SteveL1

I'm in the midst of deciding whether to keep my '06 C230 with 106,000 miles on it and get a third car, maybe a '03 -'05 SL500, or trade up to a newer C class and just have the one daily driver. My conern is, what am I facing in the way of major repairs if I keep the '06? It's had the manifild and radiator fan replaced and I do all of the routine stuff like brakes, oil, plugs, etc. myself.

I figure my car is worth about $10k at the most and the SL500 would be around $25-$30k vs. a newer C class for about the same $$ with the trade.

One side of me says get the SL and drive them both, basically splitting the amount of miles a year which will cut down the major repairs a little. But the sensible side says that I'm only going to have bigger bills with two older cars in the garage..

What should I do? If it makes any difference, I am the original owner of the C230 and it's in really good shape in spite of the miles. Almost all are highway.

Thanks!

phister

106k is nothing on these engines. as long as you keep up with the maintenance it'll run for awhile.

SemperFudge

i say trade up. i see it this way: if you keep the c230, youre still gonna pay the insurance, maintenance, and fuel costs for it. why bother?

i got an 06 c230 with about 77k and i'd be glad to take $10-12k. youre lucky if you can get that much at your mileage. i just feel that the demand for our cars plummeted since the w204 facelift, but thats just me ranting about wanting a new car.

polarbexar

I love putting miles on my car (183K and counting). A guy I work with bought a CL55 after seeing how great my car has been, I don't think he likes the bill to fix the ABC, rear trunk opener and the A/C compressor that just went out... I like the "simplicity" of the C class which make it a better daily driver, the higher end ones. I know I won't really look at an SL until I retire. Maybe I'll restore a Pagoda.

The W205 is on the horizon, you might be able to score a good deal on a W204...

LILBENZ230

106k is not much really.. especially when you're the original owner and you've taken good care of it. These cars are put together very well.

If you're concerned about high maintenance costs a 03-05 SL would be like shooting yourself in the face.

I say keep the W203, or trade for a W204 if you must.

tommy

If you want a reliable 2-person convertible, trade in the C230 on an S2000.

Having two daily drivers is like having two wives; in theory, it sounds good, but will end up being twice the headaches.

LILBENZ230

Much more reliable and fun to drive than an SL.

johnand

Steve,

Did you ever check to see if your engine is in the serial number range of engines that may be affected by the bad balance shaft sprocket? You have the 7G right?

You have already taken care of 2 common and fairly expensive repairs for you model, the manifold and fan. Plus, you maintain it well, so I say keep it. Just cracked 103K on mine today, and still have no desire to get something different.

phister

cracked 104 last week, I plan on keeping it till its on its last leg.

jcnash

LOL....after 3 years of reading smurfy comments like this on the forum...totally looking forward to meeting up in 2 weeks!

phister

s2000 are the only Honda that depreciate in value greatly after purchase. I was going to purchase an AP2 (the 06+) awhile back. I love s2000s, I might have to look for one again in the next year.

SteveL1

Thanks for the feed back so far. I guess I should have been clearer in that I have been lusting after a third "fun" car that I could drive to work about half the time when the weather is nice and trying to figure out if the C230 will be reliable enough to keep instead of updating. You see, I have always changed out daily drivers before they get about 125k on them figuring that the big repairs would soon follow, but this time, I would like to take the cash that it would take to trade up and blow it on a toy.

I can handle the routine maint. on both and the "toy" won't get enough miles each year to cause any major issues. I would also buy an aftermarket warranty for the toy so any big ticket item would be covered.

If I lived in CA or FL, I would get the SL as a daily driver in a heart beat, but it just does not work here. I'm also looking at it in that with the value already being under $10k for my car, how bad can it be in another year or two?

jkowtko

I'm at 98k on mine, don't like the look of the W204 rear end so I'm planning to keep mine for a while. I'm currently in the process of swapping out struts/shocks and front control arms/bearings to renew the suspension.

I have a couple of questions re: high mileage --

1) Is there a high mileage oil for these (M271) engines? If so, what is it and at what mileages should I switch over?

2) When do the trannys go out on these? My prior car was a 1999 BMW 540, the transmission gave out at 90k miles. For a $5k repair at that mileage I wasn't pleased. In the C230 it feels like a bit of play is developing in there -- should I be concerned?

Thanks. John

LILBENZ230

1) No high mileage oil. Stick with 229.5 approved oils like Mobil1 0W-40.

2) The 722.6 is a robust box not known for giving much trouble. There is an occasional speed sensor failure but overall failure of the transmissions are rare. Changing the fluid would likely help clear up the slop you mention. My car at 141,500 miles still shifts fine, if a bit firm between 1 and 2nd. I changed the fluid at 100k miles and flushed it at 120k. I plan to do it again around 160k.

Ahmer

REPAIRS ARE ALWAYS CHEAPER THAN BUYING NEW!

You will have to sustain a monthly payment if you already have a paid off car!

BigBodyBenzC240

My 2002 C240 had 118,000 when I traded her in and she was still running strong!! These engines are great and you still have plenty life left in it. I just traded for something more fun and powerful, Audi S5.

SteveL1

Not neccessarily. If you factor in depreciation at about $5,000 per year, at some point depreciation + repairs = more than depreciation alone. Plus, if you buy near current year used, you can skip the first year or so by letting the original owner take the hit.

And not everybody takes out a loan for their car. I could take out a loan and get an e63, but that would have a bigger effect on other things of importance. House, wife, golf, etc.

C280 Sport

Your kind of all over the place here. I do not know your finacial posiition but if you can get the R230 SL then go for it! You will love it and not look back. It is a fantastic car and smooth as well. A real long distance cruizer. If your W203 is running good then I say hold on to it because you know what you have there already. Keep the W203 and skip the W204. The W204 is nothing special by anymeans and get the SL as a weekend/special toy car. This way you have a 4 door and a 2 door. A SL can be used daily depending on what you use it for. 05-06 SL500's can be had for a very reasonable price.