C280 Sport

I was just looking over my records since I had to add another one to the list because I just had yet another issue with he W202. I was looking over the records and in my 3 years of ownership I have put $3,274.00 into it. This car only has 78,000 miles on it and cost me more to own and drive then my 2002 E320 and my 1987 420SEL put togeather. I dont think I spend no more then $300 a year on my E320 and about $500 on the 420SEL. How is a C Class more to keep up then an E and an S Class?

sleewell

bummer dude, that really sucks. probably built on Friday before a vacation or something, sounds pretty close to lemon status to me. its weird how one person could have relatively no problems with a car and someone else could own the exact same model and have countless problems.

C280 Sport

Its funny because when I was looking around for another car I wanted either another E320/E430 or a Porsche Boxster. My wife somehow talked me into getting a W202 because she liked and I test drove it and kinda liked at first. I was kinda crazy about it at first and then after one year of ownership i have come to the conclusion that the W202 wasnt for me and it very very cheap on the inside and I go on and on about a million and one things they did wrong with. But I will not be cheap with it. I will continue to put $ into it for services and it is very well taken care of with everything working except the center arm rest that broke off. I will fix that before I sell it this spring. Its too bad because it only has 78,000 miles. Thats nothing for a Mercedes.

Z06EATER

sounds like a poorly built car, not the car's fault but the builder's..sorry to hear that man, the AMG's are hand built i have 136,000 on my car engine and body and it's still strong as an ox.. sorry to hear

C280 Sport

Oh I wont be running the W202 for no 136,000 miles. I know for a fact the great build quality of Mercedes. I have owned 8 of them and loved everyone. But this w202 is always in the show or I am always under the hood looking for the problems. Also this car is a one owner, non smoker, clean title car. This spring I am putting it up for sale. Its my sons car to be exact. He uses it to drive 30 miles a day to College and I made a deal that if this semester he gets a 3.0 I will sell it for him. Hopefully he gets a 3.0 and hopefully someone buys it.

PhilfromPA

$3000+ all depends on how the car was taken care of previously and how to the t you are with services. $1000 a year isn't too astronomical with dealer servicing.

AMGC

Do you got to the dealer?
I've never had a single problem with my C36, but it is over engineered and hand-made

C280 Sport

The records show that it was well taken care of. I service it at a local shop.

C280 Sport

I got from my inde shop. Off his lot.

faithful_lothario

I had the same kinds of problems with my 1995 C280. My father had bought it new and never even driven it over 80MPH, but recently we had been spending 2K a year to keep it running and so we still have it since its not worth selling it but dont drive it much.

faithful_lothario

oh and my car only had 125000 miles.

AMGC

what the hell are you guys spending this money on fixing??? I have spent barely any money on fixing (engine wise- cossies interiors being restored) either of my cars and the cossies an 86 that sat for a few years and I'm 19 in college, both cars are modded with no replica parts, and can still afford storage for the AMG Are you both being screwed by your shops and not attempting to any of the work on your cars???

PhilfromPA

I too am curious as to what problems you've had outside of routine maintenance?, although it is assumed you are hitting the mileage/age plateau where items will require replacement. Not sure on the labor rate you are receiving but perhaps shop around to shops more familiar with Mercedes or DIY if you aren't looking to put as much money into the car.

Like I said though $1k a year isn't too bad for a car at that age, you certainly wouldn't have gotten off cheaper with a Boxster (hello $180 oil changes)

AMGC

but even still
I bought my C36 with 90k and now have 107k with no problems and bought my Cossie with 115k (a few months ago) and now have 118k and brought it to CT, NH, Maine all in horrible weather and snowy roads and no problems besides DIY maintenance and crap.
you guys gotta start doing DIY maintenance and diagnosing your own problems if your getting screwed for that much money a year.

rfoo

seems like alot of people are having problems with c280...

C280 Sport

Besides serivce A and B. I had a couple tires go flat so I wont include that. It been- light bulbs like crazy, Interior parts such as the sun visor and the sliding part for the sunroof, Fuel sending units and fuel filters, sterring parts like the center link and another part for the allignment, AC system needed a evaporater, the power window came off the track a couple times and the motor broke. The center arm rest broke. The hood latch needed to be replaced. The drivers side mirror broke. There might be more but I will have to look at the records.

C280 Sport

Oh and a center sterring link, suspension springs, tie rod and repari rear view mirror that broke off. That should be everything. All equaling $3,000.00+ bucks.

C280 Sport

Well when it rains it poors I guess? Today while driving I decided to put the sunroof back. Since its Feb and we got a nice 60 degree day I put it back. As I was done driving I closed it and I had 3 plastic parts come out of it along with the large part that goes infront to close it secure. Also the sunroof wont work now. I got closed thank God but I worked on it for about an hour and called my shop and it goes in tomorrow. Again.

AMGC

why wouldnt you do the $15 fuel filter and other cheap work and cosmetic stuff yourself for pennies at a junkyard or even on ebay.

C280 Sport

I would but I am a very busy person. My job since I own rental property and many other buisness along with a wife and 3 kids my time is all tied up. Its not a big deal considering I have 5 cars so if there is an issue I always have a backup. I just cant spend free time worring about a car that has issues. Im selling it this spring so hopefully someone else will buy it and enjoy it.

faithful_lothario

I do work on my own car. well did, before I gave it away. The things that broke in two years were

Windshield wiper motor
Head gasket
engine wiring harness
water pump
coolant hoses
vacuum lines were leaking
radio head unit
ac vacuum line
radiator
front right auxiliary fan
coolant reserve
antenna motor
heater core line

C280 Sport

Its hard to even belive that anything could really go wrong on a W202 considering its as basic as a Honda Civic. I mean I a 1987 420SEL. with 113,000 miles and more options then most new cars(SLS,Front rear heated heats that move, climate control, power everything) And I have never had any large issues with it. I dont I have even put $3,000 into that car since I got it. And I have owned it for over 10 years. The main issues I keep having with my W202 are little stupid issues like rattles, sqeaks and noises when I turn the sterrig wheel and from the AC fan.Yesterday I had 3 plastic parts from the sunroof just fall into my lap. No matter what I do they seem to keep comming back.. And from all of these issues I have had I just dont ever see myself getting back into a C Class.

benz rider

benz rider

gremlins?..lol

I feel your disgust( a lil bit). I had some issues go wrong with mine when I first got it like the water pump, flex disc, etcx..things that I got checked out before I bought the car. you have to understand with MB you have to know what you're buying before you buy it because the repairs are so expensive. as for sunroof parts falling into your lap..lol..man, I just don't know. that car might b haunted...lol

benz rider

Here's the problem...NEVER buy a car off a mechanic lots. all of them are lemons..that car is probably a post-Katrina car never can tell. I ALWAYS buy my cars from individuals who take care of their cars or reputable used lots with lots to choose from and where I know the mechanics do good work.