timmynabenz

Before I bought my 203, as most of us did, I did A LOT of research. What I found was the 272 engine was/was thought to be more reliable than the 271 engine, which totally made sense because it was a N/A vs. a forced induction Supercharged engine. But it seems to me that it’s not just the engine.. has anybody else noticed that the car as a whole seems to be much reliable for the 2006/07 model years with the m272?

And you might just say “oh, well 2005- cars tend to have more miles”, but we see a lot of people on here with problems, and many have less miles than me.

I mean I drive a lot, my 2006 now has just under 75k miles, and the motor mounts just needed to be replaced, but that’s the first major problem this car has had! I checked the VMI. But even minor things, if I wasn’t so picky, this car would NEVER go to the dealer.

My friend’s dad has a 2006 C230 for his DD, it has close to 96k miles, and he has only had 1-2 major problems too.

On the other hand, my buddy has a really nice 2005 C230, and he takes really good care of her, yet he needed to take it to the dealer probably once every other month or more.

I mean, just right now, on the first page of the 203 thread, there are 7+ threads about various problems on 2001-05’s but I only see 1 or 2 threads on 2006+

This isn’t about bashing an older 203’s, its just my observations and I’m wondering what you all think.

zerocover

It makes sense. In general when a model gets a facelift they become much more reliable, and as time goes by MB has more time to tweak out any problems that have popped up. As an engineer I know that unforseen problems seem to pop up all the time, you just gotta work them out as they show up.

I find MB reached deep into their parts bin when they made the late model 07's. For instance I have AMG sway bars on my 07 4matic, they deff wouldn't be there on earlier models. I can imagine the 06's got a similar treatment.

Norwichdelta06

well that goes with any first year of a new generation vehicle. You can even notice less and less TSB's as the same model gets newer and newer. I mean my Saturn first Gen first year had a tranmission problem...steering rack steering pump etc etc. And my mom bought the same exact vehicle just 3 years newer and had 1-2 minor problems.

A perfect example is the Ford Crown Victorian... that thing has been around for almost 20 years... the first 5 years of that vehicle there was nonstop problems but after numerous trial and errors with consuer complaints etc etc that thing is completely flawless. Too bad they are discontinuing it next year...

polarbexar

Probably on how someone takes care of it and drives it. My 05 has 127K miles and still gives me 34 MPG and has not had any problems. I chose an 05 over an 06 for the fuel economy.

nrg_mike

I toatlly agree. With the final years before a model change, the model often gets refined and improved before changed. Call it learning from mistakes or the process of improvement, but it's definitely true.
Honestly, I had an 02 sport coupe and the difference in quality between that and my 05 is easily seen. Plastic parts became metal parts. More attention to detail was implemented and excess was cut out (that I've seen with my 203 and 204).
I also want to add that I'm quite proud of my 05 C320 Sport for it's quality, durability and longevity (and rarity lol). Sinve I've owned it, I've only had a small issue with a faulty fuel pump and thats it.

e24kgold

my 05 c230 just turned 128k this morning and haven't had the first problem

W203E35

I think it depends on who. I've had many problems with my car. Took my car to the dealer because of transmission 3 times. They finally changed the Valve Body and it's still not the same. I was loosing quarts of oil and they changed a couple of stuff that was leaking and the problem still wasn't fixed. They did an oil consumption test and gave me BS answers. I found the oil leaks myself and that was because the cam plugs were leaking and the idiot at the dealer changed them and the silicon was bad and still kept leaking.

I think each model and year has it's bad apples. I do agree that the m272 does have less problems. I read a lot of common problems for the m271 and even the m112.

With the benz it's a love and hate relationship. Some days I say i'll never buy a Benz and some days I love her soo much. I will say this though F the MBDealers and MBUSA!!!

johnand

Motor mounts already?! I have 70K on my 07, and the mounts seem fine on mine. Did you have any symptoms, or were they replaced based on how they looked?

I am with Karo, my 07 which should be the pinnacle of W203 reliability, has not been stellar. I had the following replaced: steering rack, control arms twice, camshaft control solenoid, and the cupholder twice. I have had several flashes for the ECM, and TCM for various issues. I have had to reset, renormalize, recalibrate, the power seats and sunroof. I have had MANY rattles fixed including both the seat belt adjusters, the radio, instrument cluster, ashtray cover, passenger seat, rear shelf, etc. The seatbelt adjuster rattles took 3 tries by the dealer to get right.

nickgailloux

I think its just perception. The 06-07 may be more reliable due to Mercedes improving things slightly with each model year, however, consider a few things...

1) People are most likely to post about their problems then about how well their car has run.
2) On average, older cars will have more mileage. This is just plain math.

I seem to notice more problems posted about 2001-2004's than 2005 and up's, but again, its just perception. The only real way to know would be to look at something like consumer reports, where they take a very large sample size and compare.

Not saying you're right or wrong, there very well could have been major improvements made in a certain model year, but its just too hard to make that conclusion based on the content of one forum.

XsuperbeeX

YOU JUST REALIZE TODAY!?!??! :facepalm:

jrsmith_68

Can't compare directly to earlier models, but I currently have 54,000 miles on my 2007 without any major issues. I have had it in only for a squeak in the dash, cupholder and a rattleing door handle.

W203E35

I have soo many rattles too John. Sometimes I feel like I am driving a beater. My seats squeak (spring), my seatbelt clip always hit's the side making this stupid ticking noise, the doors, sunroof cover slides back. The only reason I still love my car is because of the power. I'm very sorry to say this and trust me I'm the last person to put anyone down on this forum but if I had the 230 (because of power) I would have hated the w203. I believe this is because all the problems I have had in the past and still do. The only thing I like about my car is the looks and speed. Other than that I have had sooo many little problems that I hate the 203. Definitely not worth the extra money on maintenance (if I hadn't done it myself) and power. After this sad to say I will never buy a Benz unless it's a high end one where the problems are worth the while (speed and power).

ChrisBrown

I have a 2005 and my motor mounts and transmission mounts needed to be replaced. I did it a month ago and I'm at 94,000 miles.

johnand

Well, with my commute, wouldn't matter whether I had a C350 or not. Barely get a chance to open up the C230 Even with the issues, I still love the car, and have no plans of changing anytime soon. I think between me and the dealer, I have ironed out 99% of the problems.

W203E35

Ok fine, i'll admit the only reason I don't like the car is the backseat. Everytime me and Patrick hop to the back I always bump my head

johnand

Now I know why you have so many rattles from the back seat

W203E35

Good one

Milkm4n

Karo's car had blown rear struts at 5,100 miles and again at 12,600 dealer said they were faulty but blown struts Karo's head injuries and Patrick's back problems coincidence's.....i think they are all related

samaritrey

nrg_mike

LOL I was going to make a Titanic "hand print" joke but then I came across this and found it far more funnier.

samaritrey

Titanic that is my favorite movie
did i just say that out loud crap.

LILBENZ230

2005+ cars (the facelifted ones) are more reliable (as a whole) than 01-04 cars. Aside from the engine, the 2005s are identical to the 2006 and 2007 cars. Well, the engine, and the consistent cost-cutting measures that were in place beginning in 2006. 2005s were better equipped stock than the later 2006-2007 models.

zerocover

This is a very good observation.
Less options mean less stuff to go wrong

e24kgold

+1

W203E35

Interesting. So the 05 models have more option than the 06 and 07?

I didn't know that. Good to know