2008 Mercedes C200 CDI Estate
2008 Mercedes C200 CDI Estate
By Derek Black, 12th November 2008
The traditional estate car still has a niche in this modern world of cross-overs, people carriers and sports utilities. After all, it was arguably the first lifestyle vehicle and still does the job.
Having driven the more powerful C320 diesel, my expectations of the lowliest two-litre were modest. Come on, I thought, surely the base engine cannot be married to the Sport package? After a few days on the road, my respect for this solid performer grew and I realised that it was powerful enough for the average sensible person.
After all, is it any hardship to wait more than ten seconds to reach 60mph in today’s traffic? The top speed of 127mph is more than enough to get you banned. Okay, you could use it legally in Germany but how many holidays can you take in a year?
Once you accept these realities, then the C200 CDI is well up to the task of everyday motoring though it sounds distinctively diesel. The latest generation feels more agile than before and is both biddable and stable on the bends. Obviously, with an estate you do not expect the ultimate in handling but this one is surprisingly good as well as being fairly comfortable over bad surfaces.
My car came with the five-speed automatic gearbox with paddle change that worked just fine but costs you more in the long run than the £1,125 option price. It knocks a good four miles per gallon off the economy figures and adds nearly 20g/km to the emission. Unless you have a strong aversion to gear levers, the six-speed manual would get the best out of this 136bhp unit.
With its chrome roof rails and elegant sweeping lines, the C-class estate is easy on the eye. Sport may be inappropriate in this case, but the package with the big badge on the grille and alloy highlights inside appeals to me. The solid thump of a closing door reminds me that it is built to last.
Conventional it may be, but this estate is very practical and has a lot of modern technology including electronic stability control, advanced braking, rain sensing wipers and tyre pressure monitors. The fiddly, foot-operated parking park persists. Some items such as leather (£1,2950) and navigation (£1,995) are rightfully on the extras list but others such as park assist (£605) and hands free telephone wiring (£280) should surely be part of the standard package.
In fairness, you actually do get quite a lot of kit for the standard price of just over £28K and my spies suggest that even Mercedes make haggle a bit. This is a premium car that is likely to go on for years and have a better trade-in value than most. The smaller engine does well and makes sense in these days of spiralling fuel costs.
AT A GLANCE
ENGINE – 2.0-litre turbo diesel turning out 136bhp
PERFORMANCE – Accelerates to 62mph in 10.6 seconds, top speed potential of 127mph
ECONOMY – 43mpg on combined cycle
EMISSIONS – 176g/km carbon dioxide
INSURANCE – Group 13E
PRICE – from 28,605
