Mercedes-Benz C200CDI
Looks arent everything were told, but in the case of the Mercedes C-Class, you can choose the looks you prefer. But is this C200 CDI version any good to drive? We look underneath the skin to see what its like, and how it measures up to the other diesel powered saloons which Mercedes, and more importantly, BMW have to offer.
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By offering a Sport or the more familiar Elegance pack, the three pointed star can now offer something to both father and son alike. On the face of it, the C-Class has just stepped into the diesel premier league. The C200 CDI features the least powerful engine available in the C-Class. Just 138bhp is available here, and its evident immediately as you give the accelerator a firm prod towards the carpet.
Pulling away is as smooth as silk, but the engine is a bit too noisy, even by modern diesel standards, and there is simply no surge of power or toque. 0-60 figures in such cars matter little, but to put it into perspective, this car is over 2 seconds slower to the benchmark than the equivalent BMW. However, what the C-Class lacks in pace it gains elsewhere; the ride is truly excellent, especially in Elegance form where its suspension is fabulously forgiving, offering an impressive level of comfort as it takes the bumps in its stride. As you might expect, in the Sport variant, the ride suffers a little, though the car still glides effortlessly across the majority of road surfaces and if youre not bothered by the lack of pace, the C200 CDI offers effortless cruising and is a pleasure to drive.
Sat in the drivers seat, you instantly feel at home in the C-Class. The interior is genuinely a nice place to be, the seats immeasurably comfortable, and the cabin feels roomy; as if chiselled from a single lump of granite. The C-Class offers a superb level of refinement no matter which guise you choose it in. Add to this the countless driver settings available and you begin to appreciate the thoughtfulness behind Mercedes attempts to produce something that allows the owner to tailor elements of the drive to their own tastes and preferences.
"Truly an impressive car, whatever outfit you choose to dress it in"
The C-Class offers the driver a pleasing alternative to its competitors. Recent attempts have fallen short of their rivals but here you can see the rewards of Mercedes persistent endeavours to produce something more acceptable to would-be buyers. Leg room is good in the front and rear, comfort excellent and the looks of the car now set it apart from its rivals; this a great looking car, certainly more aesthetically pleasing than its main rival, the 3 series BMW. Add to this the C-Class trump card of two totally differing styling packs and theyre probably onto a winner with this car.
The cabin is thoughtfully put together and the driving position excellent, although some may argue for a little more room in the drivers foot-well. The foot operated hand-brake lives on here, not helping the lack of width below the wheel. Build quality is what you would expect from the C-Class. Doors close with a reassuring thud and solidity of the finishes is vastly improved from the previous model and certainly on a par with its current rivals.
The feel of quality continues throughout, to the quality of the seats, the fascia finishes, onto the storage spaces and the all important cup holders. Its a struggle to find fault. Theres nothing intrusive, just good simple design allied to consideration for driver needs and comfort. The fact the C-Class can be ordered in such differing body styles is a huge trump card over its main rival the 3 series BMW.
Lets be honest, the 3 series looks are at the very least challenging. In Sport guise, the C-Class looks muscle-bound; the AGM body kit and 17 inch alloys combine to set the car off beautifully. It harbours back to the Mercedes Coupes of the early 80s whose road presence commanded respect all on its own. The Sport has a similar effect, even in a 4-door form.
In Elegance spec, the car takes on a different persona, with its wooden door inserts and subtle black dials; this allows it to take plaudits from those customers who hanker for something with a little less show and a little more panache. One area where Mercedes hasnt managed to break with tradition is the level of standard kit included. On a car costing more than £28,000, you would expect such things as Sat Nav and parking sensors to be getting towards standard spec on a small executive car: Sadly not in this case, although interestingly, Mercedes policy mirrors that of BMW. There is though, a Bluetooth pack fitted as standard to the car, a useful tool for the business user, though not the sort of thing to pull a patriotic BMW owner from a 3 series. The C200 CDI will appeal squarely at the company car purchaser with its combined mpg figure 43.5 and CO2 emissions measured at just 149g/km.
This isnt class leading though, and its here that the BMW 318d and 320d make a case for themselves with considerably better figures. The Mercedes though offers a lot of car for the money. The Sport starts at a not inconsiderable £28,097 and should you crave some metallic paint, parking sensors and Sat Nav, youll be looking at a little over £30,000. The Elegance, with a similar spec, will cost around £1,500 less.
Mercedes are known to hold their value well so depreciation shouldnt be a worry. Having driven both the C200CDI and C220CDI, I would think the private buyer, unconcerned about the difference in emissions, is much more likely to purchase the C220CDI variant for its improved power and the dynamic differences this provides. The usual foolproof warranty is in place. The Mercedes C200 CDI is truly an impressive car, whatever outfit you choose to dress it in.
The engine may be a little underpowered, meaning this variant may be overlooked by those unwilling to entertain its lack of pace, but for many this car will be perfect. It soaks up the bumps and effortlessly consumes mile after mile of road with consummate ease. In comparison to its nearest rival, the BMW 320d, the C-Class offers a compelling alternative. Its certainly far better looking and the difference in the overall drive is near to negligible.
If youre looking for relaxed driving in fabulous surroundings this could well be the car for you: its certainly worth an audition. The C200 CDI manages to serve up something missing elsewhere in the small executive category as Mercedes brings together quality, refinement and looks in the kind of package that other manufacturers still strive for. .
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Mercedes C200CDI range
PRICES: £24,107-£28,097 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 149g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.4s / Max Speed 132mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 43.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: adaptive ABS brakes, ESP stability control, twin front, side and curtain airbags, drivers knee airbag, NECKPRO head restraints
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length 4581 / Width 1770 / Height 1447mm
