squidmarks

I need a new car and after trying on an A4, Passat, BMW 3-series and a Mercedes C-Class, I found that the C-class fits me best by a long shot. The only thing is, that every bit of information is telling me that the Mercedes C-class will cost a bundle as Mercedes reliability has slipped to an all time low. I just got out of a Passat that had a range of major (transmission) to a bunch of niggling little problems, so I'm not looking for another vehicle like that. Is that what I'm in for if I buy one?

I'm fully capable of repairing my own vehicles (check out my Porsche 911 rebuild project), but this is a daily driver and I don't want to be spending all my time in the garage.

Right now, I'm looking in the '05-'06 range with <30K miles.

Geoff

Glyn M Ruck

Buy a V6 W203 & you won't have to mess with it. 2006 onward.

SlvrC230SS

+1

e1000

The 2005-2007 facelifted C-class cars have a respectable level of reliability. I would say it's at least on par with it's peers that you've listed if not better.

sleewell

my car has been nothing but joy since i bought it. just drove 2100 miles from CA to TN and it was the best drive ever. i love my car.

squidmarks

Great, that's what I wanted to hear. How is the 2WD in the snow? I live in MA - is the 4MATIC a necessity, or will the 2WD with snow tires perform ok?

Thanks.

Geoff

e1000

Unless you're going up hills, I'd say the 2wd is acceptable if you get dedicated snow tires. The C-class does come with a "C" mode on the transmission that starts it out in second gear to help traction, as well as the normal ABS and ESP (stability control). I admit, living in Phoenix, I'm probably not the best person to ask

BlackLiquorish8

i would recommend 4matic... i'm sure 2wd with snows will be ok but having driving upstate and living in NY the 4matic is awesome with snows! i would recommend 4matic b/c my car handles better than most if not all SUV's in the snow with winter Pirelli's. The car stops, accelerates and basically never slips unless i force the kickdown... don't get 4matic if you plan on lowering your car tho... and if you have 4matic i'd make sure you run non staggered wheels if your looking to upgrade tire/rim

g luck...

you will thank me if you buy the 4matic n drive it in the snow just ask Nick

Benzben

RWD is fine with a C-Class in the winter, but you will definitely need dedicated winter tires (I run Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's--work great). Night and day difference over all-seasons. The "C" (Comfort) mode is fine, but it won't do you any good without winter tires.

I don't have any experience with 4Matic, but if you're looking more for daily driver/convenience, then I would think you could slap some good all-seasons on all four wheels, run them through the winter, and be able to rotate tires, too. If you'd rather have the fun/sporty feel of the RWD most of the year, then be prepared for an additional $1000-1500 on a winter setup.

C24owner

+1

The 4matic is great in the snow. I have 18" wheels with all season tires and have no problems. I can also get sideways if I turn the traction control off.

Sheldon, I have the vogtland springs is you still want them.

pawe

I have an 05, I drive it everyday and it's pretty reliable. Only problem I had with it is the pulley making noise. Warranty took care of it though. Honestly, I dont think car manufacturers will spend a ton of money on research and engineering just to see their cars break down just like that. The more technologically superior your car is the more prone it is to having problems.

jogger

i have an 07 and use blizzaks, no problems after 2 winters.

C230 Sport Coup

Oooooo,
Mr V6 is soooo good....M111 bad....
I fart in your general direction....

Glyn M Ruck

M111 sounds & smells like a hearty fart. With the choice the OP has even you would recommend a V6 to get away from the M271 engine.

AzCamel

i had the 3 series to before the c320.. imo any car is as dependable as long as you take care of it, do the maintance yourself and save, bmw maintance was as much as the benz if i took it to the dealer.

scottisha

Most reliable car I have ever owned.
My car has NEVER (knock on wood) left me stranded or been towed. I bought it new and just turned 178,000 miles this week.
Still has original clutch & coolant.
My switches (window, lights, rear shade, radio, etc..) have never failed.

Not my favorite car, but definitely the most reliable car I have ever owned
I've had:
Infinity Q45
BMW 3 series
2002 GTI 337
Jeep Wrangler
Pontiac sunbird
toyota celica
mazda protege
and a few others over the the past 23 years...

GTI was the most fun and fastest.
Q45 was the best highway cruiser
Wrangler was bought just for the woods
Protege became a SCCA ITA road race car
Sunbird was the reason I stayed away from American cars my whole life. It was my car when I was 18 yrs old and it left me stranded a lot. What a piece!

Next car (within 6 months) will be the Genesis 4.6 or 2010 GTI.
I will be keeping the C230 though, to put most of the miles on.

Scott

polarbexar

Yeah, and its a M271. No matter what some say I love the engine.

scottisha

Yep. Great engine so far. Obviously not real powerful, but reliable and fuel efficient big time!

Jack_2001C240

Ha Ha, my first new car was a 1984 Pontiac Sunbird and I had the same exact bad experience you did. However I have to say My 1990 Toyota Celica ST which I bought new and still own is my most reliable car.

So far I have replaced the stepper motor, and front SAM ( due to no start) , and a suspension part, thrust bushing, I think on my 2001 C240 with 35,400 miles as of today. The left valve cover gasket was also replaced, but I think the right one may be leaking , because I sometimes smell burning oil from the oil leaking onto the hot exhaust manifold.

KA8

Reliability on our W203 wasn't 'great'. Our C230 had power steering replaced at 400 miles new. Then it started to make noise again. Maybe mine is an exception. Try to get one with warranty left on it. Other than some of these reliability issues it's a blast to drive, very fuel efficient, and it looks great. I tested our mb on some twisties and I can say it(sport sedans) handles better than my 300zx on stock suspension

07 Benz

The v6 has decent, at best, power but gets great mileage and reliability.

Johnsct

I have an 03 Coupe with the 1.8. Just turned 108,000 miles and have had only one problem. A rattle in the upper right area of the dashboard that started about a year ago. That's it. It's been a great car.

FrankW

well said

friend leased a 07 C230 based on my suggestion and he had ZERO problems with the M272 and he drives the crap out of it.

kOMPRESSEDc230

No problems with mine.

Paculdo

06 C230 - never had problems except i got rear ended twice and rock chips in the wind shield (if those ever counts).. i got it CPO up to 100k miles (or 2014). i'm up to 40k now (got it at 18k miles). i drove the same loaner car (almost new at 2k+ miles on it) and pretty much drives the same as mine.

just follow maintenance schedules and you'd be fine. i'll probably give this to my daughter when she gets to drive. i have had several pre-owned cars (04 350z, 04 RX-8, 05 Civic) and nothing drives as smooth as this car.

nothing is guaranteed as bullet proof, but so far so good (knock on wood). this is the car i will recommend.