victorb623

This is my first mercedes benz car. I just moved in here in the U.S. a little more than a year and a half ago. I am currently studying basic and advance automotive technology at Wyotech Fremont, CA

It took me days days to decide what car to buy at a budget of
$12,000-14,000 at that time. I narrowed my choices to the following:
07 rx8, 03 bmw 330ci, 02 MB c240

I decided to go for the Mercedes! Namely because of luxury, branding and prestige.

Here's a rundown of what I've done to the car since I got it. I am very pleased and happy with the car. Head turner, chick magnet, and has a little juice to give on the freeway (was able to do 140mph once, never again )

Preventive maintenence: spent +/- $2,000 1.8yrs and for 42,000miles

1. Changed oil every 6,000-7,000miles; oil filter every 10,000miles
- used amsoil til 42,000miles (i got it for free) then switched to mobil 1
0w-40 to current
2. Changed front pads and front rotors at 40,000miles
- Power slot slotted and hawk pads (low dust, initial bite was a little off)
3. Changed castor bushings AKA upper control arm bushings at 50,000miles
4. Changed air filters twice at 55,000miles and 65,000miles (+cabin filter)
5. Changed spark plugs, fuel filter, transmission fluid, differential
oil at 55,000miles
6. Changed rear brake pads at 60,000miles (used ATE pads; nice)
7 Changed transmission mount at 65,000miles (i just wanted to do it
20mins job only)
8. Changed valve cover gaskets both sides and re-sealed crankcase
- took me 4hrs total for all (I did this mainly to see the condition of
the engine, to my surprice it was sparkling clean at 72,000miles)

9. MAF, CKP, replaced -- the only thing that broke
10. Alarm fuse was not plugged in well -- kept trigerring the alarm once in a
while (good thing I found the culprit)

Performance:
1. AMG look 18's Sport edition
2. AMG c32 muffler with resonator delete
3. AMG body kit (mostly free, i got into a small accident, front headlight
was hit )
4. AMG badge
5. Renntech Sach-boge sport shocks / struts
6. Tein lowering springs
7. 06 OEM MB clear headlights
8. VVMW HID 6k kits headlight and fog (xenon present)
9. Carbon fiber front lip -- to be installed soooooon
*washed and waxed my car every two weeks

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Victor

pcy

As I read your post, I was thinking you are doing good ... until I saw the "AMG badge"...

You are studying automotive technology, you know the difference between AMG car vs. non-AMG car...

I applaude you for taking care of the car well. Change the brake fluid, PS fluid, and coolant. You'll be all set.

MIKESV8

+1 on that. it sounds like he knows what he's doing though which is great. OP, my sister has an 02' c240 as well and she's at 125k miles right now and does absolutely nothing to maintain the car like your doing. just scheduled services and oil changes. part of the reason why i bought my c55 instead of an e46 m3!! i needed reliability as well as speed oh, and you live about ten to fiteen minutes away from me if you ever have like a meet or something.

ChrisBrown

Looks good. I'm glad the car is treating you so well. I'm at 106,500 miles now. I just did a B service at the dealer and I've gotten another clean bill of health from them. No leaks or other issues with the car. This has been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

Glyn M Ruck

Good report. Just done a B service on mine including transmission service. Also a clean bill of health & not a single rattle or squeak. Examined the car on the hoist myself while at the dealer

Only failings:

2 X Castor bushes replaced under warranty - new ones are doing well.
One 5 cent weeping plug washer on the transmission
RHS rear brake lamp

The rest has been nothing but standard servicing & one set of front brake pads.

The most reliable car that I have ever owned.

victorb623

Thank you. Yes I agree, Its one of the most reliable cars that i've owned. I forgot to put that one in the write up, done with coolant and PS fluid changes about a year ago. Iam due for another transmission flush soon.

I target to reach atleast 150,000miles without major breakdowns. 72,000miles and running strong

With regards to the AMG badge, It really looks like an c32 AMG or better. You guys must see it in person =p

Pcy, yes we can schedule a meet anytime.

fookoo303

more pics of the mr2

cpbeasley

We don't have to see it to know that it isn't an AMG. Be proud of the fact that it is a beautiful car. There isn't a person here who doesn't enjoy looking at a car like yours. However you don't have to pretend that it's something that it isn't to make it special. You'll gain more respect here if you show more respect to the AMG badge. Don't expect to get any props for it. In the end, it's obviously your car so do what you please. Again, it's a very nice car, Im happy its treated you so well. Also, Im proud to know we have a member who prides himself on maintaining his car as well as you do, and who appreciates it as much as you do. You're welcome here any day of the week. You should do some writeups with pictorials as you do more maintainence.

LILBENZ230

Various details on my C230 make it look a little like a C32, a little like a C55, a little like a CLK, a little like an S-class.. does that make mine a SLCK3255? That logic is epic fail. It LOOKS like a C32 and goes like.. a four cylinder Tercel.

No one is going to take that seriously. And for the record, anyone who will know what a C32 even is will have a trained enough eye to spot that fake AMG fascia - it's not at all identical to a real AMG fascia.

cpbeasley

^ what he said. i tiptoed around it. love you for going in for the kill Matt

fookoo303

I honestly don't think the negative criticism is helpful. It just sways me away from some of the members on here. I enjoy the technical help and great members on here but when i see this kind of bashing on someones personal opinions (especially as something as small as a badge), it makes this feel like it's a honda forum with juveniles.

Although he asked for opinions, there is no need to rip him a new one for a badge.

These kind of comments are going to sway away some potentially useful members, such as the OP.

And to the OP, my c240 is at 170,000 miles and still running strong with no major work done to her. Only had the standard maintenance and very minor electrical issues which have all been worked out.

LILBENZ230

It doesn't make you feel like you're on a Honda forum when people badge cars as something they aren't? Sorry, you're entitled to your opinion (as well as entitled to badge your car whatever you like) but if you come here and tell us you've badged your C240 as an AMG car because it "looks" like one you should fully expect to be laughed at. Every 2005-2007 Sport sedan looks like a C32.. they don't have AMG badges because they are not AMG products.

cpbeasley

Matt is direct and honest. I dont believe his intent was to offend or to "bash". I don't read any of it as juvenile either. There was no name calling, no skewing. Matt has proven himself to be a contribution to this forum in the past, and his personality of being direct without any sugar coating is also well known. No one here is required to pay any attention to opinions here. As long as nothing is obscene, all is fair IMO. Just as the OP's entitlement to put an AMG badge on a c240.

On the other hand I actually went out my way to be polite and supportive, with a few statements of concern over his use of the badge amoungst "enthusiasts".

It's whatever. I enjoy the technical jargon was well as the opinionated jargon... as its most often kept reasonably logical and not offensive.

Againg thanks for sharing to the OP. Nice car, even nicer maintainence protocol.

Glyn M Ruck

Matt always opens his mouth to change feet

LILBENZ230

Bite me, old man.

victorb623

I am not offended at all, i am really happy with that "little badge", it works =). A guy parked next to me with a real c55, and he asked me what car I was driving, I told him "a little more than a c55 -- with a smile". He then smiled back and asked a lot of questions and even got my number for future help etc. (told him its a c240, he was amazed) =p

Yup, will be documenting all upcoming maitenance to be done. I am a tech, I do hope to be helpful to this forum, BTW i have access to all data and shop key. Just let me know if you need anything

cpbeasley

You're a good sport and I like you. I can look past the badge as long as I don't have to see it . Not sure if you took our concerns to heart, lol, but you're a good contribution to our little virtual society here. Iam kinda surprised the c55 didn't bare knuckle you though

Nonetheless, again, nice car and welcome to the club.

So I gotta ask though, you removed the c240 badge, I take it?

pawe

Great report! W203s are really mechanically reliable cars, only problem you probably will have is the electronics as they are usually more prone to breaking down. I dont baby my car but I maintain mine religiously and never had any problems with it. Great Vegas road trip car too.

About the AMG badge...badge all you want buddy, it's your car. Just dont get hurt when you end up in the poser thread here.

pawe

I am not sure so correct me if Im wrong but dont we have a 130 mph speed limiter?
Is there a way to get over that or remove it?

splinter

Traversing 42,000 miles in 1.8 years requires some serious seat time.
Didn’t know a C240 could do 140.
Remarkably clean cam housing. Our M112 roller rockers look like something straight out of Comp Cam’s catalog.
Waxing it every two weeks…whose carnauba are you applying?

Best wishes with your chosen career path; a competent and trustworthy technician seldom longs for gainful employment.

fookoo303

140 mph must have been a downhill run haha. I know my c240 feels like its struggling near 100.

samaritrey

well i am at 152,700 miles and it has never left me stranded. CEL once due to stupid dealer but bisedes that no issues besided electrical and they were covered under warranty. I should make a list of everything I have done to the car.
155k here i come

victorb623

My pleasure, thank you for the complement (nice car). Yup, i removed the c240, i really need to.

victorb623

with regards to the 140mph, did that on a slight downhill on CA-24 going to Walnut Creek /Concord CA. I was new here in the US and was not that aware of the 'possible' consequences at that time. I just wanted to checkout how fast it can go. IMO it can do 145mph max. 0-100mph is easy, 100-140mph a little struggle then I stopped.

*actually i have a picture of it, but its a bit blurry

victorb623

I do hope i find a decent job here in the US or maybe try to apply for AMG in Germany? (my wish)

Yes, I do wash and wax my car by hand every two weeks to keep it in tip top condition.

I use the following:
1. Paint sealant : klasse brand high gloss sealant glaze - once every six
months. this is very important
2. For the wax I switch brands every two weeks
Wax 1: meguiares gold class liquid (black container)
Wax 2: meguiares cleaner wax (red container) to remove some
asphalt that sticks into the paint
3. Shampoo: Amorall