2020 (69/20) Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 AMG Line Premium 2dr 9G-Tronic

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

This second generation version of Mercedes' C-Class Coupe targeted two-door versions of BMW's 4 Series and Audi's A5 more effectively than the Three-Pointed Star had ever managed before. Unique styling made it stand out, there was a sporty set-up promising an invigorating drive, plus there was class-leading sophistication when it comes to suspension and automatic transmission. The result was indeed a classier kind of C-Class Coupe.

History

Mercedes has a history stretching back to the 1950s of creating stylishly compact coupes based on its mainstream saloon designs. It's a formula that's proved pretty successful, allowing buyers to enjoy some of the glamour of the brand's exotic luxury sporting models, without the need for an appropriate lottery win. Prior to 2015 though, there hadn't really been enough of these people for Mercedes to seriously threaten its German prestige brand rivals in the executive compact coupe segment. But that started to change with this car, the second generation C-Class Coupe. At the 2015 launch, it had only been since 2011 that the Stuttgart maker had brought us a car of this kind branded as a 'C-Class Coupe'. But the heritage behind this model line was, as we suggested at the beginning, quite considerable. The 'W187' series 220S of 1951 began the post-war trend for sleek two-door Mercedes models that were relatively affordable but full of stylish charm, and was followed by a series of further coupes from this company that, over the decades, became more sophisticated and slightly larger. That meant they were pricier too, and by 1997, the brand's least expensive coupe was a CLK-Class model that was very much a premium luxury product and really too expensive to compete with the volume contenders in this segment from Audi and BMW. To create something more affordable, Mercedes brought us the C-Class Sports Coupe in 2001, a car that was then lightly facelifted and re-badged as the 'CLC-Class' in 2008. Both models though, did without the stylish quality that a proper coupe bearing the Three-Pointed Star on the bonnet really ought to have. For that, we had to wait until the launch of this car's predecessor, the first generation C-Class Coupe, introduced in 2011. It was a big improvement on anything the brand had previously offered in the modern era in this segment, but it struggled to make much of an impact on the market dominance enjoyed by direct competitors like BMW's 4 Series and Audi's A5. This MK2 design though, bothered its rivals a great deal more, with beautiful looks borrowed from the large S-Class Coupe, a roomier cabin, extra technology and on the road dynamics that made this model a great deal more engaging to drive than its predecessor. There was a light facelift in 2020, then this car sold until late 2023, when it was replaced by the CLE Coupe.

What You Get

There's always a danger in this part of the coupe market that the contenders end up as little more than two-door versions of the saloons they're based on. Here, only the front wings and grille are shared with this car's four-door C-Class stablemate, everything else being based closely on the stylish aesthetics of Mercedes' larger and much more exclusive S-Class coupe. So the exterior looks right. What about the cabin? Well you enter through long doors and once you get comfortable then look around, you'll take in the way that the design team here made every effort to differentiate this car from its four-door stablemate. Take the way that the electrically-extending 'belt butler' graciously delivers your restraint buckle for example. Then there's the integral sports seats themselves, bespoke-designed for this model. Enough on the front; what of the rear? Once you're in the back, there are certainly signs of improvement over the previous generation design. The extra body length and width of this MK2 version does indeed translate into extra room for your knees and shoulders, but unless you're fairly diminutive in size, you'll still need some co-operation from those in front if you're to get absolutely comfortable on a longer trip. Finally, let's check out the boot space. Pulling up the tailgate reveals a large opening but also quite a high loading lip over which heavier items must be man-handled. Once you get your stuff in, you'll find a well shaped luggage bay that's 400-litres in size on all mainstream variants.

What to Look For

We found plenty of satisfied C-Class Coupe customers, but also a few rogue examples. Software problems cropped up quite frequently in our survey. In one case, the car had to limp back home with its owner on reduced power. In another, the auto 'box refused to change up higher than 3rd gear. The Audio 20 navigation system is notoriously slow; try for a car with the much better COMAND navigation set-up fitted instead. A few owners complained of creaks too - from the dashboard, the roof lining, the sunroof and the door seals/ door cards; look out for this on your test drive. Check that all the electrical items work and that the air conditioner is effective. Look out for trim rattles. Make sure the transmission works smoothy and that there are no suspension rattles. The engine should pull smoothly and the auto kickdown should be effective. Insist on a full Mercedes dealer service history, especially for the most recent models whose lengthy warranty - effectively for the life of the car - is dependent on proper servicing by an authorised agent. Check that all the accessories work and watch out for cosmetic damage which can be expensive to correct. These are popular family cars, so check for wear and tear in the rear. Also look for the usual signs of wheel kerbing and poorly repaired accident damage.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2021 C220d Coupe- Ex Vat) An air filter is around £26. An oil filter is around £13. A fuel filter is around £36. Front brake pads sit in the £42-£84 bracket for a set (for rears it's around £63). Front brake discs cost in the £112-£127 bracket. Rear brake discs can cost in the £146 bracket. A set of wiper blades is around £42.

On the Road

On the road, this MK2 model C-Class Coupe came armed with several key advantages over its predecessor. There was lighter weight for a start, which always helps, plus all variants got a 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system that not only tweaked the throttle and steering but also altered responses from the standard 'AGILITY CONTROL' adaptive suspension. Uniquely in this class, there was the option of upgrading the damping into a hi-tech air-suspended 'AIRMATIC' set-up. And on top of that, most key versions of this second generation model got a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic gearbox that was more sophisticated than anything the opposition could offer. Thanks to all this, the C-Class Coupe feels agile in corners, steers precisely and rides bumps with an assured comfort that shows you can have the best of both worlds. Under the bonnet from launch, mainstream buyers got a choice of two engines. Most chose the 2.1-litre diesel unit, offered with 170bhp in the C220d, or with 204bhp in the pokier C250d. That's inevitably the most efficient way to go, the C220d capable of up to 68.9mpg on the combined cycle and 106g/km of CO2 (NEDC figures). The main alternative is the 2.0-litre petrol engine that comes with 184bhp in the entry-level C200 variant, or with 245bhp in the pokier C300. With the C200 and the two diesel variants, there was the option of 4MATIC 4WD, but that's rare to find on the used market. Initially, base petrol and diesel variants got a manual gearbox option but that was quickly phased out and elsewhere in the range, it was always auto only, with 4WD and diesel derivatives getting the brand's aforementioned super-smooth 9G-TRONIC auto transmission. We should also tell you about the performance-orientated Mercedes-AMG petrol models at the very top of the line-up. There's the 367bhp C43 4MATIC or, if that's really not fast enough, the brand can supply the fearsomely fast C63 V8 flagship version, able to offer up to 510bhp if you're up for it.

Overall

Historically, no luxury brand - come to think of it, no other brand of any kind - has offered a wider choice when it comes to coupe motoring than Mercedes-Benz. This MK2 C-Class Coupe may have been one of the marque's more affordable offerings when it came to this kind of car, but it still felt of very high quality indeed. But that you would expect. What might be more of a surprise is just how satisfying a driver's machine this model can be. Most of all though, it looks right. Unlike its predecessor, this is a properly distinctive coupe design with much of the style and panache of an S-Class Coupe costing three times as much. A car you'll still be admiring long after you've forgotten how much you paid for it. And one in which heart and head can live in harmony.