MW_ATL

Lane, I was talking to our fleet manager here over lunch. We were bouncing around everything you have done. He made a mention that makes sense. He said everything sounds like problems our cars show with Coil Packs, and that if your problem was with the connectors TO the coil pack it would explain why the problem stayed with #4 instead of moving when you moved the CP.

He has gotten pretty good at diagnosing CP problems on the Crown Vic's. I don't know how well this will translate to the Benz, but systems work similar. He said that he had seen damaged wires on the connector to the CP, or connectors allowing moisture or corrosion.

I hope that helps, it just seems like you are on the right track.

LILBENZ230

Pardon? I'm allowed to ask Lane what he found so offensive about a Camry's basic and neutral interior. And I'm well aware of your preference for the pre-facelifts and underpowered V6s. I did not imply that he must agree with me, but I will voice my opinion on this public forum as often as I wish. Lane does not agree with me and that doesn't bother me at all, I hope he appreciates that I had his best interest in mind with my opinion. I hope he gets this car sorted if this is the car he wants. I admire his abilities and his patience and I've told him this before. I'll follow this thread through completion and really wish I could be of real help here.

I don't live in South Africa, but I can tell you that here the C240 continues to be the butt of Benz jokes. As far as what the press said at the release of the W203 - well that makes perfect sense. Considering they had yet to see the facelift in 2001, I'd hardly expect them to offer an opinion on it. If you want to post something relevant to your opinion please find some press that says the facelift worsened the line - and good luck on that.

Glyn M Ruck

I was digging at you about telling lane to sell the car - a few posts got in the way. As I've said before you are like a dog with a bone. Yes it's a public forum & you may continue. Don't try & make youngsters unhappy with their choices. You can't make me unhappy because I agree with the European scribes which is why I selected what I have & bought it new. No regrets - I like a Benz to feel like a traditional Benz. Leather & all. One thing I will agree on - In ROW the C240 was an expensive way to join the Benz family - It sold at a substantial premium over the 4 cylinder models.

Funnily enough - I have press reports that vary from "a nice mid-life freshen up" to "What were they thinking - they should not have messed with it" & "they should not have touched it - why must manufacturers always fiddle - it's lost it's purity of line" Take your pick - it's a matter of opinion.

LILBENZ230

I don't think I can get to Lane on that level. The C240 was expensive here, too - IIRC costing more than the C230K and not better equipped.

Glyn M Ruck

+1 This problem is very typical of coilpacks & wires. Just that on Benz you usually get a cylinder swap of misfire with exchange & lane has new wires on 4. But it could still be a connector. I'm surprised the dealer could not see it on the Star. I've been trying to save lane money but if it had been my own car & I have more expendible income, I would have tossed all the wires & coilpacks just to get that possibility out of the way. But then it would be my wallet that was thinner if it made no difference.