Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review (2007-2013)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Comfortable and classy
Efficient petrol engines
The estate is more practical than most executive estate cars
Cons
Reliability issues, especially with the 2.1-litre diesel
Not the most agile compact executive car
The manual gearbox has a vague and rubbery action
The CarGurus verdict
With its emphasis on comfort, the third-generation C-Class is a particularly pleasing car to own if your driving style is relaxed. What’s more, its efficient petrol engines make it particularly appealing if you want to avoid owning a diesel car next.
However, if it’s a diesel you’re after, the most widely available engine is rather agricultural; what’s more, there are some notable reliability issues you’ll need to be aware of with this generation of C-Class as a whole.
Navigate your way around them, though, and you’ll find the C-Class is a very likeable and luxurious-feeling executive car. And if you plump for the C63 AMG, then as long as you can live with the fuel costs, you’ll have a riotous time.
The slightly upright profile in the W204-generation C-Class’s styling means it gets plenty of interior space, so the C-Class can carry four adults in comfort without worrying about headroom or legroom. And there’s a big boot to match the spacious rear seats.
For those needing more space still, there is an estate version of the C-Class that matches the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 for load-lugging abilities. Just be aware that a Skoda Octavia Estate offers much more space for less money.
The C-Class was engineered primarily for comfort, rather than dynamic ability, and as a result it deals better with lumps and bumps in the road than either of its chief rivals. Entry-level SE and mid-spec Elegance models are the most softly sprung in the trim level line-up; the Sport (later AMG Sport) got firmer damping, though even with this setup, the C-Class remains smooth and stable both around town and on the motorway.
The C-Class’s biggest sticking point is instead the 2.1-litre diesel engine in almost all of the diesel models. It’s gruff and grumbly even when you’re driving normally, and gets even noisier when you accelerate hard. Frustratingly, this was by far the most popular engine in the C-Class, so it’s the most ubiquitous, although there are several other engine options to choose from.
Of those, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in the C320 CDI (later C350 CDI) offers a great blend of power and performance, while the four-cylinder engines in the C180 and C200 BlueEfficiency are smooth and frugal when it comes to fuel economy.
Beloved of enthusiasts, meanwhile, are the high-performance C63 AMG models, available in all three body styles, which match tyre-shredding power to lurid handling.
Standard equipment was not exactly generous – the most basic C-Classes got climate control, electric windows, a colour dash-top display and a CD player, but not much more than that. Upgrading to Elegance brought wood trim, smarter alloy wheels and more chrome, while the Sport and AMG Sport added a beefier bodykit, sports suspension, speed-sensitive steering, a sports steering wheel and a black headlining.
Meanwhile, a wide array of options and packages allowed you to upgrade your C-Class further. What that means for used car buyers today is that C-Classes can come with a wide variety of different specifications, depending on what the original owner chose.
The most efficient C-Class of all is the diesel-powered C180 CDI, which features a detuned version of the 2.1-litre engine featured in the C220. You should see about 55mpg in the real world from this engine, though given the C220 CDI should be able to get within a few MPG of this, you’d need to ask yourself whether the sluggish performance of the less powerful variant is worth it.
Petrol models grew steadily more efficient throughout the life of the W204-generation C-Class, with the result that an early C180 Kompressor should achieve around 38mpg on average, while a later C180 CGI BlueEfficiency should approach 45mpg. Of course, higher-powered variants will be less efficient; you’ll struggle to see 20mpg on average from the C63 AMG.
Servicing at Mercedes main dealers can be particularly expensive, and given that by now even the newest C-Classes of this generation will be out of warranty you’re better off using an independent Mercedes specialist, of which there are many dotted around the country. This will keep servicing costs down to a level broadly equivalent to a more mainstream model’s.
One cost you don’t need to worry about is the cost of a timing belt change. That’s because no C-Class of this generation has a timing belt – instead, they use timing chains, which are supposed to last the life of the car.
There’s growing evidence that the C-Class’s four-cylinder petrol engine could be susceptible to timing chain problems. If not caught early, this issue can result in significant engine damage and a big bill – though even if you hear the rattles which signify an imminent failure, replacing the timing chain won’t leave you much change from £1,000.
Diesel engines have been known to suffer from issues, too – particularly the 2.1-litre engines built from 2009 to early 2012, whose injectors crack, causing the engine to run poorly. Happily, we understand this particular problem has been acknowledged by Mercedes and a recall issued, so if the car you’re looking at is affected and hasn’t had new injectors fitted, it should be eligible to have them done at a Mercedes dealership, free of charge. Do phone the dealer to double-check that that’s still the case before you buy, though.
‘Artico’ faux leather seats have been known to crack, so if the car you’re looking at is fitted with these, you’ll want to check them all thoroughly for signs of splitting.
And some owners have reported that their steering locks fail, leaving them unable to start the car as the lock won’t disengage. This is an expensive job to repair, and coding the steering lock to the key can only be done at a Mercedes dealer or an independent that has the right technology to do so.
- The C-Class had a facelift half-way through its life, in 2011. It gained a new, sleeker nose with revised grille, a new interior and several other detail changes throughout the car. A stop-start system was introduced as standard, meanwhile, and several of the engines were revised to improve fuel efficiency.
- Until another minor revision in 2012, the C-Class’s satellite navigation system couldn’t accommodate full UK postcodes; instead, you could only enter the first five digits, which would only take you to the general area of your destination, meaning you needed the full address to get an exact match in the satnav.
- While some versions of the C-Class were available with a six-speed manual gearbox, it might be best avoided because it has a vague, rubbery action. Seek out the seven-speed automatic instead; thankfully, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one, because even though it was an option, it was one that was commonly added.
- If you want the best all-rounder: We reckon the petrol-powered C180 is the best here, especially if you can stretch to one in BlueEfficiency form. It isn’t the fastest model in the range by a long shot, but it still packs enough punch to keep up with day-to-day traffic, and its remarkably good fuel consumption means it’s almost as cheap to run as a diesel.
- If you do high mileage: Take a look at the C220 CDI, but only if you can live with its harsh noise levels. If you can’t, you might be willing to spend a bit more on fuel and plump for the petrol C180 instead – or choose the cracking C320 CDI.
- If you need room for the dog: The C-Class estate is one of the more practical of these executive estates, though on outright space it can’t match the Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo. That said, while its boot isn’t the roomiest, it’s well shaped, so you can make use of what space there is. Sadly, diesel estates are by far the most prevalent, but there are a few petrol models around too – we’d seek one of those out instead.
- If money is no object: The C63 AMG is one of the finest modern muscle cars there is. Its 6.2-litre V8 engine delivers a thumping 451bhp, thrusting it to 62mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. It's handling, meanwhile, is so sharp and so adjustable that it is almost guaranteed to make you smile.
