stuartiam

Hi,

I own a 1999 C280, just over 100,000 miles. My mechanic tells me these older C-class models all have a big problem around this mileage... something about air flow holes in the engine becoming clogged. Apparently it's not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" this will occur, and when it does it's an extremely labor intensive fix. The engine has to be taken apart and the cost can be up around $3,000.

I don't know much about this kind of thing, and I'm hoping someone here can comment on this information. I love my car, but am a little terrified of this big fix looming.

Can anyone help me concerning the accuracy of this information.

Thanks!

rS

Untertürkheim

As long as you care for the car regularly, using the proper parts and fluids, you have nothing to worry about.

Mobil 1 0w-40 according to FSS
All other service, MB coolant only, MB synthetic transmission fluid every 30k. Differential fluid every 50k, nothing to worry about.

stuartiam

I appreciate the information.

I'm the second owner, but have cared for the car as long as it's been in my hands. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Thanks again.

rS

EV0LVE

i think your mechanic is just giving you a heads up that he will rip you off in the future and wants you to save up for it . just take care of the car and find another mechanic!

Untertürkheim

What your mechanic is probably referring to is carbon buildup in the engine, very common in the US due to low speed driving and lax service.

detroityianni

i bought a 98 c230 with 50,000 miles and put almost 150,000 miles on it before the trans died at 196,000 then i sold it to my mechanic.

here is all the maintenace ive ever done on it

replaced oil pan gasket cost about $600 becasue of labor never had a leak after that

oil changes every 4-6K NOT synthetic oil

I NEVER once changed any fluids.. no brake fluid, no coolant, no tranny fluid, never tuned it up same old sparkplugs and wires. never changed an alternator... just rotors, twice i think. pads when needed and had to do the usual front end stuff when needed.. ball joints..tie rod ends etc.. (blame michigan potholes for that) and thats it...thing ran like a champ until the tranny chewed itself up.. ..there was no warning though for the trans..one day it sounded like a had a loose heat sheld on the exhaust rattling..then it went away..then the next night i pulled out of my work and CLUNK..some might say well if i would have changed the tranny fluid every 30,000 id have it still for another 100K maybe so ..but for getting almost 200,000 miles out of it with minimal maintance id pretty much say it was a tank...i wouldent be worried..but to each his own maybe i just got lucky..

oh also i did my oil changes at an independent foreign auto shop.. and they were honest.. i think you should do some researching around your area and find a more honest shop