PannTher

Hi everyone,

I've been browsing these forums for a while now. Thanks for all the great info. I have a 2007 C350 4Matic with about 75000 miles on it. I love the car. Everything runs great. There is some rust perforation on the driver's door, but other than that, everything works well.

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2009 C300 4matic with about 68,500 miles on it and it has the navigation package as well as premium package. It will cost me about $6000 to upgrade to this model. Does it make sense to do so in your opinion? The engine is smaller, but it is a newer design with interesting technologies. I like that the w204 is supposedly more reliable but as the last year of the w203, mine seems quite reliable now.

Any opinions would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

Cntrypckr

By all means! The wife drives an Iridium Silver 2013 C250 Coupe. She's only put 17,000 on it so far, but it's been great to her. She has the COMAND system with Harman Kardon audio in hers and I like it. I haven't priced a MY2009, so I really can't speak on the $6000 difference, outside
of maybe the seller will negotiate. I can tell you that we really like ours. Best of luck either way!

PannTher

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

The W204 does seem very nice but wondering if it is worth the $6000 to upgrade. Especially as I'm moving down an engine size.

Thanks to anyone that may help with this.

samaritrey

I would think about what you are gaining by upgrading. Besides body style doesn't seem like much unless you have no options in your c350. 6K can buy tons of gas and maintenance until you upgrade to something much newer/AMG or whatever you like. I have driven a base 2015 c300 recently putting like 800 miles on it and loved it even with the 4 banger and no options now that would be worth the upgrade but w203-4 in my option isn't that big of an upgrade unless you have a reason to do it. That said I have driven tons of 204's as loaners and did like them when they had the HK and the sport package.

C230 Sport Coup

203 is prettier!
But 07 is probably gonna need a balance shaft.
Check to see if it's in the effected range.

PannTher

Thanks very much. So would you say the w204 you drove as a loaner (was it a c300?) with hk and sport package is worth 6k more than a w203 c350?

Thanks

RCPDesigns

Cash is king, stay with the cash. With the mileage being about the same, you'll have to spend about the same in upkeep. Staying with what you have will save you $6K. Not really even a question. Verify you're out of the balance shaft range, get the rust fixed, upgrade to navigation and save the rest of the money.

tommy

Seems like it's $6k for nav and premium packages. So I would pocket the money and just upgrade the infotainment instead, if you must. Otherwise, I don't consider the W204 an upgrade, honestly.

PannTher

Thank you very much everyone. I greatly appreciate your advice.

The 4matic in 2007 had a 5 speed transmission which I heard is not as problematic as the 7 speed?

I guess I'll keep the cash! Haha.

I do have the ipod adaptor in the car with a tune2air connector. Works perfectly. The only annoying thing is I don't have a good bluetooth solution. I can't seem to find a good solution for bluetooth either.

Thanks again for the replies.

samaritrey

When I had my w203 I used a Plantronics headset... yes you look like an idiot in public but in the car it works great or you can get the visor ones yeah you don't get full integration but much cheaper than any built in solutions I have seen.

tommy

If you go that route, the optional pocket protector is worth the addtional money.

PannTher

Thanks so much for the responses everyone.

I have a jabra freeway I'm using right now. Not the best solution, so I will look into the plantronics thanks.

Does anyone know if the balance shift is an issue of the 5 speed transmission or just the 7 speed?

I have a few quotes on fixing the rust but they'd have to blend the paint into the other doors.. Not the ideal repair.

Thanks again for all the help.

samaritrey

The balance shafts are an issue with the engine not transmission so if your engine number is in the range you should be worried but you might get some help from MB if you ever have the issue as the class action is looking good.

JakeMS3

If you want the nav/bluetooth just upgrade your head unit. My c55 didn't come with nav or sat radio I had a pioneer avic 6000nex installed and I will tell you, it has changed my life. I have siriusxm radio, navigation, bluetooth all on a 6.1" touchscreen. Being able to cruise around and not change the cd every 15 mins is amazing!

Khan28

I say go for it but try to knock some money off the price of the 204. Still a good deal if they don't budge though. My friend recently bought a 2012 CPO C250 and though it's a tad low on power it rides, handles and feels more solid than the 203 and IMO it's the better car all around and improves on some of the weaknesses the 203 has. The 204 has more space as well. I like how the 203 rides smoother but it could use some tightening up for better handling.

BTW even though MBs have solid bodies be sure to rust proof them every year. The previous owner of my 203 Krowned it and I was sure to keep it going on a yearly basis. I just had to make sure I clay barred it and waxed it after the spray was done. 9 year and rust free.

samaritrey

I think the 2012 w204 is better than a w203 but it is the facelifted model and made it much better IMO. But I think going from a late model w203 to a early w204 isn't much of an upgrade at all.

PannTher

Thanks! Very good advice! It's such a hard call. I guess maybe if I can get the price down. Very much appreciated everyone.

samaritrey

Have you driven it a bunch say 100 miles? I wouldn't buy a car until I have driven it at least 50 miles just to make sure I like it and I don't notice any issues. I try to do all types of driving traffic, no traffic, twisty, highway just to get a feel for it. Keep us updated.

Khan28

Well the interior is nicer in a facelift W203 compared against a pre-facelift W204 but I feel the car as a whole is an upgrade. The sport package models do ride stiffer but the body feels rock solid and the car manages to still feel like a full on Benz but with additional control. Also, reliability ratings seem to be better in the 204 too but of course good preventative maintenance is key.

PannTher

Very good points. Thanks very much. It is good to know that the w204 would be so much more reliable. It helps with the decision seeing as they are both similar mileage. I will make sure to drive the w204 more to compare. Thanks

slammer111

Time to chime in on the fun.

Having test-driven a bunch of W203s and W204s (loaners etc.) over the years, I would personally only consider the facelifted W204s (2011-2013) for a $6k difference. Save yourself the cash, and wait a couple more years if you really want a W204.

Just a bit of random trivia - all 4 front control arms are identical between W203 and W204. They now fit the W204 arms onto the W203 - the W204 version has more robust rubber bushings. Not sure about the rear suspension. With that said, I noticed the W204 is definitely more balanced in the handling department than a stock W203. Yeah I beat my loaners around a bit.

Yes the 5 speed transmissions are much more bulletproof than the 7 speeds. The 5 speed is designed for a higher maximum torque, so they're even more robust with a smaller engine. With that said, the I must say the 7 speed is MUCH smoother with the shifting.

PannTher

Wow! Fantastic advice and good information. That is enough to make me want to keep my w203. I like that the 5 speed is more reliable. Now, I just have to figure out how to fix this rust problem.

Thanks again very much