ManiacGT

So I'm reading about a lot of niggly and some more pressing issues with the w205 and as a prospective owner I wonder if anyone here has had NO issues at all with their car?

abstractls

None here. I have the C400 with every option and 5k miles on it. You have three types of people really. People who buy the car and are happy wiwht it who aren't "car" people so you wont see them on forums. You have the car people who just love talking about the car. And people with issues who will seek out other owners. I would bet the majority of people have no issues and you'll rarely see here

Mr Enigma

As per all information on the internet, usually people only make a noise when there is an issue. You rarely get people on forums telling you that their car is running fine. Maybe someone should start a poll in a thread?


#1 no problems so far
#2 a few cosmetic issues, but doesn't interfere with my driving experience
#3 a number of problems and not enjoying the car because of it
#4 not enjoying this car, would give it back if I could

abstractls

The problem is the vast majority of people having no problems arent here

Mr Enigma

Agreed. This would be a very skewed representation.

HRD2PLZ

No issues here.

StanNH

Of course there are owners who have had no problems. However, when nearly half of any group report some sort of an issue with a new car, that is not good. The ongoing trouble poll on this forum consistently shows about 48% of owners are having a problem. Sure, those may not be totally unbiased numbers, but they are real.

Within the context of this being a really fine vehicle, that is disappointing. It is also disappointing that the majority of issues seem to be related to US builds.

I truly believe that the first year of the new W205 will turn out to have an unusually high number of problems. Most are not terrible, in that few actually affect the drivability of the car. Still, there are simply too many problem reports to ignore them. My hope is that both MB and their dealer network can provide strong customer support in quickly resolving these issues and keeping their customer base happy.

spyked

Agreed. For all of us with expiring W204 leases within the next couple of months, its especially nerve-wracking. Move on to W205 knowing it's got more than it's share of 1st year bugs? Or try the better sorted options on the market?

StanNH

I did extensive research before choosing the C300 as my next car. I had a perfectly fine, low mileage 2012 Volvo S60 R-D but really wanted the C300.

The car has met all of my expectations, even exceeded them, but my many trips to the dealer's service department have not been what I expected at all. From what I'm reading, it looks like the US production is finally getting sorted out. The MB-Tex production issue is over as of January 5th, and the most recent production cars look like the plant has finally figured out how to properly attach a rear bumper cover. I think if you get one of the post January 5th cars you'll be fine.

It's a really good car and the one I'd go right back to if I had to choose a compact/almost mid-size sedan again.

Edo81

No issue at all, although I'm a newbie. C220 BT made in bremen.

JT25

No Issues here - Australian model from South Africa

whkento

I would be very interested in knowing what percentage of issues are with the US-built cars. Would that be worth a poll?

Boudicca

No issues. C200 Australia.
Very happy with the car.

floridadriver

I think a lot of people have issues who don't know it...and maybe ignorance is bliss. Many folks slip in the dealer, drive home what they have in stock, and don't really dig into even the options available or information beyond what the dealer provides them.

Anyone down here where's it's warm 365 days/year wouldn't know of the seat bleeding concerns and may have missed the taillight malalignment, or other reports here.

Mr Enigma

There is one already in another thread.

WCBenzDrvr

No issues. C400 built in USA with the dreaded MB Tex but no "discharge" problems.

miketc

It would help others here if those who is reporting no issue (or with issues) post their production date. I think the earlier built, before 12/2014 have most of the problems.

No issues, C300, US built, MB Tex, with production date of 12/23/2014. The tail lights and bummer fits are not perfect but will not be noticed by outsiders and no plan to ask for a dealer fix.

WCBenzDrvr

Will have to check on exact production date, but I took delivery in late October, 2014.

abstractls

I believe my production date was 3rd week in august 2014

DameMD

I am also a prospect buyer waiting for my c350 lease to expire. I am definitely looking at the w205 either c450 or c400. A lot of the issues have to do with first model year along with quality control. That's why I would never buy a car first year introduced. Out of all the complaints (most of them fixed by dealer) the only one that bothers me is the MB-Tex bleeding issue.

Hopefully Mercedes will have addressed the bleeding problem and will have it fixed on the c450. If I end up purchasing a c400 then I will just order the full leather option and not get MB-TEX. I have MB-TEX in my w204, and though it's durable, I would rather have full leather. It was a trade off because I either get full leather or get AMG Plus Package. I preferred (at the time) the red stitching and red seatbelts on the AMG Plus.

djdj

To each his own. The other side of the coin is that you will have one year less to enjoy the W205 body style before MB changes it and the W205 begins to look outdated. I typically like to buy a car in its first year of production for that reason (I tend to hold onto new cars for several years). Issues like the one with MB-Tex, of course, can arise first year or in later years. It is (apparently) a supplier error that can occur with a new or old supplier.

The only issue I have had is the squeaky brakes for a few seconds on cold mornings. I think the jury is still out on whether that is a fault and, if so, whether it is a design, manufacturing or supplier issue. Having previously driven a BMW-produced car that generated copious brake dust, I can probably live with some morning squeaking as a trade-off.

Eilers

Fair point, but I do not agree. I nearly always buy new models, and have had very few problems. This includes this car, which have no problems so far. In fact i am extremely pleased with it. (3.000 km)

Well to be totally honest, it does has one very small issue: One of the two USB ports was defective from new. (built at Sindelfingen, Germany )

On a side note: it is a pitty if what points to be a US assembly problem only, can damage the overall reputation of the car.

For those of us who know the details, and not just the headlines, the damage is really done to the American know-how.

I am begining to think that maybe Jeremy Clarkson have an actual valid point, when he makes those cracks about "Bud and Bob from Kentucky"

BenzC400

I didn't notice any issues with my C400 until I started reading about some of the problems noticed by other owners on this forum. When I read about the taillight/bumper misalignment and the door handle light malfunction, I checked my car and found both. I don't know how long it would have been otherwise.

SirC250

Hey Boudicca, I'm curious to know whether your C200 had the same taillight/bumper issue like most of the owners from US and some here in Australia?

Is it SA or Bremen built C200?

Merlin1

No taillight/ bumper issues with my UK C200, SA build.