6th Jul 2007, 11:47

I have a c220 cdi 2002 auto classic. It's a lovely car and I have no complaints except that I have experienced starting problems recently. This was following running low on fuel, but not out, and has persisted ever since. Intermittantly.

The fuel filter has been replaced and the system bled. However I am still experiencing the problem. Sometimes the car cranks for 45 revs before starting and once running all is well. Any ideas?

20th Jul 2007, 03:55

Well I was thinking of buying a C220, but don't think I'll bother. Thanks for the advice though. I'm going to stick with the VW Passat.

18th Oct 2007, 20:28

I have recently been driving a manual C220 as a short term hire car. Initially I thought it was very good and classy looking, but as some of you have been arguing about above, I found the manual gearbox to be a real pain, getting it into second gear from first sometimes took 2 or 3 tries, I understand the comments of the main poster, it feels as though the gearbox is pushing back against you sometimes when trying to change gear.

31st Oct 2007, 10:28

I have driven a C200 as a taxi for some time, with an automatic gearbox. Performance is OK I think, and quality has been good through over 300k kilmeters.

But the aircondition is very bad, if you have heavy rain you'll soon see what I mean. It ends up virtually as a fog machine. When stopped at a traffic light for instance, windows will get wet, and strangely only if you have engine on.

Otherwise a quick and relatively comfortable car.

21st Aug 2008, 19:07

You should have done a google search before buying a manual Mercedes. They are well known to have the worst manual gearboxes.

Do a search for Mercedes nasty manual gearbox or awful manual gearbox and you will see hundreds/thousands of people saying the same.

15th Dec 2008, 07:59

We have experienced exactly the same problems with the gearbox.

We have had additional problems after a long journey, and as the speed slows down, the gearbox/clutch becomes more troublesome. It's definitely a big disappointment to the C-Class Merc.

3rd Dec 2009, 08:02

I have a 2002 C220 Estate, 255,000 miles and drives like it only has 60,000 on it. What a joy to drive. Auto boxes are the only way to go with a Merc.

These cars become more powerful and quieter once they get over 100,000 miles.

Show me another brand that will last that long!

4th Dec 2009, 06:05

With regard to the last comment, A friend of mine owns a 1998 Audi A4, with 220,000 miles on the clock, and the car is still going strong. It does have a list of repairs carried out over the years, however when I got the chance to drive it, I couldn't believe how light and easy the manual gearbox was on it. I have always been told that Mercedes invest more on their auto boxes as their manual boxes have never sold so well.

30th Jan 2010, 16:37

Hi everyone. I recently bought a used C220 CDI manual estate from 2002, and there is no doubt that the manual gearbox sucks.

Recently have had problems with the starter fuse 52, in a month I have replaced more than 20 fuses and keep on getting stuck everywhere I go... any ideas to resolve this problem?

A bit disappointed with my buy...

26th May 2010, 06:39

Hi all.

I have just agreed to purchase a used C220 CDi auto estate with just over 100k on the clock. I test drove it, and apart from some minor problems with tail light and interiors lights, all seemed fine. I am actually doing a swap with my later Ford Focus 1.6 CDi Climate, which has the worst turbo lag I have ever encountered, so I hope I will be much happier with the Merc. Hope I'm doing the right thing, and would be grateful for comments.

Eddie.

16th Oct 2010, 15:03

Have a late 2004 220 CDI Elegance 6 speed manual, bought new. Only 36k, but have no real problems with the gearbox. If you want a difficult 1st - 2nd change, try an early Mazda MX5 when it's cold! Mk 3.5 Mazda is much better.

The Merc is the quietest, most refined long distance traveler I've ever had. If you want a city car - buy something smaller.

Traded in a 2001 BMW 320d Tourer for the Merc. Only 43k miles, BUT both rear springs replaced, both front lower control arms gone, turbo on its way out, and digital aircon panel all failed, rust on front bonnet. Looked the part, but unreliable.

Merc (manual) is not at its best in town, but it's not bad. Fuel economy is astonishing for such a size of vehicle. No reliability problems, which is why I still have it.

Dealer service expensive - £110 to change the brake fluid? You only fall for it once. Not sure what some people want - the Merc is good, but only for what it's designed to do. Only regret is I didn't buy the estate.