LILBENZ230

Hello everyone, I have spent a great deal on time on MBWorld since buying a 2005 C230 fresh off lease in 2008. I kept it 4 years and 150,000 miles and loved every mile of it. Afterwards, I purchased a 2011 C300 and found that the magic.. the unquantifiable "Mercedes-ness" I adored about my W203 was gone. After 6 short months, I dumped the C300 when my job moved out of town and picked up a 2012 Civic Si sedan for a commuter car. While it was fun, I really missed Benz-ownership. But I knew I wanted no part of the W204 line. So I picked out a 2009 E350, RWD, P1 and picked her up. To me, the 2009 W211 is like Mercedes took my favorite things about my W203 and the updated electronics in the W204 and produced this. I adore it already.

despicable merc

Nice!!!

Did you use dslr to take those?

AMGAffalterbach

Welcome back to Mercedes ownership, good color combination and choice on the 09 E350! I know you're not new to Mercedes ownership but I think you'll really enjoy this car.

OnlyGerman

Sexy

Duc1098E500

Welcome and enjoy!

fila0220

Congrats on the pickup! and you got the AMG package with the sportier wheels, and bumpers. Looks cleann

LILBENZ230

Thank you everyone. Despicable Merc, the photos were shot with an iPhone 5S camera.

I am so relieved to be back. About 9000 miles ago the car was CPO'd by a Benz dealership in Atlanta and had a VERY long list of reconditioning completed. New engine mounts, new belt tensioner, new Michelin Pilot Super Sports, new brakes, new wipers, new COMAND unit, new alternator, new battery, transmission service, brake service, power steering flush, etc.. the car drives, rides, looks, feels, and smells brand new. I am totally satisfied.

I have a 30 day warranty (CarMax) and am going to get a few things checked out:

1. The driver side windshield washer nozzle is clogged.
2. The sunroof won't autoclose, bounces back (just like my 05 C230 did)
3. Rattle from what I am thinking is the air injection pump (the service history shows this has been worked on once and replaced once)
4. I heard the slight chirp from the blower motor, also just like my 05 C230.

Look forward to being back home at MBWorld.

Barry45RPM

2. The sunroof needs to be lubricated & maybe normalized.

4. The blower motor chirp is likely to be a bad bearing.

LILBENZ230

It's a lubrication thing on the sunroof for sure. The bearings in the blower motors - that's a widespread issue. I know how to fix it but I want them to do it. Haha

samaritrey

Good to see you on here again!

959drew

What didn't you like about the w204? I've only owned a c300 so curious what the difference is. Thinking of getting an e class for bigger size and comfort.

AMGAffalterbach

I've driven a few as loner cars, never owned one, but it's hard to explain... it lacks that Mercedes je ne sais quoi that makes the car feel special. Can't really say anything more than that.

LemonSqueezy

For me, I've been in plenty loaner w204s and to me, it sorta lacks the "presence" if you know what I mean. Not saying the 204s are bad, I think they're awesome little cars but the feels is just different. I'm sure we get the same comment from S-class owners towards the E too. But what I particularly don't like about the 204s or even the newer E's are the brushed aluminium trim instead of wood trim. Comfort is also on a whole new level with the airmatic.

959drew

I should have more clear I actually meant why lilbenz liked the w203 but not the w204.

LILBENZ230

The W203 and W211 are of the same time period in Mercedes-Benz history. They feel much more alike than the W204 does to either of them. It's really not quantifiable in words. The W203 was my first Mercedes and I adored it, and the W211's design inside and out, the way certain things feel, the way it smells are all similar. The W204 is just an entirely different car and I never felt the same connection.

Here was my 203:



Here was my 204:

LILBENZ230

A PPI at a Benz dealership yesterday found a couple of interesting things:

1. The car has a bad left side catalytic converter. Covered under Mercedes warranty.
2. The car has an oil seep from the centrifuge

What is the centrifuge and what does it do? Anyone know?

AMGAffalterbach

Common problem on these cars, it's essentially an oil separator and it usually develops some sort of crack or leak on the centrifuge cover, leading to a seep and potentially a little bit of dripping. I had this issue on my car and it was $300 to fix at the dealer I think, not as bad as it could have been for an oil leak.

LILBENZ230

Yep I was quoted $240 all in for the dealer to repair, but the warranty will pick up the tab.