W203/CL203 Car Buyer's Guide - All you want to know and consider
#576
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S2000 to a C320 you will be in for a disapointment. If I were you, I would take a look at the G35, 330i, IS300. If you are going for the C320, I will tell you that is strictly a cruiser unless you modify the suspension. Just be sure to test drive the competition and take your time. Don't get me wrong C320 is a wonderful car but I dont think it will suit your needs.
Last edited by Guest0001; 12-11-2004 at 08:39 AM.
#578
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2002 C240 - 2000 540iT
Originally Posted by Buellwinkle
My buddies 2001 C320 was flawless, no problems. The only thing you should know about 2001-2002 C240's is that many were made in Brazil (not any C230/C320 I've seen) and possibly the quality may not be as good as those made in Germany. I don't know how you can tell but when new it said so on a sticker on the window. Some say the VIN has a code for what country it came from but when I saw them on the lot, the VIN was German even though the sticker show final assembly in Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
You scared the crap out of me. I just ran down to the garage in about 1 second flat. Whew! My wife's C240 was built in Stuttgart (driver door jamb sticker).
-Mark
#579
Disappointment
Thanks for all the input. I actually know that is can not match the S2K in perfomance or pure speed, but we are now looking for a sporty family sedan with some pep. Class with some pepiness would be fine.
#582
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally Posted by tommy
Rev is obviously high.
IMHO, there's no way to know the quality of '05s yet, and considering that the changes have been almost exclusively cosmetic, there's no real reason to expect their quality to be any higher than '01s-'04.5s. Though time will tell.
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#583
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Originally Posted by markseven
Buellwinkle,
You scared the crap out of me. I just ran down to the garage in about 1 second flat. Whew! My wife's C240 was built in Stuttgart (driver door jamb sticker).
-Mark
You scared the crap out of me. I just ran down to the garage in about 1 second flat. Whew! My wife's C240 was built in Stuttgart (driver door jamb sticker).
-Mark
hahhaha.. I just ran down too.. same results Stuttgart
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#585
Originally Posted by wdawg
hahhaha.. I just ran down too.. same results Stuttgart ![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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FOR THIS VEHICLE:
FINAL ASSEMBLY POINT: BREMEN, GERMANY
#586
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'05 C230SS 6MT, 1966 Triumph TR4a IRS, Shelby Cobra 427 Supercharged
I'm not sure about the C class, but in the 2005 E class they took out something like 600 electronic functions for increased simplicty, and to reduce electronic glitches and such, the latter probably being the much bigger reasoning. Not sure what those 600 functions are! Read it in an article (meaning not sure of the validity!)
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2002 E55, Black on Black
Made switch from 2002 325ci to C320
Chose from TL, Audi 3.0, and Saab 9.5. Have a 2004.5. 2005 does seem tighter than my car, better materials. One electrical problem so far (tranny ecu), several fit and finish issues with rattles and squeeks.
The torque of the C320 is satisfying, and it is decently quick. No s2000, but it will be a lot quicker than your 325 if both are autos, a hair so if you go manual.
Love the highway ride torque, styling, and luxury compared to 325, but I miss the handling a bit and certainly the rattle free cabin that all my prior BMWs had.
I also think each year MB gets a little better at quality control with the C, and 2005 should be the best of all.
Another thing of note since I went to the C320 after having an addition to the family as well is that I feel very safe in this car -- for myself and my passengers.
The torque of the C320 is satisfying, and it is decently quick. No s2000, but it will be a lot quicker than your 325 if both are autos, a hair so if you go manual.
Love the highway ride torque, styling, and luxury compared to 325, but I miss the handling a bit and certainly the rattle free cabin that all my prior BMWs had.
I also think each year MB gets a little better at quality control with the C, and 2005 should be the best of all.
Another thing of note since I went to the C320 after having an addition to the family as well is that I feel very safe in this car -- for myself and my passengers.
#588
Honestly man, no offense to anyone for what im about to say but here is the truth. The 01 and 02 models sucked. They have a lot of issues and problems. If you even check out the JD powers info for those 2 years MB ranked low because of all the dissatisfied customers. There are 2 things going on here that some will admit but most wont. 1) Most people had issues yet they have a lot of pride and dont want to look like they are fools infront of other people so they wont admit their problems. You know how it goes, u just dont want to show weakness so other people wont make fun of you because u spent a lot of money and the car sucks. 2) A lot of them were made in Brazil and the quality was bad. But even some of the german ones had issues. The bottom line is you are taking a risk with any 01 and 02 you buy. Personally start looking at the 05 and see if you can lease one instead of buying a used one
#589
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300E
hmmm....
mine has no problem. It runs like it should since the first day I purchased it in February 2001. It depends on how you take care of it I guess.
No electrical, mechanical or whatsoever. My friends step in and thought its a new car.
You can find an 03 or 04 with bunch of problems too if the owner does not take care of it.
For example:
- I switched off the a/c and the radio before I turn off the engine (which a lot of people don't).
- Oil changed before the due date.
- I will slow down when I see a bump, or try to avoid it.
- Only use the highest octane gas.
and many more....
So again, it is more about how you take care of your car.
Hope this help.
mine has no problem. It runs like it should since the first day I purchased it in February 2001. It depends on how you take care of it I guess.
No electrical, mechanical or whatsoever. My friends step in and thought its a new car.
You can find an 03 or 04 with bunch of problems too if the owner does not take care of it.
For example:
- I switched off the a/c and the radio before I turn off the engine (which a lot of people don't).
- Oil changed before the due date.
- I will slow down when I see a bump, or try to avoid it.
- Only use the highest octane gas.
and many more....
So again, it is more about how you take care of your car.
Hope this help.
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Last edited by S_kLaSse; 12-11-2004 at 10:47 PM.
#591
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Originally Posted by 05Css
Yeah my peace of crap was made in Brazil. You can tell by opening the drivers door and looking on the side. I warned you, so good luck to you.
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GGM
#592
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300E
You should buy a new car and take care of it. 01, 02, 03, 04 are all the same when they are used, you never know what the previous owner had done to it. Get the 05. peace of mind.
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#593
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Mercedes-Benz
My late 01 c240 was made in Germany, where I purchased it. I had a tour of the plant and met the designer. Just like any automobile, you have good ones and you have bad ones. It’s the luck of the draw. Not every man-made object is perfect. By the way, I would never buy a "used car" because you are buying someone else's problems.
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Last edited by rockintunes23; 12-12-2004 at 04:35 PM.
#594
Originally Posted by 05Css
Yeah my peace of crap was made in Brazil. You can tell by opening the drivers door and looking on the side. I warned you, so good luck to you.
so the brazil one will say made in brazil replacing the germany on top right?
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2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally Posted by 05Css
Honestly man, no offense to anyone for what im about to say but here is the truth. The 01 and 02 models sucked. They have a lot of issues and problems. If you even check out the JD powers info for those 2 years MB ranked low because of all the dissatisfied customers. There are 2 things going on here that some will admit but most wont. 1) Most people had issues yet they have a lot of pride and dont want to look like they are fools infront of other people so they wont admit their problems. You know how it goes, u just dont want to show weakness so other people wont make fun of you because u spent a lot of money and the car sucks. 2) A lot of them were made in Brazil and the quality was bad. But even some of the german ones had issues. The bottom line is you are taking a risk with any 01 and 02 you buy. Personally start looking at the 05 and see if you can lease one instead of buying a used one
My C240 was made in Germany, and maybe the Brazilian factor is the issue.
#596
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2002 C240 - 2000 540iT
Originally Posted by 05Css
Honestly man, no offense to anyone for what im about to say but here is the truth. The 01 and 02 models sucked. They have a lot of issues and problems. If you even check out the JD powers info for those 2 years MB ranked low because of all the dissatisfied customers. There are 2 things going on here that some will admit but most wont. 1) Most people had issues yet they have a lot of pride and dont want to look like they are fools infront of other people so they wont admit their problems. You know how it goes, u just dont want to show weakness so other people wont make fun of you because u spent a lot of money and the car sucks. 2) A lot of them were made in Brazil and the quality was bad. But even some of the german ones had issues. The bottom line is you are taking a risk with any 01 and 02 you buy. Personally start looking at the 05 and see if you can lease one instead of buying a used one
You started your post by saying you mean no offense. Tell a proud mom that she's got an ugly baby, but preface the statement with "I mean no offense."
I couldn't care less that our car is an 02
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-Mark
#597
Thats another problem, a woman is driving the car markseven. Most women are not into cars as much as guys and all they care about is getting from point A to B. The car can have several issues but yet she thinks thats the norm. The main point is that it has been documented that the 01 - 02 have a lot of issues and TSBs from here to china. Most of the people were so disapointed that they sold the car and changed brands. Thats why you dont see many negative posts about those 2 years. If you can go back on this forum several years you will see all the bad posts that took place. But hey man you can take offense to this, i give u permission.
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#598
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300E
05Css,
You can't take assumption that all women care less about their car. With this, you can't say Markseven's wife won't know if there is a problem with her 'C'. It can be that her 'C' is like mine, 'NO issue' whatsoever.
My C320 doesn't give me problem, thats one reason I still keep it.
As for the 01 and 02 cars, I agree with 'rockintunes23' that "It’s the luck of the draw" when it comes to buy car.
You can't take assumption that all women care less about their car. With this, you can't say Markseven's wife won't know if there is a problem with her 'C'. It can be that her 'C' is like mine, 'NO issue' whatsoever.
My C320 doesn't give me problem, thats one reason I still keep it.
As for the 01 and 02 cars, I agree with 'rockintunes23' that "It’s the luck of the draw" when it comes to buy car.
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2002 C240 - 2000 540iT
Originally Posted by 05Css
Thats another problem, a woman is driving the car markseven. Most women are not into cars as much as guys and all they care about is getting from point A to B. The car can have several issues but yet she thinks thats the norm. The main point is that it has been documented that the 01 - 02 have a lot of issues and TSBs from here to china. Most of the people were so disapointed that they sold the car and changed brands. Thats why you dont see many negative posts about those 2 years. If you can go back on this forum several years you will see all the bad posts that took place. But hey man you can take offense to this, i give u permission. ![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
No offense taken
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My wife will know if the car isn't performing correctly. She's a smarty pants
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-Mark
Last edited by markseven; 12-12-2004 at 09:29 PM.
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2002 C240 - 2000 540iT
Originally Posted by S_kLaSse
05Css,
You can't take assumption that all women care less about their car. With this, you can't say Markseven's wife won't know if there is a problem with her 'C'. It can be that her 'C' is like mine, 'NO issue' whatsoever.
My C320 doesn't give me problem, thats one reason I still keep it.
As for the 01 and 02 cars, I agree with 'rockintunes23' that "It’s the luck of the draw" when it comes to buy car.
You can't take assumption that all women care less about their car. With this, you can't say Markseven's wife won't know if there is a problem with her 'C'. It can be that her 'C' is like mine, 'NO issue' whatsoever.
My C320 doesn't give me problem, thats one reason I still keep it.
As for the 01 and 02 cars, I agree with 'rockintunes23' that "It’s the luck of the draw" when it comes to buy car.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)