well i took my car in for service this past week because the driver seat stopped moving back, when i removed the key. it turns out there was change that had fallen out of my pocket into the seat rails.

honestly, i would be pissed to if i had to put up with the problems you guys have. i guess i got lucky, when i ordered lemon colored, it doesnt include a lemon!

 

Girls squeel when I drive by

 

Latest update:
2003 C230 Sport Sedan
Car is now 21 months old, 38K+, just took the car in today for Service A.

List of old complaints:
Parking brake out of adjustment (fixed at first Service A)
Wind noise from front passenger window (replaced window seal at first Service A)
Dash rattle from grille in center of dash (fixed at first Service A)
(Service A done at 12k miles)

New complaints:
Rattle from driver's side seat belt adjuster (parts ordered to correct under warranty)
CD Player skipping (CD player replaced under warranty)
Sunroof not 'one-touch' closing (corrected under warranty)

I can't complain about the reliability, or the service (thanks to Barry at Beck Mercedes). The ownership experience so far has been only positive.

 

Hi all,,

I have a 2005 C240 (black/black) with 5,500 miles on it and I already have an oil leak. I also have problems with the visor light not coming on when it is opened. I called the dealer and cannot get an appointment for 2 weeks. Needless to say, I'm not happy. One of the reasons I purchased a Mercedes was to avoid these petty problems....guess I was wrong.

 

Unfortunately, it is not possible for any manufacturer to produce a 'perfect' car. Just check the Lexus/Acura/Infinity/BMW/Audi forums for evidence of that.

Having said that, if you review the posts here, you will find that most of the problems are 'annoyances'. Contrast that with problems on the other boards, and you'll see that MBs are far more reliable for major items.

Witness VW/Audi (my wife's car, so I have first-hand knowledge). Known major problems with:
- Ignition Control Modules
- Coil Packs
- Control Arm Failures on Front Suspension
- Oil Sludging due to Poor Oil System Design
- Timing Belt Failures at about 75k miles (Recommended to change at 105k miles)

Compared to the above list, I'd gladly take my two rattles, defective window seal and mis-adjusted parking brake (all fixed under warranty) any time.

 

While I agree that no car is perfect, I would not expect a Mercedes to have these types of problems with only 5,500 miles on it. Unfortunetly it has all but forced me to spend an additional $1,800 on the extended warranty.

 

Just an idea for you re: sunvisor not lighting.

Found that mine had slid sideways in the over window bracket and the two little metal sliding contacts in the sunvisor were no longer making contact with the power contacts in the mounting bracket. All I did was gently move the sunvisor from its front mount (as if I wanted to shade the side window), push the sunvisor back to the side until it was in its "parked" position, and everything lined up again.

As to the oil leak. MY 2004 C320 has about 5300 miles on it after three months (lots of trips visiting grandkids plus my wife's real estate work) and we haven't had one significant problem since the tcu failed at 1300 miles.

Chuck

 

C4791P,

Thanks for the info, I tried what you said and the visor light now works.

 

I own a 1997 C230 for 7 years without even ONE problem (besides the bulbs changes and I broke my cup holder). Now I bought a 2005 C230; with 4 year warranty, I do not even worry about it.

 

I bought a 2002 C230K on August 28th of 2004. It was fresh off lease.

On September 13th, I had the right front directional socket swapped out because it kept malfunctioning even though I replaced the bulb.

Same day, the driver’s side visor broke when the pin that the vanity mirror cover uses to hinge, broke. Part is back ordered. Waiting for it to arrive.

November 21st, radio stopped producing any sound. Dealer told me it’s an electrical problem with the radio and they are ordering a new one for me.

Are these problems typical or should I be concerned that when the car goes off warranty, I may have to shell out big bucks?

 

2004.5 C-240 Wagon. 5 months, 4500 miles and not one problem.

Basic car with Auto trans, Sunroof package, Bright Silver metallic paint and glove-box CD changer.

We have added Euro Comand and 17" SS wheels and tires.

So far, this car is perfect. Wifey loves it.

 

My 2002 MB c240 had small minor problems but nothing major:

1. left windshield wiper spray defective - replaced
2. both tail lights went out - replaced
3. automatic stick shifter plastic covering not attached completely - replaced
4. air vents placed on backwards and unable to close them - fixed
5. COMAND screen does not display 25% of the time - still waiting for repair

 

Don't have time to list all the issues I've had.
None left me on the side of the road though.
Pano roof replaced twice for squeaks,
most of the AC replaced, dash out several times for climate control issues, seatbelts, SRS errors (4 times), alignment issues (got a free set of tires) many computer modules replaced due to various errors,
trim pieces replaced, rear trunk platform made out of plastic and crumbled the first time I hauled cargo...got it all replaced, and installed a thin piece of plywood with hinged piece for when seats are folded down to protect it, which has worked well for me.
3+ months in the hands of the dealer....but
always given another benz to drive.
Dealers often created more issues when in for repair.
Left screws out in various placed, messed up the sunshade when doing the sunroof...
Now I don't leave the dealer, or return the loaner until I fully inspect the work, and refuse to accept the car if all the work is not done, or if additional issues are created.
Dealer has terrible quality assurance, obvious fubar's.
In fact I make my SA inspect the car before I get there, since it's way out of my way. A few times he told me not to come after telling me it was ready.
I once threated to invoke the lemon law, so I don't know if that has any effect on how they treat me, as in, the fix pretty much everything I ask them to, although I did change SA's once. 1st one tried to say the plastic trunk pieces was my fault for actually having the gaul to haul.

Finally now at 50K miles I'm crossing my fingers....hopefully all the bugs are out..?
I have extended warranty, so if this continues will sell at 100K miles. But OK for last 1K miles.....
But, I did expect some problems on a first year car.
Newer ones have less issues it seems, and Benz claim to be
looking at quality issues.
I'm not sure who the loser is on my car.
It's been a bit of a pain, but the dealers have been flexible with me, in terms of when I could get there to return loaners, when I had to leave town etc.
But Benz has been the big loser, since without a doubt they've spent over 20 grand on repairs and free maintenance if I had to guess.
And I never was left without a car...
My lady has a Chrysler...
not only would they not give her a loaner, they wouldn't even give her a ride back to work on a 30K sebring Convertible.
I say go for it...I love my car, but like I said, hoping all the bugs are finally out.
Then again, BMW offer free maint, where Benz no longer does. My cost of ownership to date has been gas, a few quart of oil, and 2 sets of tires.
Well plus mods.

 

Ha, yeh, bought my xtended on day 364.
Should've Bee-atched to MBZ to give it to me!!!

 

problems
dash... cluster shorted out...weird
rear.... gasket went and got a strange buzzing noise in the car w/ it rained
fixed and runs like a dream.
had my car about 2 and a half years now.
very happy!

 

SRS malfunction light on at <2K...four days after 1-3k checkup was completed. My '05 coupe is still at the dealership awaiting a part to fix this.

 

For the love of God, where would I start??? Frist let me say I love the styling of this car, but the demons???? AND REMEBER, you asked... The car is a 2001 Mercedes C320. Was purchased new on January 17, 2001. I brought it, like everyone else, for a cool looking reliable car. Well, the car was anything but reliable. It died and left me stranded on the highway within the first 500 miles… and oh does it get better…. Read on please. After spending the next 5000 miles with the car having electrical problems, the following log documents my pain, again, these are the major issue, and I didn’t include all the smaller items:

II can’t find the service invoice prior to 9/26/01 so here we go from 9/26/01on- AC smells like a dead cat and the rear seat attachment fell off (this happened again on 8/14/01)

1/31/01 – Center vents fell off

11/20/01 – Sunroof will not close… it also failed again on 5/24/02, 6/7/02 (replaced motor), 7/9/02 (replaced glass, glass was wrapped)

12/19/01 – LT/FRT power seat fail

3/27/01 – 3 malfunction light came on for taillight L, brake light L, tail light R, and driver side head light dimmed… electrical problems here

3/1/02 – AC controls failed again, they replaced A/C switch B

5/24/02 – besides a failed sunroof, AC controls failed, and driver window failed

7/9/092 – again, besides a failed sunroof, overhead dome/controls assembly fell and a bunch of trim coming apart

9/4/02 – SRS failed along with a bunch of other electrical crap with SDS… replaced fuse box. Failed dash, it just stopped working. AC controls failed.

THIS IS A BIG ONE!!! On 10/8/02 Total electrical failure. Car was in the shop for 4 weeks getting an entire new electrical harness (they said it had be sent from Germany). They had to take the entire car apart which was never the same when the put it together

12/06/02 – right rear window fell off it track. AC controls again fails. And the $3,000 NAV COMMAND unit fails

1/17/03 – Engine overheats, replaced failed blower

5/9/03 – Total AC failure, replace the whole operating unit

6/3/03 – Center vent again fell off. Driver seat electrical failed

10/31/03 – Car dead, battery failed and replaced

11/3/03 – Steering wheel contact ring failure. AC blower failed

12/12/03 – TeleAid comes on at will. This is the start of a new life form

2/16/04 – Battery is dead… Battery drains from unknown location. Traced to the NAV and COMMAND unit, so another $3000. Also TeleAid, our new life form, is replaced, kept coming on by itself

3/11/04 – Check engine light comes on but they can’t figure out why. Then car dies and trace to a battery drain to seat controls


4/23/04 – A/C total failure

2/27/04 – CAR IS DEAD … battery drained… traced to NAV COMMAND unit, another $3000. No fix so they traced it to the seat again and replaced seat control module.

8/16/04 – Check engine light comes on and cars stalls

11/17/04 – CAR IS DEAD… Battery drain from somewhere… replaced everything possible…. HELP!

Mind you, since maintenance was free, every scheduled maintenance was done and all work was done by HBL Mercedes. The car left me stranded more than a dozen times, and after the warranty ran out, cost me an average of $500 a month for repairs, with my last repair costing $1,000 .

Hope this helps

 

why do you still have the car? why haven't you sold it?
you obviously have a

 

what up fellow mclean-ian I got my coupe from HBL too they overcharge on everything

I've had my coupe for like 4 years now almost and other than a few squeaks here and there knock on wood it has ran beautifully i have blown the speakers many times, the sunroof cloth material got stuck once

 

I have to agree with Zonoz about HBL Mercedes. Anyways, as for my C320 that I wrote about, I did ended selling it to Car Max for $16k , guess it taught me a lesson never to buy a first model year of anything, including Mercedes. I am currently shopping for a new CLK or a used CL... again, like I said I love the way Mercedes look... just wish their quality match.

 

Right when the car died in the first 500 miles, you should have got rid of it and saved yourself the hassle.


Anyways as for an update on my car

2003 C320 - 22,000 miles - Nearly flawless.

 

The car has about 60000 mostly highway miles and has been trouble-free compared to my Land Rover (which I don't have anymore). Here is the fun with the MB so far:

Bought the car new in Vegas from Fletcher Jones: Rattle (loud) in the suspension on the way home, Phoenix dealer fixed the suspension.

*Interior trim warped, took 3 trips to get fixed correctly
*Hood open lite on at various times, two trips to fix it.
*Turn signals burned out two times when car was 6 months old.
*Pano sun shade will not close. after two trips dealer finally replaced entire unit.
*Both fog lamps broken, not fixed due to road hazard and not covered by warranty.
*Windshield washer fluid container leakes, dealer replaced.
*Hatch will not open, replaced latch.
*Engine dies on highway, replaced crank sensor.
*Fuel gauge not working, replaced sensor.
*Passenger window inop, replaced switch once and still fubar. Fixed itself 2nd trip to dealer but dealer broke $40 worth of brackets and charged $50 for troubleshooting. This was during $600 service.
*Check enging lite on, replaced coolant temp sensor.
*Auto sensing wipers occasionally do not work.

Was going to trade car in on a different model last year but was offered only $13k for car. Service departments have ranged from poor to almost fair. We don't have kids but the back seat, roof and cargo area are greasy and dirty from the service techs doing their thing. When I complained about the grease on the steering wheel and door handle the advisor told me to use some 409 to get it off. My wife loves the car and drives it about 20k a year to work. I never would have kept it without an aftermarket warranty. Of course in the last 10K nothing has gone wrong with the car.

Jim

 

I bought a 2002 C230K on August 28th of 2004. It was fresh off lease.

On September 13th 04, I had the right front directional socket swapped out because it kept malfunctioning even though I replaced the bulb.

Same day, the driver’s side visor broke when the pin that the vanity mirror cover uses to hinge, broke. replaced under waranty.

November 21st 04, radio stopped producing any sound. Dealer told me it’s an electrical problem with the radio and they are ordering a new one for me. I ended up finding out that the radio was fine it was a problem with the amp which was replaced. it only took 2 months for the radio to arrive before they found out it was not the radio.

Mid January 05, the roof gave me problems and needed to be resincronized.

March 05 - Had the steering angle sensor replaced because the left side of the steering wheel fialed to light and got a ESP malfunction.

April 05 - Steering wheel failed to light again. The dash display began flickering. Only the top line is affected...sporatic.

I know these problems are not as severe as some have reported but they are so agrovating!

With all these problems, it's no wonder they stopped importing the coupe. Do the problems deminish as the model year advances?

 

I had hoped problems would diminish which one of the reasons I bought an '05 but the service department tells me the "clock spring" in the steering wheel needs to be replaced, which is why the SRS malfunction light message came on. It looks like Wednesday before I'll get my car back. I don't expect a car with no issues...just not so soon. Hopefully this will be the end of things for a while.

 

Problems plague all Mercedes, not just the Coupé. And the reason behind the Coupé not coming to the USA anymore is: Sales Numbers.

Problems do diminish with advancing model years. The 2001 or 2002 Coupés were riddled with problems (just do a search). Some people on here have had their Pano Roofs replaced 3 or 4 times. By late 2002/early 2003 most of the Coupé problems were remedied. By the time I got my brand new mid-year 2003 C320 SportsCoupé, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and performance. No complaints to this day, going on 22K miles.


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com