nathandimond

After investigating several Mercedes-Benz products only to find I have too little money for either the price of admission(2006 C280) or ownership cost(2000-2002 W220), I've decided to look into the C320 sedans MY 2001-2003. I know the M112 engine is not as good as the M272 as far reliability and smoothness but what can I expect? What are the problem areas of the M112 and is it safe to presume that the problems have already been sorted out by previous owners?

TemjinX2

The engine and tranny are reliable. Its the electronics that are not. Preface lift experience seat control modules that drain the battery over night.

Command unit fan not turning off with the car.

leaky valeo radiators. CPS sensor going bad.

I would suggest just saving longer and get a refresh model. There more reliable, has a nicer interior and exterior.

nrg_mike

I know it's out of your year range, but my 05 C320 sport has been a dream to own. I haven't had any issues with it other than a fuel pump replacement a few years back.

LILBENZ230

If cost of ownership is an issue DO NOT buy an early W203. I think by 2003 things were mostly sorted out but the most reliable W203s are the facelifted 2005-2007 cars. It sounds like you are really on a budget and I would advise you to shop another brand.

C280 Sport

I would not suggest a early W203(01-03) Lots of issues and for the price your going to pay for it you can get yourself into a W210 for the same money. Inpsect every car and take your time and dont feel rushed. How much exaclty are you looking to spend? Where are you located?

Glyn M Ruck

Buy a German built car in the US from 2003 onward (Actually built in 2003 not just registered 2003) - later 2003 the better. Do not buy an early Brazilian car. The M112 powertrain is bullet proof - just the odd sensor, coil & wire replacement required. It was proven in earlier models. Most problems were fixed before the facelift and if cash is tight buying a late 2003 could just get you the deal you want.

OneOfaKindTrini

Save for a C350. Or C230 or C280 or if in you're price range a C55

Xhale707

i like my 320 just wish i got the c32

OneOfaKindTrini

May I also suggest a E46 330i. Very solid cars, the i-6 in the e46 is a great motor.

nathandimond

I am on a budget but what I am trying to do is get a car with the features I want, primarily safety(hear airbags, ESP, etc.), and luxury features I miss having(remote key, auto-dimming mirror, power seats) all at a good price, under 10K ideally. My logic is, if the car can be had for a cheap price, the lower car payments will make it possible for me to handle any maintenance and unexpected repairs without much worry.

I live in northern Utah so the winters are not pleasant. AWD is not so much a concern as long as my car is fitted with dedicated snow tires. When you consider the dynamics of driving, RWD actually makes a lot of sense. I don't really care for the W210. The styling really turns me cold. I chose to consider early build W203s, despite my knowledge that the post refresh models are the reliable ones, because my older brother has a 2001 C320 and it has been a great car for him. Over 120,000 miles and still runs great. He bought it from the original owner so maybe he took care of all the trouble spots before selling it.

I have been considering BMW as well. The E46 3-series are still too expensive and don't offer very many options. Plus, they seem to require a lot more maintenance to keep running at it's best. I have been seriously looking at 2001-2003 5-series and 2000-2001 7-series because they can be bought for 8-9.5K with about 100,000 miles and well optioned out. They just don't feel as solid as a Benz does. Even the 2000 C280 I tested was rock solid and felt even tighter than the W203. I walked away form the W202 because of no head airbags and no tilting steering wheel.

TemjinX2

maybe just save longer and get a 05 c230...they look like there going for around $13k on autotrader. Its not too much more then your 10k budget. If your not a diy'er any major problem with the c320 will quickly erase your $3k savings.

nathandimond

As far as DIY, it all depends on what needs to be done. When I got my 1986 BMW 528e given to me, I decided I was going to do the work myself. This was a big deal for me because I had NEVER spent time under the hood of a car except one instance when I helped my dad change the oil...I was 21 years old. I will admit that I was outraged buy the price for parts on a 24 year-old car(example: $90 for a strip if rubber for the sunroof). But to be fair, I was coming from an Acura which only required tire rotation and oil changes during the time I drove it(except for transmission failure but Honda/Acura helped). As time past, I got used to paying the high prices; I just adapted by changing other aspects of the way I lived. In retrospect, I'm glad I got the BMW because the experience has made me a better person.

TemjinX2

from your posts its seems like your on a limited budget and have limited mechanical experience. Most of us either diy or take it to indy shops. But even the MB indy shops are alot more expensive when compared honda indy shops.

I would take a look at the diy sticky and see if your comfortable with the diy's. If your ok with it then go for it.

But honestly i think your better off with the acura. If you have to alter your living style just to be able afford the car, i think your better off not getting that car.

nathandimond

You're probably right. Too bad the W140 didn't have head curtain airbags.

samaritrey

+1
If you end up with a w203 that was treat bad you might end up with lots of work to do that can get very expensive. I would say if you don't have like 2k at least available at a moments notice to throw in to your car any German car is not for you. I hate Hondas and acuras but as long as you get one that does not have the famous transmission issues they are a safer bet.

Personally my 01 c320 has 148k on it and has been a very good car to me but has not been dirt cheap to own (all Maintenance oil changes, tires, brakes, trans fluid, differential fluid, shocks/struts)
GL

C280 Sport

You could just pick up a nice W126,W123 or W124 for half the price?

LILBENZ230

You have started 22 threads in 10 months now about researching Mercedes cars and wanting to buy one - from questioning us about M272 oil consumption, to is it possible to hydroplane a 4Matic, to is the 722.6 transmission a reliable one.. etc etc etc. I don't think you could be any more paranoid about this purchase.

I strongly suggest you take our advice and not buy an early W203. Trey and your relative's cars are the exceptions. The trend here is that the 01-02 and early 03 cars are poor choices for people with limited funds. They were computer tested rather than tested in the real world and while the powertrains are reliable the rest of it would scare the hell out of me. EIS failures, CPS failures, radiators that leak glycol into the ATF and cause the transmission to blow, power seat modules that fail and drain batteries, ESP modules that fail, recirculating valve covers that leak, castor bushings that won't last... I could go on and on. I can almost guarantee you that if you spend Hyundai Accent money on a Mercedes you will live to regret it. The fact that Trey, who owns and loves an 01 C320, tells you not to make this purchase should be all the advice you need. These threads where people ask for advice and then dismiss it if it isn't exactly what they want to hear are quite annoying.

Take your $10,000 and buy an Asian car that is newer with all the safety features you want and has low miles and will provide you years of trouble free service. Trust me, that's the smartest thing you can do. The safest thing about the C320 you speak of will be the fact that you won't be able to drive it because it will be broken and you won't have any money to fix it.

Glyn M Ruck

Buy a used Toyota Camry - boring as hell. Tough as nails & easy to maintain. This advice from someone who has a completely troublefree W203 & loves the car. Total repairs 2 X Castor bushes, one 5 cent tranny plug washer & one brake lamp.

But I'm about to have a $2000, 60,000Km service which includes tranny flush etc. I'm more than prepared to pay that because I'm too lazy to DIY. If you can't DIY these cars are fairly expensive to maintain.

samaritrey

+1000000

C280 Sport

Hello out there!!!! W123 Diesel. Cheap to buy. Easy to fix and work on. Same price as a Camery except 100X better.

LILBENZ230

1. Where is your logic?
2. Why haven't you read his posts?

1. The W123 is not 100X better than any modern car. Time is not on its side. Car technology has moved on. I agree that old Mercedes cars are legends and I admire them, but they're still very old.

2. In multiple posts he has stated he wants a car with modern safety features such as ESP and head curtain airbags. I don't blame him for wanting these as they've been proven to save lives.

C280 Sport

Wooo listen to this young whipper snapper over hear with the "Where is your logic" Well since I have been a Benz owner since 1980 and have tons of experience with the W123 is why I suggested it. Who said its 100x better then any modern car? Try reading I said its 100X better then a Camry lol. And as far as saving saves your aware that the W123 and many older Mb's may not have the fancy electronic but the crash test ratings are amazing on then. Believe me I was in a accident with a W123 going 70MPH and I bet you if I was in a old Civic or some small little car I would not be typing this today. So now you see my logic and I think my recommdation was appropriate. Not putting a gun to his/her head but since this is a Mercedes forum and he did come here wanting a Mercedes I am just suggesting other models in his price range thats all. Just dont want to see him or her running to another forum and another trying to find advice on a car without considering all possible options.

LILBENZ230

I don't care if you were friends with Karl Benz. Credentials and knowledge are two entirely different things in this case.

So a newer model Camry is not a modern car? Perhaps you should try that "reading" thing you recommend. You know a lot less about cars than you think if you believe such an old car is superior to a newer model Camry. You're entitled to your belief but making up statistics on the spot seems quite stupid.

Modern cars offer higher levels of crash protection in the unavoidable accident. That is NOT an opinion. The safest crash is the one you avoid and on that front a modern car with ABS and ESP is far, far, far superior.

No.. where? I see anecdotal evidence and fabricated statistics. Logic, though, still absent.

He asked for advice on early W203s and was given such advice. He made it CLEAR that safety was a big, big issue for him (specifically calling out head airbags and ESP). Several of us read his entire posts (no skimming) and gave him appropriate advice. I called you out because you were ignoring everything he had said.

FrankW

it is a great motor, but M54B30 still has a lot of issues. engine for engine the M112 is a more reliable engine vs the M54 series. mainly the vanos is a known fault for a long time.

C280 Sport

Well with 10k the chances are the newest Camry you would be getting is around a 2005 unless you getting a newer one really stripped down(According to a nationwide search on cars.com. As far as the ABS and ESP you can pick up a W124 or hell even a W210 that has both of those options and the ones listed. And again the only reason I am suggestion this is because well your at a MB Forum and why not show him all the avenues before wondering off on another forum and starting all over again. Just trying to save some time