Mercedes C-class Estate Review Covering 2001 To Date

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Quick Summary of the Mercedes C Class

OVERALL

If outright size isn’t a priority but elegance and engineering integrity are, a used Mercedes C-Class estate is the prefect choice. Our selection would be an early C270CDi but there are a number of standouts. Only the C240 appears a weak link.

CLASS IS PERMANENT

Executive estates left something to be desired before the arrival of the Mercedes C-Class. You either opted for the sporty route and bought a car with very little carrying capacity or you chose a something with a practical amount of room but which handled like a lumbering barge. The BMW 3 Series Touring was having things much to itself at the sporty end of the spectrum until the arrival of the C-Class estate in May 2001. With its sleek styling and sparkling chassis, the second-generation C-Class offered a fundamental change in approach from C-Class models of the past. The conservative blandness of the old car replaced by some adventurous design touches. One thing didn’t change. As a used prospect, the C-Class estate is still a superb investment.
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

History of the C Class

The Mercedes C-Class estate’s entrance to the market was eased significantly by the positive publicity generated by its saloon counterpart which had been on sale for a year by the time the estate arrived. The range kicked off with the C180, a 129bhp four-cylinder estate and also included the 163bhp C200 Kompressor, the 170bhp C240, the 218bhp C320 and two diesel models, the 143bhp C220CDi and the punchy 170bhp C270CDi. A rocketship C32AMG estate was launched in late 2001 while in autumn 2002 all four cylinder engines were replaced with greener, more frugal ‘Twinpulse’ units. A revised C-Class estate model was launched in 2004 with a C55 AMG model heading up the range.The C-Class estate engine range was given a thorough overhaul in the summer of 2005. The C230K was replaced by a C230 with a V6 204bhp powerplant instead of the supercharged 1.8. Above that, a 231bhp C280 was introduced and the range-topping C320 became a C350 with 272bhp. On the diesel front, the 224bhp C320CDI came in at the expense of the C270CDI.
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

Mercedes C Class Road Test

The first thing to say is that it’s a huge improvement on anything we’ve previously seen from Stuttgart. No rival rides better, but then that was something you could say of the old C-Class. This one, however, is much more successful in providing insulation without isolation. It’s arguably the most agile Mercedes model you can now buy, with crisp, sharp steering, very little bodyroll and an overall standard of composure that no car in its class can match.Whether these are the crucial ingredients for a sports saloon is of course another question. Manual models don’t help the cause with a rather rubbery gearchange action not conducive to spirited driving. Still, since most Mercedes buyers will opt for the excellent 5-speed automatic that probably won’t be much of an issue. This transmission has a manual mode, allowing you to flip up and down the gearbox yourself, but this auto responds so rapidly, you rarely find yourself needing to bother. Opting for the auto also means you don’t need three feet to use the awkward foot-operated handbrake when accelerating from rest on an upward slope.Sophisticated electronics of this kind are everywhere around this car: ABS, Brake Assist, traction control and ESP dynamic driving control (to help you out if you enter a corner too fast) are all standard. So are no fewer than six front airbags (windowbags along with those at the side and the front). Plus all the usual executive basics and a vast options list that may bump the asking price of used examples into the ionosphere.
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

Buying a Mercedes C Class

Don’t worry if your C200 Kompressor engine sounds a little rough – they all sound that way. You should be concerned if the interior of your C-Class is less than pristine as some of the plastic mouldings don’t really come up to scratch. Many of the interiors were also finished in very pale greys and mushroom colours and will therefore get grimy in short order. There should be no major mechanical defects, but check alloy wheels for signs of kerbing and make sure the ABS and traction control systems work effectively as the electronics have been known to fail.Trade experts reckon these cars are most desirable when specified in an attractive metallic colour with automatic transmission, air conditioning and leather upholstery. You might bear that in mind when choosing a car as the right specification will make selling on easier.
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

Mercedes C Class Typical Pricing

If you want the badge, you’re going to have to come up with the banknotes. £16,000 will land you a C180 Classic on a 2001 Y plate whilst an 02 registered Classic SE will fetch around £18,000. The C200K Elegance estate starts at £18,000 on an 01 Y plate and the sporty Avantgarde version is only about £100 extra. the 2.6-litre C240 starts at £19,000 in Elegance trim on a 2001 Y plate and the desirable 3.2-litre car kicks off at £20,700, again for an Elegance version.The diesel versions are probably even more impressive than their petrol counterparts and there’s not a weak link in the line up. Sticker prices for the C220CDi start at £18,500 for a 2001 Y plated Classic whereas if you want the more powerful C270CDi version you’ll need to stump yup at least £19,800, again for a Classic. All the prices quoted above are for models fitted with automatic gearboxes.
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

Mercedes C Class Parts

(approx. Based on C220 diesel estate model) Allow around £50 for front brake pads and £25 for the rear, and about £370 for a full Mercedes exhaust system. A full clutch system would cost around £220, a radiator is about £140 whilst a starter motor can be up to £470. An alternator should be in the region of £415 (exchange).
Used Mercedes C Class for sale

Mercedes C Class Rated

Performance Performance 3 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 4.5 out of 5

Insurance

Value

Mercedes C-class Estate Review2001 To Date