monkeypee

Hey all,

I'm seriously considering purchasing an used C class, probably 230 Kompressor, but maybe C320. I was wondering though, if there's any known problems with this vehicle.

Right now, my choices are IS300, A4 or a G35. I know that IS is pretty reliable, it being Lesux, but I know that Audis have problems. I've heard that Mercedes is known for some electrical problems, but I'm not sure.

What do you guys think?

behzad

Wzup,

I had a MB C200 - komp (W-203, 2001) for about 24 month. During this time, the car broke down at least 12 times. And all the problems were about electronic failure. At the end, I become bored "to death" to drop the car every 3 month to the MB workshop, so instead I changed my MB to a BMW 330 CI.

Since then I'm a lot more happier person.

However, if you still want to buy a MB C-class make sure to find out how many times it has been in for repair…

Personally, I would choose another brand!!!

revstriker

I've had my C320 for over 2 years and it's never had any problems. Other than for regular service, it's never been in the shop.

I'd much rather have an MB than a Lexus or an Audi, but that's me.

SUNILP

i have my c320 sedan for 1 year and NO PROBLEMS

vkaushal

5 months 5000 miles and no problems. I have a C230 Sedan.

pfphipps

I had a 2002 C230K that I recently traded for a bigger car (E320). I put 20,000 miles on the car. Only problem was a new gas cap under warranty. Somehow (my fault?), the gas cap gasket broke. Other than that, nothing, most trouble free car I ever had.

Speedo

My '03 C320 is 11 months old with almost 10,000 miles on it. No problems (knock on wood)
Well, actually 1 problem. It's my wife's daily driver and I'm stuck with the VW
She lets me drive the Benz on weekends though. I know, I know

r_liebo

squeaks from dash (fixed -- broken clip)
wind noise driver's door (dealer won't fix -- say its normal)
rattle from trunk -- fixed -- missing padding
rattle from RV mirror console -- fixed -- missing padding
passenger headrest won't go down -- not taken in yet
rattle from RV mirror -- not taken in yet
squeal from something inside engine while AC compressor running -- seems to have fixed itself so far.
squeaks from both headrests -- can be fixed my moving the headrests front/back to find the sweet spot.

All very minor issues so far

Buellwinkle

These cars are truly flawless and troublefree, sometimes for weeks at a time.

behzad

I've talked with someone that said if you want to buy an used C-class, it should be late 2001 and up... The early models had some problems with their electronics...

Peace Out, Behzad

monkeypee

Thanks all. I've heard from some people that Benz seem to have problems, minor problems, but problems nonethelss, mostly elecrtical. But it seems that most of you haven't had much problems so that's cool.

One totally different question...Do you all know when new model of C class is coming out by chance?

ViKTORiOUS

I had my 2001 C320 for 22,000 miles until I finally had enough. List of problems i had.

- Broken Cupholder @ 1,000 Miles
- Broken Rear Sunshade @ 15,000 Miles
- Falty Alarm System @ 21,000 Miles
- Reverse Mirror Tilt Not Working @ 20,000 Miles
- Oil Level Warnings @ 18,500 Miles
- COMAND CD Ejecting Not Operating @ 4,000 Miles
- Screeching Brakes @ 4,000 Miles and still went on till 22,000 Miles, dealer said its "normal"

No doubt did I love the C Class, and I say go for the C320, overall i was happy, but these problems drove me nuts, hopefully it was just my car, because many people who own 2001's said they have problem free C's, and others beg to differ. Its a great car, and hopefully in June, I can come back to the W203 when getting a C32... Once again, C320 is overall a great car! Good luck!

Speedo

I read here somewhere that the C35 will be out in the fall.
~267hp - Now that's worth waiting for.

monkeypee

is that new model or just a souped up version of it. E class, CLK been out with new models (exterior) as of late, and i was wondering if that'll be the case with C class as well, as it's been a few years?

Speedo

I sure it'll still be the current W203 model. I believe noble C320 posted the new C will arrive in late '05 as a 2006.

Can someone confirm this?

behzad

The new model of C-class (probably W204) will debut in either 2006 or 2007 however; the face-lift will became available this spring...

Here is a link about the new C55 AMG with 367 bhp:

http://www.germancarfans.com/News.cf...es-benz/1.html

http://www.germancarfans.com/photos....es-benz/1.html

Enjoy

Guest0001

It is a 2004.8. But will be viewed as 05 model. IT will come out in April I believe

I doubt the C350 will be available though. The E class does not even have this engine yet.


Btw I have had my car for 14 months and No Problems.

mctwin2kman

It is hit and miss on any car. Some have more problems per car than others, but all manufacturers have problems that **** someone off. Not all cars are perfect. I have a 2003 and I have had some issues, but nothing major. I did have my tranny replaced for a bad reverse synchro, but I caused that with a missed shift when I was pissed and turning and downshifting all at the same time, I hit reverse while downshifting to second from third. My mistake and I hit the synchro pretty good. MB replaced the tranny for me and all is good now. I had the normal crap, like steering wheel buttons cracking in the cold, but they still worked, and one of my visor's replaced due to the light coming on when it should not, no problem with either and I enjoyed an ML loaner and a C240 4 Matic loaner. Both of which my wife wanted to drive anyhow, so all was good and I got to drive two cars that my wife was interested in for future purchase. Now if she could only get her dream G55 for a loaner she would be happy as a clam. No regrets from me and I have had the car 19000 miles and a year on the clock. I will buy another MB someday when we are ready to trade the coupe in. I love the cars so much I bought a 1986 190E as well to save miles on the C as well as for winter fun without risking the C in the snow.

Keithb

My C320 coupe is almost a year old, has 14,000 kms and hasn't had any problems. Seems like a nice car to me, nice a quick with the 6 speed.

Mike T.

Others have mentioned it, but these cars can have some nasty electrical gremlins - problems in general with software, electrical consumers and the multiplexing hardware. Also, quality control is like a French car of the 1980s, that is, a wee bit scrappy, hit and miss if you will.

I think the majority of the quality control issues lie with cheapened components - these cars have been built to a tight budget and it shows sometimes. On the bright side, so have E and S Classes, but they cost 2 and three times as much. I feel better already

Consumer Reports used to recommend the W202 C-Class, but the W203s have dragged them into the "not recommended" category. The same trend is evident in European reliability surveys. M-B is aware of the problems and vows to regain their lost reputation for building reliable cars by the end of the decade.

Care to be a Beta-tester?

I won't list all the problems our April 2002 C-Sportcoupé has had. Most of them were/are minor excepting one nasty and embarrassing breakdown/no start situation when it was 8 months old

Suffice it to say that the 1989 Peugeot 405 I've been driving every day has had fewer problems over the past 2 years, and it has 200,000 miles on it