Wish

iTrader: (2)

Talking to a mate tonight that says hes fallen for the C Class Diesel Estate
Its the C220 CDI Avantgarde SE with a sports pack fitted to it.
Has anyone here got one or know what there like.
I was telling him about the reliablility issues but thats as much as i know about them.


Feedback anyone ?

john sugar

What reliabililty issues ??

I have one apart from the sports pack fiited, i have had it over 2 years now & it hasnt skipped a beat.
Its on 50k, it gets serviced when asked, tyres when needed & screen wash when asked.
Mines is an auto & is possibly the best car i have ever owned. Not one single problem & i bought it when it was 3 months old, its now 30 months old.
Better than a shiity 320d any day

john sugar

Oh & 40 mpg is easily achieved

SimonD

I've been looking at the petrol versions of this recently and apart from some rather naff bits of interior trim it's a really nice car. It looks fantastic with the sports pack fitted too.
I've not heard of any reliablility issues, just that the dealers are a pain to deal with. If it's reliable, however, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Terzo 333

My brother has the non estate version for sale if that is of any interest ?

Its on an 02 plate, 30k miles, all the extras...

PM me if its of any interest.

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

These are very good cars, we see very few problems with them. The sports pack really sets them off/apart from the standard model.

IIRC all of those fitted with sports pack as an option would have the latest interior, which is the one to have as older models inc the 02 above will have the older interior which is nowhere near as good looking.

They also do a 270cdi which is a quick car, the 220 is no slouch though be fair.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Ive been to the dealers today with him and the Dealer network is a let down just like VW

He's increased his budget and is now wanting an 05 plate or 55 plate
and they just dont seem interested.
Also weve noticed that dealers run these as Demos / Courtesy cars. And he dont want one of them !

Anyone know about mercedes used direct ?? Are these all the reject customer cars put right ?

Simon S3

Wish, there are good dealers and bad dealers out there regardless of make.

I`m not sure about Merc Direct, they`ve a lot of stock, they can`t all be rejected cars can they?

I`d try a dedicated Merc forum and try to locate a good dealer in your area.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I work for Mercedes Benz Glasgow, and am in Milton Keynes with a workmate, and we are 99.5% sure that these vehicles are not reject cars.
The 05/55 plate cars are excellent cars, but I would look for one without the latest emissions spec engines (it has a small valve with 2 pipes and a electrical plug attached to the back of the airfilter - left-handside of the engine as you look at it). I personally would probably go for an 04 plate , but then, that's what the warranty is for.
As for reliability on these cars, the 203 C-class series has been running for 5 years now, and most of the serious faults have been ironed out, just a few small niggles remain.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Craig,
What is the problem with the later emission cars ?

Also does your dealer have one for sale ? Please PM me he is willing to travel.

SimonD

...care to elaborate?

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

Merc direct get their cars from various places and none are ****ters. They are always brought up to standard before they're put on the forecourt, anything that needs replacing from a bit of trim right up to a supercharger no expense spared.

The only downside is that the salesmen i have dealt with are numpties.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

The later cars have to meet the new Euro IV emissions regs (I'm actually at DCUK for the training course at present), which all manufacturers are doing, but all have to use a type of catalyst (best way to describe it in layman's terms), which makes the engines hyper-critical to running spot-on. We are just having to install new software and some small modified parts to alleviate some problem cars, but most are OK. Remember, I only ever see the bad cars. There are an awful lot of good ones out there.

Simon, the above point and a few similar small ones are all that are rearing there heads these days. The old days when 203 C class cars needed thrust arm bushes, anti-roll bar links and bushes, rear diff side seals, rear road springs etc, etc are all sadly nearly gone (it was excellent bonus money), and the cars usually only need basic servicing, tyres, brakes, etc.

Robbie T, don't believe that all cars sat on the forecourt have been prepped like this, as some haven't, and cars still have to be prepped to a budget, so some things get skimped on.

Wish, there was a Black C270Cdi Avantgarde sat on the forecourt when I left that did keep catching my eye. It was approx 1-2 years old. If you PM me on Wed or Thurs, I'll see if it is still there when I get back from my course.
Craig

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

Have you had personal experience of merc direct then?

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I've seen how we prepare sales cars and also managed to fault Merc Direct cars, never anything major, just small niggly faults.