reliability of the C230???
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2002
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reliability of the C230???
I have thinking about buying the new C230
But from reading what is on this board it seems that Yugo Gt would be a better car.
I am currently driving a 1999 DaeWoo Laganza and the lease is up in a few weeks. I love the sporty feel of the De (as I call it) but I want something a little quieter on the road.
Also, I want something a bit more reliable. De has left stranded on the south side one to many times.
Thanks for the help.
Moto-Roto
But from reading what is on this board it seems that Yugo Gt would be a better car.
I am currently driving a 1999 DaeWoo Laganza and the lease is up in a few weeks. I love the sporty feel of the De (as I call it) but I want something a little quieter on the road.
Also, I want something a bit more reliable. De has left stranded on the south side one to many times.
Thanks for the help.
Moto-Roto
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Sri Lanka
i think they are reliable except for the occasional bad spell that might hit you.. if you want total reliability.. then go with lex or something like that.. but MB's are decent cars with a few issues in them... but which car doesnt' have em
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I hate to sound like a broken record, but don't believe everything you read and remember that the members posting problems here represent a small percentage of members and overall owners (most of which have no problems).
The problems that are reported seem to be mostly annoyances and complaints about techs that can't fix problems the first time. Most of these problems occured on the earlier production units. There aren't any reports of people getting stranded and such.
The problems that are reported seem to be mostly annoyances and complaints about techs that can't fix problems the first time. Most of these problems occured on the earlier production units. There aren't any reports of people getting stranded and such.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Can't comment about reliability as I don't have one yet. Just keep in mind that when you are on a dedicated forum, you'll hear ALL the problems.
As the saying goes, when a person is satisfied, he (or she) will tell a few people. When a person is dissatisfied, he will tell everyone that will listen.
In all likelihood, the coupe is a decent vehicle; with a good warranty. But if you were to check BMW or Honda sites, you will also get a lot of people complaining about their vehicles. It is both good (you know what to look for) and bad (it makes you paranoid, no matter what you buy).
As the saying goes, when a person is satisfied, he (or she) will tell a few people. When a person is dissatisfied, he will tell everyone that will listen.
In all likelihood, the coupe is a decent vehicle; with a good warranty. But if you were to check BMW or Honda sites, you will also get a lot of people complaining about their vehicles. It is both good (you know what to look for) and bad (it makes you paranoid, no matter what you buy).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
You might want to hook up with C230K4Laura. She's been very happy with her Saturns since 1994, and she's going through similar turmoil. 
:p. Maybe a Saturn is right for you too!
:p. Maybe a Saturn is right for you too!
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 239
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From: Champaign, Illinois
C- 230 Kompressor,C2,C7,Black,JL sub,A/D/S/ amps,Alpine hu and changer
I have had very good luck with mine so far, it is a little over a month old, the only thing that needed fixed was the wiper blade rubber.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
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From: Canada
Originally posted by Mark08859
Can't comment about reliability as I don't have one yet. Just keep in mind that when you are on a dedicated forum, you'll hear ALL the problems.
As the saying goes, when a person is satisfied, he (or she) will tell a few people. When a person is dissatisfied, he will tell everyone that will listen.
Can't comment about reliability as I don't have one yet. Just keep in mind that when you are on a dedicated forum, you'll hear ALL the problems.
As the saying goes, when a person is satisfied, he (or she) will tell a few people. When a person is dissatisfied, he will tell everyone that will listen.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
I think part of the misconception regarding the overall percentage of MB reliability on this forum is that people that normally wouldn't post only begin posting when then encounter a problem. They post here looking for an answer (which they usually get), then hang around because we're such great company.
Cheers, BT
Cheers, BT
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 258
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From: North Berkeley
C230 C-Coupe
I have no reliability problems with my Coupe and I have not heard of anyone with breakdown problems. As the thread has stated I think people have complained about anoyances.
Personaly I have found the quality of the C-Coupe very high. In the US it is the cheapest MB, but not not in other countries and the MB you are buying here is the same car you would buy in Europe.
I give Quality and reliability a big thumbs up.
Nathan
Personaly I have found the quality of the C-Coupe very high. In the US it is the cheapest MB, but not not in other countries and the MB you are buying here is the same car you would buy in Europe.
I give Quality and reliability a big thumbs up.
Nathan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,607
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
I think most people do get a car with few if any problems. However, these cars are not Hondas or Lexuses. You will have more issues, that is what the stats show.
Some people have been unlucky. It's a hit or miss game. The issue is with a Honda, it's not a game of chance, that is the risk you take buying a MB.
On the other hand, they are a blast to drive! It's a trade-off.
Some people have been unlucky. It's a hit or miss game. The issue is with a Honda, it's not a game of chance, that is the risk you take buying a MB.
On the other hand, they are a blast to drive! It's a trade-off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Although I complain about all the trips to the dealer for check engine lights and stereo problems the car has never left me stranded and neither has my lemon law replaced 190D that was in 12 times for the same exact problem. If you want the ultimate in buy it and forget about it type of car with the quiet, comfort and service of MB you need a Lexus, nothing else will come close. If you don't care about service, loaner cars and free car washes get a Honda or Toyota. I have had 4 MBs and I have never had a trouble free one. I've had 5 Ford Mustangs and short of a persistant stereo problem on one they have been trouble free. I had an Infinity I30 that was lemon law refunded and Nissan/Infinity was horrible to deal with. I've had Toyotas and Hondas that were comepletely trouble free. My wife's Honda CR-V gets all the family abuse and it's 5 years old and has never been to the dealer except for maintenance. My wife has always had American SUV and minivans but after this one Honda she is hooked, looks like the next one will be a Pilot.
If you do get a C230, hurry up and get a 2002 because the new ones will have a smaller 1.8L motor.
If you do get a C230, hurry up and get a 2002 because the new ones will have a smaller 1.8L motor.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 62
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From: MD
C230 Coupe
Originally posted by galaxygrrl
I think most people do get a car with few if any problems. However, these cars are not Hondas or Lexuses. You will have more issues, that is what the stats show.
Some people have been unlucky. It's a hit or miss game. The issue is with a Honda, it's not a game of chance, that is the risk you take buying a MB.
On the other hand, they are a blast to drive! It's a trade-off.
I think most people do get a car with few if any problems. However, these cars are not Hondas or Lexuses. You will have more issues, that is what the stats show.
Some people have been unlucky. It's a hit or miss game. The issue is with a Honda, it's not a game of chance, that is the risk you take buying a MB.
On the other hand, they are a blast to drive! It's a trade-off.
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: D/FW Texas
C230K
As a person who eventually got rid of his C230K due to car problems and dealer problems, I can comment that I was disappointed with the car's reliability and quality. My uncle has had MBs since the early 80s, and he has only started experiencing problems that take several dealer visits to rectify now that he bought his wife a C320 Wagon.
I cannot accept that "that's what you must expect". If Honda and Toyota can build sophisticated reliable cars, why not MB?
I will say that my experience with the C230K was like any other experience for which I've held high expectations. If I expect too much from a movie I'm almost invariably disappointed. If I have low expectations, I'm often impressed. Perhaps I just expected too much from Mercedes, but I was basing my expectations on my uncle's experience. I also think that MB would WANT to be held to a high bar.
I cannot accept that "that's what you must expect". If Honda and Toyota can build sophisticated reliable cars, why not MB?
I will say that my experience with the C230K was like any other experience for which I've held high expectations. If I expect too much from a movie I'm almost invariably disappointed. If I have low expectations, I'm often impressed. Perhaps I just expected too much from Mercedes, but I was basing my expectations on my uncle's experience. I also think that MB would WANT to be held to a high bar.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
2003 E320
My C230K was purchased December 2001. It now has 5400 miles on it. No problems. Not one! It has not been in to the dealers at all, not even once. This is about my 12th new Mercedes over the past 35 years or so and I have never had a Mercedes (or any other car for that matter) that has gone 6 months and 5400 miles with zero problems. Am I an exception? I doubt it. People do not post for good things, only bad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally posted by raymond
As a person who eventually got rid of his C230K due to car problems and dealer problems, I can comment that I was disappointed with the car's reliability and quality. My uncle has had MBs since the early 80s, and he has only started experiencing problems that take several dealer visits to rectify now that he bought his wife a C320 Wagon.
I cannot accept that "that's what you must expect". If Honda and Toyota can build sophisticated reliable cars, why not MB?
As a person who eventually got rid of his C230K due to car problems and dealer problems, I can comment that I was disappointed with the car's reliability and quality. My uncle has had MBs since the early 80s, and he has only started experiencing problems that take several dealer visits to rectify now that he bought his wife a C320 Wagon.
I cannot accept that "that's what you must expect". If Honda and Toyota can build sophisticated reliable cars, why not MB?
MB is like an exotic car that's a little quirky and you have to have a good relationship with your mechanic. This is because it's made by a group of German's in Stuttgart and it's suburbs where they make the C that celebrate Oktoberfest year round. This dictates that they drink beer and listen to OomPah music while building your car. You can't get that kind of charm and personality from a robot built Lexus that never breaks. So strap on your lederhosen and enjoy! Here's the group that built my car.
