120,000 mile update
10-13-2011, 05:35 PM
#27
Super Moderator
If you can powerwash the interior of a CLS, I see no reason why you can't do the same to the engine bay of a C230.. 
I ordered the transmission mount, a new electrohydraulic pilot bushing (?) as insurance, and a new drive belt today. I figure the belt needs to be changed at this point, but I'm worried the common pulley problems on these cars will surface during/after a belt change. Should I hang on to the belt just in case there's a problem in the future, or go ahead and change it even though it looks fine and there's no issue?
I ordered the transmission mount, a new electrohydraulic pilot bushing (?) as insurance, and a new drive belt today. I figure the belt needs to be changed at this point, but I'm worried the common pulley problems on these cars will surface during/after a belt change. Should I hang on to the belt just in case there's a problem in the future, or go ahead and change it even though it looks fine and there's no issue?
10-14-2011, 10:18 AM
#28
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2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
120,000 mile club
Hello my fellow W203 owners!!
I just wanted to introduce myself with this first post in this 120,000 mile thread because as of this moment I am about 9,700 miles shy of 120,000 on my 05 c230 sports sedan. With my amount of driving and curiosity to see my home state Of KS and the U.S.A 9,700 miles should come quick!! =) I don’t post much, as I do more lurking to gain knowledge and information about my c230.
I purchased the car from a family member in Escondido, CA on 9/24/10 with 76,600 on the odometer. I flew to California to pick it up then drove it 1,500 miles back to middle America. After numerous weekend road trips around KS and Oklahoma, daily driving to work, back home for lunch, then back to work, then to college for evening classes, then coming home for the night mileage on the c230 increased real quick. I embarked on a Southeastern United states road trip as shown in the picture in August not only to explore and see the country, but to rack up mileage and test the reliability of the c230. My family and I have enjoyed and owned many Honda’s and Acura’s throughout our lifetime and still do. We have two 94 Accords with 267,000 miles and one 96 Acura RL with 213,000 on the odometer. We tend to get our money’s worth out of our vehicles and run them til they’re dead. =) =)
I took before and after pictures of my S.E. United States trip. I didn’t reset the mileage counter before leaving and calculated total mileage based off of the current mileage on the vehicle. On 8/6/11 the car had 102,840. And when I returned on 8/14/11 the odometer read 107,094. 4,254 miles of road trip adventure in the C230 and still running like a champ.
LILBENZ230, better keep driving because I’m catching up to you!!!
I just wanted to introduce myself with this first post in this 120,000 mile thread because as of this moment I am about 9,700 miles shy of 120,000 on my 05 c230 sports sedan. With my amount of driving and curiosity to see my home state Of KS and the U.S.A 9,700 miles should come quick!! =) I don’t post much, as I do more lurking to gain knowledge and information about my c230.
I purchased the car from a family member in Escondido, CA on 9/24/10 with 76,600 on the odometer. I flew to California to pick it up then drove it 1,500 miles back to middle America. After numerous weekend road trips around KS and Oklahoma, daily driving to work, back home for lunch, then back to work, then to college for evening classes, then coming home for the night mileage on the c230 increased real quick. I embarked on a Southeastern United states road trip as shown in the picture in August not only to explore and see the country, but to rack up mileage and test the reliability of the c230. My family and I have enjoyed and owned many Honda’s and Acura’s throughout our lifetime and still do. We have two 94 Accords with 267,000 miles and one 96 Acura RL with 213,000 on the odometer. We tend to get our money’s worth out of our vehicles and run them til they’re dead. =) =)
I took before and after pictures of my S.E. United States trip. I didn’t reset the mileage counter before leaving and calculated total mileage based off of the current mileage on the vehicle. On 8/6/11 the car had 102,840. And when I returned on 8/14/11 the odometer read 107,094. 4,254 miles of road trip adventure in the C230 and still running like a champ.
LILBENZ230, better keep driving because I’m catching up to you!!!
Last edited by buklae620; 10-14-2011 at 10:24 AM.
10-14-2011, 10:25 AM
#29
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http://blogs.insideline.com/readersr...ompressor.html
Sounds like you like to drive, too! Nice to see the 05s aging well. If you're putting that kind of miles on this quickly, I can't keep up. Create a thread of your own and keep us updated as you pile the miles on.
Sounds like you like to drive, too! Nice to see the 05s aging well. If you're putting that kind of miles on this quickly, I can't keep up. Create a thread of your own and keep us updated as you pile the miles on.
10-18-2011, 08:42 AM
#30
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Okay my C230K is with my trusty indy mechanic this morning. I'm having the drive belt changed, the transmission flushed, the transmission mount changed, and the pilot electrobushing thing checked for leaks.
He just called with some news. He said that for one, the TCU plug is not leaking so I will just have a spare. He also said the transmission mount is not broken. This part doesn't make sense to me - the car is suffering the same exact symptoms it was when the transmission mount was broken at 40,000 miles and at 100,000 miles. The symptoms are the whirring sound from the transmission tunnel when accelerating over uneven pavement, more noticeable drivetrain lash, and significantly more noise from the transmission tunnel area when the car is cold.
He just called with some news. He said that for one, the TCU plug is not leaking so I will just have a spare. He also said the transmission mount is not broken. This part doesn't make sense to me - the car is suffering the same exact symptoms it was when the transmission mount was broken at 40,000 miles and at 100,000 miles. The symptoms are the whirring sound from the transmission tunnel when accelerating over uneven pavement, more noticeable drivetrain lash, and significantly more noise from the transmission tunnel area when the car is cold.
10-18-2011, 11:01 AM
#31
Super Moderator
Matt. The rear mounting might just be soft & not split. Tell him to check engine mountings, center propshaft bearing surround, front flex disc, UJ & that the spline is greased.
I carry a spare TCU bush & O rings. As long as I carry it - no leaks!
I carry a spare TCU bush & O rings. As long as I carry it - no leaks!
10-18-2011, 01:26 PM
#33
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The Benz is done, I'll be picking it up after work. Upon investigating they heard the noise I was complaining about and said that they felt the transmission mount was weak, as Glyn said. They replaced it and say the noise is gone. Also, they replaced the belt. And they used the 13 quarts of 236.14 approved transmission fluid to flush the transmission. The grand total for this mainteance:
Belt: $31.00 from RME
Transmission mount: $35.00 from RME
Fluid: $28.04 for 12 quarts of Shell 134 from Ryder and $10.00, plus one left over from last time.
Labor, taxes: $128.05
$222.09 grand total.
To say that the mechanic I use is reasonable is an understatement. That work, quoted from a Benz dealer, was 10x more expensive.
Belt: $31.00 from RME
Transmission mount: $35.00 from RME
Fluid: $28.04 for 12 quarts of Shell 134 from Ryder and $10.00, plus one left over from last time.
Labor, taxes: $128.05
$222.09 grand total.
To say that the mechanic I use is reasonable is an understatement. That work, quoted from a Benz dealer, was 10x more expensive.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; 10-18-2011 at 01:30 PM.
10-18-2011, 04:32 PM
#35
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2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
The Benz is done, I'll be picking it up after work. Upon investigating they heard the noise I was complaining about and said that they felt the transmission mount was weak, as Glyn said. They replaced it and say the noise is gone. Also, they replaced the belt. And they used the 13 quarts of 236.14 approved transmission fluid to flush the transmission. The grand total for this mainteance:
Belt: $31.00 from RME
Transmission mount: $35.00 from RME
Fluid: $28.04 for 12 quarts of Shell 134 from Ryder and $10.00, plus one left over from last time.
Labor, taxes: $128.05
$222.09 grand total.
To say that the mechanic I use is reasonable is an understatement. That work, quoted from a Benz dealer, was 10x more expensive.
Belt: $31.00 from RME
Transmission mount: $35.00 from RME
Fluid: $28.04 for 12 quarts of Shell 134 from Ryder and $10.00, plus one left over from last time.
Labor, taxes: $128.05
$222.09 grand total.
To say that the mechanic I use is reasonable is an understatement. That work, quoted from a Benz dealer, was 10x more expensive.
When mechanics know what theyre doing with our cars, labor usually isnt significant. The problem starts when they dont know and need to poke around and find out which bolts to undo, and which clips to remove. The house just pile on, and they obviously charge you for all their "discovering"! Really wish I could find a decently priced Indy who knows what theyre doing.
10-18-2011, 04:40 PM
#36
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My guys are not Benz specialists. They are merely ASE certified and work on all makes. They don't have STAR, but that's expected - I have Trey for that now.
The rates they give sometimes shocks me. I asked how much for the transmission flush if I provide the fluid. $20.00.
I'm very lucky. They have allowed me to keep my ownership costs on this car to an absolute minimum.
The rates they give sometimes shocks me. I asked how much for the transmission flush if I provide the fluid. $20.00.
I'm very lucky. They have allowed me to keep my ownership costs on this car to an absolute minimum.
10-18-2011, 04:42 PM
#37
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2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
My guys are not Benz specialists. They are merely ASE certified and work on all makes. They don't have STAR, but that's expected - I have Trey for that now.
The rates they give sometimes shocks me. I asked how much for the transmission flush if I provide the fluid. $20.00.
I'm very lucky. They have allowed me to keep my ownership costs on this car to an absolute minimum.
The rates they give sometimes shocks me. I asked how much for the transmission flush if I provide the fluid. $20.00.
I'm very lucky. They have allowed me to keep my ownership costs on this car to an absolute minimum.
10-18-2011, 08:02 PM
#39
Super Moderator
Hell for that price if you car is sill going in a few weeks i will have them do my transmission flush 
Matt do you think you could provide entertainment while I wait for my car
Matt do you think you could provide entertainment while I wait for my car
10-18-2011, 09:54 PM
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
Matt, you have to have probably the best indy shop. I would think most places would insist on buying the parts. On top of that, they are ridiculously reasonable on rates and apparently VERY honest. They really are a keeper!! 
10-18-2011, 10:14 PM
#42
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2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
^ Agreed.
I would drive 923 miles to your Indy if I needed some major work on my car! I will probably spend the same $$ on gas + your Indy as I would at a local mechanic, but I would get a roadtrip for free in my awesome coupey!
I would drive 923 miles to your Indy if I needed some major work on my car! I will probably spend the same $$ on gas + your Indy as I would at a local mechanic, but I would get a roadtrip for free in my awesome coupey!
10-18-2011, 10:35 PM
#43
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Trey - that might be difficult given my work schedule pretty much matches their hours. They're open 800-530 M-F, and I work 8-5 M-F. But if you were serious about having it done, you could certainly visit and have them do it. Just bring 13-14 quarts of your own fluid. The labor charge for the transmission flush was $20.00 even. It was $50 for replacing the transmission mount, and $50 for replacing the belt. The rest was tax.
About that! The Benz drove much better on the drive home. Shifts are improved 100%, and they were never bad anyway. The mechanic said that the old transmission fluid didn't look too bad and that now when he was done with the flush it was coming out perfectly clean - as it should. The starts are a bit crisper, too, though they gave me the original belt back and it didn't look worn. No cracks at all. But the idle is smoother. Also, the ride is quieter with less NVH so even though the transmission mount wasn't broken it HAD to have been weak. They inspected the TCU plug and said that it was not leaking, so I have a spare. They also inspected the engine for oil or other fluid leaks and found none. Also, they inspected the suspension and said that it was in great shape.
It drives truly like a brand new car again. It is not perfect, but its condition is remarkable for the mileage and type of usage it has.
About that! The Benz drove much better on the drive home. Shifts are improved 100%, and they were never bad anyway. The mechanic said that the old transmission fluid didn't look too bad and that now when he was done with the flush it was coming out perfectly clean - as it should. The starts are a bit crisper, too, though they gave me the original belt back and it didn't look worn. No cracks at all. But the idle is smoother. Also, the ride is quieter with less NVH so even though the transmission mount wasn't broken it HAD to have been weak. They inspected the TCU plug and said that it was not leaking, so I have a spare. They also inspected the engine for oil or other fluid leaks and found none. Also, they inspected the suspension and said that it was in great shape.
It drives truly like a brand new car again. It is not perfect, but its condition is remarkable for the mileage and type of usage it has.
10-18-2011, 10:47 PM
#44
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Oh I forgot, in the next two or three days I will post up the 120,000 mile oil analysis. I had the oil changed this past Saturday at 120,250 miles. The oil had been 12,600 miles since last change with 1/2 quart added during that time. I forgot to select the TBN again dammit, though.
10-19-2011, 06:55 AM
#45
Super Moderator
Pleased she's all ship shape. These transmissions don't get bad but you can certainly feel that they like new fluid. Pity you are not doing a TBN check.
10-19-2011, 09:22 AM
#46
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2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Matt, You truly are lucky finding an indy so reasonable. I look forward to your oil analysis results. I need to send in another test, since I have been running the Pentosin oil the last few changes, and want to see how it compares to the Mobile 1.
10-20-2011, 08:48 AM
#50
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I'll hopefully get the oil analysis today through email. For those of you who haven't replaced transmission mounts before - if your car seems rougher in general, consider it. The thing improves ride quality, noise, and makes everything smoother in general.
