Jan Rune

Hi guys
Im looking for a PRE 2005 W203 to buy. Is there anything i should be on the lookout for? Usual problems?

Thanks
Jan Rune

Viper98912

Save up a little longer and get a nicer, newer, more reliable 05-07.

TNblkc230wz

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.

fookoo303

I would say don't get one early than a 2003 and make sure it was built in germany and make sure it doesn't have a valeo radiator.

bigspender101

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.

Jan Rune

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

fookoo303

I have 170,000 miles on my 03 and I haven't had any problems. Just had standard maintenence issues.

ramden

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$...)

bigspender101

Fokoo, so you didn't have the leaky cam sensors? or the seat module draining you battery? Or that crappy velero alternator go out?

Glyn M Ruck

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.

fookoo303

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.

samaritrey

interesting my car has two spots of rust on two of my doors. They are about the size of a pen or so.

fookoo303

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.

Glyn M Ruck

Interesting. I have never seen an SA built car with even a hint of rust. Including white ones.

OneOfaKindTrini

You should not look for anything cause you should not buy one. Save a bt longer and get a facelift 05+ model. Even a 2004.5 which is a facelifted 04 MY.

LILBENZ230

I agree with you on the don't buy a pre-facelift car.. Drew and I were talking when he was in Atlanta earlier this week about how much more desirable the facelift made the 203 line..

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.

OneOfaKindTrini

^^ 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.

LILBENZ230

You and me both.

cpbeasley

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)

LILBENZ230

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.

LILBENZ230

The 2007 SS is the best 203, though. It no longer has the aluminum.

cpbeasley

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.

ND2020

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.

cpbeasley

If it weren't for birdseye maple, I'd kill for the prefacelift sport trim.

MW_ATL

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.