1996 Mercedes Benz C 220

I had a 94 C220 (4sp auto) for almost 2 years (117000 mls on clock) before trading it in for an E class. C Class cars are not as refined as you may expect. The 220 engine is quite harsh at high revs and not very quiet either (the C180 seems more refined and quieter) however, it is very economical on fuel and I regularly returned 32 - 34 mpg. Look carefully for signs of rusting around the wheel arches - I've seen quite a few C classes with problems in this area. My car had a full MB dealer history when I bought it and I would rate reliability as only average. Problems I had with mine in 26000 mls of driving were - Electric fuel pump, General protection relay, Engine mountings (collapsed - they are hydraulic), Steering idler arm, steering ball joints, front coil springs, front and rear disk brakes, over sensitive alarm, rust around wheel arches. Cost of servicing at MB dealer is very high. My servicing / repair costs from a MB trained specialist were £1,300 over the 22 months. If I were thinking of buying another C class I would look for a 6 cylinder model as they are much smoother.

I have a 1997 C280 that I bought in 1999 with 52K miles. It now has 135K and is going strong -- even after the run-in with the guard rail on Rt 128 north of Boston.

Hi i have a C220 Auto would have to say that i bought it as I was new I would be doing a lot of miles and looking for economy and something that would hold a price.

I did not want to take the hit on a new car, got it with 70 k on the clock full MBSH I have done 50, 000 miles in 9 months and in that time have had all the services required, fitted one new heater motor, and a set of glow plugs and pre heating solenoid and 4 tyres.

now that's not a lot for a car that has completed 5 years in mileage terms, MPG is averaging 530 miles per tank

I would agree with the other posts it is underpowered put hay you can get used to it (or have the system re-mapped) go on buy it...