Bing

thanks


took advantage of the fog this AM.......

artur023

some bright fogs u got there

NO_WUR_E

Great photos! I love the change of seasons in the east coast.

Bing

thanks

any one wants a bite of the big apple?

clkcadet

awesome pics....i remember being in that area in jersey a couple of weeks ago... do you live near there?

agalinski

2005 C240 4MATIC. The Maintenance Booklet has a section for 'Additional Work', which states:

At every 52,000 miles or 4 years: Air filter: Replace element (code 0980).

Any idea what this is?

I called the dealer and the service department told me it was the air filter above the battery. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that filter is the dust filter which is covered by the B-service schedule. (I can't fathom leaving that one for 52,000 miles!!! 26,000 is already a stretch - who is Mercedes kidding?)

Some additional info: My vehicle does not have the in-cabin Activated Charcoal filter. Maybe this 'filter element' is some other cabin filter?

I'd appreciate any help! Thank you.

Zillarpillow23

Why don't you just replace it with a K&N filter? It's one of the first and easiest mods that's performed as soon as we get into our cars. Here's the filter replacement for you cars: http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx for your E class and your c240


:v

agalinski

Just trying to figure out the maintenance schedule for a 2005 C240 4MATIC. The manual lists:

Front Axle: 0.5 qts. Hypoid Gear Oil SAE 85W90
Rear Axle: 1.2 qts. Hypoid Gear Oil SAE 85W90

but does not give any information on how often. Suggestions? Comments? The dealer did not have a firm response other than to say they look at it during the A/B service plans, so be sure not to miss any. (yeah right)

Thanks for your help!

MB-BOB

If a maintenance interval is missing, my "guess" is that it is never to be "changed," unless the differential is taken apart for other reasons. Topped off as needed, only.

IMO, as a list of priorities, I'm thinking changing the diff lubricant would rank somewhere between priority #250-300, well off the radar screen. YMMV.

Someone with extensive MB mtce experience may reply with a better answer, but I wouldn't hold my breath...

Outland

Fouled MAF's have been linked to K&N Filters.

agalinski

I checked the very last page, which would be in line with your thinking regarding 'importance level'. Sure enough, I discovered that at 143,000 miles you are supposed to simply 'Check Diff Fluid Level'. Great call! Sorry I missed it the first time.

Now, do you find this surprising? They also call-out the first Tranny Fluid check at 143,000 miles! Doesn't that seem a bit late!?

agalinski

Okay guys, let's save the K&N discussion for another thread... I'm sure that's been argued about before. Any suggestions on my question?

Thank you.

WHATNXT

I need some more room and am thinking of trading-in my '99 SLK 230 Sport on a '04-'05 C320 4 matic. A few questions:

1. Is it worth the upgrade to the 4matic? I live in Seattle and drive in our snow/slush. For those of you that drive in real snow, time to chime-up.

2. Reliability? Issues (other than the stealership)?

3. Fun factor? Is this a fun car to drive?

4. Other considerations?

Thanks for you comments.

advans

I doubt the C320 4mat would be as fun to drive as ur SLK, But a AWD will always be good weather wise, besides, a C320 is not bad, atleast theres more power than ur SLK

Bing

1. Yes

2. This are the repairs I had so far



3. I have the sport sedan 4MATIC , yes it's fun doing doughnuts in snow



4. Get a C350 4MATIC or a Subaru STi or Mitsubishi Evo

raunen

i've owned my 2005 c320 4matic for one year and twenty two days.

and i say "4matic is 4fun"

handled great in the snow (i live in boston) last winter, we had a lot of snow.
i also made a 200 mile drive in the snow from boston to ny, icey highways, snow, rain, and it was robust as ever.

repairs so far:

- SRS sensor failure/replaced (1st month)
- Driveshaft center bearing defective/replaced (4th month)
- both BiX assemblies changed (6th/7th month, they flickered then went out)

- bubble in tire side wall
- bunch of rattles fixed (e.g. trunk release button, rear deck, coned grill)

i echo the above as far as getting the c350 4matic

CAB

I had a SLK 200 (136hp) from 9/96 for seven years. After that i changed to a C320 4Matic. The SLK had no problems in 7 years, my C had a couple of problems, but i like this car a lot. The engine is not bad, it used to be the top model under the AMG´s. It is definitely fun to drive. There is no traction problem, no wheelspin. Very different to RWD. But in snow and rainy conditions you have superior traction. Fantastic car! Fun to drive. But in summer time i think back to the roadster times and i miss them.

lexrex

I know this thread is more than a year old but I saw the thread and wanted to clear up some confusion in the quoted explanation of various AWD systems in case anyone reads this in the future.

The article classifies that 4MATIC system as an "active differential" design. This is true of the 1st generation 4MATIC which ceased production in the mid-90s, but not the current system. This system was only installed on the E-class.

The 2nd generation 4MATIC, introduced in 98 and used currently, has completely different design that doesn't fit into any of the categories listed above.

The current 4MATIC system works just like a non-limited slip RWD car, except that MBZ added a front differential and a center differential that splits torque front/rear. Wheel slip is limited by brake-modulated electronic traction control, just like the RWD cars, but with the front wheels controlled too. The result is a super-reliable system that adds minimal complexity.

The Torsen system used by Audi may be better in some ways, but ours is simpler.

guanabara

For normal driving you should be ok with 100,000 miles. For severe driving that can drop to 50,000 miles. So somewhere between 50 and 100K is what most good quality differential oil makers recommend.
When the differential oil properties are deteriorating you should be able to hear some chatter from the differential when making sharp turns. (assuming you keep your stereo off and the kids are quite...)
I have a 99 C230K with 60K and it sounds like it is time for a differential oil change.
Since I already use Amsoil for the engine and transmission oil, that's where I am getting my differential oil from.
In your case with a new car you still have long to go before worrying about this.
Just keep up with your engine il change (are they still free at the dealer?) and make sure theu use at least M1 0W40 and not any other lower quality M1 oW30 that does not meet MB Specs 229.5.
Have a great New Year.

glojo

Good morning everyone,
I have been told that the very latest C-class has a newly designed 4Matic and there is no longer a very annoying bulge on the right-hand side of the transmission tunnel can any lucky owner confirm this please?

Mercedes-Benz state 4Matic is not available for RHD countries because of this intrusion although in fairness this remark was made in reference to the 211 E-class.

Regards,
John

dalazernet

Bulge is still there on the passenger side for my 06... which is why they still do not offer a cargo net for the passenger side footwell...which would come in handy IMHO... oh well.

- Eric

glojo

Hi Eric,
Thanks very much for the very prompt reply.

Happy new year,
John

CAB

The next generation of C aW204 and E class W212 will be like you described.The topical one has the bulge.

glojo

I hope your right, but I have heard so many promises that I no longer hold my breath on these words. We were told we would get the 420CDI, but that was just words, so fingers crossed your correct.

Regards,
John the pessimist

Rainman

HI, new here. Im coming over here from passatworld. After getting head on'd in my 04 passat glx 4motion last saturday, i have puchased a new c2804matic.. I am very excited to take delivery, just waiting on the insurance check.

anyway my question is this. I did a carfax on the vin just for s&g and it chows that the engine is a 3.2 liter. not the 3.0 that it has. does any have any idea why it would say that?

also i willl be looking to do some things to c280 like tint and navigation any suggestions will be appretiated..

Thanks Rainman