Please note I did a search and read many forums and wasn't thoroughly finding all the info I need. So here I go.

I am currently driving a Z06 vette and my wife is now pregnant and I have to be an adult and sell my hot rod for a 4 door rig. Kind of a bummer.

I was initially going to buy a 2001 -2002 BMW 325i w/ less than 60k miles in the $17-19k range. But I started looking at other options. My requirements are a sporty 4 door, rear wheel drive, automatic (wife requirement) and prefer it to be German. So I also considered a A4 quatro, maybe an IS300. I read that used A4's have reliability problems especially after the warranty expires. So I am now considering a '01 or '02 C240 or 320 w/ 60k miles or less w/ a 100k warranty in the $17-19k range. An IS300 doesn't really do anything for me. But a 240 or 320 are not as sporty as I am used to. But I have fallen in love with them. Especially the black and silver exterior colors. I have spent probably 20 hrs doing web research on 240s and 320s. It sounds like they to have their fair share of reliability issues. Mainly electrical.

If those of you that have these two models. Would you buy another one? Would you buy one used still under warranty? Would you sell it prior to the warranty expiring? What kind of reliability issues have you had? Are we just talking burned out bulbs, etc. Or are we talking getting stranded and having to have the car towed to mb dealer? I could probably live with the small things happening and having them fixed under warranty. But I can't have my wife and baby stranded on the side of the road. I plan on keeping this car for 2-3 yrs. But I would like to sell it when the time comes. I don't want to get stuck w/ a car that no one wants because of reliability issue and out of warranty repair costs. I read that replacing shock/struts on a 240 or 320 is like $6 grand. Man this is steep. I have never spent more than a grand and that even included Koni strut/shocks vs oem replacements. My wife has a BMW X3 and it has only been in the shop for the annual service stuff and a door rattle which was quickly fixed. So I wanting to know how a C240 or C320 would compare to the same yr BMW 3 series?

Any comments, opinions, etc would be greatly appreciated. I am also attaching my Z06 baby that I am selling. Please reply to the thread, PM me or email me at kingjtthompson@yahoo.com .

Thanks, JT

 

This is a good thread to read about what you are asking:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/41574-how-many-problems-your-c-what-kind-reliability-years.html

I have a 02 c320 with every option. I like all the doodads in the car, but it has been a crappy car. Some people don't have any problems. I have been in the shop dozens and dozens of times. What a PITA. I have an extended warranty and when that is up there is no way I will keep the car. Something is always breaking. It has not yet however (knock on wood) left me stranded anywhere.

 

I have an 04 C320, and have driven many different 3 series BMWs as prior vehicles. Based on my experience, I would steer clear of a used C-Class, particularly in the early years you are referring to.
I don't think the C can hold a candle to used 3 series as far as overall reliability. The higher resale for the 3 is a reflection of this. BMWs are not Lexus quality for sure, but the older 3 series sedan (or current coupe) is far more well built than the current C. I owned 2 E46 3 series before my current C, and neither went into the shop other than for regular maint, with the exception of one trip to fix a window regulator and once to secure a piece of loose trim.
As a contrast, my current C is less than 2 years old and has had at least 6 trips for warranty work, including tranny problems. The BMWs are traditionally a bit better as far as rattles go as well. I don't have any personal exerience with 01/02 C classes, but from what I understand they are much worse than the current car as far as these issues go. This would probably true for any car manufacturer as they work out the bugs in later model years, however.
That being said, you likely won't have problems as far "leaving you stranded" goes. Most problems with the C are electical and fit/finish in nature. It is rare that you need to be towed, at least from reading posts from other boarders here. The upside is you get more used car for your money with an MB over a BMW (although sedan prices in the BMW are dropping a bit since BMW released a new 3 sedan last spring), and when your car does go in for service, the odds are you will have a much better dealer experience at MB.

You may get some MB bias here given it is an MB board, but I think if you look at the statistics as far as fewest problems, 3 series BMWs fair better than the C. JD Power and Associates and Consumer reports are probably the best places to look (although not perfect), b/c asking MB owners will just get individual samples which can't give you an accurate portrayal of the odds your used car will be a lemon.

If I were thinking used german sports sedan, a warranty is essential, and preferably one from the manufacturer. Neither Audi, BMW or Mercedes are models of reliablity after 50K miles, and all are expensive to fix. I also would steer well clear of a used A4. They are the worst of the bunch.
If you can swing the $$, a used 5 series (older model) , may be your best bet. One of the best cars BMW ever built, and a step up from the 3 in both size and quality.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and if you go MB, welcome to the board!

 

"If I were thinking used german sports sedan, a warranty is essential, and preferably one from the manufacturer. Neither Audi, BMW or Mercedes are models of reliablity after 50K miles, and all are expensive to fix. I also would steer well clear of a used A4. They are the worst of the bunch.
If you can swing the $$, a used 5 series (older model) , may be your best bet. One of the best cars BMW ever built, and a step up from the 3 in both size and quality."


For the amount of money you're talking about (20k or so) I would recommend getting a 2000-2001 e-class. If you really prefer a sportier car, however, he's right the 3 series BMW is the way to go. They have their share of problems too, but the c-class has set records in unreliability (only to be broken by the a4 which is a total POS out of warranty).