11:00 actually that's the arrangement we get in Spain, Mercedes just didn't bother switching them for markets with the steering wheel on the wrong side. I mean the right side
I had a W204 350 C Class CDI. I hated the way all the electronic widgets failed, cost a fortune and how regularly 200+ bhp reverted to 60 when limp home mode kicked in for the stupidest reasons. Thanks to you I now drive a 1995 Rover 216 Tourer. Ultra simple, no silly electronic gagets and super cheap spares. DIY heaven.
Yeah is there actually any reason for this being so high? Always found it shocking but everyone I know still uses the main dealers despite service being bang average and cost so high?
@@matt4239 Dealerships make naff all on car sales and all their money on servicing so the costs of a service have to cover the overheads of everything.
The 1.6 and 2.0 (M274) petrol engines are 100% Mercedes and are very modern units. The Renault engine is the 1.5 diesel which is only available in their front wheel drive models i.e. A and B class, not the C class. I have a W204 myself and my dad has a W212 and I completely agree with you about the build quality. The 'angular' generation appears more solid than the latest curvy generation. Particularly in the feel of the interior plastics and the weight of the doors. My W204 is a 2013 model with the newer generation 1.6 turbo petrol (C180) 158hp I believe. Brilliant engine. Feels like a 2.0litre turbo. Great balance of performance and economy. Great videos mate.
The entry level C class W205 diesel has the Renault 1.6 DCi, not a bad engine at all. It was the interior trim and annoying squeaks that were more annoying on the 2016 car I owned :( www.autoevolution.com/news/new-mercedes-c-class-to-use-renault-16-dci-diesel-61424.html
Metal in a b9 a4 😉 the toggle switches are wonderfully tactile. However its also guilty of the god awful stuck on tablet screen. Ruining an otherwise good looking cabin. Think this generation of vehicles circa 2012 to 2016/17 will be remebered as the era of the stuck on or pop out infotainment screens. Manufacturers now seem to make an effort to incorporate them into the structure now - see latest 3 and 1 series a6 etc. Jag despite their appaling hollow bulld quality was never guilty if this sin. My old xes was nicely tucked down in the dash.
I hired one of these (1.6 turbo diesel) in 2016. A very pleasant way to go from Heathrow to South West Wales. Left it comfort on the M4, sport or sport+ on the Welsh lanes. I didn't have a problem with the cruise control, however, coming from Australia where most cars have right hand indicators, I did put it in to neutral a few times...
2.0L turbo petrol(C180/C200) could be had with a manual. I found even well specced examples with wood trim, beige interior and manual. If you can find one to test would like to hear how the shifter feels in it.
I feel the problem with current Mercedes models is the facade of luxury. They seem to be more focused on being appealing in a showroom with a swooshy design and in my own opinion, chincy interiors. Maybe I'm just wayward but I prefer the old money style of the pre-merger stuff. I am in no way saying that they're bad cars, they're excellent in fact, they just seem a bit of a shell of themselves as of recent.
My uncle had the previous model with the 3 litre diesel engine. Now he owns this model with a smaller engine. The newer c class is more comfortable imo. But I preferred the previous generation in every way!
This brings back memories, we had a c300h saloon back in 2015-17 and I agree with the fact you have to go with the grey/white leather interior, it really lifts the feel of the car compared to the majority of this C class generation with black leather or vinyl. The hybrid was beneficial for the then £0 road tax and the really high mpg, we used to average 71mpg on the dual carriageway. In sport plus the car was fast due to the motor kicking in and the huge torque of the diesel engine. The front seats are really comfortable but the back seats are alright ;on long journeys the seats do become a bit uncomfortable due to a lack of legroom. The amg line premium plus package is a must if you are getting a new lease or now low mileage preowned, this added everything for the car such as the burmiester sound system, larger screen, panoramic sunroof, amg wheels, lumbar support and a load of other extras you would probably want and well worth it compared to the base interior feel and usability. I think once the new C class is released in a couple of years these early hybrids from late 2015/2016 hopefully become great value used cars.
Just catching up with videos. This Mercedes is beautiful. I thought the saloon was very Rover 75ish at the rear. The interior looks exquisite, sculpted door handles are unique. I am only on my first Audi, a 2009 A8, and the interior is absolutely top notch. Although the 2 Volvo V70s, 1999 and 2006, that I owned before were a match for any Audi, BMW or Mercedes, interiorwise. Volvo and Saab are always forgotten but they are in no way inferior to their German counterparts. Enough digression, great car, great engine, thank you Matt, for such a detailed review. My son runs a 2006 CLK 220 CDI with the burgundy leather interior. It is an awesome drive and ready for any journey even at 14 years old. Bulletproof.. Amazing seats.
Saw one in Germany on vacation,w205 wagon with manual! Pretty cool considering here in America we haven't even had a manual Mercedes offering in like 10 years for any car.
Love the exterior.... but the interior, is quite a “Liberace design”: way too swoopy and flamboyent to me. And did they initially forget to incorporate the screen...😳 Ill stick with my Volvo😉 Clean and precise design, no creaks....
Agree don't like current trend for "floating info screens". What's wrong with neatly integrated to keep the more elegant lines of the dashboard. Also pet hate of mine is 3 circular vents side by side, 2 chunkier ones would look not so "over fussy" (just saying!)
2:51 I don't know which "smaller, more genteel" grille you're referring to, but if it's the traditional chrome grille with three horizontal bars split in the middle with a vertical bar, with the star on the bonnet, then I disagree. Personally, I think every Mercedes sedan and wagon should have the traditional chrome grille with the upright star on the bonnet. To me, part of what makes driving a Mercedes special is being able to look down the end of the bonnet and see that three pointed star logo standing proud. That has been the hallmark of a Mercedes-Benz for a century, and I'm very disappointed that modern Mercedes have done away with it.
On most if not all flappy paddle autos there should be a button somewhere to lock the transmission in manual mode. I think the reason the volume wheel is where it is, is because of cost cutting as it is correct for Left Hand Drive.
Someone I am related to has the saloon 1.5 diesel. He wasn't impressed when I asked how the Renault engine was doing... haha Its been back to Merc many times over a rattling noise from the drivers door area and so far it's a mystery. He is a pain in the arse kinda person but he will never buy another Merc, having swapped from a Skoda Octavia 1.6tdi
It looks huuuge! How big is this compared to the late 1990s E Class (W210?). The 1.6 petrol version would probably suit me the best, I'm no speed demon.
On the video that 4-cylinder engine sounds as rough as a badger's badger, which is very definitely not a Mercedes-Benz thing. The creakiness of some of the plastics already does rather suggest that long term durability of some of the trim might be an issue too...
Last year Decided to buy a low mileage top spec run out model 2014 C250 S204 Mercedes Approved Used Car instead of a lower spec higher mileage S205 from a car supermarket for the same price. Figured maybe quality issues/glitches on 1st year of production, not a big fan of that stuck on screen, think the S204 has a more classical angular design but when the time comes to change will probably replace with a post 2018 S205. Thanks for the video it confirmed In my mind my decision!
I think the older one look better, although I do prefer the coupe version of this one. I do like the interior styling but not the black plastic. All I was thinking was 'fingerprints!' and 'dust!' I'm with you on automatics. I think my enjoyment would be taken away if I wasnt doing the gears
I like the neat rows of metal switches but Im can only imagine the dust and marks the black trim will collect, you just have to look at an iPad after a kid has used it for 5 minutes! Im really annoyed with manufacturers taking even the option of a manual away now, it limits the number of cars Id even consider
That is a really nice spec S205, with the grey/black interior and that lovely metallic blue exterior! But I have to say, the 1.6 petrol has nothing to do with Renault, and it's a lovely engine. Actually, it's pretty much the same unit as that 2.0 used in that C200. And as for that lovely piano black center console, as you predicted it will not age very well. And it's the same stuff in the first w213 E-classes, too. I'm amazed that even in that example it seems to be still so scratch-free. Fortunately they got too many complaints about it and started to offer an option of choosing to have it made out of the same material as the upper dash trim and door trims. Unfortunately not too many people buying those cars new seem to realize the necessity of that option...
My dad had a 2016 C200d SE from new, (SP66 KHC) and as a person who did many business miles he clocked in over 100,000 miles in 3 years just before he returned it. It was an excellent car, I only wish we could have kept it. Extremely reliable and very comfortable ride. My only gripe was the amount of gloss black in the interior, it felt very yucky in that regard. Other than that, loved the car :)
Great review. Over the years I've hired several Mercedes for work. I think my favourite model was a GLE Coupé - an unexpected upgrade! I do quite like the current Merc interior design - though I agree that the mounted screen is a bit odd.
Everything I hate about modern cars, more gadgets and gizmos than anyone needs and no ashtrays anywhere, considering Germany still has the highest percentage of smokers than any other European country, is somewhat strange. Just hope one does not have a massive electrical failure, a large lump of metal by the side of the road that will cost an arm and a leg to get it back to the main dealer to fix. Oh for the days of using a piece of wire with crocodile clips at each end to hot wire the coil and get running again. At least modern car thieves have to be IT savvy.
Hi Matt, great review on this Mercedes C200 W205,it's a nice looking car, for the money you should have the full add ons.the interior is nice with the silver trim.
I have the 2018 facelift car (LHD) so this was very interesting to me. This model has a larger, wider center screen (which somehow looks more integrated) digital instrument panel and a much improved steering wheel which now contains the cruise control and two little thumb pads which work really well on the go to operate the infotainment. So it's interesting how many other things they improved of which you complain. I haven't found the parking brake under the dash this seems automatic. Pressing the brake, stopping and pushing it again engages "hold" with the parking brake and it just releases when you go with the throttle, basically you just don't think about it at all. The center console controls are the wrong way around simply because they don't swap them around for RHD. My LHD makes more sense. You say Artico "leather" - it is of course vinyl (Artico = artificial + cow) but the seats are very good as you say. It doesn't drive as well as the latest and previous BMW 3 series but it's not night and day. But it just feels more special than that or the Audi which is just so boring to look at.
I own a 2017 c250d which really is a great engine choice with superb power. Mines amg line spec and it's worth noting that it's good if you can get the premium or premium plus variants. The sweet spot in the facelift cars would be the c300d for me!
Nice looking Mercedes, I do like the look of the current range, only thing that spoils it for me is the infotainment screen. It just looks like a afterthought. Looks like you had fun driving it through 😉
Trouble with new cars in general is they are too computerised, too numb and geared for finance. Your Merc is probably the last of the modern ones before they got too much and it’s still cool. But park this new one next to a 1979 4.9 SEL and there is no comparison. New Mercs are too blobby and looks like much else on the roads now. They have lost their class and grace that they once had in 1980s. And I guarantee it won’t last like the SEL. Great video though and yes totally agree that estates are the best 😁👌🏼
Thought this car looked familiar, just looked at Joseph's channel - hadn't realised it had come from Mercedes Maidstone. You're right, a Mercedes shouldn't squeak when you press buttons. I've found that on some of their newer models, they just seem too plasticy. The material quality in these makes the W203 look good. Often thought about one of these, or an E Class estate as a daily, but there's just something lacking with them. I prefer the E class, but it just looks a bit...Taxi-like rather than premium. The A6 stands out more to me. But then why spend £20k when you can get a Skoda Superb with the same engines for half that? With leather they're just as nice, just without Audi image. Why would you get a Mercedes with a Renault engine? I've seen problems with the hybrid ones - two friends that have them (company cars) have both had issues, both required new hybrid systems all covered under warranty. Can't be cheap if you're buying secondhand.
The taxi thing reflects in used prices, when I got mine I could have had a newer E Class for the same price. You'd want a good aftermarket warrenty on any EV or hybrid if you bought used
Haven driven one yet and don't have much interest in them but the W204 looks better but i am known to like older style cars. My first car was a Mk7 fiesta prefacelift and i still prefer it over my facelift variant now.
Hi Matt, in your experience, would build quality between this S205 and its predecessor the S204 have dropped so significantly that the S205 should be avoided?
Love the sketch comment. Not a fan of the car. Think the proportions are way better on the E-class. On the C it appears the grill and bonnet lines are to wide for the headlights and the bonnet area above them. As usual love the vid!
Unfortunately, there are still countries in the E.U such as Greece and Italy, where the car tax is solely based on the car's engine displacement. So a 1.6 version of the C Class does make sense...
Some years ago, I was on my morning slog, er, commute over jammed expressways and city streets, surrounded by many examples of the then-trendy German brand (could be any for the purposes of this story) that marked membership in the Upscale Lifestyle, and I thought "I could have that. I can afford it." There was a pause. And then my very next thought was "But why? So I can repeatedly see myself coming and going every morning and evening? And for the reward of experiencing stop-and-go driving in a higher level of plush? Pfftt!" I've never regretted that decision.
I have to say my cheap Volvo ownership is proving very rewarding, and running a 10 year old C Class that owes me very little now is even better. During the lock down when we wernt working it was one less payment to worry about
@@furiousdriving For about 8 yrs I worked as a contract employee for a fellow who actually advised his staff employees to buy expensive things and go more into debt because that would motivate them to work harder. This was before the 2008 Financial Crisis.
Most Mercedes are sold in left hand drive markets and the drive control would be on the correct side for the driver in those markets. They aren't going to re-engineer the centre console for the relatively small amount of right hand drive cars they sell.
Its not really re-engineering when there are matching controls on opposite sides and just switches and wires, no mechanical connections, and they have to make English versions of the panel so just lazy really
@@furiousdriving Maybe lazy but it is definitely re-engineered. If nothing else the layout of the wiring harness would have to change and they would need to update the production line software to know what side the steering wheel is on when building a car and then re-tool the robot to be able to handle multiple configurations. BMW are the same, everything is set up for left hand drive cars. We are a very small market for most car brands. If it bothers an owner that much I'm sure they could swap it relatively easily.
Always liked the look of these. Although, unless I absolutely had to have an estate car, I think I'd always go for a Lexus. They have an integrity to them that other cars just don't have. Not even Mercedes. Nice interior though.
The reason why the agility and volume control is in the wrong place is because you live in wrong country with right hand drive. LHD countries share moajority of the market, therefore the base design is focused on LHD vehicles.
Always thought these are a little over designed, sort of give off modern french car vibes especially the interior. That shiny black plastic will look really bad in time. At least quality has stayed better though compared to the late 90s - early 2000s mercs.
My son-in-law also had such a Mercedes, they stole his entire center console with all the trimmings two years ago, damage just over € 15,000 - a good six months after that they arrested one of those burglars in the act, they later arrested his partner at the rgens with Germany and he had a trunk full of stolen items from various cars, especially BMW and Mercedes, but they never found those stolen items from my son-in-law's Mercedes again, will probably have been on the black market in Lithuania or Poland or anywhere else. After the insurance had compensated the damage, everything was repaired and shortly afterwards he sold the Mercedes and started driving an Audi A4, even those who are extremely sensitive to the lazy from the notorious Eastern Bloc countries, so now he has disposed of a Mercedes "bus. "say luxury, but you see little of it from the outside.
I know what you mean about the center screen. My wife has one in her Toyota like that and it looks like an mini iPad stuck to the dash with Velcro! 🖥 👎🏻
Having owned a late model W204 and also currently owning a W205, the build quality is better than the W204 and is better than most other mainstream car manufacturers. Certainly isn't 'horrid' by any stretch of the imagination.
There is nothing like about a modern Mercedes-Benz; hideous styling, messy dashboard, just everything screams "cheap". The dash looks like it came out of a Mazda. The engine sounds raucous when pushed. I see it has some safety gear standard, and because of the rear compromised view à backup camera is necessary. Here in the US, safety gear is in expensive packages, driving up the price considerably. I would choose an older model Mercedes, or better yet, something just as good for much less money.
Seems like modern designers have lost the plot. The design is not at all great. What is shocking is the lack of cargo space for such a large car. 55 cubic feet is nuts. My ancient Volvo 240 Estate has 76.6 cubic feet in a smaller package.
@@furiousdriving I know. But the 3-series costs at least 30.000 euro less than this C200 with all these extras in it. ;) You can almost get a M340i for the price. ;)
1998-2005 Chrysler era Mercs were the worst. They desperately needed to and fortunately did improve leaps and bounds ever since. Even modern "Renault" Mercs are an improvement
I have some, BMW i3, Toyota Mirai hydrogen car, the Ignis was a mild hybrid. Im classing modern as 2010 onwards but there will be more and more as they come on sale
I have to say I prefer my 204 to the 205. The seats are incredibly comfortable bu there is a crazy amount of tech and Im no fan of being forced into having an auto box
11:00 actually that's the arrangement we get in Spain, Mercedes just didn't bother switching them for markets with the steering wheel on the wrong side. I mean the right side
I thought it might be
I had a W204 350 C Class CDI. I hated the way all the electronic widgets failed, cost a fortune and how regularly 200+ bhp reverted to 60 when limp home mode kicked in for the stupidest reasons. Thanks to you I now drive a 1995 Rover 216 Tourer. Ultra simple, no silly electronic gagets and super cheap spares. DIY heaven.
Everybody Gangsta till they see the Mercedes dealer service costs ! Absolutely bonkers prices.
Yeah is there actually any reason for this being so high? Always found it shocking but everyone I know still uses the main dealers despite service being bang average and cost so high?
10 years servicing included. Pay only fluids.
@@matt4239 Dealerships make naff all on car sales and all their money on servicing so the costs of a service have to cover the overheads of everything.
Take it to an independent mechanic (who actually knows what they are doing).
Peter Broad but you won't half pay for the fluids.
The 1.6 and 2.0 (M274) petrol engines are 100% Mercedes and are very modern units. The Renault engine is the 1.5 diesel which is only available in their front wheel drive models i.e. A and B class, not the C class. I have a W204 myself and my dad has a W212 and I completely agree with you about the build quality. The 'angular' generation appears more solid than the latest curvy generation. Particularly in the feel of the interior plastics and the weight of the doors. My W204 is a 2013 model with the newer generation 1.6 turbo petrol (C180) 158hp I believe. Brilliant engine. Feels like a 2.0litre turbo. Great balance of performance and economy. Great videos mate.
The entry level C class W205 diesel has the Renault 1.6 DCi, not a bad engine at all. It was the interior trim and annoying squeaks that were more annoying on the 2016 car I owned :(
www.autoevolution.com/news/new-mercedes-c-class-to-use-renault-16-dci-diesel-61424.html
That screen is horrible, it looks like such an afterthought and completely ruins the look of the dashboard.
Yup, the designers did the most un German thing in the world. A half arsed job.
The screen looks horrendous, I hate these half hearted measures.
All the "metal" switches and buttons are plastic, chrome plated. As a designer I can assure you there are no metal buttons.
Metal in a b9 a4 😉 the toggle switches are wonderfully tactile. However its also guilty of the god awful stuck on tablet screen. Ruining an otherwise good looking cabin. Think this generation of vehicles circa 2012 to 2016/17 will be remebered as the era of the stuck on or pop out infotainment screens. Manufacturers now seem to make an effort to incorporate them into the structure now - see latest 3 and 1 series a6 etc. Jag despite their appaling hollow bulld quality was never guilty if this sin. My old xes was nicely tucked down in the dash.
I hired one of these (1.6 turbo diesel) in 2016. A very pleasant way to go from Heathrow to South West Wales. Left it comfort on the M4, sport or sport+ on the Welsh lanes. I didn't have a problem with the cruise control, however, coming from Australia where most cars have right hand indicators, I did put it in to neutral a few times...
Haha I can see that being an issue if your used to RHD indicators!
2.0L turbo petrol(C180/C200) could be had with a manual. I found even well specced examples with wood trim, beige interior and manual. If you can find one to test would like to hear how the shifter feels in it.
Me too, I wanted one but could only find very basic spec which were too far away to look at
I feel the problem with current Mercedes models is the facade of luxury. They seem to be more focused on being appealing in a showroom with a swooshy design and in my own opinion, chincy interiors. Maybe I'm just wayward but I prefer the old money style of the pre-merger stuff. I am in no way saying that they're bad cars, they're excellent in fact, they just seem a bit of a shell of themselves as of recent.
Many thanks for the model name explanation Matt. Having never owned a MB their naming convention makes my head spin! Thanks again.
My uncle had the previous model with the 3 litre diesel engine. Now he owns this model with a smaller engine. The newer c class is more comfortable imo. But I preferred the previous generation in every way!
After I commented on your 505 video "where have all the estates gone" you come up with a modern one. Cool.
Its my aim to bring estates back to the mainstream
This brings back memories, we had a c300h saloon back in 2015-17 and I agree with the fact you have to go with the grey/white leather interior, it really lifts the feel of the car compared to the majority of this C class generation with black leather or vinyl. The hybrid was beneficial for the then £0 road tax and the really high mpg, we used to average 71mpg on the dual carriageway. In sport plus the car was fast due to the motor kicking in and the huge torque of the diesel engine. The front seats are really comfortable but the back seats are alright ;on long journeys the seats do become a bit uncomfortable due to a lack of legroom. The amg line premium plus package is a must if you are getting a new lease or now low mileage preowned, this added everything for the car such as the burmiester sound system, larger screen, panoramic sunroof, amg wheels, lumbar support and a load of other extras you would probably want and well worth it compared to the base interior feel and usability. I think once the new C class is released in a couple of years these early hybrids from late 2015/2016 hopefully become great value used cars.
Just catching up with videos. This Mercedes is beautiful. I thought the saloon was very Rover 75ish at the rear. The interior looks exquisite, sculpted door handles are unique. I am only on my first Audi, a 2009 A8, and the interior is absolutely top notch. Although the 2 Volvo V70s, 1999 and 2006, that I owned before were a match for any Audi, BMW or Mercedes, interiorwise. Volvo and Saab are always forgotten but they are in no way inferior to their German counterparts. Enough digression, great car, great engine, thank you Matt, for such a detailed review. My son runs a 2006 CLK 220 CDI with the burgundy leather interior. It is an awesome drive and ready for any journey even at 14 years old. Bulletproof.. Amazing seats.
Saw one in Germany on vacation,w205 wagon with manual! Pretty cool considering here in America we haven't even had a manual Mercedes offering in like 10 years for any car.
Such a shame, its the death of fun cars in my book
Great video. Recognised the village of Hursley at the end there too 👍
Mercs seem to be getting quite bling lately. Then, I am old and set in my ways. W123 for me thanks.
Gray Fool Renault are good at bling. Yes it’s a Renault
Driving an S204 C180 -12 now, but 10 years ago I had a W123 230 -80. I still miss that car.
Love the exterior.... but the interior, is quite a “Liberace design”: way too swoopy and flamboyent to me. And did they initially forget to incorporate the screen...😳 Ill stick with my Volvo😉 Clean and precise design, no creaks....
I'll stick with my old Volvo too.
I like the look of Volvo sedans but the interior is boring and there is not much excitement when I press the accelerator.
Agree don't like current trend for "floating info screens". What's wrong with neatly integrated to keep the more elegant lines of the dashboard. Also pet hate of mine is 3 circular vents side by side, 2 chunkier ones would look not so "over fussy" (just saying!)
I think is cheaper to make that way because they dont have to make bezels for different sized screens
2:51 I don't know which "smaller, more genteel" grille you're referring to, but if it's the traditional chrome grille with three horizontal bars split in the middle with a vertical bar, with the star on the bonnet, then I disagree. Personally, I think every Mercedes sedan and wagon should have the traditional chrome grille with the upright star on the bonnet. To me, part of what makes driving a Mercedes special is being able to look down the end of the bonnet and see that three pointed star logo standing proud. That has been the hallmark of a Mercedes-Benz for a century, and I'm very disappointed that modern Mercedes have done away with it.
Very nice Merc, is it Mr Lloyds mums one? I think I saw a tweed jacket, displaying the door bin nicely :)
It is, and will be on his channel soon as well!
I prefer your older Mercedes car's design
On most if not all flappy paddle autos there should be a button somewhere to lock the transmission in manual mode.
I think the reason the volume wheel is where it is, is because of cost cutting as it is correct for Left Hand Drive.
Not here, its a column shift. There may be a menu
Apparently you need to select individual on the dynamic select control wheel and configure it to allow 100% manual gear changes.
Someone I am related to has the saloon 1.5 diesel. He wasn't impressed when I asked how the Renault engine was doing... haha
Its been back to Merc many times over a rattling noise from the drivers door area and so far it's a mystery. He is a pain in the arse kinda person but he will never buy another Merc, having swapped from a Skoda Octavia 1.6tdi
It looks huuuge! How big is this compared to the late 1990s E Class (W210?).
The 1.6 petrol version would probably suit me the best, I'm no speed demon.
On the video that 4-cylinder engine sounds as rough as a badger's badger, which is very definitely not a Mercedes-Benz thing. The creakiness of some of the plastics already does rather suggest that long term durability of some of the trim might be an issue too...
Last year Decided to buy a low mileage top spec run out model 2014 C250 S204 Mercedes Approved Used Car instead of a lower spec higher mileage S205 from a car supermarket for the same price. Figured maybe quality issues/glitches on 1st year of production, not a big fan of that stuck on screen, think the S204 has a more classical angular design but when the time comes to change will probably replace with a post 2018 S205. Thanks for the video it confirmed In my mind my decision!
I think the older one look better, although I do prefer the coupe version of this one. I do like the interior styling but not the black plastic. All I was thinking was 'fingerprints!' and 'dust!' I'm with you on automatics. I think my enjoyment would be taken away if I wasnt doing the gears
I like the neat rows of metal switches but Im can only imagine the dust and marks the black trim will collect, you just have to look at an iPad after a kid has used it for 5 minutes! Im really annoyed with manufacturers taking even the option of a manual away now, it limits the number of cars Id even consider
@@furiousdriving I thing there is matte woodgrain trim on this and GLC as opposed to piano black.
@@Kacpa2 piano is standard, wood trim is the upgrade option
That is a really nice spec S205, with the grey/black interior and that lovely metallic blue exterior! But I have to say, the 1.6 petrol has nothing to do with Renault, and it's a lovely engine. Actually, it's pretty much the same unit as that 2.0 used in that C200.
And as for that lovely piano black center console, as you predicted it will not age very well. And it's the same stuff in the first w213 E-classes, too. I'm amazed that even in that example it seems to be still so scratch-free. Fortunately they got too many complaints about it and started to offer an option of choosing to have it made out of the same material as the upper dash trim and door trims. Unfortunately not too many people buying those cars new seem to realize the necessity of that option...
My dad had a 2016 C200d SE from new, (SP66 KHC) and as a person who did many business miles he clocked in over 100,000 miles in 3 years just before he returned it. It was an excellent car, I only wish we could have kept it. Extremely reliable and very comfortable ride. My only gripe was the amount of gloss black in the interior, it felt very yucky in that regard. Other than that, loved the car :)
Also, he did get it in manual, which is totally respectable :)
Well done to him for getting the right gearbox, its a huge shame you cant seem to get one now. Did the black plastic mark in the end?
@@furiousdriving Honestly it did hold up well, just got very grubby easily and was hard to keep shiny :P
You had the old model next to it. What a shame you did not compare it to each other... seats, sound insulation, and so on
Separate video coming soon
Great review. Over the years I've hired several Mercedes for work. I think my favourite model was a GLE Coupé - an unexpected upgrade! I do quite like the current Merc interior design - though I agree that the mounted screen is a bit odd.
I think the newer car looks worse, more of a step back compared to the previous car
"busy day with an etch a sketch"
Lol. Whereas the Volvo...
Ps surely the seats are 40:20:40, not the 60:20:20 as stated?
no, its just an 80% wide seat... This was my 3rd shoot of the day and I was tired! I cant tell you how many retakes I had to do for calling it a 204
Everything I hate about modern cars, more gadgets and gizmos than anyone needs and no ashtrays anywhere, considering Germany still has the highest percentage of smokers than any other European country, is somewhat strange. Just hope one does not have a massive electrical failure, a large lump of metal by the side of the road that will cost an arm and a leg to get it back to the main dealer to fix. Oh for the days of using a piece of wire with crocodile clips at each end to hot wire the coil and get running again. At least modern car thieves have to be IT savvy.
Hi Matt, great review on this Mercedes C200 W205,it's a nice looking car, for the money you should have the full add ons.the interior is nice with the silver trim.
I have the 2018 facelift car (LHD) so this was very interesting to me. This model has a larger, wider center screen (which somehow looks more integrated) digital instrument panel and a much improved steering wheel which now contains the cruise control and two little thumb pads which work really well on the go to operate the infotainment. So it's interesting how many other things they improved of which you complain. I haven't found the parking brake under the dash this seems automatic. Pressing the brake, stopping and pushing it again engages "hold" with the parking brake and it just releases when you go with the throttle, basically you just don't think about it at all. The center console controls are the wrong way around simply because they don't swap them around for RHD. My LHD makes more sense. You say Artico "leather" - it is of course vinyl (Artico = artificial + cow) but the seats are very good as you say. It doesn't drive as well as the latest and previous BMW 3 series but it's not night and day. But it just feels more special than that or the Audi which is just so boring to look at.
Lovely interior and exterior colour combination on this example!
This particular one is very nice, isn't it 😉
@@SuperFIFTHGEAR, oh indeed, sir!
I own a 2017 c250d which really is a great engine choice with superb power. Mines amg line spec and it's worth noting that it's good if you can get the premium or premium plus variants. The sweet spot in the facelift cars would be the c300d for me!
Nice looking Mercedes, I do like the look of the current range, only thing that spoils it for me is the infotainment screen. It just looks like a afterthought. Looks like you had fun driving it through 😉
Its a great looking car, especially from the front and the interior is beautiful, if only a manual was an option
@@furiousdriving I’m sure some are manuals Matt.
Trouble with new cars in general is they are too computerised, too numb and geared for finance. Your Merc is probably the last of the modern ones before they got too much and it’s still cool. But park this new one next to a 1979 4.9 SEL and there is no comparison. New Mercs are too blobby and looks like much else on the roads now. They have lost their class and grace that they once had in 1980s. And I guarantee it won’t last like the SEL.
Great video though and yes totally agree that estates are the best 😁👌🏼
Nothing lasts like an SEL (apart from old Volvos)
It's just another Modern Monday, I wish it was Sunday, 'Cause that's my fun day
Must admit it’s a looker and no doubt will appeal to those with a few bob. Like the modern car Monday slot.
Thought this car looked familiar, just looked at Joseph's channel - hadn't realised it had come from Mercedes Maidstone. You're right, a Mercedes shouldn't squeak when you press buttons. I've found that on some of their newer models, they just seem too plasticy. The material quality in these makes the W203 look good. Often thought about one of these, or an E Class estate as a daily, but there's just something lacking with them. I prefer the E class, but it just looks a bit...Taxi-like rather than premium. The A6 stands out more to me. But then why spend £20k when you can get a Skoda Superb with the same engines for half that? With leather they're just as nice, just without Audi image. Why would you get a Mercedes with a Renault engine? I've seen problems with the hybrid ones - two friends that have them (company cars) have both had issues, both required new hybrid systems all covered under warranty. Can't be cheap if you're buying secondhand.
The taxi thing reflects in used prices, when I got mine I could have had a newer E Class for the same price.
You'd want a good aftermarket warrenty on any EV or hybrid if you bought used
Is it actually any better than the 204 .I have the 204 and can not fault the car,feels solid,looks elegant ,drives brilliant,what's more to want
I suspect the volume is the correct side for a passenger in LHD car and Mercedes didn’t bother swapping for RHD.
I think that is the case
furiousdriving That is indeed the case. I drive a S205 my own and I live in Germany.
I like the look of the previous version both inside and out
Why no bonnet stars these days?
Haven driven one yet and don't have much interest in them but the W204 looks better but i am known to like older style cars. My first car was a Mk7 fiesta prefacelift and i still prefer it over my facelift variant now.
Hi Matt, in your experience, would build quality between this S205 and its predecessor the S204 have dropped so significantly that the S205 should be avoided?
I dont think the 205 is bad enough to be avoided but the 204 seems to be tougher long term
@@furiousdriving Thanks for the reply Matt.
Love the sketch comment. Not a fan of the car. Think the proportions are way better on the E-class. On the C it appears the grill and bonnet lines are to wide for the headlights and the bonnet area above them. As usual love the vid!
Preferred my trusty W204- you could hide the screen! Remember, gimme a shout if you want to do a modern review on an S90!
Thanks, Ill be in touch soon now we can go out for work
Would be great to see such a review,
Unfortunately, there are still countries in the E.U such as Greece and Italy, where the car tax is solely based on the car's engine displacement. So a 1.6 version of the C Class does make sense...
They are all like this now because of fleet economy and CO2. The 1.6 petrol makes 154bhp which is enough for an entry level car.
Some years ago, I was on my morning slog, er, commute over jammed expressways and city streets, surrounded by many examples of the then-trendy German brand (could be any for the purposes of this story) that marked membership in the Upscale Lifestyle, and I thought "I could have that. I can afford it." There was a pause. And then my very next thought was "But why? So I can repeatedly see myself coming and going every morning and evening? And for the reward of experiencing stop-and-go driving in a higher level of plush? Pfftt!" I've never regretted that decision.
I have to say my cheap Volvo ownership is proving very rewarding, and running a 10 year old C Class that owes me very little now is even better. During the lock down when we wernt working it was one less payment to worry about
@@furiousdriving For about 8 yrs I worked as a contract employee for a fellow who actually advised his staff employees to buy expensive things and go more into debt because that would motivate them to work harder. This was before the 2008 Financial Crisis.
So huuuuge cup holders but no dashboard tea shelf?
Not a dicky..
Most Mercedes are sold in left hand drive markets and the drive control would be on the correct side for the driver in those markets. They aren't going to re-engineer the centre console for the relatively small amount of right hand drive cars they sell.
Its not really re-engineering when there are matching controls on opposite sides and just switches and wires, no mechanical connections, and they have to make English versions of the panel so just lazy really
@@furiousdriving Maybe lazy but it is definitely re-engineered. If nothing else the layout of the wiring harness would have to change and they would need to update the production line software to know what side the steering wheel is on when building a car and then re-tool the robot to be able to handle multiple configurations. BMW are the same, everything is set up for left hand drive cars. We are a very small market for most car brands.
If it bothers an owner that much I'm sure they could swap it relatively easily.
The reason the driver controls are on the left is that they are designed for left-hand drive. They won't change them for right-hand drive, sorry.
I dont see why they cant, theres a matching control on the other side, a Mercedes should be good enough to fix that
Can you do a review on a BMW 730d
I have a 2017 C300. Cheers from Canada!
12:01 how did you get footage of my sausage fingers fidling with sunglasses in your testcar?.
Love the Robocop top! 👍
Well spotted!
Really good video.
Always liked the look of these. Although, unless I absolutely had to have an estate car, I think I'd always go for a Lexus. They have an integrity to them that other cars just don't have. Not even Mercedes. Nice interior though.
The reason why the agility and volume control is in the wrong place is because you live in wrong country with right hand drive. LHD countries share moajority of the market, therefore the base design is focused on LHD vehicles.
The centre.control is probably for the LHD car and the didn’t change it for us Brits.
Always thought these are a little over designed, sort of give off modern french car vibes especially the interior. That shiny black plastic will look really bad in time. At least quality has stayed better though compared to the late 90s - early 2000s mercs.
I had a C class 250 CDI it was a brilliant car
The sweet spot of power and economy right there
My son-in-law also had such a Mercedes, they stole his entire center console with all the trimmings two years ago, damage just over € 15,000 - a good six months after that they arrested one of those burglars in the act, they later arrested his partner at the rgens with Germany and he had a trunk full of stolen items from various cars, especially BMW and Mercedes, but they never found those stolen items from my son-in-law's Mercedes again, will probably have been on the black market in Lithuania or Poland or anywhere else.
After the insurance had compensated the damage, everything was repaired and shortly afterwards he sold the Mercedes and started driving an Audi A4, even those who are extremely sensitive to the lazy from the notorious Eastern Bloc countries, so now he has disposed of a Mercedes "bus. "say luxury, but you see little of it from the outside.
I know what you mean about the center screen. My wife has one in her Toyota like that and it looks like an mini iPad stuck to the dash with Velcro! 🖥 👎🏻
You can get the 205 in a manual
I couldnt see one on the configurator on any engine
Very nice 👍
Horrid build quality on all mercedes now
Having owned a late model W204 and also currently owning a W205, the build quality is better than the W204 and is better than most other mainstream car manufacturers. Certainly isn't 'horrid' by any stretch of the imagination.
Not horrid, mostly very solid indeed, just the plastic buttons could do better
@@aston-martin-internationalist I find the 205 better than the 204 also.
Personally prefer the W/S204... the droopy rounded looks and chintzy, glossy interior aren't an improvement in my opinion
I think Im with you
I approve of modern Monday!!
Its a nice change of scenery!
I'll have a W123 estate with a more modern diesel engine, please.
There is nothing like about a modern Mercedes-Benz; hideous styling, messy dashboard, just everything screams "cheap". The dash looks like it came out of a Mazda. The engine sounds raucous when pushed. I see it has some safety gear standard, and because of the rear compromised view à backup camera is necessary.
Here in the US, safety gear is in expensive packages, driving up the price considerably.
I would choose an older model Mercedes, or better yet, something just as good for much less money.
It’s a Renault, thus the cheapness
More gadgets More expense!!!!!🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍👍👍
More to go wrong!
Seems like modern designers have lost the plot. The design is not at all great. What is shocking is the lack of cargo space for such a large car. 55 cubic feet is nuts. My ancient Volvo 240 Estate has 76.6 cubic feet in a smaller package.
Shame no manual option. I’m sure that would put many potential customers off.
Puts me off!
"too comfortable" mode. lol
yeah nice cars, joseph's mum has one!......oh wait isnt that?
might be...
This car with all these extras would cost around 100.000 euros in my country. -I think I would take a BMW 530i instead..
F10/11 is very nice but is the next size up on this, this is a 3 Series rival really
@@furiousdriving I know. But the 3-series costs at least 30.000 euro less than this C200 with all these extras in it. ;) You can almost get a M340i for the price. ;)
Looks like a hearse
Am I alien in thinking the saloon looks like a Rover 75
from the side the profile is similar
When are you buying one matt lol
When they fit a proper gearbox!
Overpriced gin palace.
The pre Renault era of Mercedes were far better cars. Obviously. Older generation were by far better cars.
Renault? Do tell
1998-2005 Chrysler era Mercs were the worst. They desperately needed to and fortunately did improve leaps and bounds ever since. Even modern "Renault" Mercs are an improvement
Suggestion. How about reviewing a Hybrid or EV. That's where the market is heading.
I have some, BMW i3, Toyota Mirai hydrogen car, the Ignis was a mild hybrid. Im classing modern as 2010 onwards but there will be more and more as they come on sale
Way too much bling in these modern Mercedes to my taste. I like yours better, Matt
I have to say I prefer my 204 to the 205. The seats are incredibly comfortable bu there is a crazy amount of tech and Im no fan of being forced into having an auto box
Merceds engineers had lost their touch in terms of styling inside and out.
Appears noisy in the cabin
I thought the 204 was a much better looking car Modern Mercs seem to have quite chinsey interiors. Not really a fan.
I have to agree, the 204 looks clean and not overly fussy
Prefer your Merc Matt.
right gearbox, a ton of torque and nice sharp lines...mmm
Prefer yours. 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄👍👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧☕☕☕☕STAY SAFE .....
I think I do too, would like red leather seats in it and decent satnav but not much else
@@furiousdriving improvements approved!!!
I want to like the car but the interior quality is just lame.
It doesn’t do much my 2010 Accord doesn’t do.
All new Mercedes look the same. It's a real shame.
Sorry mate but I find German cars just bit boring lumps pigiron.
That is a horrible, horrible cheap car.