Hi all,

I have already had some models of Mercedes-Benz during my life. But recently I was far from MB for 2 or 3 years. And I am now planning to come back.

Firstly I was crazy about the W211 E320/E350. But the size of the car for the small streets of Rio de Janeiro, the SBC problems that here in Brazil are not well known made me think twice before buying.

Well, I made a test drive on a W203 C180 Kompressor 2006 and I get very satisfied. Here in my country I am able to find this car with 30.000km, 60.000km or 80.000km easly.

What are the most important points that I should look before buying the car?

What are the chronical problems?

Thank you all guys.

 

well if it has the M271 motor then there are actually a lot of signs for a bad motor, listen for any scratching metal noise while the engine is running (bad timing chain) , check if there is any oil residue near intake manifold (Breather hoses are known to rip and tear causing bad fuel usage, speed loss and high whine) , check for front cam magnetic oil leaks (known for oil leaking and being leaked into the wire harness) and check all radiator hosing going into the engine (all known to crack over time.)

 

Seems like the Achilles heel on these cars is the transmission. Upon cold start up feel how smoothly the car up shifts and downshifts. Also vary your driving style light to super aggressive. A bad sign, or at least a sign the tranny needs flushing, is if downshifts are delayed or up shifts are very hard. It's difficult to explain but you'll know it when you feel it.

Also listen carefully for suspension clunks and creaking. Not a terrible situation but just may indicate there is a budging that needs to be changed all the way to the entire shock components..

 

Thank you all guys.

Here the first phase of W203 (2000-2004) was consider a bad car. Many eletric/eletronic problems.

But the phase 2 (2005-2007) seems to be trouble free about that.

Didnt know about any problems with this transmission. What is it the code? 722.x?

 

single chain bad news i would not buy one again two cam gears worn and chain jumps costly repair and if you changed chain it is not cheap stay away