Buying a Mercedes C-Class W203 - 2000-2007 Common questions, purchasing advice / Guide
Mercedes-Benz has really hit a bit of a sweet spot with its new-for-2007 C-Class.
Not only was there a better looking C-Class, the new model has also been driving better and was better integrated into the market.
Consequently, it took the compact prestige market by something approaching storm and has helped cement the place of the C-class Mercedes model as the most sold worldwide.
And now that the former had their fifth birthday, they begin to hit the market for used cars in good numbers good enough for there to be a lot of choice in engines and trim levels.
In addition to a new look that takes its taste of the S-Class the day of the new C-Class was better to drive than ever.
The C-Class has always been a specific steerer, but the W204 using Benz's in-house coding was even more pronounced, with a front suspension refined establishment that agility also helped.
Inside, the new car was not quite as daring as the exterior and the instrument cluster, in particular, was a bit of a disappointment this area of the car came to a heavy revision when the C-Class has received a facelift in 2010.
But the build quality was better in all areas and the relocation of South Africa to the German set for cars for this market has been good news.
For those who like their cars as convenient as possible, more good news for the class C-could be had as a sedan or a handy break, which just also go to look quite stunning too.
As usual trim levels, the C-Class could be done in both four-cylinder and V6 forms with a pair of turbo diesel engines to drive them to maximum fuel savings.
The entry engine is on 1 8 liters although it was called C200 supercharged engine 135 kW of power, and then moved to a range 3 0 liters V6 C280 with 170kW.
As regards diesel, Class C began with C220CDI four cylinders with 2 liters and 1 125 kW and finished with the turbo-diesel V6 C320 CDI with 165kW of power and enormous torque.
Some may find the essence of the base model lacks some punch, but in reality, it does the job admirably and the driving experience only gets better from there, with diesel in particular providing progress effortlessly, thanks to a range of five and the automatic gearbox seven-speed that suited the role perfectly.
More V6 is not quite as smooth as we've come to expect at this end of the market, but it certainly moved the C-class enough.
The turbo diesel engines, meanwhile, gave this effortless feel and amazing fuel economy that made the modern oil burner quite a sexy proposition.
The real bonus for those considering a second hand C-Class is that, while Mercedes-Benz has been some quality problems in the models immediately before this car, when the W204 arrived, the headquarters had a heart of business change and decided the quality was probably very important for a brand built on durability and reliability of premise so these cars are most definitely put together and seem to produce much less hassle for their owners than the last couple of generations of class C.
Many Mercedes-Benz cars are - and were - bought as part of a salary sacrifice scheme, so they are often kept for about three years and then exchanged on something new.
Frankly, these are great buys because they often arrive on the market with great success, leading to a glut that pushed down prices, but also because they're usually very good examples of the breed.
Because many buyers salary sacrifice bundle cost of the car with the costs of operation and maintenance into one monthly payment you tend to find cars with stories of comprehensive services and no gaps in the service manual .
Such a salary sacrifice agreement also means often that the car was used as a transport for a person, rather than a car pool drivers for a variety of different degrees of mechanical sympathy.
And the first is precisely the C-Class you want to buy now.
When buying, look for a car that was loaded with factory options These additions weren t cheap in negotiating at a dealership, but now as a second hand car, the options have no nowhere near the effect on the price as before So have you might as well buy one with all the fruit rather than a stripper model that will cost almost as much.
Popular options include communication packets with Bluetooth, roof terrace and pieces of the brochure AMG alloy wheels.
Make sure that all components that have worn such as tires and brake pads were replaced with equivalent items or better quality and durability.
Speaking of brakes, as many European cars C-Class quite soft brake pads that quickly wore and left of the black dust all over the shiny alloy wheels.
This dust is acidic and will burn in the alloy, permanently scarring the wheels unless it is rinsed regularly.
The brake discs themselves are also a wear part on a car like that, and may need to be replaced every second set of brake pads.
Supercharged 1 8 4-cyl 3 0 V6 1 February turbo diesel 3 0 V6 diesel.
The combined fuel economy 7 9L 100 km C200 9 C280 6 liter 6 7 7 liters C220 CDI 4 liters C320 CDI.
Right reliability improvements over previous models.
Some owners replaced the original tires with cheap alternatives.
Contemporary model BMW 3 Series E90 3 Series is the best of the lot 3 of the series at this point looks and stunning performance driving often driven harder than the average of the class C 3 of 5 stars.
Audi A4 The smooth interior looks quite logical, pure ergonomic Not as outgoing as some prefer, therefore calls for a more conservative buyer generally wary of modified 3-star cars.
Lexus IS350 Japanese alternative and a decent player, even if it lacks a bit of punch to low down her smooth V6 tight rear seat room, too, so suitable for smaller families better 3 stars.
2009 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI classic price and specifications.
Price 61,400EGC Engine 2 Power 1L4Cyl 125kW 400Nm torque Automatic Fuel use 6 7 drive.
Owner Approval a body type Sedan security 61,400EGC Price 5 Engine size 2 1Litre 4Cyl Performance 125kW Power Torque Fuel Economy 400 6 7 View details of the vehicle.
Used Mercedes-Benz car review cClass 20072010, occasion, 125kW Power Couple.