5 Available upgrades for the Mercedes C-Class

By Martin Pretorius

When the first-generation C-Class arrived in South Africa midway through the 1990s, buyers could choose between Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde trim packages. Things got a little sportier when the Kompressor models arrived, but the range structure then remained pretty stable until 2014 and the end of the third-generation's production – mad AMG variants excepted, of course.

The model range only really expanded when the fourth (and current) generation C-Class arrived. Since the A-Class stopped looking like an ant-eater and became a normal hatchback instead, and because the CLA caught those customers who wanted a lower-priced four-door Mercedes, the C-Class was afforded the opportunity to get a bit more posh.

The option list exploded with features taken directly from the S-Class, such as adaptive cruise control and air suspension. A myriad of cabin trim combinations, along with different light clusters and body kits, now allows buyers to tailor their C-Class to their particular tastes – with Avantgarde the only name still hanging around from the olden days.

So which of these options are worthwhile?

We've taken a look at the local Mercedes-Benz website, and selected 5 options you should choose when ordering your new C-Class. Please note that some of the options listed here may need other, supporting upgrades before they can be added to a car's specification sheet.

Any prices quoted here were current at the time of writing, but are likely to change without notification. Also remember that there's an update on the C-Class range due in August, and that will definitely alter the powertrain options and equipment levels.

1. The Engine

Taken at face value, the entry-level C180's engine is entirely adequate for the job of motivating a medium-sized car. Its outputs are reasonably respectable, with 115 kW and 250 Nm from this 1.6-litre turbo charged four-cylinder petrol unit, so it should suit leisurely drivers well enough.

The 135 kW C200 (from a 2.0-litre turbo “four”) is considerably more perky, but the best balance between performance and economy probably lies with the C250, which gets 155 kW and 350 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo mill. The C200 and C250 respectively add around R27 000 and R110 000 to the price of a basic, manual C180, though – so the smart money will most likely go to the C200. Rather choose the automatic gearbox, however – the 9-speed autobox is worth every cent of its R27 000 premium.

As for the diesels, there's a 2.1-litre four-cylinder in two states of tune, with either 125 kW/400 Nm or 150 kW/500 Nm, known as the C220d and C250d respectively. They're both fairly refined and very economical, but the high-power one will set you back about R27 000 more.

The upcoming facelifted C-Class will have slightly different engine specifications, but it's likely that the C200 will retain its balance of performance, cost, and efficiency. As for the current range, you really deserve a nicer engine than the one in the C180, especially at the power-sapping Gauteng altitude.

2. The Wheels

Although the Mercedes website shows that a basic C-Class with steel wheels and plastic wheel covers can be ordered, it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see one of those in South Africa. Instead, the alloy wheels on local cars start at 16-inches in diameter, and don't look too bad either.

 Choose your option package carefully. Avantgarde- and Executive trim both give you 17-inch wheels of different design, but 18- and 19-inch items are also available. AMG Line comes with 18-inch wheels as standard, with the option of 19-inch items. If you feel compelled to upgrade to a larger size, rather stop at 18 inches, as the larger sizes adversely affect the ride quality quite badly. 17 inch wheels are probably the optimal size for real-world road conditions.

3. Riding on air

While all C-Classes from Avantgarde specification upwards have adjustable suspension, you can also choose to add air springs. This addition is surprisingly affordable, inside the sub-R15 000 barrier (it only cost R11 000 at the time of launch, but Mercedes's website doesn't state its current price as a stand-alone option), which is a small price to pay for the improved comfort and sharper handling. 

AMG Line cars get a lowered sports suspension, which might be nice for sportier drivers, but is of questionable relevance in a car with only 135 kW (the C200). The C-Class majors on comfort anyway, so it's advisable to stick to a lower-level specification and just tick the air suspension option box.

4. Looking out for you.

Weirdly, the C-Class still uses old-fashioned halogen headlights as a baseline. In fact, the only current alternative is adaptive LED lights, and because that's a crucial safety item, that option box really should be ticked.

In similar vein, the Driving Assistance Plus package is a must-have option as well. Not only does it bring enhancements to the safety package, but it also opens the door for convenience features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind spot monitoring.

5. Listening to your needs

The normal audio system in the C-Class is fairly decent, but the optional Burmester surround sound system with its 13 speakers is excellent, so audiophiles should check that box. There are also a number of navigation- and screen size variations, with the higher-end systems featuring enhanced display screens.

If we were to order a C-Class with our own car allowances, we'd specify it as follows:
C200 Avantgarde automatic with the standard 17-inch wheels, air suspension, navigation- and multimedia upgrade with the Burmester audio enhancement, a reversing camera, adaptive LED lights, and Driving Assistance Plus.

“Building” this car on the C-Class configurator, it came to a grand total of R 750 800 (excluding CO2 tax) – about R220 000 more than a base-model C180. Yet again, getting a very nice German executive car instead of a pretty decent one carries a significant price premium. It's not inconceivable that a loaded C200 may even touch the million Rand mark – quite a far cry from its former “entry-level Mercedes” status, don't you think?