[Chirag911]

Hey guys. So I went and test drove a Mercedes Benz C Class C 220 CDI Avantgarde variant. Man what a beauty she is. Sitting under a nice shade looking at me, gently smiling asking me to take her on a long drive. Drove her for close to 15 kilometers. The size of a Laura with the engine of a Mercedes Benz and the maneuverability much better than that of a 5 series I was love struck! She roared! She shouted! She yelled her angry side on me asking me to push her limits and there my foot went. Floored the gas pedal on an empty stretch. Man she was smooth. Suspension is top class. Ac top class. Drive , pickup, stability excellent. I did not like the black interiors, made it look small. Loved the panoramic sunroof. Don't like the ac controls. They're like semi manual. Too cheap looking for a car worth 38.5 lacs on road.
If you want to show off, go to marriages, parties, clubs in a big car, one should go for the likes of the E class and 5 series. But if you want to drive your car like a maniac in love with his machine? C class is the way to go. Nothing like it. Beats the 3 series and the Audi A4 by miles!
Oh on a sad note? Test drove it with a friend who's buying it. Not for myself :(

[GTO]

Wanted to update that the car has been sold at 5.5 lakhs couple of months ago. 9 years old with 1.05 lakh kms on the odometer and an MH15 registration, it went at a good price (for both, buyer & seller).

The interest in a used diesel Benz was higher than expected. We had several offers, and the listing -> sale process didn't take more than 2 weeks.

After my last update on the car @ 90000 kms, she didn't suffer any major issue or breakdown. Fact is, the reliability in the later years was far superior to what we faced in the 40,000 - 60,000 km window. Guess the quality of replacement parts was better than what Merc used on the factory line .

A ton of memories with the car. She served us well for the last 50,000 kms (and the first 30,000).

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Congrats. Yeah the diesel commands a good resale. I remember i sold my C200 Kompressor 2005 face lifted for 5.5lakhs and that a tough time doing so (probably over a year it took to sell).

[Jaggu]

So which car is going to replace the merc now? 5.5 L seems like a steal for the buyer, i feel.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

I remember i sold my C200 Kompressor 2005 face lifted for 5.5lakhs and that a tough time doing so (probably over a year it took to sell).

Wow, a year! What year did you sell her in?

Originally Posted by Jaggu

So which car is going to replace the merc now?

Now, that's a question . Honestly, the options are wide open. We're going to take some time deciding as there isn't a need per se for another car. Would prefer 6 cylinders though.

5.5 L seems like a steal for the buyer, i feel.

Yeah, good price for both of us. It was manual too, that hit the price a bit (premium customers prefer AT). Mumbai market is much cheaper than Bangalore for sure.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by GTO

Wow, a year! What year did you sell her in?

Sold her in February this year. Honestly still miss the driving pleasure but head says no more Germans till roads and reliability improve.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by GTO

Now, that's a question . Honestly, the options are wide open. We're going to take some time deciding as there isn't a need per se for another car. Would prefer 6 cylinders though.

6 cylinders? Other than the Honda Accord, Nissan Teana & Skoda Superb, is there any other used car available with a V6 engine?

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by GTO

Now, that's a question . Honestly, the options are wide open. We're going to take some time deciding as there isn't a need per se for another car. Would prefer 6 cylinders though.

I smell 530d all over the place.
Though frankly can't imagine you buying a car other than the Star or the Beemer to replace your C220.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by DicKy

I smell 530d all over the place.
Though frankly can't imagine you buying a car other than the Star or the Beemer to replace your C220.

The smell of the 530d might be there but I'm not sure he is looking for a german that too used.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

The smell of the 530d might be there but I'm not sure he is looking for a german that too used.

Ooh.. i was thinking that it was brand new.
Pre worshipped 'walk the talk' right? If used then in Mumbai skies the limit for an 6pot sedan.

[dipen]

@GTO
Knowing that you wont go for an SUV unless you really need a truck.
You already have the Sunny and Civic for routine runs. If this one is going is not going to clock miles by the dozen a year, a 328i F30 makes the most sense if you can find one with a warranty. Powerful and good road manners. Decently more spacious than your C. Reasonably fuel efficient, nearly close the the Civic if I can predict well (8 speed does help).

Going against the tide, somehow dont think the 530d F10 is going to really appeal to you as a whole package. No reasons though.

[Contrapunto]

Originally Posted by GTO

Wow, a year! What year did you sell her in?


Yeah, good price for both of us. It was manual too, that hit the price a bit (premium customers prefer AT). Mumbai market is much cheaper than Bangalore for sure.

Would love to hear what the service costs were like- especially in the last 30-40K Kilometers. It would be instructive to many folks thinking about a pre-worshipped premium car.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Contrapunto

Would love to hear what the service costs were like- especially in the last 30-40K Kilometers. It would be instructive to many folks thinking about a pre-worshipped premium car.

Don't buy a car with over 50,000 genuine clicks on the odometer.

In terms of total cost (tyres, battery, lubes, repair, services etc.), the C220 hovered between 50 - 75k per year. This was obviously at independent shops (not the authorised dealer).

[GTO]

Spotted this immaculately-maintained W203 last night. Brought back fond memories. Although I've moved onto 6-cylinders, this car was special. Rock solid build, my first 'push into the seat' common-rail diesel and a beautiful 6-speed MT. The W203 has a very bad rep overall, but I think it's gotten a lot more bashing than it deserved. I did face reliability issues in the 40,000 - 70,000 km window, but it settled down after. Even at the time of sale, the car drove tight. I miss her from time to time. Have many fond memories of pushing her on wide open roads. Damn, that combination of just enough power (140 BHP is more usable than 250 BHP in India), sticky Michelins, pure hydraulic steering and slick-shifting MT was just wow.

[Sairam_ramani]

Hi, there is this C200 Kompressor for sale in Chennai. 2005. Run just 21k. Drives nice. I test drove it a year ago but didn’t take the plunge fearing the maintenance cost and went for an Altis. Now looking for a car for my sister and this is within her budget. Asking price is 6.5 lakhs.
Please advise if this would be a wise buy. It’s a 14 year old car. And a Merc. What would be the maintenance cost if we want to keep it for 3-4 years. And not much of running (approx 5-6k kms per year may be).