Buying a PRE 2005 W203. What to look out for?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 687
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C320 Coupe
Some of the first models had electrical gremlins. My 2003 had no electrical issues at all. The only annoying problem I had was the HVAC system would sometimes switch to defrost mode. I had a part replaced under warranty twice and it was starting to do it again.
If you are looking at a pano roof, make sure it works smoothly and keep it lubricated yearly. It will give many years of great service if you keep it lubricated.
I had my C320 for seven years and loved it. I drove that car very hard including autocross events without issues. I wished MB still sold a car like this. If they did, I wouldn't have ordered a BMW 1M Coupe.
If you are looking at a pano roof, make sure it works smoothly and keep it lubricated yearly. It will give many years of great service if you keep it lubricated.
I had my C320 for seven years and loved it. I drove that car very hard including autocross events without issues. I wished MB still sold a car like this. If they did, I wouldn't have ordered a BMW 1M Coupe.
Last edited by TNblkc230wz; Dec 25, 2010 at 10:10 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 2
2003 c230k
I wouldn't buy one, unless you can do all the repairs yourself because your going to have a lot of them.....I have a 2003 with 80,000 miles and am starting to have problems with it......I guess it's inevitable when the mileage gets up there.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
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From: Norway
Smart Fortwo
Thanks for the input guys. So in short terms; dont do it!
I can't afford a 2005+(ridicules taxes here in Norway). Maybe i can stretch it to afford a 2003. I do have access to WIZ. Electrical troubles i can handle. I'm kinda familiar to do repair work on MB. I've had a Smart the last to years. I guess everything is just bigger
I'm a little to much spontaneous, so hopefully i can wait to the right one come alongs...
Cheers
I can't afford a 2005+(ridicules taxes here in Norway). Maybe i can stretch it to afford a 2003. I do have access to WIZ. Electrical troubles i can handle. I'm kinda familiar to do repair work on MB. I've had a Smart the last to years. I guess everything is just bigger
I'm a little to much spontaneous, so hopefully i can wait to the right one come alongs...
Cheers
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8
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From: Belgium
'03 W203
i also have a '03 w203, with no problems at all, the main issue is rust on the wheel arch (is that the word?) and on the lower corner of the doors. Mostly, can be repaired on warranty, because MB know this issue, but it's better done by a good coachbuilder, more expansive but better done (my father in law did it with MB, and it came back, because it's warranty, they don't waiste their time to do it well...)
Yess, the face lift is nicer, but you can give a pre face lift easy the look of a facelift, and i'm sure you will enjoy it as well if you had a facelift. I don't kow how much they ask for it in the usa, but here you can find nice w203 under 14K (for face lift and note, engine are mostly smaller here because of high taxes and we are a diesel country, 1liter petrol is almost 2$...)
Yess, the face lift is nicer, but you can give a pre face lift easy the look of a facelift, and i'm sure you will enjoy it as well if you had a facelift. I don't kow how much they ask for it in the usa, but here you can find nice w203 under 14K (for face lift and note, engine are mostly smaller here because of high taxes and we are a diesel country, 1liter petrol is almost 2$...)
Last edited by ramden; Dec 25, 2010 at 04:03 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
2003 onward is just fine. Weaknesses are front castor bushes. Valeo radiator should be out of the mix. Cam sensors are a potential problem on all 4 cylinder W203's. I would try & buy a V6 if this worries you.
My car in 7 years has had.
2 X castor bushes under warrantly.
1 X 5 cent tranny drain plug washer.
1 X RHS brake lamp.
My car in 7 years has had.
2 X castor bushes under warrantly.
1 X 5 cent tranny drain plug washer.
1 X RHS brake lamp.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 812
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
edit: After reading ramden's post I did have rust on the bottom of the doors. I've only seen this happen to w203 that are alabastar white (paint code 960). I see them in parking lots with the same issue and it doesn't seem to affect any other colors.
Last edited by fookoo303; Dec 25, 2010 at 08:29 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Nope none of the above. I do have the valeo radiator but it never leaked and caused any tranny issues.
edit: After reading ramden's post I did have rust on the bottom of the doors. I've only seen this happen to w203 that are alabastar white (paint code 960). I see them in parking lots with the same issue and it doesn't seem to affect any other colors.
edit: After reading ramden's post I did have rust on the bottom of the doors. I've only seen this happen to w203 that are alabastar white (paint code 960). I see them in parking lots with the same issue and it doesn't seem to affect any other colors.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 812
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
Yea you should take off the rubber stripping on the bottom and check the bottom side of the door. The entire thing was rusted across the entire door. I had to sand off the paint and sand all the rust off and re-coat it. So far ive only done it on the driver side, so once the weather changes i'm going to finish up the passenger.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
That said, the 04.5 is not a facelift car here in the USDM. Where the OP is from I believe the 04 car is the same as our 05, though. The 04.5 car here has a few facelift touches (like the aero wipers) but has the pre-facelift interior and no AMG fascia.
As for rust, I've heard the cars were not properly galvanized until the 2005 model year.
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From: Queens, Ny
Nike Turbo Shox
^^ Oh Ok, thanks I thought for some the 2004.5 would have been facelifted MY cars. I really cannot stand the inside of the pre facelifted cars.
And to the OP definately wait a bit longer and buy a 05+ MY w203.
And to the OP definately wait a bit longer and buy a 05+ MY w203.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 997
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From: KC, MO
"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Me likes the pre-facelift sport trim better than 05-06 sport trim... the smooth aluminum surface too easily scratches and dimples on the doorpanels, and any spekle of dirt on the center sonsole trim around the shifter is so obvious. The pre-facelift trim has some character and hides imperfections/dirt. The center paneling isnt bad albeit a little dated. The guages on the other hand... look like fisher price playskool.
(I exclude 07 since the birdseye was at least an option for the sport.. but either way, birdseye is the big swinging d1ck of w203 interior next to anything designo IMO)
(I exclude 07 since the birdseye was at least an option for the sport.. but either way, birdseye is the big swinging d1ck of w203 interior next to anything designo IMO)
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I agree with you Cale about the aluminum trim showing dirt.. But if you are having problems with dents and dimples you aren't doing something right. My car has so many different people in and out all the time, always on the road, we eat/drink in it, etc and I clean the aluminum.. It doesn't have a single dent or ding anywhere.
The gauges are by far the worst part of the prefacelift interior, though, yes.
The gauges are by far the worst part of the prefacelift interior, though, yes.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: KC, MO
"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
How nice of you to assume I would be careless enough to ding up my trim. Closeo to defriending you after that comment. You see sir Matt, I bought used, which means it had previous owner(s), and these **** clowns would have been the ones who, in my case, disrespected my trim. ... my c350's trim is great shape but not perfect, however my c230's door trim was dented and scratched all to hell.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 238
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From: Springfield, MO
2004 C320 Sport
Owning a prefacelifted model, I have to agree that certain aspects of it are dated. Like Cale mentioned, I love the trim better than any facelifted trim. The center console I can tolerate for the most part except for the fact that it has a cassette player, but at least it's hidden.
The one thing I absolutely do not like is the guage cluster. The way it's setup down to the orange lighting just screams old! Though it is a costly upgrade, I look forward to facelifting the interior someday. Gives me a chance to tinker with the car and will dramatically change the look of the interior.
The one thing I absolutely do not like is the guage cluster. The way it's setup down to the orange lighting just screams old! Though it is a costly upgrade, I look forward to facelifting the interior someday. Gives me a chance to tinker with the car and will dramatically change the look of the interior.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
I used to say that my trim was in perfect shape, until last week. I dropped something, juggled it in about grabs, bounced off of the steering wheel, my knee and finally a corner onto the ash tray door. Now I have a ding, until I find another door. 
Driving me nuts.
But that said, I do like the pattern on the pre-facelift trim better than the plain brushed after. But the facelift trip has the birdseye maple -- I love that.
Driving me nuts.But that said, I do like the pattern on the pre-facelift trim better than the plain brushed after. But the facelift trip has the birdseye maple -- I love that.
