advice re C class coupe
Discussion
The new C class is coming out later this year or early next year. However it's not all bad news to anyone buying a Sport Coupe now (like me, I'm collecting next month). Apparently, as the Sport Coupe isn't being replaced by the new model, it's going to be kept on after the saloon is superseded.
The facelifted cars are 54 reg onwards, although as it happened in the May there may be a few 04. The most important difference is that the interior was thoroughly revised. I never though the old dash looked worth the cars price tag. (Only my opinion, before any older sport coupe owners respond) The front bumper and rear lights were also tweaked, although unless you see old and new together the differences are hard to spot.
The optimum spec if your looking diesel is a facelifted car, with the EU3 engine, as the change in engine specs occured a little while after the facelift and the EU4 engine is apparently less economical.
There's not many variants to choose from, its really got to be at least an SE, if only for the folding mirrors (expensive with the integral indicators). If you like big wheels then go for an EVO or Sport. I find the special interior fittings on the EVO a bit halfords chavvy, but again that's my opinion.
AS it's got the foot operated parking brake, then the auto gearbox does make life a lot easier. The Sequentronic (automated manual) was never highly rated, as although more economical than the regular auto, it wasn't that smooth.
I've ordered mine after being bitterly disappointed in the 120d I made the mistake of buying. Getting back in a Merc again, was like coming home.
The facelifted cars are 54 reg onwards, although as it happened in the May there may be a few 04. The most important difference is that the interior was thoroughly revised. I never though the old dash looked worth the cars price tag. (Only my opinion, before any older sport coupe owners respond) The front bumper and rear lights were also tweaked, although unless you see old and new together the differences are hard to spot.
The optimum spec if your looking diesel is a facelifted car, with the EU3 engine, as the change in engine specs occured a little while after the facelift and the EU4 engine is apparently less economical.
There's not many variants to choose from, its really got to be at least an SE, if only for the folding mirrors (expensive with the integral indicators). If you like big wheels then go for an EVO or Sport. I find the special interior fittings on the EVO a bit halfords chavvy, but again that's my opinion.
AS it's got the foot operated parking brake, then the auto gearbox does make life a lot easier. The Sequentronic (automated manual) was never highly rated, as although more economical than the regular auto, it wasn't that smooth.
I've ordered mine after being bitterly disappointed in the 120d I made the mistake of buying. Getting back in a Merc again, was like coming home.
The economy was one the reasons I bought the 120d rather than the Merc I really wanted. I reasoned that BMW were putting more effort into their 4 cylinder diesel technology. Unfortunately the BMW struggled to achieve 40 mpg when I made a special effort and behaved myself, 35 wasn't unrealistic for it.
At least with the Merc, although it won't do much different to the gallon, it will be more comfortable doing it and I won't have to tolerate / work round cack handed design features, in addition to the unexpected problems I had with the BMW.
At least with the Merc, although it won't do much different to the gallon, it will be more comfortable doing it and I won't have to tolerate / work round cack handed design features, in addition to the unexpected problems I had with the BMW.
Thanks for the replies,
Unfortunately budget wont allow for an 05 plate (she's having this,I'm getting an Elise!) prob looking at a budget of c£13k. It will mainly be used for school run and family outings, so mpg not a major issue and from what you are saying earlier Diesel cars were not that efficient.
Are the 180 cars sluggish?
simon
Unfortunately budget wont allow for an 05 plate (she's having this,I'm getting an Elise!) prob looking at a budget of c£13k. It will mainly be used for school run and family outings, so mpg not a major issue and from what you are saying earlier Diesel cars were not that efficient.
Are the 180 cars sluggish?
simon
siwil1 said:
Thanks for the replies,
Unfortunately budget wont allow for an 05 plate (she's having this,I'm getting an Elise!) prob looking at a budget of c£13k. It will mainly be used for school run and family outings, so mpg not a major issue and from what you are saying earlier Diesel cars were not that efficient.
Are the 180 cars sluggish?
simon
Mrs. WR has a C180 Coupe in which she bought new in 2003. (Probably worth around 13/14k now)
Imo it is a superbly built car which feels quality, never given any problems, her's is a manual though..
The foot handbrake takes a little getting used to, but performance is great, no problems, very fast for the engine size...
Downside...She says it is useless in snow, but unless you live in Norway shouldn't be a problem........
Highly recommended.
I hope you enjoy it. Even though I lost a lot of money changing from the BMW I am so pleased I did. The Sport Coupe is such a good drive.
Are you collecting from the Factory?
I did and it was an excellent opportunity to see the factory and what goes into making the car, the whole event is so well organised. It's also an ideal opportunity to do a bit of european touring on the way back home, plus the car will be nicely run when you get home.
One thing I've had improved on mine is the status line on the instument cluster. In standard UK spec it only displays speed in kph (no kph on speedo), I've had that bar removed so it displays temperature permanently, as I found the kph display barely legible. Once that display restriction is removed the main display can then be the speedo, resulting in larger, better positioned numbers.
Are you collecting from the Factory?
I did and it was an excellent opportunity to see the factory and what goes into making the car, the whole event is so well organised. It's also an ideal opportunity to do a bit of european touring on the way back home, plus the car will be nicely run when you get home.
One thing I've had improved on mine is the status line on the instument cluster. In standard UK spec it only displays speed in kph (no kph on speedo), I've had that bar removed so it displays temperature permanently, as I found the kph display barely legible. Once that display restriction is removed the main display can then be the speedo, resulting in larger, better positioned numbers.
thanks for the reply, How does the collection work? can we take the kids or does one person only get to go free soyou end up paying for the rest.
Also what if there is a problem? ( i know there wont be) surely its harder to reject a car in Germany, than a dealer a couple of miles down the road.
re the display option was this done by the dealer?
is it not a legal requirement to display mph and kph in this country?
sorry for thebarrage of questions but we have been toying with the idea of picking it up and i had never heard of the display option
Also what if there is a problem? ( i know there wont be) surely its harder to reject a car in Germany, than a dealer a couple of miles down the road.
re the display option was this done by the dealer?
is it not a legal requirement to display mph and kph in this country?
sorry for thebarrage of questions but we have been toying with the idea of picking it up and i had never heard of the display option
The dealer should have offered you collection when you ordered.
You have to pay for extra people, which a can imagine if includes kids as well will cost. I'm not sure if they will appreciate the museum and factory tour.
I'm not sure about rejection, although there must be some mechanism for it. The dealer does a PDI when you get back and sorts out the registration etc.
The display option is a bit awkward for dealers to do as they require a password from MB to access the extra menus in the diagnostics system. However this shouldn't be a major issue, but may require a bit of pressure.
The UK requirement is for the car to have the capability of displaying speed in kph. So when I leave for the Le Mans Classic on Friday I'll set the main display to speed and change the units to kph.
The display option being barred for the UK car is particularly annoying as you read the manual (written in english), it shows the various display options, then says that this isn't possible on UK cars.
When I left the factory I found the status line speed display very frustrating as it isn't easy to read at a glance, not being very visible and is away from the line of sight. Plus I find outside temp to be a useful display to have permanently.
I have a copy of the required settings if your interested.
You have to pay for extra people, which a can imagine if includes kids as well will cost. I'm not sure if they will appreciate the museum and factory tour.
I'm not sure about rejection, although there must be some mechanism for it. The dealer does a PDI when you get back and sorts out the registration etc.
The display option is a bit awkward for dealers to do as they require a password from MB to access the extra menus in the diagnostics system. However this shouldn't be a major issue, but may require a bit of pressure.
The UK requirement is for the car to have the capability of displaying speed in kph. So when I leave for the Le Mans Classic on Friday I'll set the main display to speed and change the units to kph.
The display option being barred for the UK car is particularly annoying as you read the manual (written in english), it shows the various display options, then says that this isn't possible on UK cars.
When I left the factory I found the status line speed display very frustrating as it isn't easy to read at a glance, not being very visible and is away from the line of sight. Plus I find outside temp to be a useful display to have permanently.
I have a copy of the required settings if your interested.
Edited by niva441 on Wednesday 5th July 08:08
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