tikara

as far as i know, w203 has strong drive chain (engine, trans, diff)

and this forum has tons of w203 DIY information

good luck in picking a good used one

ninjaff21

just out of curiosity what makes the ML so bad?

samaritrey

Go search in the appropriate ml forum are we talking the original w163 or W164 or the new w166 model.
I assume you are talking about the original one from late 90s. They had issues with build quality as well as quality of parts have you looked at the interior! The engine was good as well as transmission but I believe the transfer case had issues or maybe that was the w164. Best to go research and talk to owners of them. I would maybe personally consider a late model w164 and my family just got a 2013 ml350 4 matic that is amazing they have come a long long way.

ninjaff21

Im sorry if I've been such a bother but i didn't really explore in my earlier question much about the kompressor I'm looking at a 2002 c230 kompressor. it does not have power seats (one less thing to go wrong in my opinion) but how reliable is it compared to the regular c-class with a v6. like how long does the supercharger last i don't won't to have to shell out the money for a supercharger if they don't last long. but I'm liking the 4cyl deal because of the fact that it gets better mpg. anyone have any opinion? (it is an auto)

It has the cloth seats so no seat heaters which means another thing that can't go wrong!

134k miles is what it has on the clock.

samaritrey

I believe that the 02 would have the older m111 which does not suffer from the stretching timing chain like the m271. But I believe that they have head gasket issues more commonly than the m271. (someone please correct me if I am wrong) No clue about supercharger lifespan but have seen a few m271's with 150,000-200,000 miles with original SC. So I can't imagine that the m111 supercharger would be much worse. If it is a 2002 c230 it must be a coupe right? Does it have a power roof? If so does it work? They are known to have lots of issues if they are not properly maintained or just leave it closed all the time and it doesn't matter.
While I personally like my power/memory seats and heated mbtex/leather inserts I can respect cars without them as simple is sometimes a better thing depending on your budget and so on but I find it wrong in an upscale car not that the sport coupes are really known for that as they were built to try and get younger people into the brand and that's why you see cloth seats and so on to keep the price as low as possible.

ninjaff21

yes it does have the power roof never plan to open it tbh just open the screen to let in all the nice warm sunlight! i don't mind having the cloth etc as like i said before less to go out. also do these cars have tape players as i use one in my land rover to play music of my iPhone currently. i think I'm going to go with this c230 coupe hatch it seems to be the best in my price range


Do they use a standard plug wire such as on my rover or do they use a type of coil pack like on an audi a4

ninjaff21

I'm hoping this weekend to go buy my 230 coupe and i hear so much about the transmission. I've found so many videos so i have an idea of how to change it but do i need to actually flush it or can i just change the fluid?

samaritrey

Depends on mileage and history of car. I think the general understanding is drop pan and filter every 39k if that has been done then just keep doing that if not or no history do a flush (not a hard thing to do honestly) then after that drop pan every 39k. When you do just the pan you don't replace all the fluid which if it is of unknown condition you really should do it right.

Javvy

Javvy

ninjaff21

for the c230 hatchback with no options except auto tranny and sunroof and 134k miles on it they are asking 5500 when kbb says its worth 3300? is 5500 a fair deal or should i try to talk the seller down quite a bit.

Javvy

i bought my c230 hatchback for that much price with onely 87K on it.....you should definatley pay nothing more than 4K.....hell I will sell you mine for 4K with only 99k on it, with navigation, brand new tires and wheels for 4K......lolol... but it is a manual 6speed

Where u located??

javvy

ninjaff21

Im located in Little Rock Arkansas. Im assuming that yours would be very well maintained.

Javvy

aaah...NLR...I tarvel there quit and bit for work. I work for a big cosmetic company we have our manufacturing and distirdution sites there...in fact I will be there some time in April....lolol....

Yes mine is upto date on all maintenance. IN fact the next service B is coming up and I will do that for you and also put in brand new complete front brakes....new rotor and pads, Plus I plan to replace the air filter on it too on this coming up service. It have navigation, 6cd changer, aux input.....rubber carpet...both the front control arms are brand new and OEM Lemforder ones both front and rear sway bars are upgrade brand new AMG ones and ofcourse all 4 tires are brand new with neww MSW Grey rims......

let me know if fancies your attention.....just have some minimum rust marks..whihc I have blocked off with Rust bullet.....nothing visual.....also I have the revised CLK front Grill installed on it....

really love the M111 engineand ride a very solid engine....and otheres on here will agree...and it has a supercharger engine give 34mpg on highway all day long.......

let me know if it fancies your attention...I will PM you my cell number just call me...

javvy

ninjaff21

Yes that would be great!

ninjaff21

I posted towards the start of this thread about buying a car with 140-150k on the clock and got kinda mixed reviews. if i inspect it by myself my mechanic and dealer and it all checks out and the price is right would it be worth buying?

ninjaff21

Ive come across this conductor plate on the auto tranny of the 722.6 is that only common to earlier trannys of is the 2002 affected by this also? if i get a manual can i avoid this? it seems like replacing a clutch would be less likely to happen in the lifetime of the car than the plate. if i do get a auto and it fails i watched the mercedessource guide and it seemed simple enough except for not getting it dirty. is it diy?