Opinions on Mercedes C220 CDI, 2003 or so

In message , Kostas Kavoussanakis writes

Really depends on the condition of the car you're looking at. For contrast I bought a 2004 C200 CDi at 40,000 miles and I've been very pleased with it, but it was in good clean condition to start with and there have been no major problems (apart from a split turbo hose). My local garage does the maintenance on it - you don't have to go to a Mercedes shop. I assume that you have checked that it has a proper service history? If not then I would recommend a thorough inspection (e.g. by the RAC) before spending any serious money. I would also recommend that you get a major service done as soon as you can unless you are very certain that it has been maintained properly.

Your mileage may vary (probably one of the few times that this phrase has been used correctly!) but I get anywhere between 40 and 50 mpg depending on how much of a hurry I'm in, with average MPG over time in the low 40s.

HTH

90k miles is not high mileage.

Bushes are going to be your main worry.

Similar - maybe a bit lower.

Thanks. Is there a tell-tale for the uninitiated?

Ok, so 10% more expensive. Fair enough...

How do they fare for rust? I have seen some really sorry (earlier) E-Class.

Kostas

How many C-Classes have you seen of that shape that have started to rust..?

The earlier E-Class is something of a low point for Mercedes-Benz.

I saw one yesterday (is the coupe the same thing essentially?) with its face pretty brown. But I admit I haven't any more like that. Having said that, they haven't gone (say) 10 years old yet, so I thought I would ask.

Thanks, that's useful insight (for the C-Class as well).

Kostas

Check out ratings car by car on

(Honest John is the Daily Telegraph's motoring correspondent.

Actually rust _is_ an issue on Mercs of that age, including the C-class. This is a well-known issue in the Merc forums. Make sure any car you buy has had its anti-corrosion inspections fully stamped, as otherwise you could end up with serious rust problems. It's not unheard of for

5-year-old cars to have extensive panel replacement due to rust.

Wow there's a lot there, many thanks. I will check the relevant sections for my Focus and Almera to put things into perspective. The following looks sh*te to me:

'Mobilo 30 year warranty against perforated bodywork states "From the

5th year onwards the car should have been serviced by an authorised Mercedes Benz workshop within the last 2 years prior to the damage being repaired".'

Kostas p.s.: Thanks asahartz for your post as well; most useful.

I don't know if it's standard fit or an option, but if it has it, the engine coolant will warm up *much* quicker but you'll notice increased consumption.

Without it and driven gently, it will take a good while before the cabin is warming up.

Yes - and manuals are worth far, far less.