Down shift, check engine light, V8 grumble, power loss, and a burning smell. (20 sec)
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
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Carmax will take it, faults or not. It's too old and has too many miles to be sold on their lot anyway and they will auction it problems and all. They won't mention it and it won't be in the paperwork. That's a very nice offer for a C240 here. Take it, Lane. Take it!
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I'm going to stay out of this debate - I don't think I'm in a position to give wise advice on the American used car market. I will help you if you choose to continue to troubleshoot your car.
BTW - if you choose to leave the Benz family I hope you will pop in & say hi to us on the board from time to time. I would keep your search for new cars between Honda & Toyota. Honda if you want the more exciting of the two. They have won every quality award worth having in recent years too. You could also look for a newer Benz working on the principle that two bad eggs in a row are unlikely. It's all a question of disposable income.
BTW - if you choose to leave the Benz family I hope you will pop in & say hi to us on the board from time to time. I would keep your search for new cars between Honda & Toyota. Honda if you want the more exciting of the two. They have won every quality award worth having in recent years too. You could also look for a newer Benz working on the principle that two bad eggs in a row are unlikely. It's all a question of disposable income.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 9, 2010 at 07:35 AM.
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The older cars really hold their value that much better in SA? My 05 isn't worth but about 12-13k now and it's not a base model, has a few packages. Your cars there come with such better options - the C180k and C200k not included. I wish we had your level of equipment (without the need to special order) but I think the 189hp 230K was about as weak as they were going to get away with here.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yeah Matt. My, albeit excellent condition, C240 will still fetch just under R200,000 here i.e. about US$ 26,000. Remember a new W204 is a R460,000 car here. The C200 comes fully spec'ed here - The C180 is a little stripped down.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 9, 2010 at 07:45 AM.
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Well then it is understandable that you don't see the $7500 offer in a pleasant light. Unfortunately here the W203s have poor resale. Carmax won't even put a 2002 on their lot. But it does allow Lane a quick and painless exit from this automotive hell. I'm no C240 fan but I know that those engines are solid and Lane really has the exception, not the rule. But we both know that he could very well get the engine sorted out only to be hit with some of the more common early W203 electrical problems. No matter the engine, the 2001-2002 W203s just aren't a smart buy, IMO. I just think he might should start fresh.
Edit: I should say, I'm not an M112 fan unless it's the C32.
Edit: I should say, I'm not an M112 fan unless it's the C32.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Aug 9, 2010 at 07:48 AM.
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W206 PHEV AMG
friend's gf's 2008 Camry V6 just had all four struts replaced because of oil leak...on all four of them. AND Toyota claiming it is a wear item NOT COVERED under warranty!...They also wanted $1400 to replace all four struts where my friend couldn't stand the ****ty ride caused by the struts leak and got them replaced for $500.
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Technically it IS a wear item, though premature. Although I guess that depends on how many miles it has. Know someone with an 07 Camry with over 100k miles and no issues - was built in Japan, though. No shock on the price the dealer was asking as they are always ridiculous.
Still wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Camry to anyone. The Camry's 3.5L V6 is almost perverse for a family sedan.
Still wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Camry to anyone. The Camry's 3.5L V6 is almost perverse for a family sedan.
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W206 PHEV AMG
find a independent shop to get the ECU re-flashed.
carmax price seems pretty fair, but once you sell it you won't find another car like it at the same price. to get a car of same caliber you'll probably need to spent around $12k to find a higher mileage 05+ C230k.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Frank - I would, like you, like to see the ECU reflashed. But - I don't think that doing a simple pressure check is a waste of time. It eliminates another possibility & when diagnosing trouble that's what you have to systematically do. If the Star comments are correct the we have 3 cylinders messing around & the problem with the car only shows itself at high load, high RPM. That could be a fuel pump not keeping up with demand. Even if the possibility is slight.
We thought it was an injector - it was not. Diagnosis is not about jumping all over the place. It is a systematic checking of systems. Experience one has should prioritise that check list - Yes!
We thought it was an injector - it was not. Diagnosis is not about jumping all over the place. It is a systematic checking of systems. Experience one has should prioritise that check list - Yes!
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Technically it IS a wear item, though premature. Although I guess that depends on how many miles it has. Know someone with an 07 Camry with over 100k miles and no issues - was built in Japan, though. No shock on the price the dealer was asking as they are always ridiculous.
Still wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Camry to anyone. The Camry's 3.5L V6 is almost perverse for a family sedan.
Still wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Camry to anyone. The Camry's 3.5L V6 is almost perverse for a family sedan.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yep! Toyota's "have every component built in the cheapest location" in an effort to halve the price of building the car & then "assembled in the cheapest location" has cost them in quality.
The latest management is putting the wheels back on - not that they were really off. Trying to be bigger than GM too quickly was not wise. I sense a steady hand back at the helm now.
BTW - I'll bet those struts & shocks came out of the Indonesian plant. I washed my hands of that crap facility a few years back.
The latest management is putting the wheels back on - not that they were really off. Trying to be bigger than GM too quickly was not wise. I sense a steady hand back at the helm now.
BTW - I'll bet those struts & shocks came out of the Indonesian plant. I washed my hands of that crap facility a few years back.
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The photo of the 1998 I posted earlier (and the 07 that I mentioned) were both assembled in one of the highly regarded Japanese plants - I forget the name. With the 1998 if you sat it next to one built in Kentucky the build quality difference was astonishing, especially on the interior. I'm not nearly as familiar with the 07 and wonder if that is still true today. Most Camrys sold here are built here, you really have to look around if you want one built in Japan but in my experience it DOES make a difference.
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C240
Almost settled on a deal for a 2011 Camry LE with alloy wheels for my C240 and 14 grand. Trade in price at the dealership came out to 7,500 dollars for my C240. We really had to play hardball.
Before I take the plunge, I'd like to check out the Honda Accord Coupe or higher model sedan. (One that atleast has alloys and a security system.
)
Before I take the plunge, I'd like to check out the Honda Accord Coupe or higher model sedan. (One that atleast has alloys and a security system.
)
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C240
I think I should mention, after removing my aftermarket exhaust and replacing my stock exhaust, the misfires have left, but aren't gone for good, as my idle is getting rougher by the mile. Coincidence that my misfires are letting off for a day or two because I baby'd the car, or is back-pressure important to normal engine function?
After much number calculations, I've decided to look further into fixing up the car, instead of car buying. Bright and early, tomorrow, I'm replacing cylinder 2 and 5 plug wires. If the rough idle persists, I'll move onto coil packs. The GP Sorensen injector is pure crap. It is not a good fit, in my honest opinion. I'll be taking it back to autozone and giving them my piece of mind.
I'll also be giving my piece of mind to my parts guy who sold me two different spark plugs.
The o-ring that seals the engine cover to the MAF was COATED in a light coat of oil, as was the portion of my engine cover towards the rear of my car. I recently replaced a few breather hoses back there, probably came loose. Hopefully the MAF will survive, the inside of the engine cover and possibly the air filters are soiled.
Lastly, I'm going to try and strike up a deal with the devilship and do my oil change there, but ask for a complimentary ecu re-flash, as that should be of no big task for people with star equipment at hand, correct?
Absolutely could not stand the camry interior, and I wasn't getting much better results with any of the other Jap. vehicles. It'd probably be more cost efficient to fix up this car.
After much number calculations, I've decided to look further into fixing up the car, instead of car buying. Bright and early, tomorrow, I'm replacing cylinder 2 and 5 plug wires. If the rough idle persists, I'll move onto coil packs. The GP Sorensen injector is pure crap. It is not a good fit, in my honest opinion. I'll be taking it back to autozone and giving them my piece of mind.
I'll also be giving my piece of mind to my parts guy who sold me two different spark plugs.
The o-ring that seals the engine cover to the MAF was COATED in a light coat of oil, as was the portion of my engine cover towards the rear of my car. I recently replaced a few breather hoses back there, probably came loose. Hopefully the MAF will survive, the inside of the engine cover and possibly the air filters are soiled.
Lastly, I'm going to try and strike up a deal with the devilship and do my oil change there, but ask for a complimentary ecu re-flash, as that should be of no big task for people with star equipment at hand, correct?
Absolutely could not stand the camry interior, and I wasn't getting much better results with any of the other Jap. vehicles. It'd probably be more cost efficient to fix up this car.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Lane - we might have a Cat problem but none of the indications have been in that direction. While troubleshooting I would keep the car as close to standard as possible.
Do take that injector back - If we feel we need a new injector get it from RMeuropean. Their alternative injector to the OE one looks as though it came out of the same plant.
If you don't ask the stealer for a comp flash - you won't get one so try. Probably time to be humble & pleasant & play the hard up kid story to the maximum. Wear old clothes - don't go in your Gucci's & Armani. An ECU flash is dead easy with the Star. Only quick connect up time.
Just clean the MAF & check all pipes. We can't afford any air leaks or your idle will suck.
Please replace ALL plug wires. Now is not the time to get cheap with things like that. Johnand PMed me - he is trying to help. He can't find the fuel pressure test method in the WIS but is still looking. I want to know that the pump can provide full fuel pressure at maximum engine demand. From everything you have said so far, changing the fuel filter did improve things.
Good luck!
EDIT: Please understand that compression suppresses spark. We cannot tolerate a voltage drop across the plugs at WOT. (maximum volumetric efficiency)
Do take that injector back - If we feel we need a new injector get it from RMeuropean. Their alternative injector to the OE one looks as though it came out of the same plant.
If you don't ask the stealer for a comp flash - you won't get one so try. Probably time to be humble & pleasant & play the hard up kid story to the maximum. Wear old clothes - don't go in your Gucci's & Armani. An ECU flash is dead easy with the Star. Only quick connect up time.
Just clean the MAF & check all pipes. We can't afford any air leaks or your idle will suck.
Please replace ALL plug wires. Now is not the time to get cheap with things like that. Johnand PMed me - he is trying to help. He can't find the fuel pressure test method in the WIS but is still looking. I want to know that the pump can provide full fuel pressure at maximum engine demand. From everything you have said so far, changing the fuel filter did improve things.
Good luck!
EDIT: Please understand that compression suppresses spark. We cannot tolerate a voltage drop across the plugs at WOT. (maximum volumetric efficiency)
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 10, 2010 at 07:17 AM.
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I think you're probably wrong here. The 2001-2002 W203 has a predisposition to ALL sorts of problems and this might just be the beginning. However, it's not like you can't pick back up with the get-rid-of-it plan later if necessary.
Wondering why (specifically) you can't stand a Camry interior? Have been in many and find it superior to even my facelifted W203.
Interesting about the exhaust. Let us know how the dealership responds to your request for an ECU reflash.
Wondering why (specifically) you can't stand a Camry interior? Have been in many and find it superior to even my facelifted W203.
Interesting about the exhaust. Let us know how the dealership responds to your request for an ECU reflash.
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
When the exhaust work was done, the whole exhaust was shaking and bobbing up and down. Perhaps a clogged cat, or similar, got a small amount of leeway..
The camry's interior does the job, though I find it a boring downgrade. I'll get used to it, if need be.
The camry's interior does the job, though I find it a boring downgrade. I'll get used to it, if need be.
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The pre-facelift W203 interior is one of the worst I've ever seen. Weird how everyone sees the same things entirely different at times.
Do you hear any rattles or anything that might indicate a cat problem? Not that it will always be present.
Do you hear any rattles or anything that might indicate a cat problem? Not that it will always be present.
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From: Orlando, FL
C240
I'll be parting out the small amount of mods I've done to the car to be on the safe side.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Matt - enough! - you've reiterated your position - it's laneshift's decision & he does not have to agree with you. He also has to live with that decision.
Some like me like the old S Class interior look - I had the choice when I bought my car right on the cusp in SA - could have had it either way. Others like you like the E class look. I find it more plastic & dislike chrome in any form applied to plastic - e.g. cluster & aircon controls etc. I don't like the deeper skirting all round & mainly in the nose of the facelift. It makes the car look too stubby & upright. As the press said at launch of the W203 " The mini S Class styling makes this sleek & organic vehicle shape difficult to size at a glance - It will age well" - and it has! I fear the W204 will not age as gracefully.
It's all a matter of taste & opinion. Everyone is welcome to their's.
Some like me like the old S Class interior look - I had the choice when I bought my car right on the cusp in SA - could have had it either way. Others like you like the E class look. I find it more plastic & dislike chrome in any form applied to plastic - e.g. cluster & aircon controls etc. I don't like the deeper skirting all round & mainly in the nose of the facelift. It makes the car look too stubby & upright. As the press said at launch of the W203 " The mini S Class styling makes this sleek & organic vehicle shape difficult to size at a glance - It will age well" - and it has! I fear the W204 will not age as gracefully.
It's all a matter of taste & opinion. Everyone is welcome to their's.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 10, 2010 at 11:31 AM.
