Some info - c class merc
Discussion
I have been thinking about getting myself a sensible car (I have a bike for fun!), that won't depreciate too much, and have been looking at the C180K. I am looking at a 2 to 3 year old car, so hopefully it will have already had the big hits on the depreciation. I will only be keeping it til I move abroad in around 18/24 months, and doing 10,000 miles p.a. max, so depreciation is a big factor here in what I buy.
Can someone please let me know that I am looking at the right model? or is there another engine size I should be considering that depreciates better?
Also can someone explain what the difference is between the trim types? Avantgarde, Classic, Elegance or Sport. Or can you point me in the right direction to see what the differences are? Again - what model holds it's value best?
Thanks
Can someone please let me know that I am looking at the right model? or is there another engine size I should be considering that depreciates better?
Also can someone explain what the difference is between the trim types? Avantgarde, Classic, Elegance or Sport. Or can you point me in the right direction to see what the differences are? Again - what model holds it's value best?
Thanks
We have a c180k SE sports coupe, we bought it new and it has depreciated by 50 % in 2.5 years/26000 miles. Saloons are worse than this, estates better. The new model coming this year will hit values hard, maybee wait a few months? 
. Most will/should have Auto and Leather to protect re-sale!!
Ours is a face-lift 2004 model and the 1.8 supercharged engine is fine. Its a bit sluggish to get to speed when specced with an auto. It flys when up to 50-60mph and can return 35-40mpg on a run.
As for the trims, the sports coupe is different so I don't know about them.
. Most will/should have Auto and Leather to protect re-sale!! Ours is a face-lift 2004 model and the 1.8 supercharged engine is fine. Its a bit sluggish to get to speed when specced with an auto. It flys when up to 50-60mph and can return 35-40mpg on a run.
As for the trims, the sports coupe is different so I don't know about them.
Edited by crox on Tuesday 27th February 17:40
Edited by crox on Tuesday 27th February 17:41
C Class was facelifted mid 2004 and (if you do go for one) then the facelift versions had much improved suspension, steering and interiors, plus they’re fully galvanised. Clear head and fog lights is the main external giveaway (although some people with earlier cars had them fitted, so don't rely on that).
Entry level is Classic, then Elegence is more wood look trim and Avantgarde is more aluminium. The cars are mechanically exactly the same.
SE pack adds metallic paint and elec folding mirrors. Most cars have this, but there isn’t an ‘SE’ badge.
Sports suspension (I think with 17” wheels) was an option, but the standard set up is firm enough (in my opinion).
Auto and leather are pretty well essential – they may not add value at resale but it can be hard to shift one without. I think Classic only came with cloth, and Elegance with either cloth, MB-Tex (which is fake leather but few people would realise) or proper leather. Avantgarde only had cloth or proper leather.
COMAND (Nav) would also help the value, as would built in phone (although the handset range supported is very limited). But COMAND and phone are a £2400 option together, so aren't that common.
It’s said the diesel estates hold their value best - that what I’ve got, so I hope it’s true! Having said that, I wouldn’t really think of a C Class as a good bet against depreciation – I’m not sure what is, it’s just a C Class wouldn’t spring to mind. With any are, a lot depends on how you buy & sell – if you do both at a main dealer then you’ll lose a packet just on the ‘spread’.
MB Direct is a good hunting ground for fairly recent cars and they’re keen to deal.
I’m not a BMW fan (no reason, just not) but if you’re a driving enthusiast then a 3 Series is certainly a better drive.
Entry level is Classic, then Elegence is more wood look trim and Avantgarde is more aluminium. The cars are mechanically exactly the same.
SE pack adds metallic paint and elec folding mirrors. Most cars have this, but there isn’t an ‘SE’ badge.
Sports suspension (I think with 17” wheels) was an option, but the standard set up is firm enough (in my opinion).
Auto and leather are pretty well essential – they may not add value at resale but it can be hard to shift one without. I think Classic only came with cloth, and Elegance with either cloth, MB-Tex (which is fake leather but few people would realise) or proper leather. Avantgarde only had cloth or proper leather.
COMAND (Nav) would also help the value, as would built in phone (although the handset range supported is very limited). But COMAND and phone are a £2400 option together, so aren't that common.
It’s said the diesel estates hold their value best - that what I’ve got, so I hope it’s true! Having said that, I wouldn’t really think of a C Class as a good bet against depreciation – I’m not sure what is, it’s just a C Class wouldn’t spring to mind. With any are, a lot depends on how you buy & sell – if you do both at a main dealer then you’ll lose a packet just on the ‘spread’.
MB Direct is a good hunting ground for fairly recent cars and they’re keen to deal.
I’m not a BMW fan (no reason, just not) but if you’re a driving enthusiast then a 3 Series is certainly a better drive.
I've had a C180K Avantgarde SE for a year now and love it.
You have to have an Auto (mine is a tiptronic as standard, dunno if they all were), the car has a foot operated parking brake which is a bit tricky for hill starts etc. with a manual - the sales advisor told me he doesn't let people buy a C-Class from him with a manual box cos' they can't shift them at resale time!
Buy metallic silver, dark grey or black car if you want to get rid of it easier at resale time - recommended by Merc, they're selling them so should know what they're talking about.
Classic is the basic spec. Elegance and Avantgarde were meant to be the luxury and sportier versions respectively, but were similarly priced from new IIRC, SE just has a few extras.
I went for the 'Sport Pack', £750-odd from new and upgrades alloys, sports suspension, sports exhaust, MBTex 'leather' interior, sports brakes with drilled front discs - find a car with the sports pack and it makes it look completely different for not much extra ££s, should make it easier to resell.
As for depreciation I'm not sure, I bought my car on a PCP plan where depreciation is a factor in the cost as a 'guaranteed future value' is calculated for the car after 3yrs, the whole finance package worked out about the same as if I'd bought one of the competitors (BMW, Audi) so I assumed this indicated similar depreciation could be expected?
You have to have an Auto (mine is a tiptronic as standard, dunno if they all were), the car has a foot operated parking brake which is a bit tricky for hill starts etc. with a manual - the sales advisor told me he doesn't let people buy a C-Class from him with a manual box cos' they can't shift them at resale time!
Buy metallic silver, dark grey or black car if you want to get rid of it easier at resale time - recommended by Merc, they're selling them so should know what they're talking about.
Classic is the basic spec. Elegance and Avantgarde were meant to be the luxury and sportier versions respectively, but were similarly priced from new IIRC, SE just has a few extras.
I went for the 'Sport Pack', £750-odd from new and upgrades alloys, sports suspension, sports exhaust, MBTex 'leather' interior, sports brakes with drilled front discs - find a car with the sports pack and it makes it look completely different for not much extra ££s, should make it easier to resell.
As for depreciation I'm not sure, I bought my car on a PCP plan where depreciation is a factor in the cost as a 'guaranteed future value' is calculated for the car after 3yrs, the whole finance package worked out about the same as if I'd bought one of the competitors (BMW, Audi) so I assumed this indicated similar depreciation could be expected?
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