I'm looking at getting rid of my 89, 91, 97, and 98 Jettas and buying a 2002 C240, 170,000km, $3000, it's not a bad deal, I test drove the car and I really liked how it was compared to my little dubs. I think it's time for an upgrade but there were just a few things I want to know first.

1) The screen on the gauge cluster is kind of faded on the top and bottom, is this normal? or is it broken? and if it's broken, can it easily be fixed or do I need to replace the whole gauge cluster?

2) The signal indicator lever sounds like it's about to break off when I signal, is there a safe way to lube that up or is it always sound like something sticky is spilled around it?

3) All of the windows except the drivers window have auto up and auto down, is the drivers window broken or do these cars not have the auto feature for the drivers window?

4) When I lock the car, is the horn suppose to sound? Because this one doesn't make any noise to signify it's locked no matter how many times I push the lock button.

5) What is the groaning sound that comes from around the gauge cluster when I insert the key, it sounds like it's opening a trap door beneath the dash or something lol

and lastly, what are some easy weight reduction that would be my best bet for keeping it easy, any aftermarket lighter parts? engine tweaks or better fuel consumption? It get's 17MPG and my 97 Jetta has a lot wrong with it and it's getting 18MPG so I'm used to the mileage, I just don't wanna over do it with the bad mileage, especially when I'm going from paying for regular octane to premium octane fuel. Both car's are about the same speed too, on the highway they would be side by side which is surprising for a 168hp V6 but the nearly 600lbs addition of weight to the Benz with only 53hp more to pull the almost 600lbs of weight, they're pretty closely matched for performance and fuel mileage, well, fuel mileage as far as my currently daily driver gets. I would really like to look into getting this car but if the concerns I mentioned above are wiring issues then I might have to work on the price to see if I can get it for a little cheaper. It's also Black on Black and the body is a little rough but I'm a bodyman so fixing it will be easy and done by myself for next to nothing.

 

1) that's normal. A new cluster with reprogramming will cost you $1,700. A new screen can be had on ebay for a little over $100. Results have been all over the place. If you do try to do a DIY, you need to baby the cluster, the parts are very brittle. Do a search for a couple of theads here on point.

2) Have never heard of that problem, honestly. Probaby best bet would be to replace it; MBs are pretty tempermental, so McGuyvering a fix 9 times out of 10 won't work

3) Driver's windw needs to be re-synched - close the window and hold the switch for a 10 count. Should reset it; if not, probably a bad regulator.

4) No sound; can be reprogrammed with STAR; do a search for "Netherlands Setting"

5) It's old - we all make noises as we get older. Could be nothing, could be a signal that the EIS is about to go, which is an expensive fix.

Get newer, lighter rims, ditch the spare, remove rear seat, etc. I would have to say honestly that with a 2002 C240, you're getting the best of both worlds - slow AND bad on gas mileage. Not too much you can do other than getting a newer C230, which is a better combination of speed and MPG.

Good luck, whatever you do.

 

Thanks, I'll be sure to bring up the window suppose to auto up/down and mention the noise possibly being the electronic ignition system to see if they'll cut the price down a bit to make it a little easier on me to replace :P

When I get it, I'll be sure to post a build thread around here somewhere.

 

As to #5 is it the noise that can be heard in this video when he inserts the black key?


If so, then that is normal and my guess would probably be that it is the steering column unlocking. If its a different noise, then it could very well be the EIS dying, which is a pretty expensive fix, as they have to be bought new.

 

That is exactly the sound it makes, I was a little bit worried at first :P
I'm making my first payment next week and it should be paid off ready to take home by early August.

 

The good thing is, the C240 is absolutely bulletproof. Though if I were you, I'd opt for the C320. Same engine, but pushes 217 HP as opposed to 168, with similar MPG ratings.

Good choice nonetheless. Though, if you have the Valeo radiator, that might be something you'd want to replace. It causes all sorts of issues. Swap it for the OEM Behr radiator if you could find one for a good price.

Also, lube the sunroof. Either get the lube from the dealer (80 bucks, ouch!) or get a 3M lubricant that's good for winter. The sunroof should be lubricated once a year. This prevents pre-mature failure, which usually occurs in W203's. Merc's generally don't take too well to neglect. Keep up with maintenance, and flush the transmission fluid every 80-100k km's. Depending who owned your car previously, you might want to get that done. There are DIY's for it on this site, so you're not wondering into uncharted territory.

If you're in Canada, get this. It's 20% off parts and service at any Mercedes dealership. It works at my local dealer (Mavis and 401, Mississauga, Canada), but apparently it doesn't work at some other locations. Try it and see what you can get out of it.

 

The chirps for opening and closing do not come from the horns (hooters for our UK friends.) There is a siren behind the right front wheel arch cover that makes the noise. You can test it by pressing and holding the "PANIC" button on the key. It is silent, the siren is probably bad. They fail often, and luckily not expensive.

The sunroof lube is Dupont Krytox GPL 205. A very sexy lube. Substitution could cost you a sunroof ($$$$$) Get it on Ebay 2 oz about $30.

 

Looks like all the questions were addressed but this one. Can't be lubed in situ to fix. Common problem. The part is relatively inexpensive and easy to put on once you get the steering wheel nut off There's a thread on removing the steering wheel in this forum.

 

Mmmm, hooters....

Yes, that siren died on my car when I had it enabled. Sounded like a drowning cat for the last week before replacement. You're right - cheap fix.

 

Thanks to everyone for the help, Just for reference, this is the "Classic" model which doesn't come with a sunroof or headed seats, it's the bare bones C240.

So far everything is working, the only thing is with the alarm, when I lock the car, the lights flash as they do, the alarm doesn't beep which I'm assuming is a bad "hooter" :P and when I hold the panic button, nothing happens, not even the lights flash.

If the alarm siren is broken does that disable the alarm because nothing happens at all when it's armed and I get out of the car with the doors locked or if I hold the panic button so it's not working at all.

 

These cars don't beep when you lock them, no worries! It's normal.
Are you sure that your vehicle has an alarm system? I know that W203's (at least in Canada) did not come with an alarm as standard equipment. That could have been a replaced key that has a panic button on it, but your car may not be wired for an alarm system.

Post your vin number. That way, we can verify whether or not it has an alarm system.