16 replies to this topic

[Cookies220]

So I'm looking at maybe getting one of these for work.  I see that the manual is supposed to be much better on fuel economy than the auto, but due to the fact that I spend most of my in-car time crawling along in traffic, I'm thinking the auto would probably be less hassle.

 

One thing I'm not sure about is this bloody foootbrake.  I can see that with an auto it won't be a problem as the 'box will hold the car and prevent it from rolling backwards, but how does it fare in a manual? - Anyone got experience of this?  If you are crawling along, stopping and starting on a hill (going up), how much hassle is the footbrake?  In my mind it will be a constant routine of stopping (feet on clutch and brake), taking the car out of gear, releasing the clutch, applying the footbrake, then going back to clutch and throttle and releasing the parking brake with your right hand.  Much more hassle than with a good old handbrake!!!  Seems it would not be possible to hold the car on the clutch then put the parking brake on (say if you couldn't move off straight away) without doing some frantic footwork to prevent the car from rolling backwards....  

[JOHN W]

Hi, just parted with one of them in auto format, great car, i had the 250 cdi and over 23k miles it average 43mpg mixture of motorway and round town but mostly round town. You dont need to use the foot break on traffic, when you brake as normal and stop, if you then press hard on the brake pedal a hold function kicks in and you can just take your foot off the brake pedal, to release just accelerate away. Hold comes up on the dash so you know its engaged. Id go auto every day, just ordered an audi a6 in its place but got a fill in car until it arrives, the misses is confused by a normal handbrake now, always going for the footbrake!! Haha

Edited by JOHN W, 07 September 2014 - 08:14 AM.

[Cookies220]

Cheers - that sounds better!  So overall, sounds like a pretty good car.  How's the auto box?  Is it responsive and chooses the right gear, I read a review that suggested that it wouldn't necessarily change up when you'd expect it to, thus holding a lower gear.  How's the paddle shifters?

 

Cheers.

[JOHN W]

Auto box for me was great i had the amg sort plus which added a few red touches and different alloys, if you leave in economy it holds gear longer to save changing up then back down which in its brain uses more fuel, switch it to sport and away it goes. For a biggish car its very quick awY from a standing start especially the 250, unfortunately they dont do the 350 in the coupe. The paddles i very rarely used in 2 years, which for me says the auto does its work efficiently. My dad has the c200 se 4 door that doesnt have the same auto box options.

[JOHN W]

The misses would have had the same car but in 4 doors, but the deal on the A6 couldnt be bettered.

[Cookies220]

Thanks for the info - what about servicing?  I'd expect a Merc to be very reliable but what are the servicing costs like?

[JOHN W]

The first service year 1 was £206 with discount, the 2nd would have been around the £600 mark i was led to believe but it went back before that was required. There are a lot of independent specialists that use genuine MB parts, this keeps any warranty intact at a fraction of the cost. Mine was leased so i had to go main dealer. I never had any problems reliability wise in the 2 years i had it.

[Boombang]

My father in law was told be a Merc specialist it's worth regularily using the footbrake, if you don't for a long period then accidentally do (or someone else does) it can stick.  That could be MOT time.

[JOHN W]

The foot brake is used every time you park up, just like any other handbrake, it isnt used any less or more. on journeys, even with a normal handbrake how often do you use the handbrake until you park up?

[Boombang]

I drive an auto and can count on one hand how many times I've used the handbrake - when you park on a flat gravel drive, and the car won't go anywhere in Park, you don't tend to.

[JOHN W]

I always used the footbrake even on the flat, just a habit i got into even when in park. Each to their own i suppose. If i tried to tell the misses dont use it here but use it here it would end in disaster!!

[PHB1969]

I have a 220 Cdi coupe coming on friday. Manual with premium pack. Got £7.3k off it. Go to orangewheels.com and quote through there if buying. Only going for the SE on 16" wheels - fuel economy is quoted at just over 70mpg combined. AMG pack with bigger wheels drops mpg and the car tax goes up - mine is £20 year 1 and £0 year 2 onwards.

Edited by PHB1969, 09 September 2014 - 09:00 PM.

[Cookies220]

I have a 220 Cdi coupe coming on friday. Manual with premium pack. Got £7.3k off it. Go to orangewheels.com and quote through there if buying. Only going for the SE on 16" wheels - fuel economy is quoted at just over 70mpg combined. AMG pack with bigger wheels drops mpg and the car tax goes up - mine is £20 year 1 and £0 year 2 onwards.

 

Good call!  Thanks for all the info guys!

[PHB1969]

averaging 60.1mpg over the first week of ownership (570 miles)

[JOHN W]

Not bad, will only get better with more miles on the clock.

[Cookies220]

Just had a look on Carwow - over £7.5k saving on a new one!!!

 

Pity I'm looking for 2nd hand 

[PHB1969]

1st 1000 miles at an average of 61.4mpg .