I am the proud new owner of a pretty silver 2007 c280 W203 with 36K miles. No major issues with car that I can tell, and I'm looking for other owner reliability experiences. The dealership I bought from tried to sell(scare me into buying) me a 36K/waranty for $3800(>20% of the purchase price!), but I declined. I figure it is worth the gamble given the low mileage, but I'm still concerned.

Is an extended warranty worth it? Are these cars money pits? Expensive to fix?

I was planning to buy a W204, and spent most of mt time researching those. The W203s seemed like a better values, but less reliable. This one turned up, and I bought it without researching as much I usually do. Gizmos like motorized headrests and steering wheel adjustment make me nervous about longevity.

Any preventive maintenance I should do?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

The 05-07 W203s are solidly reliable. You should be good to go.

 

Thanks - that's my conclusion too after reading lot of threads in this forum.

 

Yup i own a C280 2007 4 Matic since brand new. Just crossed 100,000kms, not a single problem. This model is the last engine styles and shapes for the C class therefore it was perfected and made bullet proof. You can go well beyond 500,000 with no problems according to the master technician at the MB Dealer here in Canada.

 

I remember my 2004 c240 got it new, drive 87,000 miles w/o any issue... solid car. I guess all depend how you drive, maintenance like oil change, coolant flush, etc.

 

I like to agree. But that is until you get hit with the following:

1. TC pump
2. Conductor Plate
3. Chain Sproket

Those 3 above will run you in $$$ if encounter. Check to see if those are changed our. At least for the first 2 or more like #2 which happens a lot lately.

For me, I already expereince the first 2.

 

I'm from Australia, I bought a warrant with mine. But we pay about $30,000 still for our w203's. I used the warranty twice to get an electrical fault and sensors fixed. Both issues I could easily have lived with, but as I had a warranty I'd have been nutty not to have used it. I cant say for our USA friends, but here in Australia I always recommend an aftermarket warranty for a Euro car.

 

I bought a pristine 2007 C230 last week with 24K miles for $18K. Then negotiated a 5yr/60K mile warranty from $5K to $3K.

I figured it was worth the $3K considering the typical repair costs I've seen posted.