Merc C-Class (W203)

Burning Eclipse

My dad is changing car in the next month or so, and seems to have settled on a C-Class Merc. He's looking at a C220 CDi, 2004/5 at the moment.

I'd like to get feedback here on a couple of things. Is the diesel a decent engine, or should he consider petrol? Depending on engine, is he better off going manual or auto box? What problems is he likely to run into on an 8/9 year old Merc? Anything else of note.

Finally, considering this is what he's looking at, are there any other similar cars people would recommend? He's a bit of a car snob imo (I can only remember him owning one car that wasn't BMW/Audi in the last 30 years). Currently driving a 02 A6 1.9 TDi, so any recommendations would need to be beating that in terms of year/power (I know, not exactly a challenge).

Looking forward to any advice.

bazz26

I would not consider the W203 as one of MB's best moments. Electrics can be hit or miss and build quality wasn't great.

What about a Volvo S60 D5?


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S60/Full-Leather,/34213607690373930/

Or a Jaguar X-Type:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Jaguar/X-Type/2.0-D/30813469446709540/

Burning Eclipse

Cheers Bazz, I took those recommendations to him, but they were shot down. Unfortunately I think he's got his mind made up at this point.

So, that being the case, any advice on the W203 (apart from avoid it )

Stallingrad

Does your Dads mileage warrant a diesel?

Going from a A6 to a C-Class will feel like a step down, but in Elegance trim with beige leather and Auto still a pleasant place to be, hard to find though. The E-Class until the 2006 facelift was a poor car so could not be recommended, post 2006 much better. 5 series of that age would a far better proposition than a Merc of the same period.

Also I would knock the manual MB idea on the head, MB manuals are dire, auto
suits the car much better.

T-Maxx

Check amongst others for:

-rust
-electrics (malfunctions/faults such as ESP, coolant level, windscreen washer level, fuel gauge level, electric seat, etc)
-air vent stepper motors
-worn suspension bushes
-timing chain
-2nd key (quite expensive)

Oh and make sure you get a decent spec (incl climate control and leather) and definitely auto.

sumo12

Hi OP,
As regards that engine, check for injector leakage / blow-by on the rocker cover. Common for the injector seals to leak.
Swirl valves on the manifold give trouble. Cats give trouble. Electrics as already said above. I'm a merc man/fan and I agree with poster above, not one of MB's finest cars by a long shot. If he wants one, buy one, they are fine to drive (ALWAYS automatic, never manual!!) but he has to be prepared to drop away chunks of money during his ownership.

T-Maxx

sumo12 wrote: »

Hi OP,
...he has to be prepared to drop away chunks of money during his ownership.

Not necessarily - have mine a good while now with no issues.

sumo12

T-Maxx wrote: »

Not necessarily - have mine a good while now with no issues.

Lucky you! Long may it continue

Burning Eclipse

Thanks for the feedback. It's especially useful to hear from people who own the car (and haven't spent a fortune on it)

Stallingrad... I don't think his daily trips justify the diesel, but he can do long trips from time to time, so seems intent on diesel. Any compelling argument to go for petrol?

Stallingrad

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

Any compelling argument to go for petrol?

Quite a few if short journeys are the main style of driving, Google is your friend.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/9257655/Diesel-versus-petrol.html

This caught my eye..
"We get called to about 700 breakdowns a month for blocked DPFs."

Burning Eclipse

Stallingrad wrote: »

Quite a few if short journeys are the main style of driving, Google is your friend.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/9257655/Diesel-versus-petrol.html

This caught my eye..
"We get called to about 700 breakdowns a month for blocked DPFs."

Oh ya, well aware of the possibility of DPF problems. Shortest journey he'd ever do is 10 miles, so I'm still recommending petrol to him. I meant anything compelling like 'diesels are prone to x, y, z, etc.

Idbatterim

Does your Dads mileage warrant a diesel?

Going from a A6 to a C-Class will feel like a step down, but in Elegance trim with beige leather and Auto still a pleasant place to be, hard to find though. The E-Class until the 2006 facelift was a poor car so could not be recommended, post 2006 much better. 5 series of that age would a far better proposition than a Merc of the same period.

Also I would knock the manual MB idea on the head, MB manuals are dire, auto
suits the car much better.

totally agree with this! and I was doing some research into it on someone elses behalf the other day... I just linked to this on another thread, could be a runner...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4638938

Burning Eclipse

Idbatterim wrote: »

totally agree with this! and I was doing some research into it on someone elses behalf the other day... I just linked to this on another thread, could be a runner...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4638938

Wow, that looks like a serious bus for the money. I think there's no comparison between that and a C-Class for example. Trying to convince my dad of the same thing

Stallingrad

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

Wow, that looks like a serious bus for the money. I think there's no comparison between that and a C-Class for example. Trying to convince my dad of the same thing

If he buys a C-Class over a 5 at least you know it's time to check him into the old age home.