Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (2011 – 2016) Review

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (2011 – 2016) At A Glance

4/5

+Well built and attractively styled. Available with low emission diesel engines. Entry-level C180 petrol is surprisingly good.

-It's not as sporty to drive as you might think. Looks very similar to the saloon.

Insurance Groups are between 31–50
On average it achieves 80% of the official MPG figure

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is a far cry from the brands' last effort at a small 'coupe' - the CLC. For starters it's a much more attractive design with a classic coupe silhouette - there's the long bonnet, short front overhang and a low sloping roofline. It’s certainly a stylish design, yet remains conservative enough not to overtly shout about its more ‘sporty’ connotations.

It's based on the standard C-Class, but is lower, wider and stiffer than the saloon. All cars are fitted with the AMG Sport package as standard, which features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, light alloy wheels, speed-sensitive sports steering, sports suspension and paddle-shifters if you go for the an automatic. There are also styling tweaks including metal pedals and restyled front and rear aprons and sideskirts.

Three petrol and two diesel engines are available and perhaps the best of these is the C220 CDI. It produces 170bhp and 400Nm of torque while only emitting 117g/km of CO2. Official economy is quoted at 64.2mpg (with the manual gearbox) making it very affordable to run too and a good choice for company car drivers looking for something a bit different from the conventional four-door saloon.

At the other end of the scale there’s also a range-topping C63 AMG Coupe, with a 458PS V8 that produces 600Nm of torque, all the while sounding like thunder interspersed with the odd firing of a distant piece of artillery. This model, though, is a completely different animal to the rest of the range. All models with the exception of the C63 come with BlueEFFICIENCY technology as standard, complete with stop/start system to improve urban fuel economy.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (2011 – 2016)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

80%

Real MPG

14–63 mpg

MPGs submitted

366

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

Can you recommend a small, comfortable car?

"I currently have a Mercedes-Benz C180 coupe. It is a very pleasant car to drive - albeit expensive if it has a fault. I am expecting to move near to family and will have a small off road parking space - about 4 metres in length max. I am a fan of MINIs, although that is not my only consideration. I want something that has a comfortable ride, great seats, quiet and cheap/reliable to run. Speed is not of importance. I like well designed, interesting interiors. Can you recommend a suitable MINI or maybe something else? I would prefer not to spend more than about £8,000-9,000 which is about the value of my Mercedes. "
If comfort's really what you want, I would steer clear of a MINI – they sell on their 'go kart' handling, but comfort takes a hit in the pursuit of this. If your heart is set on one, have a look at the MINI Paceman. Its almost-an-SUV body means it's a bit softer riding then the other models (Countryman notwithstanding). It looks like a regular hatchback that's bloated. The Citroen C4 Cactus' styling tends to make it a marmite choice, but they're more comfortable than a MINI particularly if you get a high-spec face-lifted car that comes with the progressive hydraulic cushion suspension, which makes it very soft and floaty. Factor in its thickly padded memory foam seats, added sound deadening compared to the old model and the cruising refinement of its three-cylinder PureTech petrol engines, and it's hard to beat for the size and price. We have reviews of both: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/paceman-2013/ https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/citroen/c4-cactus-2014/road-test
Answered by Russell Campbell

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe paint problems

"I have a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe in red and have noticed that the paint if starting to have raised pimples in the paintwork. I regularly wax and clean the car and it is immaculate and has only done 20,000 miles from new. Are you aware of any problems associated with this type or car or its paintwork in this colour? "
Yes, there is a significant problem with MB reds. It's mentioned in several different model entries in http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar. I'll add yours.
Answered by Honest John

Mercedes C63 AMG fault

"I bought an 18 month old C63 Coupe 507 Edition and the car has a judder from start off. The car has been into three Mercedes dealers and off the road for over 6 weeks. I have lost count of the number of attempts to resolve this problem. I am now out of patience and want my money back. Can you help me please? "
If the car had the fault from date of purchase and it has not been resolved then you can invoke the ruling in Clegg v Olle Andersson 2003 House of Lords and get your money back in full: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Answered by Honest John

Audi A5 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe?

"First of all would like to thank you and your website for its considerable useful info and I am an avid follower of the website and find it very informative especially the Ask Honest John section. Thank You! I'm looking at purchasing a new car and fancy the A5 1.8 manual TFSI ? Would you recommend this as a shrewd purchase ? How does it stand up against the Mercedes C-Class Coupe C180? Which would you buy and suggest similar price, age and mileage? And what finance option is the best? "
Great looking car, but the A5 1.8 isn't a shrewd purchase because the 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI up to the latest EA888 engines from 2013 could have problems of coking up their inlet valves and of excessive oil consumption from the piston oil rings not bedding in properly. Later cars with the uprated power outputs and lower emissions seem okay so far.Very little feedback on C-Class with the 1.6 turbo engine. The difference between HP and PCP is that with a PCP you don't buy the whole car. With HP, if you have paid off more than 50% of the loan you can hand the car back and walk away. With a PCP you pay interest on the full buying price, but your monthly payments only pay off the estimated depreciation. At the end of the term you have the option of paying the balance and keeping the car, or walking away. But if you walk away from either deal you have to pay for any damage to the car. With a bank loan you don't have the walk away options. Fail to pay off any of the loan and the bank can come and take whatever asset you secured the car on and that may be your house not the car itself.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (2011 – 2016) cost?