mercedes c class or e class estate

[foxy40]

I am looking at replacing my car and fancy a Mercedes estate and cannot decide on which model.The C270 Avantgarde on a 54 plate looks nice (but fuel consumption is a worry) or the C220 might be a good buy,Or do i wait and get hold of a Eclass estate.I have a BMW 530 diesel saloon at present HELP

[Nibbo]

It's not that I dislike my C class estate; quite the contrary.
I do however find that on the odd occasion it is just not quite big enough.
The E class may only be a couple of inches wider but it does make an enormous difference when travelling with 4 people with 4 sets of golf clubs for example.
This is a problem in my C but a doddle in my friends E.
If I stay with MB my next one will be an E Class estate.
That said, if you are not buying it for the space then C is quite adequate.
Whichever you choose I am sure you will enjoy it.

[st4]

c270cdi will be much more frugal than any 530d. I'd go with the 54 plate c270cdi, or make the jump to an E class. When looking for an MB the best ones come on 54 plates 2005 built onwards. I'd go for a newer c220 over an older c270

[wemorgan]

Originally Posted by foxy40

I am looking at replacing my car and fancy a Mercedes estate and cannot decide on which model.The C270 Avantgarde on a 54 plate looks nice (but fuel consumption is a worry) or the C220 might be a good buy,Or do i wait and get hold of a Eclass estate.I have a BMW 530 diesel saloon at present HELP

What age and engine E-class can you buy for similar 2004 C220 money?
Personally I'd take a S203 over the S210. The S211 is very high up on my list of cars though

[st4]

Originally Posted by wemorgan

What age and engine E-class can you buy for similar 2004 C220 money?
Personally I'd take a S203 over the S210. The S211 is very high up on my list of cars though

I wouldnt entertain a s210, too much rust and if the OP can afford a 54 plate 203 a 2004/3 s211 220/270cdi with a few more miles should be in reach. The 211 is simply excellent (if this helps you any more)

[Peter DLM]

Aye, having experienced both models you're talking of, and the 210, I'd heartily recommend an 211. The 203 didn't impress me, it's quite tiny inside and just doesn't have the Mercedes feel and sense of occassion of the 211.

From a 5 series you can only really consider an E Class.

[bpsorrel]

Originally Posted by st4

The 211 is simply excellent (if this helps you any more)

I coudn't agree more! I love my S211. It's comfortable, spacious and has that "feel good" factor that was missing from our C Class coupe we had before. The E class seems to have been built with more care and attention to detail (that's only my opinion - I don't want to offend any C class owners!) with better looking and feeling plastics etc. Saying that, I rode in a 55 reg C elegance a while back and that felt streets ahead of my old C coupe too!

[st4]

Originally Posted by bpsorrel

I coudn't agree more! I love my S211. It's comfortable, spacious and has that "feel good" factor that was missing from our C Class coupe we had before. The E class seems to have been built with more care and attention to detail (that's only my opinion - I don't want to offend any C class owners!) with better looking and feeling plastics etc. Saying that, I rode in a 55 reg C elegance a while back and that felt streets ahead of my old C coupe too!

The facelifted C classes are a lot better and a big improvement and worth the premium over the prefacelifted 203

[Rory]

Originally Posted by foxy40

The C270 Avantgarde on a 54 plate looks nice (but fuel consumption is a worry)

I have exactly that car and fuel consumption is very good. I only got a 270 by chance - dealer had identical 220 and 270 but the 220 had sold - and I'm very pleased I did.

It's my first Mercedes and it's been pretty faultless in the time I've had it, however I have to say that the ride is not really what I expected from a Mercedes - it only on 16" wheels but feels harsh and crashy, perhaps the estate is worse than the saloon in that respect?

[whitenemesis]

Originally Posted by Rory

I have exactly that car and fuel consumption is very good. I only got a 270 by chance - dealer had identical 220 and 270 but the 220 had sold - and I'm very pleased I did.

It's my first Mercedes and it's been pretty faultless in the time I've had it, however I have to say that the ride is not really what I expected from a Mercedes - it only on 16" wheels but feels harsh and crashy, perhaps the estate is worse than the saloon in that respect?

I think it is an estate thing but having said that with a bit of weight in the back the edge is taken off the harshness.

Avantgardes are more stiffly sprung and mine is the Sport version on 17" wheels, avoiding potholes and drain covers has become second nature now

[bpsorrel]

Originally Posted by whitenemesis

avoiding potholes and drain covers has become second nature now

Even more so when you've got 18s with 35 profile tyres and Avantgarde lowered suspension! Ouch!!!

[whitenemesis]

Originally Posted by bpsorrel

Even more so when you've got 18s with 35 profile tyres and Avantgarde lowered suspension! Ouch!!!

I had Linguatronic retro-fitted as it was very difficult to hit the right button on COMAND because of the stiff, lower Sport suspension

[lynall]

Mines got linguatronic and i agree about trying to hit the right comand button at the right time!



Lynall

[Smiley]

Originally Posted by foxy40

I am looking at replacing my car and fancy a Mercedes estate and cannot decide on which model.The C270 Avantgarde on a 54 plate looks nice (but fuel consumption is a worry) or the C220 might be a good buy,Or do i wait and get hold of a Eclass estate.I have a BMW 530 diesel saloon at present HELP

Make sure you have a good drive in the MB before buying. There is a big difference between BMWs and MBs. I have run both for many years; overall I would say that the ownership experience is better with the BMW (possibly not the best place to say that) but there are some MB models that score above the Beemer including the E class and the SLs; I could not say the same about the C class - but my experience was an older W202.
So check it out, check out the E61 Beemer estate as well as the e class and the c class all good cars.