Hey! New guy here looking to buy C300 sport manual!
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Joined: Dec 2007
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2006 Jetta 2.0T
Hey! New guy here looking to buy C300 sport manual!
I've been a die hard vw fan for years but now i feel it's time to move on and try something different. I am highly interested in the looks of the new c-class but i've heard many horror stories from the earlier models, has mercedes improved their quality over recent years? How reliable would this car be? I know this is comming from a vw guy but i've been lucky with all 6 that i've owned...here's my current car:
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
welcome!
I too am looking at the new c-class, would be a first time MB owner too. Until the w204 came out, there wasn't any model from MB I liked that was in my price range (too young for the s-class and can't afford the CL or SL)
Anyways, I will coming off a BMW which isn't known for its reliability either, few electrical problems here and there. I also had a camry, you just can't compare with japanese quailty.... literally 130k, no problems at all.
so I been reading up on forums and review for w204... but its really really too early to tell with this brand new c, keep your eyes on edmunds.com's long term fleet review... its at 3500miles and already sunroof issue (but I think its really the editors trigger happy fingers)
I too am looking at the new c-class, would be a first time MB owner too. Until the w204 came out, there wasn't any model from MB I liked that was in my price range (too young for the s-class and can't afford the CL or SL)
Anyways, I will coming off a BMW which isn't known for its reliability either, few electrical problems here and there. I also had a camry, you just can't compare with japanese quailty.... literally 130k, no problems at all.
so I been reading up on forums and review for w204... but its really really too early to tell with this brand new c, keep your eyes on edmunds.com's long term fleet review... its at 3500miles and already sunroof issue (but I think its really the editors trigger happy fingers)
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
You can read this forum and see what problems people are having. So far nothing looks wide spread enough to say its a full fledge problem. There have been problems here and there, but they are few and far between. You have to remember that on a forum, it brings people together that usually wouldn't have come across each other. So if there is a thread with three people having the same problem, it looks like a huge problem, but in reality its only three people out of hundreds of thousands of people that bought the car and didn't have the problem. As with any car you have the chance of problems and I will admit I've had a problem with every MB I have owned (so far none with my new C though, fingers crossed). The good news is Benz has a great warranty and will fix anything that should come up and do it without having to fight them to fix it.
Only major problem I see you having is actually finding a manual car ha ha. From reading the posts on this forum, if you do find a manual car, its a stripper and won't have many if any options.
Only major problem I see you having is actually finding a manual car ha ha. From reading the posts on this forum, if you do find a manual car, its a stripper and won't have many if any options.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I agree, too new to know much at this point. That said, the major components, engine & tranny anyways are existing units and not new this year so that takes a bit of worry out of the equation. I think we're more likely to see issues with the electrical system then the powertrain. Sorry if I just jinxed us all... 
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
You can read this forum and see what problems people are having. So far nothing looks wide spread enough to say its a full fledge problem. There have been problems here and there, but they are few and far between. You have to remember that on a forum, it brings people together that usually wouldn't have come across each other. So if there is a thread with three people having the same problem, it looks like a huge problem, but in reality its only three people out of hundreds of thousands of people that bought the car and didn't have the problem.
True, just because 3 people have the same problem it doesn't mean the MB you will buy will have the same issues too. But it is an indication of general problems. If thousands of people have the same problem reported, on the web or not, it would been deem as a recall by MB.
What it does show is that the tarnished reliability and reputation MB has procured over the years is warranted or not.....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I would have to disagree with you on that because there are also thousands of people who don't read/register to this website.....
True, just because 3 people have the same problem it doesn't mean the MB you will buy will have the same issues too. But it is an indication of general problems. If thousands of people have the same problem reported, on the web or not, it would been deem as a recall by MB.
What it does show is that the tarnished reliability and reputation MB has procured over the years is warranted or not.....
True, just because 3 people have the same problem it doesn't mean the MB you will buy will have the same issues too. But it is an indication of general problems. If thousands of people have the same problem reported, on the web or not, it would been deem as a recall by MB.
What it does show is that the tarnished reliability and reputation MB has procured over the years is warranted or not.....
At any rate, if you do have a problem, in my experience MB has gone above and beyond to fix it to my liking.
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
I will say this (and I said this to myself
): If you want reliability and it is your first concern, then go with a lexus.I just can't see myself in an IS or ES, regardless how JD Powers or consumer reports rate them..... This is where the desire of my heart overrules my logical brain.....
To OP:
Take the risk, why not? you already drive a VW!!
Last edited by webada; Dec 17, 2007 at 03:57 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
That's good to know.
I will say this (and I said this to myself ): If you want reliability and it is your first concern, then go with a lexus.
I just can't see myself in an IS or ES, regardless how JD Powers or consumer reports rate them..... This is where the desire of my heart overrules my logical brain.....
To OP:
Take the risk, why not? you already drive a VW!!
I will say this (and I said this to myself
): If you want reliability and it is your first concern, then go with a lexus.I just can't see myself in an IS or ES, regardless how JD Powers or consumer reports rate them..... This is where the desire of my heart overrules my logical brain.....
To OP:
Take the risk, why not? you already drive a VW!!
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Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 120
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From: Jacksonville Florida, USA
C300 Sport
That's good to know.
I will say this (and I said this to myself ): If you want reliability and it is your first concern, then go with a lexus.
I just can't see myself in an IS or ES, regardless how JD Powers or consumer reports rate them..... This is where the desire of my heart overrules my logical brain.....
To OP:
Take the risk, why not? you already drive a VW!!
I will say this (and I said this to myself
): If you want reliability and it is your first concern, then go with a lexus.I just can't see myself in an IS or ES, regardless how JD Powers or consumer reports rate them..... This is where the desire of my heart overrules my logical brain.....
To OP:
Take the risk, why not? you already drive a VW!!
"Autobahn_Kirk" - you should definitely try the new C300 for yourself and make your choice! We all will be rooting for this puppy to earn your respect!
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From: Toronto, ON
2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
Autobahn_Kirk -- My family (immediate and extended) have been long-time MB custodians and I could see the quality of the products having slipped in the last 6-8 years. But I fell in love with the W204 and I am optimistic about MB having learned something about electronics from Chrysler. So I took the plunge and picked up my first German car. It remains to be seen if MB has indeed learned anything and improved its reliability.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
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From: nyc
528i, GLK
Autobahn_Kirk -- My family (immediate and extended) have been long-time MB custodians and I could see the quality of the products having slipped in the last 6-8 years. But I fell in love with the W204 and I am optimistic about MB having learned something about electronics from Chrysler. So I took the plunge and picked up my first German car. It remains to be seen if MB has indeed learned anything and improved its reliability.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
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From: Southeast
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
Autobahn_Kirk -- My family (immediate and extended) have been long-time MB custodians and I could see the quality of the products having slipped in the last 6-8 years. But I fell in love with the W204 and I am optimistic about MB having learned something about electronics from Chrysler. So I took the plunge and picked up my first German car. It remains to be seen if MB has indeed learned anything and improved its reliability.
