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Good day,

I still occasionally feel remorse for selling my old W203 C class petrol automatic, which I inherited from my dad, but the combination of the high mileage, high petrol prices and high taxes made it too expensive for me to justify.


Now that I'm thinking about getting back into Mercedes, I'm eyeing a 2.1 C220 CDI BlueEfficiency AMG Sport Edition 125 G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr. Ideally, I'd like to acquire it with about 100,000 miles on the odometer, some paperwork from Mercedes-Benz, and a recent service at an authorised Mercedes-Benz specialist. Any very particular purchasing recommendations would be greatly appreciated. The sub frame problem is really scary me, even though I am comfortable checking over cars because I do a lot of maintenance on my own. According to what I've read, the rust usually starts on the inside and isn't always visible from the bottom. The vehicle's MOT history does not indicate any signs of rust, corrosion of the rear coil spring or other suspension components. I worry too much about this pricey repair, and there's no assurance that MB will pay for it. Frankly, I haven't had much success with my mom's A class, and I do believe that one major reason is because we don't often buy from primary dealers but rather from local specialists.

I would be very appreciative of any additional guidance on what to prioritise while purchasing the vehicle.

Thank you so much! I'm excited to start participating in the forum!

Once more, search the W204 Rear subframe.


No, it's not "over worrying." It's terrible. It is possible for W204 cars to conceal rear subframe deterioration even with a recent MOT.

However, it appears to be somewhat unpredictable. Not helped by MB's unwillingness to accept responsibility.

I appreciate you getting back to me, but I need to do more research because I really like the way they look and feel compared to the W205. Since MB isn't forthcoming about if they altered them later on, etc., most of the information is contradictory, and it's hard to tell whether obtaining a late 2014 or 2015 will solve the problem.

:X:X:X:X:X

In particular, the W204 with the facelift is an excellent vehicle. The C220 CDI's OM651 engine is a solid behemoth. Problems with the injectors or glow plugs are possible, as is the case with any high mileage diesels. The DPF can also become blocked. Pick a vehicle with a clean service record if you can afford diesel engine repairs, as they can be costly (particularly to replace the high-pressure fuel pump). Another straightforward problem is the possibility of the front wheel speed sensors going out.