Buying advice for a first time MB owner
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Buying advice for a first time MB owner
Dear MB lovers
I have been playing with the idea to buy a Mercedes for a while now and since it is a big step for me I try to get all the advice I can. First a bit about me;
I am not really a car enthusiast so how it drives or a cool factor is not the most important thing to me, but I do appreciate comfort and reliability. I also look for a car that would not cost too much me on the long run (mileage, registration, insurance, repairs) so I am looking at the 200-220 versions. I do mostly longer weekend rides that are 90% highway and 10% on usually bad dirt roads, mud or snow. I also look for a car that is very practical and has a lot of space with rear seats folded, so I can carry windsurf equipment or sleep inside, obviously buying an estate. I am not looking for a 4x4 or lifted car, but a solid dirt road performance is appreciated, or even more toughness if I hit a rock for example (in comparison with, say, A4 that does this pretty nicely).
At first I was looking for a W211, but there are two mayor downsides: 1) it is just a little too long to park in front of my house and 2) I am afraid it will not perform or will be damaged on the bad roads (looks pretty low). It also looks pretty outdated in comparison to the facelifted W204 so this is the car I mostly consider now. I would be happy to receive some thoughts from the owners and experts;
-How spacious is the car with folded rear seats? Can you sleep inside, can a couple?
-What engine versions would be best for me, what to look for when buying? Avantgarde or elegance?
-How expensive is it to maintain, what are the usual errors in this car?
-Anything else I should know
Thank you so much and sorry if I asked repeating questions
I have been playing with the idea to buy a Mercedes for a while now and since it is a big step for me I try to get all the advice I can. First a bit about me;
I am not really a car enthusiast so how it drives or a cool factor is not the most important thing to me, but I do appreciate comfort and reliability. I also look for a car that would not cost too much me on the long run (mileage, registration, insurance, repairs) so I am looking at the 200-220 versions. I do mostly longer weekend rides that are 90% highway and 10% on usually bad dirt roads, mud or snow. I also look for a car that is very practical and has a lot of space with rear seats folded, so I can carry windsurf equipment or sleep inside, obviously buying an estate. I am not looking for a 4x4 or lifted car, but a solid dirt road performance is appreciated, or even more toughness if I hit a rock for example (in comparison with, say, A4 that does this pretty nicely).
At first I was looking for a W211, but there are two mayor downsides: 1) it is just a little too long to park in front of my house and 2) I am afraid it will not perform or will be damaged on the bad roads (looks pretty low). It also looks pretty outdated in comparison to the facelifted W204 so this is the car I mostly consider now. I would be happy to receive some thoughts from the owners and experts;
-How spacious is the car with folded rear seats? Can you sleep inside, can a couple?
-What engine versions would be best for me, what to look for when buying? Avantgarde or elegance?
-How expensive is it to maintain, what are the usual errors in this car?
-Anything else I should know
Thank you so much and sorry if I asked repeating questions
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
Mine is 2011 Sports.
- Not very spacious if you want to sleep inside. The opening size is the limit. A small size person can squeeze in but definitely not for two people I think.
- I would prefer V6 instead of 4 cylinder with turbo. I can feel at idle that V6 is noticeably smoother than the 4. However 4 turbo may accelerate more quickly. Avantgarde (Sports version?) is lower so easy to scratch the front bumper underside. I compared Sports and Luxury on separate days so I could not tell there are significant difference between the two. Luxury model has all four wheels the same size so they are fully rotatable. With Sports, only side to side rotate; I just ignored it as I haven't seen uneven wear side to side.
- My maintenance cost is higher than my other Japanese cars if done by dealer. Repair cost is low, only the thermostat was replaced by myself, no other failure since 2011.
- Not very spacious if you want to sleep inside. The opening size is the limit. A small size person can squeeze in but definitely not for two people I think.
- I would prefer V6 instead of 4 cylinder with turbo. I can feel at idle that V6 is noticeably smoother than the 4. However 4 turbo may accelerate more quickly. Avantgarde (Sports version?) is lower so easy to scratch the front bumper underside. I compared Sports and Luxury on separate days so I could not tell there are significant difference between the two. Luxury model has all four wheels the same size so they are fully rotatable. With Sports, only side to side rotate; I just ignored it as I haven't seen uneven wear side to side.
- My maintenance cost is higher than my other Japanese cars if done by dealer. Repair cost is low, only the thermostat was replaced by myself, no other failure since 2011.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
I took another look when rear seats are folded down. Opening is wide enough and the height is okay. The length is not great only good for short people. Tall people can bend their legs to fit in.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 10
c300
You mention in your first post that you were looking at the estate version? That is a wagon sold in the European market correct? I do not think those were offered in the US or the c200-c220. If you are talking about European market c classes hopefully we will see some forum members that are familiar with those models share their experience. That would be awesome if the w204 wagons were sold in the states
