C-class can continue for a while. This Mercedes C-class Combi from 1996 has already driven more than 450,000 kilometers.
Rudy Davidse proves that even driving a Mercedes-Benz is possible at a low rate with his 27-year-old C230 Estate, or rather we should say Combi, because that is what Mercedes-Benz called the first station wagon variant of this model class. He bought this C-class in 2011 as a fifteen-year-old used car with just over €100,000 on the clock. That age was crucial, because as a self-employed person you then enjoy a low additional tax. Together with the gas tank and your own tinkering, it is the perfect mix for economical yet comfortable driving.
What about that addition? For a car fifteen years and older you pay 35 percent of the economic value. This was low when purchased and continued to decline over the years. At the same time, all costs are tax deductible and the VAT paid will be refunded. That makes the youngtimer so popular in business circles. After years of using diesel, Rudy switched to a petrol car with an automatic transmission. “It was already clear that it would be a C class,” he says. “I also test drove a few diesels, but I found them far too slow. My eye fell on this 230, a motorcycle that was not sold much in the Netherlands. It was a so-called Rentnerfahrzeug. A Rentner is a retiree. That explains the extremely low mileage and the interior was like new when purchased. I learned how to drive an automatic in Canada and then I thought: why would you switch gears yourself?”
Immediately after purchasing LPG in the C230
Immediately after purchase, Rudy had a gas system installed and, together with the license plate inspection at the RDW and the residual BPM, the total price came to €5,500. Actually no money for a nice Mercedes with few kilometers. “And compared to my previous car, a Polo SDI, this is a world of difference,” says Rudy. “My wife also drives a lot of kilometers with it. For my work I drive a van that can hold all the tools.”
This C-class has rust as its biggest enemy
The biggest enemy of this generation of C-class (and other models from those years) is rust. It is a stain on Mercedes-Benz’s reputation and a major black page in the brand’s history. There is little to discover on Rudy’s C on that front and there is a reason for that. “I paid extra attention to it when purchasing it and I think the tailgate has been replaced at some point. In 2016 my wife had a serious collision on the highway, fortunately with only material damage. I then had the entire car repainted and immediately had a few rust spots addressed. I now see that the underside needs some attention.”
At 4 tons of oil through the coolant
The technology of the Benz is holding up well, but at 400,000 km oil came through the coolant. “Well, then you know what time it is: a leaking head gasket. Then when you open the engine you will immediately see that there is a double timing chain inside. It remains intact and you can’t say that about the younger models. A known weak point is the ignition switch and it also broke in my case. I removed the entire internals, so you can now start it with a screwdriver if you know how. Everything else simply remains intact. The sliding roof, the electric windows, the mirrors; it all still works after almost 27 years. That is allowed, because this was a very expensive car when new.”
Catalytic converter stolen from underneath
What judge Joep Schuurman especially noticed after starting and during the test drive is the typical exhaust sound, apart from a few other things. “It doesn’t sound like a C-class should sound, so I’m curious to know why,” he says. We hear the cause before the bridge goes up in the workshop. “About a year ago my wife called in a panic. The car suddenly made a lot of noise after being parked in the carpool area for a day. I told her she could drive it home in peace, but I could hear her coming from far away. What a racket! Almost the entire exhaust was gone. Of course it was the thieves’ job to do the catalytic converter. Because I didn’t feel like investing a lot of money in it, I bought an imitation exhaust and cat.”
Many parts of this C-class available and not expensive
It was the same way two years ago with the MOT. “The inspector came up with a whole list of defects and if I had not been able to fix it all myself, the car would have essentially come to an end,” says Rudy. “A major advantage of this C is that the parts are easily available and inexpensive. For me, however, the book is now closed, because there is a younger C200 in front of the door, also on LPG. I was recently able to buy it cheaply. The red one is going to a new owner and I will continue with the W204 in a tax-friendly manner.
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
“This Benz is in excellent condition considering its age and mileage, so one thumbs up.”