little car, Ford is doing a superb job these days making the mundane family car a joy to drive !

CALC2012 · 07-02-2012 12:23pm

Seamu$ wrote: »

Something like this appeal OP?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-S/131642262837451/advert?channel=CARS

Engine size a bit too big for your liking perhaps?

Found this one:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-C/413258539418850/advert?channel=CARS

However it's auto and looks a bit overpriced - worth a test drive?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class C SERIES

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