2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Review

In the field of automotive engineering, Mercedes Benz has been dominant in many aspects such as design, comfort, performance, safety and technology. Most innovations we see in cars today trace their roots to Mercedes Benz. The C-Class is particularly quintessential because it combines affordability and luxury in one package which appeals to the global masses. It competes with the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Toyota Lexus lS, VW Passat, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Mark X.

Detailed Review

The Mercedes Benz C-Class is a 5-seater executive car that has been in production for four generations since 1993. It’s offered in three body styles; saloon, station wagon and coupe. The first generation known as the W202 was in production from 1993 to 2000. The second generation known as W203 was in production from 2000 to 2007. The third generation known as the W204 was in production from 2012 to 2014. The fourth generation known as the W205 has been in production from 2014 to present.

The 2013 C-Class comes with a choice of five engines, both petrol and diesel. These are;

The Turbocharged 1.6 Litre 154PS petrol engine – Available in the C180 BlueEFFICIENCY
The Turbocharged 1.8 Litre 204PS petrol engine – Available in the C200 BlueEFFICIENCY
The 6.2 Litre 457PS Petrol engine- Available in the C63 AMG
The Turbocharged 2.1 Litre diesel engine – available in the C200 CDI(136PS), the C220 CDI(170PS ) and the C250 CDI(204PS )

These engines are linked to either a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. Historically Mercedes named the grades according to the engine size, for example the C180 had a 1.8L engine, the C250 had a 2.5L engine, the C350 had a 3.5L engine but with new technologies, one engine can output a power range that can serve several grades, for example the 2.1L diesel now serves the C200 CDI, the C220 CDI and the C250 CDI.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Grades

The Executive SE – This comes with 16-Inch alloy rims, sports grille, Agility Control Suspension, Artico upholstery, rain sensing wipers, LED daylight running lights, automatic climate control, Audio 20, multi-function Nappa steering wheel, and pre-wiring for Becker Map Pilot.
The AMG Sport – This comes with 17-Inch alloy rims, 15mm lower sports suspension, Dinamica microfibre upholstery with Artico side bolsters, exterior AMG body styling, AMG boot lid spoiler, AMG sports seats, Mirror package, brushed stainless steel sports pedals, black roof lining, and a three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel.
The AMG Sport Plus – This comes with 18-Inch AMG alloy rims, red seat belts, bi-Xenon headlights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive High Beam Assist, AMG Seats and Floor mats.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Interior
Legroom & Space
The C-Class is a fairly spacious car with an executive cabin that is well laid out and comfortable to sit in. The Artico leather though not genuine is convincing enough so much so that only a few people can tell it’s not( Artico stands for artificial leather). At the first row, both seats have excellent legroom and can comfortably accommodate tall people. At the second row, the legroom is similarly good and tall people will find it comfortable.

Cabin Storage
The C-Class is well supplied with storage compartments in the cabin that are useful for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags etc. At the first row there are 4 cup-holders, door panel storage , a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and the center-box. For the second row, there’s storage on the front seat jacket pockets and door pockets.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Boot Space
The boot space for the saloon is 475 litres which is sufficient to carry luggage for a family of five. The station wagon gets 485 litres of boot space which can be expanded to an impressive 1,500 Litres by folding the rear seats down. The Easy-Pack automatic powered tailgate that can adjust to varying roof heights is a very useful for indoor packing spaces.

Other Extras: Advanced Parking Guidance, Artico Upholstery, rain sensing wipers, LED daylight running lights, automatic climate control, Audio 20, multi-function nappa leather steering wheel.

Safety Features: SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Exterior
The C-Class has a conservative and stylish exterior that resonates well with a sophisticated and upscale clientele. All grades come with alloy rims, fog lights, daylight running lights and chrome trim.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Fuel Consumption
2013 C-Class C180 1.6L petrol fuel consumption: 20.4 km/L
2013 C-Class C200 1.8L petrol fuel consumption: 13.8 km/L
2013 C-Class C200 2.1L diesel fuel consumption: 18.5 km/L
2013 C-Class C220 2.1L diesel fuel consumption: 19.0 km/L
2013 C-Class C250 2.1L diesel fuel consumption: 19.6 km/L
2013 C-Class C63 6.3L petrol fuel consumption: 7.4 km/L

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Acceleration
2013 C-Class C180 1.6L petrol accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.5 sec.
2013 C-Class C200 1.8L petrol accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.2 sec.
2013 C-Class C200 2.1L diesel accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.1 sec.
2013 C-Class C220 2.1L diesel accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.4 sec.
2013 C-Class C250 2.1L diesel accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 sec.
2013 C-Class C63 6.3L petrol accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 sec.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 Litres

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Ground Clearance
The 2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class has a ground clearance of 5.5 Inches(140mm) which is below the minimum recommended clearance of 6.5 Inches for Kenyan roads. It may be necessary to modify the ground clearance to adjust the car to Kenyan roads. Read our guidelines here on how to safely increase a vehicle’s ground clearance.

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Stability and Handling
The Mercedes Benz’s stability and handling exploits are well chronicled in the automotive lore. It’s been immortalized as the hallmark of perfection thanks to the exceptional German engineering. The C-Class does not disappoint; the acceleration is brisk and power delivery is consistent across the speed spectrum. Around corners, there’s no hint of body roll whatsoever and the car holds the tarmac like glue.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 10,000 km for petrol and 5,000 km for diesel. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts are fairly priced and available in major towns in Kenya. Body parts are expensive and mostly available in Nairobi. You can get listings for Mercedes Benz spare part dealers in this link

2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.

When it comes to Mercedes Benz, proper maintenance is critical to its long term reliability and longevity. If well maintained, the C-Class w204 can run for years without problems but if you skimp on maintenance, things can get nasty. The w204 is an advanced car with lots of electronics and sensors that control pretty much everything from simple tasks such as turning on wipers to complex tasks such as monitoring lane activity and blind spots. If something goes wrong with these sensors and this usually happens if the car is poorly maintained, the consequences can be serious and costly.

Resale Value: Average

Mercedes Benz C-Class Competitors: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Toyota Lexus lS, VW Passat, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Mark X.

Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: from Ksh.2,000,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 80,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 24,000/- for 4 Tyres
See Latest Mercedes Benz C-Class Prices

What we like about the 2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class

Excellent ride characteristics
Premium quality build
Good fuel economy

What we don’t
Low ground clearance

Conclusion
The Mercedes Benz C-Class is without question a quintessential car that appeals to a discerning clientele that values class and elegance. It stands out from the crowd with its exquisite design and sets itself apart as the leader in safety and comfort.

Where to Buy the 2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the C-Class locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and UK who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.