Reviews Monster's C-class Estate Review

[Monster]

So after nearly 5 years, the E450 finally reached 9000km today. I should be able to reach 10,000 km by the end of the year.

 

[Rolf]

So after nearly 5 years, the E450 finally reached 9000km today. I should be able to reach 10,000 km by the end of the year.

Wow that is very low mileage, is your car kept in the garage lol.

 

[Monster]

Wow that is very low mileage, is your car kept in the garage lol.

Hey Rolf , yes it just sits there in the garage 99% of the time. The daily driving duties are shared between the W211 and S205.

Speaking of which, the W211 just turned 19 years old, it is still going strong and running well. It was detailed recently and I will upload some photos soon.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

So after nearly 5 years, the E450 finally reached 9000km today. I should be able to reach 10,000 km by the end of the year.

Mate...next time I'm down in Sydney we will take it on a road trip to Melbourne! Stretch its legs.

 

[empower77]

W

Mate...next time I'm down in Sydney we will take it on a road trip to Melbourne! Stretch its legs.

what are used car prices down under like? Do they drop like a tank after the first year or is it more gradual?

How much can a well maintained minimally used example like this fetch? I assume this is not a common configuration that Aussies choose due to its power and the abysmal cost / VAT etc associated with having such a motor

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

W

what are used car prices down under like? Do they drop like a tank after the first year or is it more gradual?

How much can a well maintained minimally used example like this fetch? I assume this is not a common configuration that Aussies choose due to its power and the abysmal cost / VAT etc associated with having such a motor

They drop like a brick as soon as you drive off the lot. Probably about 15%.

Over the course of 3 years with an average number of KM's (15,000km per annum) you could expect to resell the vehicle for about 50% to 60% of it's value for most cars here.

@Monster E-class is not a typical example, and it's actually to their detriment that the vehicle is not driven much, as this is not really reflected at the time of resale. More important is the age of the vehicle.

For example my uncle had a 2013 Facelifted E250. He purchased it for $118K new in 2013 and I sold it for him last year (10 years later) for $45K. He had only done 45,000km (I probably did about 30% of those KM's on work trips when I borrowed his vehicle just to put some KM's on it). Comparable E250's that had done 100,000+ Km's were still selling for $35K.

So it's not really a sound financial decision to buy expensive cars here and then not really use them much. It's very much a luxury. However, in @Monster case though I don't think they are worried about resale as they typically keep their cars for a long time. They still have their W211 E.

 

[Giannis]

So after nearly 5 years, the E450 finally reached 9000km today. I should be able to reach 10,000 km by the end of the year.

By the end of the decade, you mean?

 

[Yaz]

Yeah, we'll take turns putting some milage on your car man.

 

[Monster]

lol you guys and especially @Mr. Mercedes . It is true, purchasing these cars and not driving them is most definitely not financially wise. Insurance and registration costs along for the 3 cars are already at $12,000 AUD, not including the annual servicing costs.

Given the general terrible traffic, road conditions and lack of safe parking, there isn't really much opportunity to take the car out for a decent drive. I try to drive the E 450 once a week, or when I receive the low battery email from MB Service.

Speaking of the W211, it is now my favourite daily driver. It is spacious, comfortable, smooth, refined. I don't have to worry about potholes or driving over thousands upon thousands of speed humps infecting the roads in Sydney. The car still drives and feels brand new, for the non car people, they are still amazed when I tell them the car is now 19 years old. It is looking better than ever, after stage 1 paint correction and ceramic coating on the paint and wheels.

Current mileage of the cars

2005 E 350 (W211) approx 97,500 km (will take another 2 years to reach 100,000 km)
2016 C 250 (S205) approx 39,000 km ( will go over 40,000 km this year)
2019 E 450 (W213) 9070 km ( will probably take another decade to reach 10,000 km)

 

[Rolf]

Your W211 in silver looks stunning, it still is such a goodlooking saloon and timeless. The W211 is one of my favorite E-class models. It still looks modern and very elegant. The interior is still built like a vault with super comfy seats

 

[dalab]

lol you guys and especially @Mr. Mercedes . It is true, purchasing these cars and not driving them is most definitely not financially wise. Insurance and registration costs along for the 3 cars are already at $12,000 AUD, not including the annual servicing costs.

Given the general terrible traffic, road conditions and lack of safe parking, there isn't really much opportunity to take the car out for a decent drive. I try to drive the E 450 once a week, or when I receive the low battery email from MB Service.

Speaking of the W211, it is now my favourite daily driver. It is spacious, comfortable, smooth, refined. I don't have to worry about potholes or driving over thousands upon thousands of speed humps infecting the roads in Sydney. The car still drives and feels brand new, for the non car people, they are still amazed when I tell them the car is now 19 years old. It is looking better than ever, after stage 1 paint correction and ceramic coating on the paint and wheels.

Current mileage of the cars

2005 E 350 (W211) approx 97,500 km (will take another 2 years to reach 100,000 km)
2016 C 250 (S205) approx 39,000 km ( will go over 40,000 km this year)
2019 E 450 (W213) 9070 km ( will probably take another decade to reach 10,000 km)

Good comparative photo, the only two Mercedes E-Class (from recent times or recent decades) that caused me to turn my head when I saw them the first time, (that W211 deserves the men in black wheels at least), with the W213, It still turns my head to this day, it is one of the most beautiful, elegant and timeless cars I have ever seen.

Good for the immaculate condition of both

 

[Monster]

Took advantage of the long weekend and perfect car wash weather. I took the car for a decent drive after a wash.

Can't believe the car is 8 years old now.

 

[Rolf]

Took advantage of the long weekend and perfect car wash weather. I took the car for a decent drive after a wash.

Can't believe the car is 8 years old now.

The W/S205 are both such modern and stylish cars, they havent aged one bit. Yes its hard to be believe that the W205 C-class was launched 10 years ago this year. To be honest I actually prefer the styling of the W/S205 to the W/S206 C-class.

These are the first pics of the W205 C-class shown in the press in December 2013. It looked fantastic in silver with AMG kit and same wheels as your car.

 

[Monster]

The W/S205 are both such modern and stylish cars, they havent aged one bit. Yes its hard to be believe that the W205 C-class was launched 10 years ago this year. To be honest I actually prefer the styling of the W/S205 to the W/S206 C-class.

These are the first pics of the W205 C-class shown in the press in December 2013. It looked fantastic in silver with AMG kit and same wheels as your car.

Thank you @Rolf and I agree as well. I still remembered my initial reaction when I first saw the leaked images of the W205 on this forum, I just knew I will have one at some stage. 10 years on, the exterior and interior design of the W/S205 has barely aged. The non car enthusiasts friends and colleagues thought my car is only 2 to 3 years old.

I like the subtle flared/widen shoulder just above the rear wheel arches, which is more pronounced on the S205.

Despite the perceived cheaper built quality of the 205 generation, the car has proven to be reliable, and the interior has survived the vibrations from the combination of stiff suspensions and dangerous road surfaces,.

Overall it is a very good multi purpose car. It is a shame that Mercedes Australia decided not to import the S206 at all, focusing C class estate owners to buy the GLC, or switch to another brand.

 

[dalab]

To be honest I actually prefer the styling of the W/S205 to the W/S206 C-class.

That

It looked fantastic in silver with AMG kit and same wheels as your car.

I like the subtle flared/widen shoulder just above the rear wheel arches, which is more pronounced on the S205.

In that scan you can clearly see what I think contributes most to that, the "short" taillights give it its great personality and stance, compared to the current ones or also those of the LCI, lengthened just for the sake of changing something, not because improve or update the design

 

[Monster]

We went for a long road trip today, travelling north of Sydney to mark the 5 year anniversary of the W213.

It was a mix of city and highway driving, with a few sections of tight and twisty roads as we make our way over the mountain and valley.

The car is a near perfect fit for effortless and relaxing city and highway driving. The air suspension was in the optimum operating road environment, the car was rock solid as we glide along the highway.

Things became a little more tricky on the twisty roads. The W213 is a big and heavy car, and the E 450 version is not the sports focused model in the range. Having said so, once the car is in sports mode, it can be hustled through the tight corners with confidence. The suspension is more tied down, the floating sensation is gone, so the body of the car can keep up with the change of direction.

With the assistance of the 4matic system, I can apply full throttle just after the apex, and the car will drag itself around the final section of any given corner. It is definitely not a sports car, however it more capable than it appears to be, especially when it is a 5 meter long, comfort orientated sedan.

Fuel consumption isn't fantastic. It would be nice to go below 10L/100km for once.

 

[Centurion]

Speaking of the W211, it is now my favourite daily driver. It is spacious, comfortable, smooth, refined. I don't have to worry about potholes or driving over thousands upon thousands of speed humps infecting the roads in Sydney. The car still drives and feels brand new, for the non car people, they are still amazed when I tell them the car is now 19 years old. It is looking better than ever, after stage 1 paint correction and ceramic coating on the paint and wheels.

You did well do choose silver for your cars. They look gleaming.

A few months ago I picked up a friend to go to a house party. On the way home gave another guy a lift home. As soon as he sat in the back of my car, he said "This is a nice car". A couple of minutes later he said "this is a very nice car". My friend then said, can you believe that it's done 120,000 miles and is 16 years old and only cost ....£3,000.

I'm super happy with my W211. Now it feels as modern as most cars:
-Automatic gearbox that at low speeds is smoother than the ZF8 that I had in my Beemers. No start stop either.
-400NM 2.1L diesel
-The air condition is the best that I've experienced in any car. It cools or heats the car quickly and ambiently without making the cabin feel stuffy or give you a headache.
-Folding mirror and automatic wipers
-Wireless CarPlay with touchscreen + Reversing camera
-Sound insulation and soft-touch materials that's well above 90% that are made new today
-Upgraded front speakers+ under boot subwoofer.
-Halogens replaced with LEDs

Later this year I might take the headlights somewhere to be machine polished for sparkle.

 

[dalab]

You did well do choose silver for your cars. They look gleaming.

A few months ago I picked up a friend to go to a house party. On the way home gave another guy a lift home. As soon as he sat in the back of my car, he said "This is a nice car". A couple of minutes later he said "this is a very nice car". My friend then said, can you believe that it's done 120,000 miles and is 16 years old and only cost ....£3,000.

I'm super happy with my W211. Now it feels as modern as most cars:
-Automatic gearbox that at low speeds is smoother than the ZF8 that I had in my Beemers. No start stop either.
-400NM 2.1L diesel
-The air condition is the best that I've experienced in any car. It cools or heats the car quickly and ambiently without making the cabin feel stuffy or give you a headache.
-Folding mirror and automatic wipers
-Wireless CarPlay with touchscreen + Reversing camera
-Sound insulation and soft-touch materials that's well above 90% that are made new today
-Upgraded front speakers+ under boot subwoofer.
-Halogens replaced with LEDs

Later this year I might take the headlights somewhere to be machine polished for sparkle.

I completely identify with that purchase and I congratulate you on it, you don't mention it, but surely thanks to its assembly, there is less noise inside than on a Sunday night during the pandemic.

The wheels are also correct, what happened to the wheel? Did you visit Ukraine?

 

[Giannis]

You did well do choose silver for your cars. They look gleaming.

A few months ago I picked up a friend to go to a house party. On the way home gave another guy a lift home. As soon as he sat in the back of my car, he said "This is a nice car". A couple of minutes later he said "this is a very nice car". My friend then said, can you believe that it's done 120,000 miles and is 16 years old and only cost ....£3,000.

I'm super happy with my W211. Now it feels as modern as most cars:
-Automatic gearbox that at low speeds is smoother than the ZF8 that I had in my Beemers. No start stop either.
-400NM 2.1L diesel
-The air condition is the best that I've experienced in any car. It cools or heats the car quickly and ambiently without making the cabin feel stuffy or give you a headache.
-Folding mirror and automatic wipers
-Wireless CarPlay with touchscreen + Reversing camera
-Sound insulation and soft-touch materials that's well above 90% that are made new today
-Upgraded front speakers+ under boot subwoofer.
-Halogens replaced with LEDs

Later this year I might take the headlights somewhere to be machine polished for sparkle.

W211 is peak E-Class. MB will never make something like that ever again. You did yourself a great favour by buying it!

 

[Centurion]

I completely identify with that purchase and I congratulate you on it, you don't mention it, but surely thanks to its assembly, there is less noise inside than on a Sunday night during the pandemic.

The wheels are also correct, what happened to the wheel? Did you visit Ukraine?

It doesn't have double glazing but yet the cabin is quiet thanks for the extensive insulation.

This is a big deal if you like good car audio because sound insulation can be a big expensive. Not to mention trim rattling because of poor material choices or fit and finish. This is why some car makers don't want to put too powerful sound systems in their cars as it would expose weaknesses in quality.

Ukraine? No. Some roads in the UK are actually worse. I was driving and car felts a bit bumpy but I didn't think much of it because the roads were bumpy. Eventually it got worse and my daughter asked when the bumpiness would stop and I could see traction control light starting to flash.

To my surprise the self levelling suspension only in the rear prevented the car from sagging and it was controllable during the 15min driven on a flat tyre. No damage done or alignment required.

Tank-like qualities confirmed!

W211 is peak E-Class. MB will never make something like that ever again. You did yourself a great favour by buying it!

Thank. Don't buy one. It too long compared with other cars.