Please give me some thoughts on this Mercedes Estate

[PeterL]

I'm currently driving a BMW 320D from 2011. I now need something with more space and I've come to realize that finding a BMW Wagon is near impossible. I’ve just come across a Mercedes C200 Estate from 2011 with 145,000 km on the clock. It’s been driven by an old lady for the last ten years, and it’s in rather good shape.

Could someone more knowledgeable chime in and tell me what you guys think of the Mercedes C200 in terms of reliability, etc?

Or if you think it's a bad choice feel free to recommend another station wagon. My budget is max R200K.

Cheers,

/P

 

[MR_Y]

Hi Peter,

I have a mate who is a Merc fan.
His view is that the C200 Kompressor and the later CGI (turbo petrol) models are not the best for reliability vs the C220 CDI (turbo diesel) - though, diesel motor preventative maintenance is not cheap either.

Also, a car driven by an old lady probably never had its legs properly stretched. So when the next owner takes it for a long drive with some vooma, the issues may start showing up underneath.

I hate to say this, but maybe a Japanese soft roader SUV may offer the better space and reliability. Honda CRV springs to mind and RAV4. Mazda CX5 is also good (much better performance and driving thrill vs the other Japs - speaking from experience), but boot not as spacious as Honda.

Another option would be the Mazda 5 (an MPV with some dynamic driving ability). Very rare, but will suit your space needs perfectly. Eg here: https://www.autotrader.co.za/redirect/listing/27254994

Interesting fact on the Mazda 5. It was originally built/designed at the time when Mazda was under Ford. This was also the time when Volvo was under Ford. The Mazda5, Mazda3, Ford Focus and Volvo S40/C30 of that era shared a lot of technology and safety. The chassis was co developed with Volvo and the 2.0 engine also shared. That engine has a timing chain and has decent pep (I owned a Volvo with that engine in 2008).

 

[PeterL]

Great post Mr_Y. While I'm not thrilled by the idea of a Japanese SUV, what you say makes sense. I'll try to go and test drive the CX5 and the RAV4.

 

[PeterL]

Hi Peter,

I have a mate who is a Merc fan.
His view is that the C200 Kompressor and the later CGI (turbo petrol) models are not the best for reliability vs the C220 CDI (turbo diesel) - though, diesel motor preventative maintenance is not cheap either.

I actually found a pretty sexy 2011 C220CDI - https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...647?vf=1&db=0&s360=0&so=0&pl=0&pq=0&pr=5&po=1

 

[///M Individual]

Hi bud

Mercs, petrol or diesel, are not as reliable as a BMW diesel unfortunately.

Can you stretch budget to get into an F25 X3 xDrive20d maybe?

 

[PeterL]

Hi bud

Mercs, petrol or diesel, are not as reliable as a BMW diesel unfortunately.

Can you stretch budget to get into an F25 X3 xDrive20d maybe?

How reliable are the X3 20d's? I could push my budget to 250K, but ideally not much further. I love my 320D so I would wouldn't mind staying with BMW. I see I can get a 2014 X3 for that amount. Do you think something like this would be preferable to the Merc? - https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...035?vf=2&db=1&s360=0&so=1&pl=1&pq=0&pr=3&po=1

 

[Budleigh]

Drive the Merc and see if the usable space is enough for your purposes. There are plenty of those on the roads, so it won't be a grenade, and certainly no less of a risk than an ageing diesel.

Sent from my SM-S901E using Tapatalk

 

[FILV]

Pity your budget is capped, otherwise i would have recommended this with an aftermarket warranty to cover the S-tronic gearbox when it would go.

Audi A4 2.0TDI for sale in Boksburg - ID: 27357045

Used 2016 Audi A4 2.0TDI For Sale - R 289 850 - ID: 27357045

www.autotrader.co.za

F25's if correctly maintained are bullet proof. Of course only consider the 20D.
Although at 200K you will not find a decent one with less than. 200 000KM on the clock.
Budget to have a full oil change on the gearbox and transfer case, and front and rear diff's to ensure long term reliability.

BMW X3 xDrive20d Exclusive for sale in Pretoria - ID: 26890506

Used 2013 BMW X3 xDrive20d Exclusive For Sale - R 229 900 - ID: 26890506

www.autotrader.co.za

The one you mentioned looks very clean, and great price for a 2014.

Another option:

Audi Q5 3.0TDI Quattro for sale in Sandton - ID: 27361544

Used 2009 Audi Q5 3.0TDI Quattro For Sale - R 169 500 - ID: 27361544

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW X5 xDrive30d for sale in Port Elizabeth - ID: 27301162

Used 2012 BMW X5 xDrive30d For Sale - R 249 950 - ID: 27301162

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW X5 3.0sd for sale in Pretoria - ID: 27298101

Used 2008 BMW X5 3.0sd For Sale - R 239 900 - ID: 27298101

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW X5 xDrive30d for sale in Johannesburg - ID: 27301378

Used 2010 BMW X5 xDrive30d For Sale - R 239 900 - ID: 27301378

www.autotrader.co.za

Awesome car this one:

Mazda CX-5 2.2DE Active for sale in Bellville - ID: 27361184

Used 2015 Mazda CX-5 2.2DE Active For Sale - R 234 900 - ID: 27361184

www.autotrader.co.za

 

[Benji]

There are a few E91s out there, just keep looking...320d is harder to find and people are asking a premium for them. May as well find a 325i and used the money saved on higher fuel bills. Life is too short for boring cars.

A mate of mine recently bought a F15 X5 30d and has regretted it. He says it is an appliance, there is no joy to be had from the driving experience. Maybe keep that in mind if you enjoy the occasional spirited drive

 

[///M Individual]

How reliable are the X3 20d's? I could push my budget to 250K, but ideally not much further. I love my 320D so I would wouldn't mind staying with BMW. I see I can get a 2014 X3 for that amount. Do you think something like this would be preferable to the Merc? - https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...035?vf=2&db=1&s360=0&so=1&pl=1&pq=0&pr=3&po=1

The X3 20d's are super reliable and just need preventative maintenance. It will be just like your 320d just larger.

As mentioned preventative maintenance items besides usual engine oil changes and filter changes:
Gearbox service
Diff oil change
Transfer case oil change

Budget max 15k for the above depending on where you have it done.

I would definitely take that X3 over the Merc.

 

[DeadbeatFM]

The W204's are generally pretty solid and reliable. I have worked for various divisions of MB over the past 15 years and have had probably 7-8 different W204's as company cars, including coupes and wagons. I also personally owned a W204 C200 Edition C which was awesome. They are also relatively easy to maintain, especially with all the good indy's out there...

On the other hand, I may be selling my wife's 2014 X3 20d (100k kms) within the next few months, was thinking about trying to get into a big family SUV, possibly a Prado or similar... Will keep you updated

 

[Kishore]

I am personally a big fan of any estate. It is more practical than a SUV (for a daily runaround) mainly due to the lower ground clearance and from experience it helps with loading stuff and the odd big pets to the vet and or dog parlor. Slap a set of C63 18 inch rims on there and she is perfecto.
w204 c 200 are not bad engines, then again any engine is only as bad as its life an service record as well as ownership.

Either way good luck bud

 

[PeterL]

Pity your budget is capped, otherwise i would have recommended this with an aftermarket warranty to cover the S-tronic gearbox when it would go.

Audi A4 2.0TDI for sale in Boksburg - ID: 27357045

Used 2016 Audi A4 2.0TDI For Sale - R 289 850 - ID: 27357045

www.autotrader.co.za

Thanks for posting those links. I will definitely go have a look at some X3s this week. I think I will have to narrow my search to perhaps 2-3 brands, because I have a tendency to over-research things.

Regarding the Audi A4 you posted, I think that is an absolutely gorgeous car; however, from my reading, it seems like Audis have a poor reputation, reliability-wise. I think a big draw for me with the X3 20d's is that the BMW diesels of that generation are very solid.

 

[PeterL]

The W204's are generally pretty solid and reliable. I have worked for various divisions of MB over the past 15 years and have had probably 7-8 different W204's as company cars, including coupes and wagons. I also personally owned a W204 C200 Edition C which was awesome. They are also relatively easy to maintain, especially with all the good indy's out there...

On the other hand, I may be selling my wife's 2014 X3 20d (100k kms) within the next few months, was thinking about trying to get into a big family SUV, possibly a Prado or similar... Will keep you updated

Great info, thanks, man. I did enjoy driving the Mercedes. Part of me is tempted to buy it just to stop myself from going down the 'buy a used car rabbit hole.' And feel free to send me some info regarding that X3! I can definitely wait a couple of months if need be

 

[///M Individual]

The W204's are generally pretty solid and reliable. I have worked for various divisions of MB over the past 15 years and have had probably 7-8 different W204's as company cars, including coupes and wagons. I also personally owned a W204 C200 Edition C which was awesome. They are also relatively easy to maintain, especially with all the good indy's out there...

On the other hand, I may be selling my wife's 2014 X3 20d (100k kms) within the next few months, was thinking about trying to get into a big family SUV, possibly a Prado or similar... Will keep you updated

My takeaway from this is that a person working for Mercedes for 15 years owns a BMW X3 20d 😁😁😁

That says alot!

 

[PeterL]

I just went and looked at this X3 - https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...087?vf=2&db=1&s360=0&so=1&pl=1&pq=0&pr=3&po=1

It was in very good condition. I'll take it to a mechanic first before I buy it, but from everything I could see it was well taken care of both inside and outside. I think my one gripe is that the X3 was rather boring to drive. However, for the purpose of driving my dogs and future kids around it seems ideal. How do you guys feel about the price? My feeling is that the car is perhaps 20K over what I would pay from a private seller, but that it's not terribly priced.

 

[///Maniac]

The W204s are quite reliable. The biggest issue is the timing chains. Replace every 100k kms as preventive maintenance. They are also from the last reasonably well-built generation of Mercedes. They are quite thirsty though. Not v8 levels obviously but more so than competitors.

The 2011 that you mentioned in your OP, is that a facelift or pre-facelift? The prefacelift is lacking abit in the tech department.

 

[Kishore]

looks really well kept for the mileage. Price as you noted is a bit high more so as it has no xenon's which imo is a must but i guess if it ticks all the boxes for you then its a no brainer more so if u gonna keep it for some time.

 

[///M Individual]

I just went and looked at this X3 - https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...087?vf=2&db=1&s360=0&so=1&pl=1&pq=0&pr=3&po=1

It was in very good condition. I'll take it to a mechanic first before I buy it, but from everything I could see it was well taken care of both inside and outside. I think my one gripe is that the X3 was rather boring to drive. However, for the purpose of driving my dogs and future kids around it seems ideal. How do you guys feel about the price? My feeling is that the car is perhaps 20K over what I would pay from a private seller, but that it's not terribly priced.

Looks clean. Missing xenon lights. Yes a bit overpriced I think around 210k would be fair but the one owner, accident free and FSH is probably what's driving it up as these are rare factors.

 

[individj]

my moms W204 200's chain went at like 40 000km and my colleagues went as well. think hers was R90 000 repair at Mercedes...wasnt a great experience either...I would of left the brand...shes in the later model now and out of plan.. and it has been trouble free except a R25 000 starter and R25 000 alternator....which she paid for. Crazy to me but ya