Should I buy this car?? 01 C320
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Joined: Aug 2014
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W203 c320
Should I buy this car?? 01 C320
Hi, finally joined mbforums.(ive been a lurker for a while)..
Ive been wondering for weeks if I should get the 2001 C320. it only has 67000 miles for $6000. EIS just got replaced. literally. Ive looked at it about a week and a half ago, test drove it and everything(interior, exterior, under the hood) was pretty much flawless. Carfax shows 1 owner and no accidents, all serviced at the right time.
I couldnt buy it the next day because the EIS went out and the person selling it to me offered to get mb dealership to fix it for free. The car should be ready and fixed for me to purchase on this week.
Before this ive had a e46 bmw 325i, 2002 audi a4, and an infiniti i30.
HOWEVER, ive read MANY reviews online that this car has TONS of problems(mechanical, electrical, everything) down the road since its the first c320 out this generation.
Would this be a good car to buy? considering all the reviews says this car is junk but I want you guys' opinions since this IS mbworld lol. Im mostly using this car to get to school and work, so its gotta be reliable.
Thanks,
Yungcat
Ive been wondering for weeks if I should get the 2001 C320. it only has 67000 miles for $6000. EIS just got replaced. literally. Ive looked at it about a week and a half ago, test drove it and everything(interior, exterior, under the hood) was pretty much flawless. Carfax shows 1 owner and no accidents, all serviced at the right time.
I couldnt buy it the next day because the EIS went out and the person selling it to me offered to get mb dealership to fix it for free. The car should be ready and fixed for me to purchase on this week.
Before this ive had a e46 bmw 325i, 2002 audi a4, and an infiniti i30.
HOWEVER, ive read MANY reviews online that this car has TONS of problems(mechanical, electrical, everything) down the road since its the first c320 out this generation.
Would this be a good car to buy? considering all the reviews says this car is junk but I want you guys' opinions since this IS mbworld lol. Im mostly using this car to get to school and work, so its gotta be reliable.
Thanks,
Yungcat
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Ask that guy how much the dealership charged him to fix the EIS, you will be surprised.
A couple of 'minor' issues and if you repair them at the dealership you will end up paying more than the car is worth.
If you read the reviews of other cars you'll feel like all of them are pieces of crap.
It's hit or miss, more so with a 15 year old car, I'd say.
A couple of 'minor' issues and if you repair them at the dealership you will end up paying more than the car is worth.
If you read the reviews of other cars you'll feel like all of them are pieces of crap.
It's hit or miss, more so with a 15 year old car, I'd say.
Thread Starter
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W203 c320
its $1525 thats why im contemplating on whether or not to get it, its got a brand new eis, which is replaced at no cost for me. but i just want to know from someone who actually owns one of these here if there will be lots of problems coming up ahead.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Samaritrey is one of those people: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/5...amaritrey.html
Hit him up.
Hit him up.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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W203 c320
ive owned a bimmer and an audi before(2004 and 2002 respectively). yeah german cars are expensive to maintain, but the frequency of maintenance is my only concern. ill proly just get it as i cant seem to find a better deal on craiglist for german cars
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Samaritrey is one of those people: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/5...amaritrey.html
Hit him up.
Hit him up.
You would probably be better off with a Toyota but if you get this car for peanuts it could be a deal if you accept that they have the potential to do huge mileage but if something goes wrong it will be expensive to fix. The M112 engine & 722.6 transmission are a strong combo. It's other ancilliary crap that can play up on early W203's
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Avoid it like the plague. Nothing good can come of it except as scrap metal. I'm surprised they with through the hassle of fixing the EIS, honestly.
If you do buy it, keep us up-to-date. I'm not above telling you I told you so.
If you do buy it, keep us up-to-date. I'm not above telling you I told you so.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
My ears were burning
I just sold my 01 C320 with 215,000 miles two weeks ago I guess now
Very sad but my c320 was one of the best ones on here if not the best one. It did require maintenance all the time but very few failures. That said if you can't work on your own car and need something to get to work everyday find something else. I assume if your looking at a $6,000 car money is somewhat tight and any formerly expensive car such as a MB, BMW or Audi can get expensive fast even if one thing goes wrong. If I am correct about your budget find a nice Camry or something similar that is super reliable and cheap to work on.
I just sold my 01 C320 with 215,000 miles two weeks ago I guess now
Very sad but my c320 was one of the best ones on here if not the best one. It did require maintenance all the time but very few failures. That said if you can't work on your own car and need something to get to work everyday find something else. I assume if your looking at a $6,000 car money is somewhat tight and any formerly expensive car such as a MB, BMW or Audi can get expensive fast even if one thing goes wrong. If I am correct about your budget find a nice Camry or something similar that is super reliable and cheap to work on.
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Toronto, Canada
2001 Mercedes C240 Base
I just threw about $2k in repairs into my dad's 2001 C240 with 115,000 km (he really babied his car) and I have to say... don't do it.
Basically, I'm repairing the car as a hobby and even then, I've had my regrets. Not only is it a 15 year old car; but these cars have no cheap parts, lots of gremlins and even with the amazing forum support; are hard to repair.
Case in point. In the last 2 months; I've replaced BROKEN coil springs x2 (front and back which actually makes it x4); front & rear brakes (which I somewhat regret now as I should have just done a pad slap and saved the money on the rotors) and now the MAF sensor.
What's worse, after my first sensor replacement (Bosch OEM from rockauto.com); it started stalling! I was all in despair at that point.
I've since swapped in a 2nd MAF (warranty exchange) and did a throttle body cleaning. I'm hoping that will fix the problem... pretty please !!!!
But yea, I can afford to throw money at the problem but it's rapidly surpassed reason. Emotionally attached I guess.
The AC still doesn't work and given the forum comments; it's probably the evaporator core and not worth repairing.
There are NO cheap parts for this car and it was NOT designed for easy repairs.
Basically, I'm repairing the car as a hobby and even then, I've had my regrets. Not only is it a 15 year old car; but these cars have no cheap parts, lots of gremlins and even with the amazing forum support; are hard to repair.
Case in point. In the last 2 months; I've replaced BROKEN coil springs x2 (front and back which actually makes it x4); front & rear brakes (which I somewhat regret now as I should have just done a pad slap and saved the money on the rotors) and now the MAF sensor.
What's worse, after my first sensor replacement (Bosch OEM from rockauto.com); it started stalling! I was all in despair at that point.
I've since swapped in a 2nd MAF (warranty exchange) and did a throttle body cleaning. I'm hoping that will fix the problem... pretty please !!!!
But yea, I can afford to throw money at the problem but it's rapidly surpassed reason. Emotionally attached I guess.
The AC still doesn't work and given the forum comments; it's probably the evaporator core and not worth repairing.
There are NO cheap parts for this car and it was NOT designed for easy repairs.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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2001 C320
As others have said, it depends on two things: 1) can you do some of the work yourself and 2) do you have spare cash if something major goes wrong. And, I will venture a number 3) if you really want to have an old MB. In january of 03, I bought an 01 C320 with 130k miles for $5K. Since then, i've probably spent another $4-5K on it on top of things I fixed myself, but it's been pretty reliable since. And I love it -- it's great to drive, I love the sound system and the overall design of the W203 generation. A Camry will never be as satisfying as a Benz.
