Item: Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 2016-present
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

The biggest rival the C-Class Coupé faces is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/used-review/n847">BMW 4 Series Coupé</a>. In most specs, it rides and handles well, and it won’t cost a fortune to run. One or two of the diesel engines are a little gruff, however, and it’s traditional BMW interior isn’t as flamboyant as the C-Class Coupé’s.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/coupe/used-review/n897">Audi A5 Coupé</a> handles well, too, and if you seek out the 3.0 TDI diesel version, you’ll have a smooth and swift car that’s also surprisingly economical. It’s not as involving to drive as the Mercedes or BMW, but its interior is very classy.

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Owners of the C-Class Coupé tend to have the most trouble with interior&nbsp;trim, followed by engine and engine electric issues. So, check the operation of the electric seat adjustment and the infotainment system and make sure the car starts well. Gearboxes seem strong, though. If you do encounter issues, most problems appear to have been fixed within a week and under warranty.

The C-Class Coupé came last in its&nbsp;class according&nbsp;to the results of our&nbsp;latest What Car? reliability survey. Mercedes as a brand finished in a disappointing 26th out of 31 manufacturers.

If you would like to see the full reliability survey, head to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.

Coupe

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

C CLASS

The Mercedes C-Class Coupé is good to drive, and is also a comfortable and well-equipped alternative to a used BMW 4 Series Coupé

Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 2016-present

Choose a 220d in base Sport trim and the average claimed NEDC fuel consumption is an excellent 68.9mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions of just 106g/km. The C250d can beat an average 60mpg too, while the petrols inevitably lag behind, with the super-quick AMG C63 S managing just 32.8mpg.

Road tax for the diesels will be cheap, especially for cars registered before the tax changes of April 2017. Cars registered after that date will all be charged at the flat rate, although cars that cost more than £40,000 when new will be subject to an additional yearly surcharge.

Insurance groups are on the high side for all C-Class Coupé models, while servicing costs can be pricey, too. However, Mercedes operates a number of pay-monthly serving plans, allowing you to budget for the cost of servicing for a year or more.

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The Mercedes C-Class Coupé is good to drive, and is also a comfortable and well-equipped alternative to a used BMW 4 Series Coupé


Around £20,000 is the starting price for a&nbsp;C-Class Coupé. This will buy you a 2016 model in excellent condition with an average mileage for the year and a full history, from either a trader of an independent dealer. Up the folding to between £25,000 and £28,000 and you should be able to get a 2017 model, with the same criteria. Revised models from mid-2018 onwards with the improved engine range and new infotainment system can be found from £30,500. Expect to pay in excess of £34,000 for a six-cylinder C43&nbsp;or £44,000 or more for an eight-cylinder&nbsp;C63&nbsp;AMG.

Check the value of a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">What Car? Valuations</a>

For its decent performance and praiseworthy economy, we’d try and seek out a C220d. As far as trim goes, we’d also look for a cheaper Sport model, which will have most of the equipment you'll want.

Our favourite Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé: C220d Sport

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of&nbsp;rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for,&nbsp;the Audi TT is a brilliant option. But the Mercedes CLA offers plenty of style and substance to match, while the Aston Martin DB11 will give you serious performance.

Check the bodywork for any scuffs or dents to the front or rear, as this car will have been used around town and rearward visibility is limited. Also check the large alloy wheels for any kerb damage.

Also make sure your phone works with the infotainment system, particularly on later models with the new system. It seems to have been optimised for Apple CarPlay because it fills the whole central screen&nbsp;and you can use the&nbsp;touchpad on the steering wheel to control it, whereas the Android Auto connection only uses part of the screen and you have to take your hand off the wheel and use the rotary dial to control it.

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You know how it goes. You want a sporty-looking car that's smart enough to impress passers-by, rather than some staid four-door saloon, but you still have the occasional need for four seats. You also want a car that’s good to drive and carries a premium badge.

Step forward the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé. This handsome devil is more than just a two-door version of the C-Class executive saloon; great steps have been made to make its behaviour and driveability as good as its looks promise. It has a different front suspension set-up, for one, as well as a lower ride height and revised steering. It also offers air suspension – and seeing as this makes a difference to the car’s on-road behaviour, we’d strongly recommend seeking out a car that has it fitted.

The C-Class Coupé is available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and three high-performance AMG models are sold, too: the C43, C63 and C63 S.

The petrol units are 2.0-litre engines with 181bhp (the C200) and 241bhp (the C300). The diesels are 2.1-litre engines with 168bhp (the C220d) and 201bhp (the C250d). The range was refreshed in 2018, with a 1.6-litre 154bhp petrol added to the line-up (the C180) and the older diesel replaced by a new 2.0-litre engine with 191bhp (the C220d) or 242bhp (the C300d).

There are two trim levels on the C-Class Coupé. Sport is well equipped despite being the cheaper option; it gets you 17in alloys, automatic lights and wipers, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control, air conditioning and a 7.0in-screen infotainment system featuring sat-nav, a DAB radio, USB connection and Bluetooth. AMG Line adds mostly style upgrades, as well as uprated brakes and firmer suspension.

On the road, the C-Class Coupé is classy and composed. The most popular engines are the diesels, which offer plenty of mid-range grunt as well as reasonable economy. The older 2.1-litre engine in both C220d and C250d forms can sound a little gruff when cold and under hard acceleration,&nbsp;but it settles into a quieter rhythm at higher speeds. The later 2.0-litre engine is much more refined and feels effortlessly flexible on the road. By contrast, the lower-powered petrol, the C200, is a little short of low-down shove, and the swift C300 always sounds a little coarse. The sporting AMG models are all quick and satisfying with it. The C43 is a twin-turbocharged V6 hoot, while the V8-engined C63 and 63 S are both tremendous fun, if a little bit of a handful on a wet road.

The C-Class Coupé rides well, too, although it's better on the optional air suspension, which transforms the driving experience. You can keep it soft or stiffen it up at the flick of a switch to reduce body lean in corners. The rival BMW 4 Series Coupé is sweeter-handling, but the C-Class Coupé still turns in to corners keenly, and its steering weights up predictably.

You’re unlikely to be disappointed with the interior, either. The sports seats are supportive and comfortable and include adjustable lumbar support as standard, while the dashboard looks smart, with a tactile blend of materials and finishes. Some might not like the way the 7.0in infotainment screen looks tacked-on, rather than integrated, and the system takes some getting used to with its overly complex menus and controls, but the graphics are crisp and there's all the functionality you could want, including sat-nav, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and full connectivity for your smartphone or MP3 player.

There’s plenty of space for the driver and front passenger, but the two in the rear will be a little cramped if they’re tall. Some rival cars are fractionally roomier. Likewise, the C-Class Coupé's boot isn’t as big as some, but there’s enough for a couple of suitcases and some extras.

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Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe 2016-present review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Mercedes C-Class coupe?