Do C-Class suck?

Third Opinion · 8 Aug 2006 at 23:23

I have just sold my Alfa and need a replacement pretty quick. Due to ongoing medical problems with my left foot I have decided that I no longer feel comfortable or confident with a manual gearbox any longer.

I have about 4.5K-5k to spend and really want something rather average and about the size of the 156. It must also have 4 doors as we have a small baby. I have looked at Nissan Primeras which I do like (wife has the manual version)but there is a real shortage of Auto's.

I defiantly don't want a Mondeo as I have read the Auto box is notorious for failing at anytime after 60K. Shame as the Manual version is reportably very good.

I hate Vectras to drive and would rather nothing French as I am trying to get away from general petty unreliability. BMW is also a no no as I would also like to keep my insurance below group twelve.

So I am left with something like a C-Class, are they any good?
Has anyone had one?
The badge doesn't bother me I just want a car.

[TW]Fox · 8 Aug 2006 at 23:51

Erm, not really that great. Built to price and unfortunately it shows, you also get the costs associated with running an older Mercedes.

Perhaps consider something like an Audi A4 or an early E46 BMW 3 Series (Not all are above Group 12, and even so, I bet it doesnt make much difference), or if you dont care about badge, maybe a Passat automatic, although again watch the repair costs on those.

OllyM · 8 Aug 2006 at 23:53

The only C-class below group 12 is the C180 Classic/Esprit... coupled to an automatic gearbox, it'll be achingly slow. They also miss out on air conditioning, or any other decent features.

They aren't fantastic cars, and they're not really all that reliable, either.

Sagalout · 9 Aug 2006 at 00:11

Are you're looking for a newer W203 model? In which case I'd agree with Fox that the build quality is nothing special. the older W202's on the other hand are built like tanks and are very reliable. They were designed before the cost cutting exercises.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/review.aspx?model_id=517

Having said that it very much depends on your style of driving. I love mine, but then I dont look for or want a sporty drive (if I want speed and excitement I'll go on the bike). If you're an 'enthusiastic' driver then you'd be better off with something else, unless you get something like a C280 but then your insurance will be hit a fair bit. On the other hand if you want a comfy, reliable well built car with a fantastic auto gearbox to get you from A-B in a relaxed manor you'd probably like it.

As Fox mentions, a Passat or A4 would be equally suitable, but they wouldnt be any cheaper to run (although you'd get a newer one for the same money)

OllyM · 9 Aug 2006 at 00:17

Sagalout said:
Are you're looking for a newer W203 model? In which case I'd agree with Fox that the build quality is nothing special. the older W202's on the other hand are built like tanks and are very reliable. They were designed before the cost cutting exercises.

They're both as bad as each other.

My dad had a W202 S-plate C250 Turbodiesel for 3 years, put nearly 100,000 miles on it, and it had numerous problems... it certainly wasn't reliable.

It went through glow plugs like mad, the brakes squeaked really badly, the air conditioning system dumped it's gas twice and needed expensive repair work, the fuel line went after filling the tank with diesel and dumped it's contents all over the garage forecourt, the central locking/alarm system went wrong a few times, the automatic gearbox went in to limp home mode randomly, the ABS/ASR system failed.

I could go on...

Sagalout · 9 Aug 2006 at 00:51

He was unlucky then. Every review of W202's state that they are a very, very reliable car. I certainly havent had any problems with mine in the 6 months I've had it. Not one single thing in fact.

Oblivious · 9 Aug 2006 at 00:56

Sagalout said:
He was unlucky then. Every review of W202's state that they are a very, very reliable car. I certainly havent had any problems with mine in the 6 months I've had it. Not one single thing in fact.

How many miles have you done in 6 months?

My dad has had more problems with his E-Class than any other car in the last 20 years of his motoring history, and thats a lot seeing that he usually gets a new one every 2-3 years and has a private car.

Ive lost count of how many times its been flatbedded or taken to the garage.

Saying that his new 3l E-class comes on next Monday. So it cant be all bad.

mattx2 · 9 Aug 2006 at 01:01

I know you didn't want a Vectra but how about the Omega, most of them are autos and come fully loaded with all the toys and are cheap to pick up

Sagalout · 9 Aug 2006 at 01:24

Oblivious said:
How many miles have you done in 6 months?

My dad has had more problems with his E-Class than any other car in the last 20 years of his motoring history, and thats a lot seeing that he usually gets a new one every 2-3 years and has a private car.

Ive lost count of how many times its been flatbedded or taken to the garage.

Saying that his new 3l E-class comes on next Monday. So it cant be all bad.

Only about 5,000 I guess, but its my 2nd C Class. Had my other one for 3 years and again never had a problem. Conversely, the most unreliable car I've ever owned, by a mile, was a Honda Accord. I realise I was unlucky though and that on average they are very reliable. I dont know which E-Class you are referring to but I'd freely admit that anything between about '99 to '03 was built during a bad period for MB. Electrical faults in particular, which these days will consign a car to the hard shoulder.

But I'll stand by the reliability of W202's. In Parkers words:

Reliability 5*

Reliability is extremely impressive with very few problems reported. As cars get older, continued faultless performance will depend upon correct servicing being maintained.

Oblivious · 9 Aug 2006 at 10:47

Fair enough. My dads E220 CDI was a 53 plate, so that could explain it.

Sp00n · 9 Aug 2006 at 10:57

Dads V-reg C230k is a very reliable car, had it since new and nothing major has gone wrong, just one of the rear shock's!

D4VE · 9 Aug 2006 at 11:11

Oblivious said:
Saying that his new 3l E-class comes on next Monday. So it cant be all bad.

Well that's German cars for you

Despite not being reliable, people love them and put up with the constant problems.
I guess the fun drive and comfort makes up for it.

For that budget you could get an Accord Type V (older shape).