‘C TO THE POWER OF 63’

Added 21^st February, 2022

By Jonathan Crouch

If you thought Mercedes-AMG models were all power and no precision, you need to drive a second generation C 63 AMG, offered primarily in saloon and estate (S205) forms but also available in Coupe (C205) and Cabriolet (A205) guises. A potent burbling V8 that plays an exhilarating soundtrack is the kind of thing you’d expect, but it was very different engine in this MK2 form. And the class-leading handling prowess may come as even more of a shock. With this car, AMG finally came of age.

‘ANOTHER C-CHANGE’

Added 8^th March, 2021

By Jonathan Crouch

With this udated ‘W205’-series C-Class, the achilees heel of the original version of this MK4 model (it’s rumbly old 2.1-litre diesel engine) was impressively dispatched. The replacement 2.0-litre unit is difficult to better from this era if you’re looking for a refined black pump-fuelled option in this class. And for the increasing number of business buyers who aren’t, the clever mild hybrid C200 petrol variant introduced as part of this facelift is certainly worth a look. There’s impressive engineering elsewhere in the range too. In the 2018-2020 era, Mercedes was the only brand in this segment to deliver both petrol and diesel Plug-in options, the only one to offer the option of air suspension and the only brand to retain V8 power at the top of the range. In short, if you care what lies beneath the bonnet and you’re browsing in this sector for a mid-sized premium badged saloon or estate from this period, the C-Class remains a very difficult car to ignore. In summary, the 2018-era model update gives used buyers a reason to give this fourth generation C-Class a second look. It used to be easy to pigeonhole buyers amongst the three main protagonists in this sector; a 3 Series for the driving enthusiast, an A4 for the technophile and a C-Class as a compromise badge-equity choice. In this form, this Mercedes is now a great deal more than that. It blurs those boundaries. And makes your choice in this segment just that little bit more pleasantly difficult.

‘C-CHANGE’

Added 7^th December, 2018

By Jonathan Crouch

It used to be quite easy to pigeonhole the three main premium contenders in the compact executive sector. A BMW 3 Series gave you a sporty drive, while an Audi A4 offered a nice cabin and a bit of hi-tech. If you went beyond these two and considered a Mercedes C-Class at all, you were probably a more mature buyer with priorities that didn’t really fit into either category. It was a bit of a compromise, badge equity choice. But it isn’t in this ‘W205’-series MK4 model form. Potential Audi customers will like the high technology - the intelligent headlamps, the class-leading safety kit and so. Wavering BMW buyers may be tempted by neat Agilty Select performance driving system and the unique air suspension option. And both groups will appreciate the far-reaching running cost savings that in day-to-day terms, made ownership of the Three Pointed Star in this sector surprisingly affordable. Find a well looked-after example and you’ll enjoy this car very much.

‘C SHARPER’

Added 9^th March, 2018

By Jonathan Crouch

It used to be quite easy to pigeonhole the three main premium contenders in the compact executive sector. A BMW 3 Series gave you a sporty drive, while an Audi A4 offered a nice cabin and a bit of hi-tech. If you went beyond these two and considered a Mercedes C-Class at all, you were probably a more mature buyer with priorities that didn’t really fit into either category. It was a bit of a compromise, badge equity choice. This MK4 C-Class model changed that kind of thinking though. It turned out to be more than good enough to make significant inroads amongst customers who once would have thought little before signing again on the dotted line for yet another German C-Class arch-rival. Potential Audi customers will like the high technology - the intelligent headlamps, the class-leading safety kit and so. Wavering BMW buyers may be tempted by neat Agility Select performance driving system and the unique air suspension option. And both groups will appreciate the efficient engines. Are there issues? Well we’re concerned about the number of niggly issues customers have reported, so choose carefully. But find a well built, well looked-after version of this MK4 C-Class and you’ll get yourself a very sophisticated contender indeed.

‘CLASS MATTERS’

Added 2^nd October, 2015

By Car & Driving

No luxury brand - come to think of it, no other brand of any kind - offers a wider choice when it comes to coupe motoring than Mercedes-Benz. This C-Class Coupe may be one of the marque’s more affordable offerings when it comes to this kind of car, but it still feels of very high quality indeed. But that you would expect. What might be more of a surprise is just how satisfying a driver’s machine this model can be, especially in its more powerful forms thanks to clever suspension and a hi-tech range of engines. The top C63 AMG is a potential BMW M3-beater and you can get much of its capability in the six cylinder C350 model too. Even more affordable versions - a C220 CDI diesel variant for example - can be remarkably rewarding on the right road, even if the sporty AMG add-ons do slightly affect running costs. You could argue that many potential Mercedes buyers won’t especially value this car’s more dynamic repertoire - and you might be right. Important though, we think, for the Stuttgart brand to show that it was capable of providing it. If that was the intention, then the job’s been done well. Ultimately, it’s enough to make this first generation C-Class coupe a surprisingly compelling used car choice.

‘TORQUE SHOW’

Added 17^th April, 2014 , updated 16^th April, 2014

By Andy Enright

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG did the unthinkable. It made BMW’s M3 seem a bit undercooked. Yes, there was still an element of the hot rod about that giant engine plumbed into such a modestly-sized car but you didn’t have to drive far down the road to realise that here was a car with proper steering and suspension crafted with care and rare talent. That engine will be remembered as a classic of its kind and endows this Mercedes with real charisma. Whether you choose saloon, coupe or estate, the C63 AMG remains one of the finest performance cars available at any price.

‘STAY CLASSY’

Added 28^th February, 2014 , updated 25^th February, 2014

By Andy Enright

In third generation guise, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class matured from an also-ran to a class act. Most importantly for used buyers, the horrible build quality of the previous MK2 model was firmly consigned to the past when this one arrived in 2007, Mercedes realising that such cost-cutting was sending buyers elsewhere. The facelifted post-2010 versions we’ve been looking at here are well worth seeking out if your budget will stretch, thanks to their more efficient engines and extra equipment. As for which variant you should choose, well a CDI diesel may be the obvious way to go but don’t overlook the C180 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol-engined variant if your mileages are a bit more modest. Recommended.

‘FAIRER C’

Added 25^th November, 2013

By Steve Walker

A pre-owned Mercedes C-Class remains the safe bet it always has been but the third generation car has more strings to its bow. With a range set-up to provide sportiness as well as comfort and quality, Mercedes succeeded here in broadening the appeal of its compact executive stalwart. This C-Class remains very much a Mercedes-Benz for those that want one but the sharper looks and chassis mean that this car is also worthy of consideration by buyers who might not have seen themselves as Mercedes drivers in the past.

‘THE GREAT ESTATE’

Added 11^th October, 2005

By Andy Enright

If you’re looking for a dependable estate that doesn’t need to shout its merits too loudly, the quietly stylish Mercedes C-class could well be just about perfect. If you need a budget option, take a look at the C200 Classic, the C280 Sport is the best choice for those who are looking for a bit of go, and the C250TD Elegance will be a willing partner if you’re looking for long-term commitment. Whatever model you choose, you can’t go that far wrong. Just don’t expect to be the last word in urban cool.