I'm currently in a '92 W124 400e. Thinking of doing a 3yr lease on a C230 sedan. Right now there are good deals happening.

What are costs of ownership? I notice that the rims are staggered size tires. How often would I need to replace tires?

How about brakes?

I've been told of a $200 every 12k serivce -

Are there any other costs I should be looking at?

What do you people love/hate about your C230s?

What kind of MPG do you get?

TIA

 

So far, I've been very pleased with my C230Sedan.

Tires seem to last 12k-24k miles, depending on how you drive (city/highway, aggressive/easy).

Brakes seem to be going 25k-60k+, again depending on conditions.

The service for $200 seems a little low. If you're looking at getting the C230, stop by the service department and ask them about the actual costs of the 'Service A' and 'Service B'.

I traded an '87 W124 for my 230. You will immediately notice that the W203 is not built the same way as the 124. The materials are more in-line with what other car manufacturers are supplying. In my opinion, the 124 is probably one of the most durable cars on the planet. I don't think that the 203 will measure up, although I don't have any information to back this up.

I bought my 203 in January '04 (23 months ago). It's now got 40k on it, and I really do enjoy it. It is more comfortable to drive (more modern, more performance oriented), and doesn't have any rattles/squeaks/groans/etc.

In the 23 months of ownership I've had the dealership correct the following problems:
- parking brake came out of adjustment
- cd player skipped (replaced)
- rattle in grille on top of dash (dealer fixed)
- rattle in seat belt adjuster (dealer replaced b-pillar trim)

I've driven the car through some terrible weather, and it gives the same feeling of confidence that the 124 did.

One note of warning: If you live in a snow-prone area, you're going to need snow tires. The summer performance tires that the car comes with are useless in more than 1/4" of the white stuff.

I'm a relatively easy driver, until reaching an open stretch of twisting road, at which point the accelerator is used more rigorously. I can usually get 26mpg combined city/highway, and have gotten as high as 35 on long highway trips.

In short, I don't think that you'd make a mistake buying a C230. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input. I do love my 400e BUT it will be needing in upwards of $4000 - $6000 worth of repairs over the next two years! I'm growing tired of dumping $1000s of dollars every time I go to the mechanic.

I'm thinking of doing a 3 year lease and have everything major being paid by the warrentee then getting out before the high mileage stuff starts hitting me.

I haven't yet driven a 230 yet but the Sport models are being heavily discounted and that make the lease rates rather attractive.

I live in Los Angeles and will be primarly freeway commuting (74 miles a day). Comfort and fuel economy are tops on my list. The 230 Sport looks as if it is a fun to drive car. I do like power but again I'm willing to give up power for fuel economy. Have you been getting anywhere near the 24/34 mpg?

 

Having been to LA several times, I'm not certain that 'freeway commuting' is the same there as it is here.

Locally, freeway commuting means rolling along between 55 & 70mph. This means that you would be getting somewhere in the 30mpg range.

Freeway commuting in LA means (in my experience) stop & go traffic. I would bet that you would then be in the low- to mid-20's.

To answer your question: I'm typically getting a little better than the 24/34 mpg stated.

PS - you're getting out of your 124 for the same reason that I did. In the last years of its life I replaced: diesel injection pump, all rear suspension arms, hydraulic accumulators in rear suspension, blower fan, A/C condenser, shocks/struts, steering damper, stop straps in all doors, radio, climate control module, cruise control amplifier, etc., etc., etc. The car itself was still solid, but it was these parasitic expenses that were sucking me dry.