TopShelfLoudPak

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen

New around but Ive been into cars all of my 26 years here on this rock. Mainly race cars honestly. But my Dad has always owned a Benz if not my Mom since before I was born. So naturally I had to add one to my line up.. Plus I just sold one of my cars "99 integra ls-V 2dr" due to having my second child on the way.

Paid 4000 for my 01 c240 with 180k on the clock. It needs a little body work and paint job but runs great. Has new MAF sensor, knock sensor, LCAs, Motor mounts that still need to be installed, tinted windows, Magna flow exhaust and new tires. Im the second owner and my wife loves tho room an safety of this car, except the stepper linkage in the dash needs to be replaced.. I know the mileage is high! But Ive gotta start somewhere as far as being a Benz owner right? I always loved this body style and for the money all i was looking at was first gen c classes. Cool but not even close to our w203s.

I started with ripping all the stock stereo out. Added an indash tv, replaced all the door speakers and installed Hi and Low amps and subs. Next is the stance with H&R springs and prolly KYBs.. Im thinking either 18s or 20s, but not sure yet. I want a clean tuck, without rubbing tho..

LILBENZ230

I don't see too many pre-facelift "Sport" C240s or C320s around.

Tri-Star

How do you know that is a sport? It doesn't look like a sport model.

TopShelfLoudPak

Its not a sport..

tommy

The most important thing you should be doing is setting up a slush fund for repairs; 2001s are notoriously unreliable.

Welcome to the forums, and happy modding.

LILBENZ230

Whoa whoa.. the seats and the rims are from a Sport model. If this particular car is not a sport, then it has sport parts on it. The pre-facelift sport did not include any AMG body kitting like the facelift ones.

Oh, and you'd be wise to heed Tommy's advice. You better have deep pockets for repairs.. 2001s are notoriously unreliable.

samaritrey

+1 to both
The early sport models have (straight from my 01 c class brochure)
C6 Option Package - The C-Class Sport Package
Four 16" 5-Spoke alloy wheels with 225/50R16 92V high-performance tires.
Sport-tuned suspension with firmer springs and shocks, plus lowered ride height. Sculpted side sills, front apron with mesh air intake, and rear apron. Monochromatic exterior door handles. Textured B-piller trim. Blue-tinted glass. Charcoal premium leather upholstery. Sport front seat. Textured aluminum interior trim.


Wow did you know that there were blue seats offered in 01 as well as charcoal, java, oyster and ash.

LILBENZ230

Thank you, Trey. It is a Sport. As I said.

Carry on.

Jeff W

Did you get any pics of the stereo and speaker install? What kind of speakers did you install?

ND2020

Mine's an '04 sport model, but what is meant by the front "apron with mesh air intake"? The snorkels or is it just referring to the lower portion of the front bumper?

phister

if you want to go lower I'd do the H&R springs with Koni yellows. You're wife would appreciate as well since you can adjust the dampening so the ride is smoother for the wife and kids when cruising around. I love my adjustability on my coilovers, switch to a softer setting in the city and then stiffen it up on hwy driving and long road trips. Plus it helped not rub since my car is going lower.

TopShelfLoudPak

Wow..As it wears no badges I assumed it was a basic model. Good to know I guess. Mine must not have gotten the shorter spring tho cause it sits pretty tall.. But what issues are this year known to have? Got a good job. Far from rich but I save every cent I could. Hate to see this car run me into the poor house tho..

Sorry.. I didnt take any pix of the stereo install because Ive been doing sounds for almost 10yrs now so stopping to take pictures is a task in its self. I also have my wholesale Ls and a great supplier down town with an exchange/replacement policy unmatched. All the door speakers, front tweeters and Hi amp are all Performance Tek. The Indash and subs are Lanzar Max with kenwood Lo amp.

Koni is always the cream of the crop no doubt. Ive Built lots of street cars wishing yellows would fit the budget. Maybe this time seeing Im not replacing or porting any heads on this car.. My goal is just a clean *** family car.

LILBENZ230

If you don't want to be ran into the poor house and your goal is a family car, you've climbed the wrong tree for sure. The list of what is not known to cause trouble on the 2001s is pretty short so I'll share that one:

1. Engine
2. Transmission

Those are pretty well sorted. The rest of the car was not properly real-world tested. Ideally you would have came here for advice before buying it and everyone would have scared you away and you would never have bought the car, alas that ship has sailed. As a general rule anyone who comes here prior to buying a W203 is told to avoid 2001-2002 at all cost. The next smartest thing you can do short of selling it immediately would be to save your money that you think you'll spend on mods. Save it, you're going to need it and more for repairs. Trey (samaritrey from above) has one of the cleanest and most reliable 2001s on the forum. His mileage is not too far short of yours, either, but he's had it a long time and spent a lot of time and money keeping it in good shape. He can better help you with what to prepare for.

TopShelfLoudPak

Thanks for the words Lilbenzc230. I kinda feel like an *** now .. You are right about asking here first. So I imagine when you say other then saving for repairs, Your best advice would be to sell it right? 4k shouldnt be hard to pull out of it. Sad too cause it seems like a great car. Thanks again Bro...

MBfinatic

for 4k I would take it from you..

samaritrey

Matt was pretty much correct. I will say that you may have a good one like me but even a good reliable Mercedes can be expensive. Matt and I are the type of people that want our cars to be perfect and when the car has 172K or 180K in your case it is very hard and expensive to do that. My car has not had any big issues really only one thing that left me stranded but is a very rare issue even for the 01's the abs/bas/esp control modular and cost me $200 to fix so that is nothing. But what is scary is that if your car is like mine I have original water pump, alternator, ac compressor and Power steering Pump all of which can and will wear out sooner then later. The ac compressor will be $1200 total when it goes (that includes labor) the alternator parts cost will be like 250 if i go with a refurbished one. A water pump will also be like $100 in parts. Really if you can work on your own car that will save you a lot of money but to successfully diagnose our cars you have to spend $500 for the Mercedes Star computer which is the only reason I go away with fixing my huge issue with my abs control modular I mentioned earlier otherwise it would have been a trip to the dealer. Another thing to worry about is the Transmission if it has never been serviced it is not going to last long and if it goes that is very expensive even if you can get a used one for say $1000 when you only paid 4k for the car is is not really worth fixing imo. All that said I have had my car for a very long time and have become so attached that even if it cost me $2000 tomorrow I would do it without even thinking even though that is so not financially smart and I should really get a new car soon.

LILBENZ230

TSLP - If selling it is an option, SELL SELL SELL!

tommy

2001s and 2002s also rust very badly, even in better climates. The paint and undercoating were very weak.