I'm in the market for a Mercedes Benz C200 CDI (Diesel), must be 2011 model with 7 speed automatic gear box.
Has anyone here bought one before? what's the cheapest on-road price?
Thanks in advance!
Mercedes Benz C200 CDI 2011 (Diesel)
citybargainhunter on 18/08/2011 - 16:41
Comments
Hi Krum,
Thank you for the link and your input.
The reason why I want to get this car is I already own a C180 Kompressor but it's getting rather old and out of date now. The C200 CDI seems like the logical choice for me as the next step up.
I have had a test drive of the 7 speed and quite liked it, except for the feature where the engine would automatically shutdown when the car is in stationary, but that's something you can turn on or off.
Although the price tag is $2000 more than the petrol version, the car will cost less in the long run as diesel is only about the same price as E10 last time I checked, so I can probably save that much in 1 or 2 year's time.
Last but not least the C200 CDI is more environmental friendly than its petrol counterparts, which is something I am increasingly becoming aware of. Now before anyone says anything, I do not want to get a Prius as I have a general dislike for Japanese cars. I also do not want to get a BMW or Audi since I have never had any experience with them, and am satisfied with the service level Mercedes provides.
Regards,
CitybargainhunterNow before anyone says anything, I do not want to get a Prius as I have a general dislike for Japanese cars.
Actually, hasn't the Prius actually been rated as worse for the environment than a Hummer because of the dodgy battery technology? :o
Plus, if you did buy one we'd have to issue a smug alert! ;)
The reasons that you have provided are valid and the engine shut off mode is great technology as it saves fuel. While diesel has been seen as a miracle fuel in the end is going to cost an owner a lot more money. While the price of diesel is as low as e10 the percentage increase of diesel is rising faster then petrol.
If it was my money I would be looking at the Lexus is350. I have read your post and I realise that you don't like Japanese cars, Lexus has the highest customer satisfaction. In the end everyone has there personal preferences but if there is one thing that I suggest is give the is350 a test drive and decide then. Have a look at online reviews and they will agree that it is value for money.
P.S even if you don't bother going for the is350 that's fine but I would suggest at looking online car sellers and see what price they can give. Another tip call around first and see how low you can get it. When you do this start with the dealer furthest away and then work towards the closest to home so is easy to pick it up and/or give it back if there is any troubles.
*** I have no affiliation with Lexus.
Sorry for the grammar on my phone.
I also realise they are totally different cars. But don't discount a car or brand due to naivety.
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to write such a long reply on your iPhone. :)
I agree with you that Lexus is a good car and has excellent value for money, a friend of mine owns an IS250 (09 model) with alloys, leather seats and everything, it still cost him a lot less than my C180K (03 model). On top of that he was able to claim part of it back on tax, but that's another story. From what I heard Lexus really go out of their way to make their customers happy (although the latest survey has shown that their level of servise has slipped somewhat but is still on top compared with other Japanese cars, Mercedes ranks 3rd among Europeans car behind Renault and Volvo). This makes it the only Japanese car I would seriously consider so yes I will take your advice and go for a test drive.
Reference:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/09EC863786…
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2011/1401/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuel
Cheers
P.S. I am interested to learn more about diesel technology. Can you explain why you say diesel costs more in the long run? My calculation of the running cost in purely based on its fuel economy, i.e not only is diesel cheaper compared to premium unleaded but also has a higher density per litre of fuel.
Good to know that even the Merc owners look for a bargain. I always wondered, how would I look some day in future :( (hopefully) when I go to this prestige car showrooms and bargain like a true Ozbargainer ;)
hey how do you think I could afford a Merc? :)
P.S. Don't worry about prestige or not, just treat them like any other car sales people, and haggle away like a true Ozbargainer would!
There are a couple more cars that you may want to add to your list to have a look at. The volvo s60 (most under-rated brand in the Aus market so you could snag a great deal) and the Jaguar (best luxury car for the value and quite a looker aswell, plus you get to say jaaaaaaaag).
S60 Review
http://www.caradvice.com.au/88721/2011-volvo-s60-review/XF Review:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/126438/2012-jaguar-xf-review/
Ok in regards to diesel (I am no mechanic or engineer so I am not going to talk about the actual workings as I have no idea nor am I qualified to make comments), from what I have read it has a higher density and they have also manipulated diesel engines to be much more efficient then petrol engines hence the lower fuel economy.
Data from the same bowser on the same day:
The cost of ULP (Not E10): 134.9
The cost of Diesel: 141.97c difference in price
The diesel has a combined fuel economy of: 5.4L/100km = $7.67 per 100km on the combined figures
The petrol has a combined fuel economy of: 7.2L/100km = $9.71 per 100km on the combined figuresThat means the petrol is $2.04 more expensive then the diesel every 100km. The diesel is $2000 more expensive which amounts to nearly 1000, 100km cycles. This means to earn that $2000 back from the diesel you would need to drive a minimum of 100,000km. Couple this information with the fact that diesels need to be serviced by a
diesel mechanic (who would overcharge because of this fact) all benefits from the more fuel efficient engine are negated.On top of all this information Diesel is rising faster then petrol which means that diesel will become a more expensive fuel in comparison to petrol which would slowly reduce the cost-benefit ratio.
All of this information factored in with the fact that the petrol has more power I know which car I would choose.
Again test drive everything so you have a better idea of which one you like. Sorry for the wall of text.
The S60 is nice, I'm gonna go for a test drive today. The Jag is beautiful but a bit out of my price range. :(
Let us know how it goes ill probably look for something similar when I get a little older.
the mercedes is probably best in its class, but in terms of value, perhaps consider volvo s60 as mentioned, as well as vw passat
for where/how to buy, maybe try broker buying services such as http://www.avbs.com.au, http://www.vehiclenet.com.au, http://www.choice.com.au/choice-shopper.aspx - i have no experience with any myself, however they seem effectively free
i like cars
so do i!
Hi city, highly recommend the CDI in any of the M-B range.
Sadly recently sold our ML 320 CDI to buy an apartment off the plan.
The vehicle was AMAZING for fuel economy.
Had the previous petrol ML 320 model before that also.
If I was to purchase again at present I would be buying a demonstator of the model you are looking at.Oh and if you need a nice keyring for the car take a look at these bargains.
http://www.quicksales.com.au/buy/auction.aspx?itemid=1327005…Did you end up getting one citybargainhunter? Took a colleague to test drive one with my usual dealer and was quote quite an exceptional price.
This should give you an idea of the figure;
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N=1216+1246…
Honestly though it wouldn't be my first choice for a luxury car plus I would also go for a demo model to save a few thousand. Is there any reason why you want a 7 speed seems a bit redundant on that car.
P.S not trying to be nasty just another point of view.