Questions about 2003 C230K

JTH 36 · 07-13-2009, 02:00 PM

Hello Everyone,

I’m new to the forum and have a couple of questions. I currently own a 2003 C230K with 95,000 miles on it. I bought it for my wife in 2005 and it has been a very good car. We have had a few minor issues covered under warranty but other than that it has been very reliable. We are debating on keeping the car or trading it in for another C class. My concerns are that it is going out of warranty in 5000 miles and the expense of keeping it without a warranty. Can anyone give me an idea of problems that come up with high mileage C230K’s i.e. superchargers etc?

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C230 Sport Coup · 07-13-2009, 04:25 PM

2003 1.8L engine has a defective head design.
If it hasn't been replaced with the updated version, I'd dump it.
Tons of threads on this.

dmatre · 07-13-2009, 04:30 PM

The biggest two items that I've seen to affect these cars are:

1) Valeo Radiators - failure of a radiator seal allows coolant to enter the transmission, causing major damage if not found early enough. There is no way to check if a failure is looming, so best practice is to replace the radiator (only if Valeo - Behr radiators don't have this design/defect).

2) Leaking cam sensors - oil leaks from the cam sensors, fouling the sensor plug if you're lucky, fouling the entire engine wiring harness, ECU, and O2 sensors if you're not. If yours haven't leaked yet, invest in the 'pig-tail' connector devised by MB to avoid this problem. With the pigtails installed, the cam sensors may leak, but they'll leak down the front of the engine rather than into the wiring harness.

If you're considering keeping the car long-term (I've got 111k on mine, and I'm keeping it for a good bit longer), then I would make certain that the above items were addressed.

Other than that, both the W203 and the M271 appear to be pretty solid pieces.

mtnman82 · 07-15-2009, 01:53 AM

Don't forget the $12 hose issue - which I believe was mistakenly diagnosed as a head problem sometimes and/or contributed to the head problem. I'm only at ~65K and planning on keeing it for quite a while longer.

andyc230k · 07-16-2009, 07:21 PM

Re cam sensor issue. About 18 mo ago I took car in to dlr get 02 sensor replaced (under extended warr--then). MB said oil leak had fouled many other components and replaced them all to the tune of about $3500 (I had $100 deductible).

About 3 mo ago I replaced my alternator, noticed oil on underside road sheild, tried to follow trail up the engine without definitive source IDed. No noticeable oil loss in dipstick checks just oil on sheild. Ever since alt. repair, car has been sending P0243 and P0401 codes (wastegate sol and supercharger issues). I am wondering if these are fouled by oil leak? Car shows no slip in MPG, there is a slight hesitation on accel, but no issues other than that. No longer under warranty. Is there a PN you can cite to see if MB did install the pigtail harness last yr? If not, any risk in my letting current situation continue unabated?
Thanks for your insight. Andy in Tampa

07-13-2009, 04:25 PM	#2
C230 Sport Coup MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bay Area Posts: 5,025 Drives: Here's Johnny!	2003 1.8L engine has a defective head design. If it hasn't been replaced with the updated version, I'd dump it. Tons of threads on this. __________________ 2002 C230 Sport Coup ASP Pulley-Supersprint Header-Remus Muffler- TEIN SS Coilovers AMG; Wheels, 22mm AMG Front sway bar, HR 19mm rear bar, C32 Brakes Tinted Windows- 2005 Tails, Grill & Blinkers-Clear Sides Bi-Xenon Headlights! Clear Fogs w/Philips Crystal Vision bulbs Audio 10 Renntech style Spoiler Supercharger Muffler Deleted! "Aero Turbine" AR20 Rasp Eliminator (Resonator)

07-13-2009, 04:30 PM	#3
dmatre MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,045 Drives: '03 C230 Sport Sedan	The biggest two items that I've seen to affect these cars are: 1) Valeo Radiators - failure of a radiator seal allows coolant to enter the transmission, causing major damage if not found early enough. There is no way to check if a failure is looming, so best practice is to replace the radiator (only if Valeo - Behr radiators don't have this design/defect). 2) Leaking cam sensors - oil leaks from the cam sensors, fouling the sensor plug if you're lucky, fouling the entire engine wiring harness, ECU, and O2 sensors if you're not. If yours haven't leaked yet, invest in the 'pig-tail' connector devised by MB to avoid this problem. With the pigtails installed, the cam sensors may leak, but they'll leak down the front of the engine rather than into the wiring harness. If you're considering keeping the car long-term (I've got 111k on mine, and I'm keeping it for a good bit longer), then I would make certain that the above items were addressed. Other than that, both the W203 and the M271 appear to be pretty solid pieces. __________________ 2003 C230 Sport Sedan

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07-15-2009, 01:53 AM	#4
mtnman82 Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: S. Cal. Desert Posts: 668 Drives: '03 C230k ss	Don't forget the $12 hose issue - which I believe was mistakenly diagnosed as a head problem sometimes and/or contributed to the head problem. I'm only at ~65K and planning on keeing it for quite a while longer.

07-16-2009, 07:21 PM	#5
andyc230k Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5 Drives: 2002 C230 Kompressor	Re cam sensor issue. About 18 mo ago I took car in to dlr get 02 sensor replaced (under extended warr--then). MB said oil leak had fouled many other components and replaced them all to the tune of about $3500 (I had $100 deductible). About 3 mo ago I replaced my alternator, noticed oil on underside road sheild, tried to follow trail up the engine without definitive source IDed. No noticeable oil loss in dipstick checks just oil on sheild. Ever since alt. repair, car has been sending P0243 and P0401 codes (wastegate sol and supercharger issues). I am wondering if these are fouled by oil leak? Car shows no slip in MPG, there is a slight hesitation on accel, but no issues other than that. No longer under warranty. Is there a PN you can cite to see if MB did install the pigtail harness last yr? If not, any risk in my letting current situation continue unabated? Thanks for your insight. Andy in Tampa

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