SLCPUNK

I'm curious what kind of miles you guys have racked up on your c280s and what work you have done in that time? Thanks.

davis449

I have 59K on my '95 C 280 and I really don't know exactly what work besides regular maintanence that's been done on it. No head gasket problems, yet. I do need to get my lower control arm bushings fixed and that's about all that's wrong with it.

tpliquid

42k on my 97 C280

timecop369

Just broke the 50K mi mark on my 1999 C280 Sport.

Regular maintenance, oil & filter (Mobile1 0-40W), transmission & filter (next weekend), air filter, fuel filter (just did at 50K mi), spark plugs (at 60K mi), radiator flush (prob. next weekend).

DougandhisC280

I bought it with 70K miles, a year later I have 104K. I have changed the M.A.S., shift linkage bushings, wires that go to the reverse lights, and the key tumbler. I have changed the shocks and springs but not for mainenance reasons. The person before me changed the head gasket so I'm home free there. The key tumbler was cause by the 2 pound key ring that the lady had. The reverse lights were caused by a moron trying to install the Alpine CD changer. They didn't realize the pre wiring was aready in the trunk. I think the MAS went out because of my K&N filter. So I guess the only thing that was supposed to go bad was the 90 cent bushings.

GDawgC220

I got 125,000 miles on mine. Done the headgasket, front suspension which included the lower control arms, bushings, steering shock and cambers. HFM Fuel controller. O2 sensors and purge valve. That's all the major stuff. Other than that, just small things like lights and such.

merclover

hehehe, you guys should ask MbenzNL!! he's probably got around 200k on his diesel. mine is very conserved, only 56k in like 6 years. no problems. but absolutely none! just maintenance.

vas2vas

got 106K miles on my c280....bought it a month ago with 102K, so far one a/c condencer($300 installed), 4 continental tires ($300 installed)... one set of clear corners ($20-compliments of a friend), one spare key and m/b keyring ($35).... one air filter ($15) and wiper blade ($15)...one used instrument cluster ($100)....and one oil change ($30)....probably a cooling system overhaul coming pretty soon (radiator, thermo, hoses etc), as well as some paint toutch ups.......

95c220

80.5 K on my 95 C220. Bought it with 59K last June.

Maintenence includes:

Synthetic Oil & fresh filter every 3000 miles
Power Steering fluid & filter
Air Filter every 10,000
Cabin Filter
Front Flex disc
Rear gear oil change w/mobil 1 syn
Synthetic Transmission Fluid & Filter @ 15,000, 2 quart fluid change every 5,000
Various bulbs, including instrument panel
Cleaning of AC blower motor

Looking forward to the next 100K in this car.

Public Enemy

I have 56000 on my 1998 C230, and had no problems yet. Except today some people smashed three of my windows. Damn.

umalik

I have 188K on my 1995 C220. I am the original owner. I'll prepare a (short) list of service issues on the car and post it in a subsequent message.

GDawgC220

Damn, u got me beat! How's it feel with that many miles? (Car I mean) Driving like it was the first day?

Benz117

I got 85k on my 95 c280.

joe_black

umalik,

I am up for my 120k on my c220 and I was wondernig what you did for your 120k service.. I have a quote for like $300.00 worth of basic service that I need. What I am asking is what you did for your 120k Service on your Arrow? I'm at 120,535mi on my 94 C220.

Thanks
Joe

GDawgC220

Hi Joe,
I did my 120k service and it wasn't cheap. I'll give u the run down on my invoice.

Windshield washer fluid
Automatic Tranmission Fluid
Fuel system conditioner
Oil and Filter Change
Misc Screws and rings and plugs.
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
Lock Plate

As well, they check u'r belts and such to tell you if it needs replacing or not. My Serpentine belt had to be changed.

Total invoice was 792.33. If you don't need to change any belts and such, probably looking around $500 or so. But take it with a grain of salt because at that mileage, there can be other things leaking or cracked, etc. So be prepared for repairs or news that could lead to expensive repairs. Most common would be headgasket and wiring harness if those haven't been replaced on your car. Good luck and let us know on the outcome!

-Greg

joe_black

Thanks for the help.. I bought my MBZ a month ago on trade in from Shumacher Mercedes. When I bought the car it had every service record from when the car was purchase and the origional window sticker. I mean their is not one flaw. What mileage do you useually change the timming chain and the head gasket because mine runs like a top. I just want to keep up on the motor and the drivetrain. Let me know what I can do to to keep up on the trans and motor..

Thanks
Joe

GDawgC220

Joe,
My car was running like a charm too till the check engine light came on. I mean, i didn't notice a difference at all while driving when the headgasket was leaking. Usually, it hits around the 100k mark, but can vary, sometimes earlier, sometimes a little later. Just be aware of it if your headgasket hasn't been changed yet (check engine light, leaking oil like around the bottom protective cover, etc). The timing chain/belt, i'm guessing around the same time. Mine was dry and cracked, so your dealership should tell you when you do the service as to if it needs changing or not.
Motor, for a 95, oil changes and just keeping an eye on things. I know the first few years of the C220 had some engine troubles (head gasket and wiring harness), but other than that, I think just simple maintainance should do it. Tranny wise, i'm not really sure on that. Dont "kickdown" too much i guess? Change the fluids, etc during services. Other than that , the car is great! Reliable and safe. What more could you ask for, right? Treat her right and it will last

-Greg

95c220

Your timing chain should be checked by a mechanic given your mileage, but should probably be ok- the M111 engine has a short double row chain that is pretty durable, and if it hasn't been abused, tends to last a while. However, you might want to check the chain rail/guides/tensioner, which I understand are items that can wear out faster than the chain. I haven't heard of head gasket problems or wiring harness problems on the C220- it is the M111 engine- the wiring harness and head gasket problems are usually more common on the early M104 engines found in the C280. If you don't overheat the engine and you flush the coolant on a regular basis (with MB fluid *only*) then you should be ok. The 722.4 transmission you have should also be pretty tough, if you change the fluid/filter on a regular basis.

Regular maintenance items that you should do really aren't that different from other cars- oil & filter regularly, spark plugs every 15-30k miles depending on how you drive, brake fluid flush/replace every 1-2 years, coolant every 1-2 years, air filter on a regular basis (I do mine every 10K) p/s fluid & filter (Use MB fluid or febi-bilstein fluid, *not* ATF). I've also changed out my rear differential fluid, but some people argue against that.

Things to keep an eye on-
Flex discs- if you hear a clunk as you slow down or on shifts, you might have a worn front flex disc- they tend to last 60-75k miles. Rear discs tend to last a while. If you hear the noise, get it replaced before it becomes an issue.

Hoses & belts- keep an eye on them, like you would any other car.

Brake rotors- over time, they tend to develop a "lip" , and MB recommends against resurfacing them. New rotors are cheap, and will last a while. If you're at 120k, there's a chance that the prior owner has changed them out already.

AC Blower motor. If you hear squeaking, it might need a cleaning or be on its way out. Which reminds me- cabin filter- needs to be changed on a regular basis, can cause blower motor noise if clogged.

A lot of this is stuff you can do yourself and save a good chunk of change. And OEM filters and little parts can be bought online at a huge discount to what you would pay at the dealership. I'd really resist the temptation to use auto-store parts, as they don't save much (if any) money relative to the online shops which will give you high quality products.

Good luck, its a great car.

joe_black

Thanks for the tips Greg, when does the manufacture suggest that you change the timming belt/chain and Head gasket?

-Joe

GDawgC220

I don't think the manufacturer, MB, recommends anything on the headgasket? I think it's just something that gets worn out, like wear and tear on any other part of the car. Just other things are more prone to wear and tear to be replaced than the headgasket. Its one of those things, if it goes, it goes. I know some people who have never had headgasket problems, some others do.

As to the timing belt, just keep an eye on it or ask your technician/service advisor to take a peek when doing the service to see if its in need of a change. They usually last, but again, one of those damn wear and tear things. Better to keep an eye on that because when it goes, u'r going nowhere, so u dont' want to be stranded somewhere.

-Greg

joe_black

Thanks 95,

That was a major help. I tell you you guys have don noting but saved my butt since I joind this forum. If anyone in this forum is from Arizona and wants to meet up PM me and maybe we can drink some "bevreges" and talk MBZ. Does anybody know of any good MBZ Irc channels or rooms?

Thanks
Joe

95c220

The C220 does not have a timing belt. It has a timing chain, which you cannot directly see just by looking under the hood-- a mechanic can get to it and measure the amount of "stretch" that it has, and see if it is within the acceptable limits.

What Greg is referring to is the serpentine/accessory belt which drives the power steering, a/c, etc. This is a wear item and tends to develop cracks over time, and is something that you can monitor on your own.

GDawgC220

Sorry about that, must have got confused about that. Not having a good day.

Enjoy u'r benz there Joe. She'll give u man years of service.

davis449

I should have asked this question sooner since I'm doing the 60K service tomorrow morning. I wanted to know if anyone has any "warnings" for the 60K mark. I'm at about 59,200 miles right now. I am going to have to replace the lower control arm bushings. Other than that I really don't think there's anything else wrong, but we'll see

merclover

hey, my AC squeaks at times, and it is bothering me. i,ve opened the panel and cleande the blowe motor and lubed it two times already and it doesnt work. ive noticed that it has rubber mountings to alleviate vibrations coming from the car, would they be the producers of the squeak? help