SLOW C240

03' C240 (purchased in 02'). Just turned 89,000 miles.

C230 Sport Coup

Once again....

We regret to inform you that your application for the W203 200,000 mile club has been rejected,
Please feel free to re-apply when your vehicle hits 200K.

Perhaps someone needs to start a low mileage club?

C230 Sport Coup

hansony

Aloha!

Your car is beautiful and you're obviously quite attached to your Kompressor Coupe. I too am quite attached to my 02. I've got about 166K on it now and it's been quite reliable. I've been recently having several incidences involving a real bad hesitation from dead stops. Particularly upon heavy acceleration from a dead stop. Have you ever had anything like this happen to you before. I have to back off the gas pedal to allow for the hesitation and surge to stop before I can gradually slowly accelerate off the stop. It concerning and quite dangerous when I'm being followed closely when this happens.

Mahalo,
Hanson

PACIFICMAN

Hello All,
I just found this thread. I was the first owner of a 2002 C230 Coupe that turned 230,000 miles(1/2017). Good service and care were the key. I sold her last year.
When I got my 2014 GLK350.

The new owner of the C230 is still enjoying her, I don't know the current mileage. During my time with the '02 I was Very happy. I drove her hard, but never thrashed her. Some expendable parts: Water pump, Alternator, Serpentine belt, Batteries(3) Catalytic converter. Some elective parts: Control arms and Struts/Shock and front wheel bearings at 160,000. Full brake change outs every 50,000 and Book schedule service on oil, plugs, filters and fluids, etc. Obsessive tire rotation and alignment, always fresh premium tires. I did everything myself, except the suspension parts and alignment.
Car was essentially trouble free during my entire relationship with her.

Last month I got my Daughter a 2001 C240. Only 57,000 miles, full service history and in like new, garage kept condition. I have done the oils and fluids as a baseline, So far, So good.

C230 Sport Coup

No haven't encountered this problem as of yet,
but with these cars, you never know whast up with something like that until you read the codes!
If you plan to DIY your vehicle, strongly recommend investing in an iCarsoft code reader.
You'll only get so far reading the generic codes. But better than nothing.

But at this point, you need to read the codes and post them....
even if it's just OBD. If you aren't familiar with how to read the codes, well, there's lots of info on that.
An inexpensive Bluetooth OBD tied to your smartphone is a good start, and
if you have Android Torque is a great app that provides lots of info in a cool interface.

Your problem could be many of a long list of things.
Is the Check engine light on?

Have you performed all the scheduled maint?
Life with these cars is so much easier when you keep on things, then can
more or less eliminate some things.
Ever replace the fuel filter?
At this point, tough to tell if it's an issue with fuel, boost, plug/coil packs,
or maybe the pedal? Not till you read the codes.

C230 Sport Coup

Sweet! Well, my car to has 2 main issues, it's blowing coolant out the side of cylinder #4, so the head gasket is shot,
but I just keep adding coolant and it just keeps running. Too late to bother fixing it, better to throw a newer engine in than do that. Or (perhaps)
get another car that gets better mileage at some point.
And the other thing is I just can't seem to get the Catalyst to go to Complete in the OBD readiness indicators, and it's been 4 months.
Need my Cali registration tag!!!
Other than that, fires up every time, and gets me where I'm going in style!
We're getting our 06 ML back from the shop this week.

PACIFICMAN

Sportscoupe,
I too had an external head gasket leak on #4, but Very minor, I would add coolant occasionally and contemplated doing the head gasket. But I thought that opening things up at 200,000+ plus mile might be more trouble than it was worth. I first noticed the coolant loss and staining on the block at around 100,000 miles. I believe this gasket issue was a known problem and remember reading about some catastrophic failures, but not on mine. The car never overheated. The gasket never, apparently, leaked in the cylinder, no smoke, no "cream" in the oil, etc. I just kept an eye on the reservoir and had a jug of premix coolant in the boot, I never needed it.
As for the Cat, mine blew/burned out, it started to rattle, threw a code. I bought a replacement at O'Reilly($225.00) and had a muffler shop cut out the old and weld in the new($35.00) and that was that. It went at about 150,000 miles, IIRC. The Cat trouble came between SMOG test cycles so no problem. The car Always passed SMOG both on visual checks and when dyno tested.

garretts228

I never did update everyone. My 2003 C240 V6 ended up dying at 268,xxx miles. I still miss her. She was my first benz. I now drive a 2007 C230 with the AMG Sport Package. These DOHC motors get much better MPG and also has more power to have fun with. Got the car practically for free. It needed a camshaft sensor replaced and it needed the plastic lever replaced for the tumble flap / swirl flap on the awfully designed intake manifold (the one major flaw with these newer DOHC motors is the intake manifold). I think im permanently in love with the W203 body style. Cant beat the reliability of these things. Hopefully the 7 speed transmission on these 2007 models are just as sound as the legendary 5 speed that came in the 2005 and later models.

johnathan1

What caused your car to die at 268k?? Strange you didn't mention the problem...

alexstaar

Anyone here getting close to 300k miles? I should be there next summer. I'm taking her on a 5000+ mile storm chasing trip in a couple weeks

ChrisBrown

Almost at 259,000!

C230 Sport Coup

248,5XX as of today!

C230 Sport Coup

Was sitting a while, new MAF, tires, and a coilpack and other deferred maint and
finally turned 250,000 miles. Pics soon! And 20 years old in Dec.

tlg731

Anyone else in the 300,000 mile club? 301,086 and counting.

02' C230 coupe 301,086 miles

alexstaar

Almost there

Mark Corke

Almost there...

Almost there...
I've owned her since 35,000 miles.

2006 C270cdi

C230 Sport Coup

What have been your most recent repairs in the last 50K miles?
I got mind running pretty good, but now it's making a horrendous noise.
I think it's one of the accessories or perhaps the timing chain.
I'll know more when I take off the belts, one at a time to localize it.
It sounds like perhaps the supercharger grinding.
Last time I had it out, couldn't get the plug out to change the oil, but I see
now you can just crack the front and do it that way on a youtube video I saw.
Perhaps it just needs oil. I hope. It was replaced at 100K miles, so this is the 2nd one.
Or maybe the alternator? Well, won't know till I take the belts off as I say.

tlg731

My Repairs and maintenance for the last year

1) New Radiator in October of 2020
2) Accessory drive belt and tensioner December of 2020
3) New water pump March of 2021
4) Transmission fluid+filter and pan gasket and rear differential fluid
5) New Thermostat and coolant reservoir June of 2021
6) Replaced valve cover gasket and Alternator June of 2021
7) New shock absorber for Accessory drive belt tensioner July of 2021
8) New front struts and rear coil springs August of 2021
9) Brake pads and rotors and New flexible hoses (all 4) and brake fluid exchange August of 2021

Along with all that there has been oil changes every 4500 miles and any time something was done to the coolant system I flushed and refilled with genuine MB coolant. All parts were purchased from FCP Euro with the exception of oil and filters and the brake pads and rotors those came from the local advance auto parts.

C230 Sport Coup

Thanks for the reply.
Can I assume that this is the 2nd water pump and Alternator?
I did the water pump at 200K miles. Held out that long!
Alternator I did before it failed at 140K and then recently replaced the brushes in the voltage regulator.
That worked but it keeps telling me in bright red that it's not working, but when I check the voltage it's charging.
And then there's the noise which might be the alternator bearings. Maybe delve into that today, remove one at a time and see where noise is
coming from.

Ever do anything with the Supercharger had one fail? I replaced #1 at around 100K .
Found a brand new one for $600 and sold the old one while it was still good for $250 so only $350
to make sure it wouldn't break down in some out the way place.
Now, I may have a problem with #2 but as I said need to remove belt to see if noise goes away.

How many miles in the last year?

I've not replaced the thermostat though I have a spare.
I'm not aware of "shock absorber for Accessory drive belt tensioner".
I don't think I have that. Just the tensioners. What are you referring to?
When you say "Accessory drive belt" which one are you referring to?
How much of this was DIY?

Has your head gasket ever failed, ie leaking externally on the #4 cylinder (common issue)
or otherwise? Mine has been leaking for 100K miles. I just keep adding fluid.
A little bit seems to get in the oil, and I replace the oil more frequently because of that.
I had been thinking of doing an engine sway, since most every thing in the car still works other wise.
Always fixing little things.
Are you on original engine? Have to do anything with the timing chain?
Or adjust the tensioner?

What happened with the radiator? I've not had to do that or the reservoir.
Would love new suspension. I have worn out coilovers which look nice in terms of stance, but are just completely gone.
Roads are much better in Oregon vs. California and so the ride has 'improved' by virtue of the roads.

I have new front rotors and pads for my AMG brakes, but haven't needed them.
Akebono ceramic brake pads just last FOREVER! Of course you start with new rotors, but then
170K miles later they are still good...just barely. Same with our ML. Going for 140K miles and
work great.

Did you use stock rear coil springs? Didn't go for an aftermarket set?
Whats the strangest repair you've had to perform on this car?
A supercharged 4 cylinder car is something you might expect from the Italians, and many of the problems
I've had are right up there with my prior FIAT.
I like to say that Mercedes builds the best Italian cars in all of Europe.

tlg731

I do believe this to be the second water pump as the one that came out was genuine mercedes. As for the Alternator this is the second time it has been replaced therefore the third Alternator for the car.

There was 3-5 years of maintenance receipts from the previous owner in the glove box. One of those being for an Alternator. The rest ranging from basic regular maintenance to a starter and new shift assembly and a cluster repair of some sort.

As for the supercharger I removed the internal muffler when I first purchased it and I have an oil change kit for it but have yet to do it because the drain plug is stripped from a previous service or attempt to service and I believe the exhaust manifold has to come off to remove the supercharger on the m111 motor. I worry that the studs in the head will not come free and end up snapping off as i believe that it has never been off so I'm tempted to wait until I am prepared to take care of the head gasket. I'm not sure how long it's been leaking but it was leaking pretty good for the first month I was driving it and I could smell it dripping on the exhaust. I used bars leak in the oil which slowed the leak to the point where it is almost not there and I don't have to add any oil between 5000 mile change intervals. It has recently been burning a small amount of coolant also so this is going to be the next project I take on. I've started the process of getting everything I need I've got the gasket kit and new bolts for it need to get a few of the special tools required for timing and such. I may possibly be ready early 2022 as I also need to find a second vehicle while she is down.

just over 12,000 miles for the year.

#45 is the tensioner shock absorber
#45 is the shock absorber that was replaced after the bushing crumbled causing a very loud pinging noise due to excessive vibration in the tensioner assembly. It simply bolts to the tensioner and bracket near the top of the motor. This belt is for the Alternator and power steering and possibly ac.

I do all my own work and maintenance. My mechanical skills progressed a lot over the last 15 or so years from being broke and not having money for a mechanic thus forcing me to do it myself. Now it has become a hobby and something I genuinely enjoy doing. This is my first mercedes and I will say it has been a fun little project so far.

As for the radiator I'm not sure what happened the low coolant light came on one day, started adding coolant and could hear it leaking.

For the struts I went with the bilstein touring b4 struts in this kit https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...in-22141705kt2 and used the original springs and for the rear I used genuine mercedes with the 3 Grey markings to match the ones that came off. Eventually I will get a set of coilovers so I can set the stance just right.

I guess the strangest repair that I've done would have to be getting the windshield washer jets to function. The lines were completely full of some slimy thick black goo. Blew out all the lines and it works fine now. Any idea what would cause this? A little bit of crud in the line I can understand but these were completely filled. Can certain washer fluids cause this?

I like that shade of blue on yours is that the original color or has it been changed? Did you have issues with the wiring in the headlights? My passenger side assembly did not work at all when I purchased her so I replaced the original headlights with a set of Euro spec projectors from Depo and got a set of clear marker lenses and new fog light lenses also. I'm also currently having a key fob issue it won't lock or unlock it or open and close the windows when holding it to the door handle but still starts the vehicle. Pretty sure I need a new fob any suggestions on this? Really don't want to spend 300+ at the stealership for a new one. Overall it's in decent shape she's a solid 20 footer but does show her age when you get upclose. I'll post a few pictures of her later today

C230 Sport Coup

See my answers in BOLD.

tlg731

Thanks for the advice and links for the supercharger and head gasket.
">>>>4 issues here. 1. Batteries in the key? YES I CHANGED THEM WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. 2 GOING TO CHECK THIS ONE. I WILL GOOGLE THE TEST PROCEDURE The antenna amplifier in the rear may be fried.If it doesn't work the key wont' unlock the doors and the radio wont' work. This happens frequently if someone puts tint on the rear window with the hatch up and the battery connected. Water drips down to the amp and cooks it. 3. If the radio works and you have tint certain types of tint block the signal. THE RADIO WORKS FINE AND THERE IS NO TINT BUT I AM GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS. 4. Lastly yes, I can be the key. As far as opening the windows etc from the door sensors, the sensors get cold solder joints and stop working. I TOO HAVE DONE THIS.They can be fixed pretty easy. Google it. There's a thread on benzworld and a Youtube video. I did mine, but ha, they need it AGAIN! I always snagged those at the picknpull when I was there"
one other question, do you still have the header if so would you sell it?

C230 Sport Coup

Sorry, sold the header years ago to a guy who has 3 2002 C230's in Canada and at least one of them is green!
It was a Supersprint header. There is or was a copy of this being sold on ebay. Ah here it is
https://ebay.us/fU6V6C . No idea on quality fitment etc. but it appears to bolt right up, vs mine which
required welding. But the "catalytic converter" that's included is just an empty can FYI.
So, you'll never get past smog if you have to worry about that.
My header ate Cat's for breakfast. Went through several. I managed to pass smog in Cali for a number of years,
but was always sweating bullets when doing so since it wasn't CARB approved. But I modified the manifold cover to hide
the header, the amazing 'hide-a-header'. Pics around here somewhere. Funny I just tossed that the other day.
I got tired of the noise ie header and Remus muffler on long trips and put everything back to stock and happy with it.
Yes, muffler gone too.

Allrand

I'm getting there, I have 436300km on my C200 from new.