Considering purchasing a 2004 c230 or 97 s420
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
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From: minneapolis, mn
89 325ix and 91 325i
Considering purchasing a 2004 c230 or 97 s420
Considering a 04 C230 or 97 s420 or 98 e320
Hello,
I am a newbie to the forums, but I was wondering if anyone would way in with their opinions on a two cars that I am considering.
1. 04 C230 sedan with 75,000 miles. This car is very clean and being sold by a mb dealership. Price is $12000. Dealer is heding about certifying due to 75,000 mile mark.
2. 97 s420 with 150,000 for $5500. Clean but from a private dealer.
I know the S class will be more luxurious and powerful. Which of these cars will kill me to maintain, and which one if well maintained will keep my kids college fund in decent shape.
I also live in Minnesota and this would be my daily driver all year long. Neither of these is 4matic.
Thanks!
SJ
Hello,
I am a newbie to the forums, but I was wondering if anyone would way in with their opinions on a two cars that I am considering.
1. 04 C230 sedan with 75,000 miles. This car is very clean and being sold by a mb dealership. Price is $12000. Dealer is heding about certifying due to 75,000 mile mark.
2. 97 s420 with 150,000 for $5500. Clean but from a private dealer.
I know the S class will be more luxurious and powerful. Which of these cars will kill me to maintain, and which one if well maintained will keep my kids college fund in decent shape.
I also live in Minnesota and this would be my daily driver all year long. Neither of these is 4matic.
Thanks!
SJ
Last edited by slj333; Nov 15, 2009 at 09:43 PM. Reason: typo
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
Considering a 04 C230 or 97 s420 or 98 e320
Hello,
I am a newbie to the forums, but I was wondering if anyone would way in with their opinions on a two cars that I am considering.
1. 04 C230 sedan with 75,000 miles. This car is very clean and being sold by a mb dealership. Price is $12000. Dealer is heding about certifying due to 75,000 mile mark.
2. 07 s420 with 150,000 for $5500. Clean but from a private dealer.
I know the S class will be more luxurious and powerful. Which of these cars will kill me to maintain, and which one if well maintained will keep my kids college fund in decent shape.
I also live in Minnesota and this would be my daily driver all year long. Neither of these is 4matic.
Thanks!
SJ
Hello,
I am a newbie to the forums, but I was wondering if anyone would way in with their opinions on a two cars that I am considering.
1. 04 C230 sedan with 75,000 miles. This car is very clean and being sold by a mb dealership. Price is $12000. Dealer is heding about certifying due to 75,000 mile mark.
2. 07 s420 with 150,000 for $5500. Clean but from a private dealer.
I know the S class will be more luxurious and powerful. Which of these cars will kill me to maintain, and which one if well maintained will keep my kids college fund in decent shape.
I also live in Minnesota and this would be my daily driver all year long. Neither of these is 4matic.
Thanks!
SJ
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I'd say to go with the C. The S is a higher end car, but with 150,000 you're looking at a transmission rebuild at some point I think. The C will probably last longer and be cheaper to repair. Really, it's about your taste.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
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From: minneapolis, mn
89 325ix and 91 325i
Cool. Before I make my offer to the MB dealer for the 04 C230, what should I ask from them for maitenance? Brake fluid flush, oil change, brake status, new belts...?
Can anyone share the experiences good/bad with the C230 in ice and snow? I grew up with rear wheel drive, but I want to go into this with both eyes open.
Thanks,
Steve
Can anyone share the experiences good/bad with the C230 in ice and snow? I grew up with rear wheel drive, but I want to go into this with both eyes open.
Thanks,
Steve
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
Go with the C unless you need a big car. I think the upkeep will be less, and at 75K, you've got a lot of driving to do before any major repairs (on average).
I had a 98 C230, and I loved it, but the RWD in Michigan winters was a nightmare. Snow tires are not optional--buy them NOW. I also put some sandbags in the trunk and that helped. With the snow tires and the extra junk in the trunk, it was almost manageable. But the winters have gotten colder, more snow, and more ice.
So, after a few years of white knuckling it on ice-covered Michigan roads, I decided that the RWD was just not enough. I traded it in and got a 4Matic, which is awesome.
For Minnesota daily driver, I would look for a 4Matic. It won't cost you that much more if you're buying used.
Good luck, and let us know what you get!
I had a 98 C230, and I loved it, but the RWD in Michigan winters was a nightmare. Snow tires are not optional--buy them NOW. I also put some sandbags in the trunk and that helped. With the snow tires and the extra junk in the trunk, it was almost manageable. But the winters have gotten colder, more snow, and more ice.
So, after a few years of white knuckling it on ice-covered Michigan roads, I decided that the RWD was just not enough. I traded it in and got a 4Matic, which is awesome.
For Minnesota daily driver, I would look for a 4Matic. It won't cost you that much more if you're buying used.
Good luck, and let us know what you get!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Did all of you miss the pricing part? The 97 S420 is less than 1/2 the price of the 04 C230.
I say buy the $5,500 1997 S420 and keep the $6,500 for possible repairs. The 4.2L V8 is a stout, solid, reliable engine. The 1997 year was a few years before the major quality control issues started plaguing this brand.
Knowing what I know about the W203, I'm more inclined to think you'll be facing repairs on the 04 before you will on the 97.
BUY THE S420.
I say buy the $5,500 1997 S420 and keep the $6,500 for possible repairs. The 4.2L V8 is a stout, solid, reliable engine. The 1997 year was a few years before the major quality control issues started plaguing this brand.
Knowing what I know about the W203, I'm more inclined to think you'll be facing repairs on the 04 before you will on the 97.
BUY THE S420.
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
[QUOTE=LILBENZ230;3812681]Did all of you miss the pricing part? The 97 S420 is less than 1/2 the price of the 04 C230.
That's a good point, but figure the 8Cyl vs 4 Cyl gas costs for a daily driver as well. I don't have the exact numbers on hand, but I my old C230 got upwards of 27 combined highway/city. I'd be surprised if the S gets even half that. That is gonna add up over time.
Fun to read the different perspectives on this though!
That's a good point, but figure the 8Cyl vs 4 Cyl gas costs for a daily driver as well. I don't have the exact numbers on hand, but I my old C230 got upwards of 27 combined highway/city. I'd be surprised if the S gets even half that. That is gonna add up over time.
Fun to read the different perspectives on this though!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The C will get better gas mileage, no dispute there. But $6,500 buys a lot of gas.
I say go with the S420. Mercedes began emerging from the really bad period around 2005. The 2005-2007 W203s are considered solidly reliable and I wouldn't buy one before 2005.
The S420 will run forever if properly maintained. Everyone remembers the old W124, right? The 1997 W140 is from that era in Mercedes. Those were good years for the brand and those cars are iconic. I have a friend who has a 95 420E and it is knocking on 300,000 miles without issue.
I say go with the S420. Mercedes began emerging from the really bad period around 2005. The 2005-2007 W203s are considered solidly reliable and I wouldn't buy one before 2005.
The S420 will run forever if properly maintained. Everyone remembers the old W124, right? The 1997 W140 is from that era in Mercedes. Those were good years for the brand and those cars are iconic. I have a friend who has a 95 420E and it is knocking on 300,000 miles without issue.
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But. Im Not Mercedes specialist, but the older model benz's are known to go for LONG without any form of problems. Did you notice how far up in mileage the maintinece is? As in how high it goes up.
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For the record, I'd say the C-class, too.. if it were 2005, 2006, or 2007. I can't recommend the 2001-2004 cars in good faith. So those of you posting to get the C-class who own a 2005-2007 model, keep in mind the newer W203 cars have quite a few upgrades and advantages over the pre-facelift cars, especially 2006+ with the new powertrains.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Nov 17, 2009 at 06:08 PM.
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20,000 miles in 15 years? I hate to say it but that's likely where the trouble lies. Cars are made to be driven, not as decorations. Long periods of sitting = deterioration. Give me a car with tons of highway miles over a garage queen any day! Been there, done that.
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Ahahahaha 20k miles in 15years? Wow. Is that possible. Was it driven a few times a month? And iF you knew you were going to not really use it why wouldn't you sell of trade up for something newer overtime?
Last edited by OneOfaKindTrini; Nov 17, 2009 at 07:06 PM.
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C3Twon AWD Jumpofffff
Dude when did they have Corvettes in Hong Kong??? How much are they there? I remember going back when I was young and there were no american cars... more info please
Member
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From: vancouver, bc
2005 c320 4matic
first off.....gas is freakn expensive...second, the commuting distance isnt as long as here
plus all cars there are 2-3 times the pricing here
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2012 E300 4Matic
Does the '97 S420 have air suspension? If so, prepare to spend big bucks to maintain it.
I had a Lincoln Continental that had air suspension and it was a pain and fortune to keep it maintained. I finally spent almost a grand to replace it with a coil suspension.
I had a Lincoln Continental that had air suspension and it was a pain and fortune to keep it maintained. I finally spent almost a grand to replace it with a coil suspension.
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Mercedes C350 4matic Luxury
Yeah, my friend had a 2000 s430 and he got rid of his s class because of the airmatic suspension. Both the drivers side front and reason suspensions had to be replace at $1700.00 Canadian each!
