mis3

If you have to order a new C Class and if you may keep the car for a long time, what options would you avoid?

I ask because my w209 (CLK320) has been my daily commute for 11 years.mm

I ask because my friend has a 12 years old CL class and his ABC has given him many problem and it's very expensive to repair over the years. I guess airmatic would be one option that I should avoid.

rbrylaw

I'm paying cash for my car and plan to keep it for a long time. I think your question is backwards. I'd want to know what people couldn't live without in a long term car.

But since you asked, there were only two major options I felt I could live without. One is 4matic and that's because I live in Florida, where summer is perpetual. The other is the AirMatic Suspension. I felt that long term it might increase service costs over a standard suspension and I test drove one and didn't personally find it worth the price of admission.

Otherwise, I'm getting most other options because I'm keeping the car and want it to be fully optioned.

mis3

I am actually interested in the new C Coupe. I think convertible is another option to avoid in a long term car.

In my opinion, more options means more to repair in a long run. I checked the Head-Up-Dispaly and it is quite useless to me.

StanNH

In your case, the extended warranty might be the most important option you could buy.

rbrylaw

The extended warranty AND the wheel and tire warranty. But the wheel and tire warranty just for 3 years as the tires will likely need to replaced within that time frame.

jonandgwen

I would refer to Irv Gordon the standard of which longevity will be judged. His Volvo has over 3,000,000 miles. His advise is to buy a car that you love and want to use all the time. The other is to drive it like you care and maintain it simply by following the maintenance manual of the manufacture. Nothing more. Nothing less. The important thing is make sure you get the options that will make you happy to use the car everyday. If you skimp on what you really want, in 2 years you may find yourself trading it in?

mis3

Agreed. Extended warranty and a helpful service adviser were what I had for my w209.

My friend just bought a new SLK. When I asked if it was a purchase, he said "Hell no. Look.". He then opened the convertible top and showed me all the mechanical moving parts. The point is convertible is surely nice but I would only get it in a lease because of the high maintenance.

My friend's CL needs suspension works (ABC) now and he was quoted almost $10K CAN from the dealership. This costs more than the book value of the car.

49erPV

My 280SL, which I bought new, will be 47 years old in a couple of weeks. It is going to out live me for sure. I wonder how many W205s will be around in 2065?

mis3

I am sure that the superior parts used in the w209 contribute to the longevity of my w209.

I read MB deployed better materials in w205 than the previous generations, not sure if it's in the same level as the w209.

jakc

No airmatic for sure. Maybe I would also stick with MBtex seats? After 3 years my C63 driver side's left bolster was showing a lot of wear.

Has anyone heard much about the reliability of the hands-free trunk closing and pano roof long term? Or any other motorized features for that matter, seats, steering wheel?

mis3

OThere is probably not enough data to determine the reliability of the hands-free trunk and pano roof. Both items are good to the w205.

I can respond based on the 11 years ownership of my w209.

There is no pano roof but my sunroof has no problem at all although I have to "re-sync" it once in a while.

Both trunk springs broke in the past 3 years. For the first one, I got the parts from a local dealership. I was not so lucky the 2nd time, I had to wait for a few weeks from Germany.

The motorized seats , steering wheels work faultlessly for all these years.

My seats are black leather and maybe I maintain them well with Meguiars products, no sign of age at all.

MASSC450

Your 280SL is a nice car for sure, but in an accident, I'd rather be in a W205.

MASSC450

+1...maybe a Pre-paid maintenance plan as well. I opted for a 2 year (A & B) myself.

The only option I wish I had bought was Parktronic...mostly for the audible "beeps" when parking up against walls/curbs.

Other than that, I'm happy with all the other options I chose.

ManiacGT

I have airmatic and I'm not concerned about any element of the specification if it breaks I'll fix it over the years having said that I'm not entirely certain I'll be keeping this car for a particularly long time as the general quality so far hasn't been that great .

With wind noise that I believe to be unacceptable in a car of this cost, and also gearbox issues, incredibly jerky shifting is just unacceptable and won't endear me to keep the car for a particular long time .

jakc

I also have both issues. I heard the transmission smooths out after a thousand miles or so and this was also the case in my C63. As for wind noise, if the dealership can get that fixed with acoustic glass or something then I will consider buying the car at the end of the lease.

mis3

These 722.9 transmissions are installed in all new MB And they have been around for a few years. Strange that they still have issues.

ManiacGT

I'm at 3500 miles. Box is still jerky. POS