Autoweek C320 Long-term wrap up
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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Autoweek C320 Long-term wrap up
Autoweek just finished up a long-term test for C320 wagon and didn't have too many kind things to say.
Autoweek finishes off long-term C320 wagon test.
What bothers me is that many of the problems that were fixed recurred before the test was over. I hope Autoweek doesn't fill out an evaluation form for JD Powers or Consumer Reports.
Autoweek finishes off long-term C320 wagon test.
What bothers me is that many of the problems that were fixed recurred before the test was over. I hope Autoweek doesn't fill out an evaluation form for JD Powers or Consumer Reports.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
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From: Northeast US
2003 C320 4Matic
String of Problems anyone?
Saw the article. I hope that it was a fluke. However, it does seem like a pretty wide array of problems affecting different systems.
Anyone in the real world experiencing similar?
Anyone in the real world experiencing similar?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 280
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From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Originally posted by mbtech208
Must have been a bad example car. Some of those problems I've never even seen before. Anti-roll bar bushings? Cloudy fog lamp lens? Broken glovebox? Hmmm.....
Must have been a bad example car. Some of those problems I've never even seen before. Anti-roll bar bushings? Cloudy fog lamp lens? Broken glovebox? Hmmm.....
At 20k miles, my torsion bar bushings have failed and, at low speeds, it sounds like the whole front end is falling out from under the car.
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
My CD player died.
The steering wheel buttons cracked.
The contol arm bushings had to be replaced.
The Smart keys have failed.
BAS/ESP lights - constant annoyance
Driver's seat latch mechanism failed
numerous plastic interior parts break - nearly constantly
headlight washer mechanism broke
I have to stop there. It's too depressing.
And I actually baby my car.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Northeast US
2003 C320 4Matic
Originally posted by RedC230K
Dave,
At 20k miles, my torsion bar bushings have failed and, at low speeds, it sounds like the whole front end is falling out from under the car.
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
My CD player died.
The steering wheel buttons cracked.
The contol arm bushings had to be replaced.
The Smart keys have failed.
BAS/ESP lights - constant annoyance
Driver's seat latch mechanism failed
numerous plastic interior parts break - nearly constantly
headlight washer mechanism broke
I have to stop there. It's too depressing.
And I actually baby my car.
Dave,
At 20k miles, my torsion bar bushings have failed and, at low speeds, it sounds like the whole front end is falling out from under the car.
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
My CD player died.
The steering wheel buttons cracked.
The contol arm bushings had to be replaced.
The Smart keys have failed.
BAS/ESP lights - constant annoyance
Driver's seat latch mechanism failed
numerous plastic interior parts break - nearly constantly
headlight washer mechanism broke
I have to stop there. It's too depressing.
And I actually baby my car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Brabus w203
Originally posted by RedC230K
Dave,
At 20k miles, my torsion bar bushings have failed and, at low speeds, it sounds like the whole front end is falling out from under the car.
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
My CD player died.
The steering wheel buttons cracked.
The contol arm bushings had to be replaced.
The Smart keys have failed.
BAS/ESP lights - constant annoyance
Driver's seat latch mechanism failed
numerous plastic interior parts break - nearly constantly
headlight washer mechanism broke
I have to stop there. It's too depressing.
And I actually baby my car.
Dave,
At 20k miles, my torsion bar bushings have failed and, at low speeds, it sounds like the whole front end is falling out from under the car.
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
My CD player died.
The steering wheel buttons cracked.
The contol arm bushings had to be replaced.
The Smart keys have failed.
BAS/ESP lights - constant annoyance
Driver's seat latch mechanism failed
numerous plastic interior parts break - nearly constantly
headlight washer mechanism broke
I have to stop there. It's too depressing.
And I actually baby my car.
sorry to hear bout that...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Originally posted by brabus c
sorry to hear bout that...
sorry to hear bout that...
Thanks, guys. I love the car.
But, you know....
My Volkswagen never had a problem even ONCE in 68,000 miles.
The lesson I learned: Never buy version 1 of ANYTHING. hahahahaha
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Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: FairFax, Virginia
TO RedC230K
RED - please tell me what was the problem with you sun roof and how it was FINALLY fixed (if it is fixed). I am on the 4th trip to the dealer for the sun roof and am getting very tired of it now. Espcially when i keep getting stuck with bottom of the heap GM loaners.
My sunroof makes very very ennoying clunking noises when closed and at low to moderate speed.
Thanks
My sunroof makes very very ennoying clunking noises when closed and at low to moderate speed.
Thanks
Originally posted by RedC230K
Dave,
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
Dave,
It took 14 trips to the dealer to fix the sunroof.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Typically MB's are not that realiable, if you have a good one then that's great. I've had 4 and while the state of california called one a lemon they weren't really horrible like a Yugo or Fiat. They really slipped in the JD Powers 5 yr dependability surveys and that's a shame because they weren't that good before so to see them slip like that is bad. Doesn't mean I don't like the car or the service, just think that a premium car should have premium reliability.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Re: TO RedC230K
Originally posted by Benzer
RED -
My sunroof makes very very ennoying clunking noises when closed and at low to moderate speed.
Thanks
RED -
My sunroof makes very very ennoying clunking noises when closed and at low to moderate speed.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
"..didn't have too many kind things to say..."
Actually, they did have many kind things to say. If it weren't for the obvious defects it would have been a good report. Unfortunately this wasn't an isolated case. Not reliability related problems but annoyances requiring service visits.
Took MB several visits to fix a couple of my problems. I would still buy another Merc before a "defect free" Lexus or whatever because I feel the ride and feel is superior. And yes, because I paid more for the car I expect more quality and am disappointed but not put off.
Took MB several visits to fix a couple of my problems. I would still buy another Merc before a "defect free" Lexus or whatever because I feel the ride and feel is superior. And yes, because I paid more for the car I expect more quality and am disappointed but not put off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 1
From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Buellwinkle, you just can't resist making the same irrelevant remarks in these types of threads can you? PLEASE tell us how the C class ranked in the 5 year JD power study, NOT an "average" for the entire MB line. Also, please remember to quote JD Power's associate who stated that the first few years of the poor ML class was the biggest reason for MB's low OVERALL score on this particular study. 
Please post a study that says the C class is anything less than average when it comes to reliability.
By the way, we discussed this long-term wrap-up review several months ago.
Typically MB's are not that realiable
By the way, we discussed this long-term wrap-up review several months ago.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 461
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
The current c class was new in 01, so a 5 yr avg is meaningless for our cars. Consumers Reports lists the c class to be much worse than avg for expected reliability. I don't know how they arrive at that, but probably by using 01 data to predict the 02 reliability. My car is reliable in the sense that it always starts and gets me to my destination, but the transmission has never shifted right from day one, it burns a qt of oil every 2000 miles, it has had to be in the shop for the ESP/BAS problem, fuel sender problem, the hinge on the rear hatch cover ripped right off, etc. But it is "reliable" - A reliable POS.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
In a year of ownership my only problem Ive had is a cracked button on the steering wheel. Car runs great! No oil usage, no issues whatsoever. I love it!
If this is unreliable, I'll take it over my last so called "reliable" car, a Honda Accord. What a POS.
If this is unreliable, I'll take it over my last so called "reliable" car, a Honda Accord. What a POS.
