thinking about gettin a MB
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
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jetta
thinking about gettin a MB
Hey guys I am new on here From Tennessee. I am getting rid of my jetta and am looking at a 2001 c320 and was curious about some things to look at on it as far as issues? The car has 120k miles and is arctic white with tan interior.
Also I was curious as to how much power the engine can hold before letting go. I will probably start working with a local shop around here that has been dealing with my buddies cars to get some mods on it.
Also I was curious as to how much power the engine can hold before letting go. I will probably start working with a local shop around here that has been dealing with my buddies cars to get some mods on it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
+1... facelift cars are much much better! I would also say to go a few years past '01, just to not have the first production year issues. Although you should be fine after 120,000 miles.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
If your looking at a 01 Merc that 120k miles, seems like your budget is pretty tight. Not the best thing in the world, but i take extreme care of my car to have it looking amazing till this day.
Most all of the issuses 'should' be gone by now, depending on the previous owner. (There were MANY things to be taken care of)
As for power output on the 320, its pretty good, even by todays standards. Peak torque is built up by 3000rpm and hangs on till 4500rpm, from there HP takes over in the higher end rpm; which, in my opinion, gives you the feeling of power throughout the rev band.
Most all of the issuses 'should' be gone by now, depending on the previous owner. (There were MANY things to be taken care of)
As for power output on the 320, its pretty good, even by todays standards. Peak torque is built up by 3000rpm and hangs on till 4500rpm, from there HP takes over in the higher end rpm; which, in my opinion, gives you the feeling of power throughout the rev band.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
I have an 01' C320. Thing runs like a champ if taken care of properly. No need to worry about the mechanical aspect of the car, just proper and regular maintenance will do. The only thing you would need to worry about would be the electrical mumbo jumbo. Right now my seat modules are bad, and some interior bits are rattling and squeaking, door handles are falling apart, but otherwise it runs great.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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jetta
Right now I am really looking for no more then 11,000. I still owe 12,000 on my car which is the only reason I am looking in the lower range is just to lower my car payment at least $100/month.
The benz I am looking at is 8,800. I wouldn't mind having a newer model aswell, but its hard to find one in the price range I am looking at right now. Hell I was suprised this one was under 10,000 in the area I live.
The benz I am looking at is 8,800. I wouldn't mind having a newer model aswell, but its hard to find one in the price range I am looking at right now. Hell I was suprised this one was under 10,000 in the area I live.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Honestly, I'd avoid it like the plague. It's a first year of the generation, and has been very problematic, from what I've seen here over the years. I'd keep looking. If you do buy it, keep a slush fund for repairs, because you'll need it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
'01 and '02 C class have to be the most unreliable MBs ever made. That being said....the failures are well documented and engineering fixes have been put in place to address all the problems. If the car has been maintained properly and you can view the service record for TSB installations it should be OK. Visit https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...bulletins.html for a listing. Mine has 162K miles and it still performs almost like new. The 320 has great power and handles very well for a sedan. $8,800 is good price.
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jetta
I hear ya about the service records. I won't buy a german car with out being able to see records on it and know how it was maintained.
Thanks for the help with it I am going to head over later today or tomorrow to look at it.
Oh and my buddy that has the shop here was wanting to know about how much power the stock motor can handle?
Thanks for the help with it I am going to head over later today or tomorrow to look at it.
Oh and my buddy that has the shop here was wanting to know about how much power the stock motor can handle?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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2010 C300, 2012 Mustang
I just checked some car listings in TN and you guys dont have much. In SoCal 1 in 10 cars is a mbz. Where I live, 1 in 2 cars is a mbz (seriously).
Good Luck with your search but I'd stay away from the 01'
Good Luck with your search but I'd stay away from the 01'
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Alexandria, VA
2005 320 4Matic
My general rules of thumb for car buying:
- NEVER buy the first or second year of a car's incarnation. Bugs are typically worked out by year 3 or 4.
- You will always get what you pay for. A $20K car selling for $5k is almost never a good deal. There is a reason someone isn't getting the higher price for the car
- Service records matter. Just because you change your oil every 3-5K miles, doesn't mean everyone else does. Before you sink your hard earned money into a car, you should really know how it was taken care of.
- A car typically reaches the peak of its depreciation curve by year 3. Cars in that range, that have their service records or at least an extended warranty will do you well.
- Never buy a car you can't see in person. All of the Carfax reports in the world will never give you a complete picture. Stuff gets by all the time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I keep a detailed file with every paper ever associated with my C230 in it. I also have a spreadsheet with similar details. The next owner will get all this info.. assuming there is a "next" owner. I can't imagine getting rid of my C230. It's just too good to me.
