I feel the need to ask for advice re: my '02 C230k Coupe. I admit, I love this little car. At eleven, almost twelve years old the paint looks great, I get compliments on it, and for the most part it runs like a well oiled sewing machine... a fast sewing machine. But, I have not kept up with problems as they have developed, and now am wondering if I should just let it go (sell and get something else) or put more resources into it. I would like some opinions from others who own or have owned this car.

2002 C230 Kompressor Coupe, cloth interior, pano-roof, CD changer, facelift ('05) taillights
Purchased @ 52k miles, now 101k miles

Past issues (I did all of this work myself, except the brakes and tires):
New brakes w/ rotors @ 60k w/ lifetime warranty
New tires @ 95k
Heater fan chirp, then froze, replaced fan and regulator @ 100k
Cup Holder tambour cover disintegrated, replaced @ 85k
Gear shifter bezel front clip broken off, allowing bezel to flop around, repaired at 80k
Replaced broken rear seat headrest (ebay buy)
Replaced Cigar lighter socket and element
No CD changer, installed OEM changer w/ fiber-optic cabeling at 60k


Current problems:
Antenna Amplifier/rear window non-functional resulting in poor radio reception and no keyless entry function.
Plastic trim covering rear window Antenna Amplifier all clips broken off from me removing it over and over.
Front Suspension bushings loose/worn, resulting in compromised handling/suspension noise.
Panoramic roof gear clacking/failing to engage at final close. Motor functions but play in gear-engage.
Right-hand steering wheel control buttons non-functional.
Passenger side window-switch panel loose, broken clip.
Headlights require repeated polishing to prevent clouding, have a yellowish tinge.
Occasional (winter) Error code P0128 - probably need a new thermostat... i've just been clearing it when it pops up
Oh, and I havn't had the timing chain replaced yet.

I have worked on the roof a little... just pulling the overhead console/light panel to access the motor, and can see the up/down play in the motor, but have not removed the entire headliner to remove and repair.

I have tried TV tuner cleaner on the rear amplifier, but no luck. Would love to find a fix for this other than replacing the entire rear window for $2k.

I can do the thermostat, just havn't taken the time.

I also think I can fix the window-switch panel with epoxy putty to rebuild the broken clip (same fix I did for the shift bezel).

But the suspension... big job... I have rebuilt the front end of an old thunderbird before, but I don't know if this may be outside my skill set.

I have read the repair on the boards for the steering wheel controls... I'm no expert solder applicator... but may try it.

Anyway... I am just asking for opinions here from other owners. Is it worth it?

 

It pays to fix things as they come along.
Lately I've been trying to get a few things fixed,
just did the right hand switch on the steering wheel.
This is kind of critical since it also affects the functioning of the horn. Ride side of horn button was dead!
Good news, if you follow instructions here on the site, you will find it an easy job. An hour perhaps.

I bought a $3 soldering iron from harbor freight, and touched up the contacts, and just like new!
Got the IR door sensors working too, though I fi'd up the drivers side one,
by picking at the solder joint after it was fixed. Duh. I had it working, f'd it up. Door panel was falling apart, fixed with a large amount of glue.

Antenna amp is a pain, but I had a quote from Safelite, With OEM glass for like $650 with tax. I replaced the whole hatch, since it also had previous body damage.
Trim pieces, pano, window switch, and polishing the headlights shouldn't be a big deal. Keep some Plast X on hand, for the headlight. Regular applications does wonder with the occasional 1500 grit sand job.

Suspension, yes, is a bit more involved. Find a good indy guy to help, not the dealer.
Timing chain isn't an issue for 2002, so don't worry about that.

All in all, if you like the car, and are willing to do fix the little things as they come along, you should be ok.

It really comes down to, do you want to invest a lot of money in a new car, or do you like your current car enough to plan to keep it and invest a couple thou to keep it healthy for another 100K miles?
In the long run you will save a lot of money.
My girl and I really like the hatch, and there's not much to choose from in that category here in the US that gives you what this little car does. Style, power, prestige, and a certain uniqueness you won't get by driving a honda civic hatch, or even a GTI (boring!)

At 120K you should plan on flushing the tranny if it's auto,
swapping out the supercharger with a fresh one, replace the
brushes in the alternator, check your pullies and tensioners, and the starter will likely fail before 150K. Guaranteed. For me, I just took it an auto electric shop and paid $25 for new brushes.

Doing all those things in advance along with belts etc, will avoid any roadside drama, and planning for it in advance will make it a whole less expensive since you won't be in a hurry to get it done.
Just plan to do it all at once.
Thermostat shouldn't be too tough either.
I get great satisfaction from fixing problems correctly and inexpensively,
do you?

All this stuff including your current issues, would cost about 2 grand, and you'll be in good shape for a long time....

I've done all those things, just passed 206K miles, and purrs like a kitten.

Projects I'd like to look at:
Front wheel bearing seems a little loose
New tint for new rear window
find an IR sensor for driver side door,
rotate tires,
Wheel well covers on drivers side are damaged, wiring is exposed.
Met a guy who specializes in leather restoration, so I want to get the steering wheel refinised. and he suggested scrubbing the leather gently with a soft brush, to get it like new.
Sunroof maint, grease and lube.

 

I would be concerned that
- nobody will buy the car unless you fix the suspension anyways. its not hard to do the work your self and the parts are cheap. check these instructions

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ntrol_Arms.htm

- thermostat is 2 reverse torx bolts and about $25

- timing chain doesn't need to be fixed unless it starts banging around in the engine and you would hear that.

- other than the antenna amp the other things sound cosmetic

 

probably you already know this... but i had problems with the panoramic roof and the shade too.... it got sucked and didn't want to work... i tried the famous RESETING pressing the buttons for 5 seconds in all directions, and incredibly it worked at least enough to open the whole panoramic roof... i cleaned it everywhere, and lubricated with silicone spray,, now it works like a charm...

maintenance is the key... hope you can fix your issues my friend!

 

Post was from 3+ years ago.

 

Wow, how many miles do you now have on your C230K? Rima and I have joked about possibly having our C230K until it is collectable. The bottom looks super clean, and it only have 80-some thousand miles on it.