Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class review: 2007-2011

For a long time Mercedes struggled to get on terms with the BMW 3-Series, which was slaying them in the compact prestige market, but the C Class launched in 2007 was good enough to finally get the three-pointed star into the game.

New

The W204 was all new, it had new looks, the cabin was new, the suspension was refined and much improved. It was good enough to compete with the all-conquering small Beemer. The new looks were fresh, lively, and more dynamic, they were a great step forward from the fairly stodgy looks of the earlier model.

At first it was only available as a sedan, but a year after the initial launch Mercedes released a practical wagon

There was also a fresh new look inside, as well as new seats with more support, and a new dash and dials.

At first it was only available as a sedan, but a year after the initial launch Mercedes released a practical wagon, both were available in Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde trim.

The C200 Kompressor was the entry point in the model range, and the car most wannabe 'Benz owners chose.

It came with a supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, which thanks to its forced induction had good bottom-end performance and pushed the baby 'Benz along quite nicely.

It was linked to a five-speed automatic, which was in tune with the engine and smooth in operation. In combination they gave the C200K quite a sporty feel.

The C220 CDI was the C Class entry point if you wanted a diesel engine. It came with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which had good punch through the low and mid-range and delivered decent fuel economy.

On the road, the C Class was responsive and responded well to steering inputs, it had much better road feel than previous Mercedes-Benz models and encouraged the driver to enjoy the drive.

Now

The appeal of buying a used prestige car like the C Class 'Benz is that you can get all of the benefits of a car that might normally be out of your reach financially, but at a much reduced price.

Buy a four-year-old car and you can avoid the worst of the depreciation blues, while still enjoying a car that hopefully has plenty of life left in it.

For starters, the W204 C Class still looks good on the road, so you're not signing up for a car that has dated looks. With odometer readings on average between 80,000 and 200,000 km there should still be life in the little 'Benz yet.

It's better to go for a later example, one with a lower odometer reading to minimize the chances of trouble down the road. Should you choose an earlier car with a higher odo reading, have it checked by a mechanic with Mercedes experience, so you know what you're getting yourself in to.

Either way make sure the car you choose has been well cared for with regular inspections and oil changes as per the factory recommendations.

One of the main things Mercedes owners complain about is the cost of servicing their cars at factory dealerships, and many seek out independent service mechanics to do the work for them. While that's not an issue, it is important to make sure the mechanic who has been doing the work knows his way around the brand.

A mechanic who knows the brand well will often be able to make repairs more efficiently than some dealerships

It's even more important as the kays climb when problems can crop up. A mechanic who knows the brand well will often be able to make repairs more efficiently than some dealerships, and won't charge an arm and a leg to do it.

Before handing over your money thoroughly test drive the car you've chosen to make sure the engine runs smoothly and without any hesitations, vibrations or odd noises, check that the transmission engages and shifts smoothly and without hesitation.

If you're buying an older example with higher kays consider having the auto transmission serviced. It won't cost the earth and it's better than risking an expensive rebuild later on.