Mercedes W204 C350 CDI facelift advice

Mercedes W204 C350 CDI facelift advice

Author
Discussion

Luke33

Original Poster:

23 posts

15 months

Tuesday 23rd July
quotequote all
I currently have a BMW E92 335i N55 manual but the maintenance on the car is getting silly and I miss the torque of a diesel. I had a C220 CDI and I miss the car but I want something more powerful and the C350 CDI seems to be perfect but I'm not sure if they're good car or reliable etc. can anyone tell me what they're like and the common issue and maintenance etc? They seem to be a pretty good price on auto trader. Not sure if that is a good thing or not haha.

I'm wondering what the power is like when behind the wheel and how they drive etc.

My main concern is the DPF. I only do about 20 miles of driving a day and it's all back roads. I know when the DPF blocks up it's a right pain in the ass. Would a drive on the motorway once a week or two weeks sort that issue out?

Any help is greatly appreciated!


carreauchompeur

18,011 posts

211 months

Tuesday 23rd July
quotequote all
Hi Luke,

I have had an ‘09 E350 with the same engine for the last 4yrs. Have a look at my profile for the maintenance costs.

It’s a nice car. The engine is magnificent but I have found the ancillaries very flakey, and Merc parts costs astronomical. But I look after it well,,and people do still regard it as a ‘nice car’. Looks the part.

I would also say that the BMWs are a more dynamic drive, with better handling and a marginally better gearbox.

I’d stick where you are!

Gibonz

50 posts

74 months

Wednesday 24th July
quotequote all
Luke33 said:
I currently have a BMW E92 335i N55 manual but the maintenance on the car is getting silly and I miss the torque of a diesel. I had a C220 CDI and I miss the car but I want something more powerful and the C350 CDI seems to be perfect but I'm not sure if they're good car or reliable etc. can anyone tell me what they're like and the common issue and maintenance etc? They seem to be a pretty good price on auto trader. Not sure if that is a good thing or not haha.

I'm wondering what the power is like when behind the wheel and how they drive etc.

My main concern is the DPF. I only do about 20 miles of driving a day and it's all back roads. I know when the DPF blocks up it's a right pain in the ass. Would a drive on the motorway once a week or two weeks sort that issue out?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
W204 C220d owner here. To address the DPF issue, you can get it cored (existing DPF casing all stays in place) and mapped out of the car. Alot of times DPF cleaner and a good run up the motorway just isn't enough.

Mine has been reliable other than the usual wheel speed sensor replacement, which go after a certain age.

Luke33

Original Poster:

23 posts

15 months

Sunday 28th July
quotequote all
[quote=carreauchompeur]Hi Luke,

I have had an ‘09 E350 with the same engine for the last 4yrs. Have a look at my profile for the maintenance costs.

It’s a nice car. The engine is magnificent but I have found the ancillaries very flakey, and Merc parts costs astronomical. But I look after it well,,and people do still regard it as a ‘nice car’. Looks the part.

I would also say that the BMWs are a more dynamic drive, with better handling and a marginally better gearbox.

I’d stick where you are![/

Hi mate, thanks for the reply!

I love my bmw but I've only owned it for a year and the maintenance is just getting ridiculous. Every month is money and something else that starts to sound wrong haha. It's just giving me too much of a headache now. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing actually wrong with the car, it's just constant maintenance.

I had a C220 CDI and the maintenance on that was ok. I know the 350 CDI is a bigger engine and will probably require more maintenance though.



MickyveloceClassic

425 posts

66 months

Sunday 28th July
quotequote all
I like the W204 shape, and ran a 2013 C63 for a couple of years.

Check the rear subframe before you commit- they rust away quite badly. I was surprised to see how scabby the whole underside of my car was during an inspection.

Mercedes are/ were replacing them, but always worth a good look.

The big diesels are a lovely engine, but if you’re only doing 20 miles a day, I can’t help thinking that a petrol variant would be much cheaper in the long run.

86DA

229 posts

134 months

Sunday 28th July
quotequote all
Didn't they do a petrol C350, up to about 2009.

carreauchompeur

18,011 posts

211 months

Sunday 28th July
quotequote all
The diesel engine is great, drove up Porlock Hill earlier (1 in 4) and it was utterly effortless.

Not sure about the petrols, had an older CLK240 as a courtesy car when mine was in for service last month and it was absolutely dire. Slow AND thirsty!

s70rmp

662 posts

136 months

Tuesday 30th July
quotequote all
i had the C350 CDI for 3 years and possibly one of the best cars i've had

great engine

great power

great on fuel

and fun to drive always drop it in S mode

did approx 60k in 3 years

would defo recommend one if its got a full service history

should have got mine remapped but didnt

Stussy

2,065 posts

71 months

Friday 9th August
quotequote all
86DA said:
Didn't they do a petrol C350, up to about 2009.
Yes, and they also did a facelift version that has more power, better mpg, cheaper tax and better performance

MustangGT

12,287 posts

287 months

Saturday 10th August
quotequote all
Stussy said:
86DA said:
Didn't they do a petrol C350, up to about 2009.
Yes, and they also did a facelift version that has more power, better mpg, cheaper tax and better performance
This all the way. For the low mileage the OP does a diesel is not the way forward, too many potential issues caused by the low use.