Looking to buy a C230k, Headlight damage question, and what other problems?

My wife really wants a C230k coupe. Unfortunately they don’t make them any more, so I’ve been looking for 2005s. One of the one’s I’ve seen has some sort of issue with the headlights. They look like they are fogged or have been beat up by the sun really bad or something. Is this some sort of issue with these cars?

Also if anyone can give me a heads up on problems I should look for in these cars I would appreciate it.

sure they do, they still make the coupes. Inquire about them at a dealer

Not a valid point for the US market.

what about the lights? Any idea why the plastic would deteriorate in some fashion?

I have never seen this headlight problem on any coupe. It may be an isolated problem.

I have plenty. MY old lights got this condition.

YOu can replace the lights quite easily.

You can go to bixenons, or go clear halogen.

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This is interesting. I know two other people locally with coupes, plus mine, and none of us have this problem. All of the coupes are either 2003s or 2004s.

I see many different brands of cars with this problem here in dry, sunny CA. It's probably just sun damage turning the clear plastic lenses cloudy and yellow over time.

Yeah... the frosted headlights are from sun damage. Especially in warm climate areas. I'm in Florida and half the cars have them. I've bought every product on the market to polish and clean the lights but they don't work. Time for new ones!

Yeah I live in Florida and I have noticed a lot of Mercedes cars have a similar problem. Kind of unacceptable for a car this nice. I mean a 3 year old car shouldn't be sun damaged. Do you think the dealer would swap them out under warranty, or is that just wishful thinking?

Here in the desert southwest, headlights fog up after just a few years. This applies to most brands of cars, not just Mercedes. It seems to be a combination of surface damage (sand, insects, small rocks, etc.) and bright sun.

I have not found an acceptable product to permanently repair damaged headlights. I would figure replacement lights (expensive) as part of the car purchase price. On new undamaged headlights, I have had good luck with the 3M clear bra material. Yes, it will also get sandblasted, but you simply peel off the film and replace it every couple years or so. Headlights underneath the film still look good.

Overall, I like the C230k Sport Coupe a lot, even though I ended up with a sedan. In my opinion, the 2005 is the best of the breed. But the coupe was discontinued in mid-2005 (USA), so these are somewhat rare. Late 2004 model is also good.

Other caution points on the C230K Coupe. Tires are expensive and don't last long. Panoramic moonroof (if equipped) tends to be somewhat high maintenance as it ages.

Find a really nice one and I think you will be very happy. If you are comfortable with a manual transmission, the 6-speed manual is a real treat, and very sporty.

I own a 2004 C230K coupe 1.8l m271 on the w203. Its a 6 speed manual also. 65,300 miles and im the second owner. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR! It is a 2 door and looks small outside but not sure about any one else, but I seem to have plenty of room inside and it's kind of comfortable. Fast too! Its a ticket getter forsure... definitely a highway kind of ride!

As far as the headlights go, all car companies have the same issues with their headlights. Also, it's just over time, their u v clear coat fades off, and it is what it is.. the only thing I had an issue with was the headlight assemblies wiring harnesses. Just on the front driver and passenger side... $25 bucks for a harness kit which was easy to install. You do not have to remove the entire bumper to do this also unlike other things but we'll have to move it out by removing the rack that holds the seams of the body and bumper together after that slightly moving the bumper out. But not taking it out seemed to have got the job done for me.

around 50k-65k miles i highly recommend replacing the cam magnets and installing a "sacrifice" wiring kit to protect your ECU from getting fried by leaking oil coming off of your cam.Magnets going through the wiring harness over time.. again?It's a pretty simple fix, lift your hood... front engine, cover you pop it out.Visibly, the two cam magnets are in front of you, and it's three little bolts per side... recommend doing one at a time and making sure that your seal is seated properly.And the area has been cleaned really well too before installing new...

i change my oil everytime around 3-4.5k mile.... Mobile1 0w40 is the best i can recommend or will recommend.

Not to many "mods" really can be done.. its fast enough stock. The supercharger is the goat 🐐

I upgraded the plugs to NGKs... noticeable gains in performance and fuel consumption.

In all honesty... ive kept it damn near OEM minus a shift knob, plugs, and coil packs and filters.. its been a very reliable car, preventive maintenance isnt bad... just take care of the things that go bad.Then, so they don't cause bigger problems later... do that, and the thing gonna last you forever!

Hello, Welcome to the forum!
Well, this thread is almost as old as our cars, so not really an issue at this point.
Everybody knows you have to polish the lights at some point.
Sounds like you found a nice car.
Start a new thread and post some photos!
I'm on my 2nd Sport coup.
1st one I did every mod I available.
2nd one, not so much. Swapped the 05 tail lights from #1
and sway bars (see sig) and thats mostly it. Plus LED bulbs and clear side markers.
After all these year, I kinda likee the retro look of the frosties as mine are sooo clean,
and stock. griill. I removed the AMG brakes from #1 (Carly) but not swapping until the
brakes wear out on on #2. (Inga) and that will likely be a few years.
Not sure if I'll swap the ASP pulley. I think I'd want to send it in to get it inspected/ rebuilt after sooo many miles.