I have just completed my B Service & have a few observations.

Brake wear indicators are only on drivers side ( RHD) front & rear pads.A cost saving measure!

Solid discs (not ventilated discs ) on rear wheels . A cost saving measure.

Design change to handbrake as I could not see any handbrake drums as on the 203. The discs seem to do a good job holding the car.Having the drums seemed to be an unnecessary complication & added weight.

No particulate filter on this model but I am told the latest model has it.

Yup - sounds correct - You don't need ventilated discs on the back. They don't work hard.

they sound alright. this is a low-end model for mercedes. so it shouldnt be surprising to have some cost saving measures.
i find the lack of particulate filter rather annoying. the exhaust pipe becomes black covered in soot very soon after every car wash. and the bumper also attract quite a large amount of them.

All Euro 4 compliant cars must have particulate filters.

I have the same problem with soot on the rear bumper but it does wash off without too much effort.

The way I look at it , not having a particulate filter is just one more thing NOT to go cause problems. I believe they have two sensors to give a Differential Pressure reading when the filter is blocking & due for regeneration. Extra fuel is then injected to the engine creating a combustable mixture in the particulate filter therefore burning off the deposited carbon. This has been known to cause interesting side effects for unsuspecting motorists!!

The particle filter reduces a lot of that soot that makes the bumper dirty.

Those driving behind would not notice the regeneration of the particle filter but if you park the car when regeneration is ongoing, you can notice a smell like some electric motor got a short circuit.

[quote=Carsy;3876858]I have just completed my B Service & have a few observations.

Brake wear indicators are only on drivers side ( RHD) front & rear pads.A cost saving measure!

Solid discs (not ventilated discs ) on rear wheels . A cost saving measure.

quote]

Yep, I noticed this when I was spraying my calipers. Incidentally how much was the B service and where did you have it done?

[QUOTE=Sentosa;3877505]I did it myself over a couple of enjoyable days of wet weather. The cost was the Mobil 1 5W30 ESP Oil, a genuine oil filter & 1 litre of brake fluid. Overall about $125.I did not replace the cabin pollen air filter as it was clean enough to last another 2 years. I gave it a light blow out with compressed air to be rid of a few insects.
I was quoted about A$900 by the local dealer.

Yes, thats very true.
I always get a stringent smell when i leave the car idling in the garage for a few minutes

[QUOTE=Sentosa;3877505]My US market C300's pad wear sensors are also on the right side inner pads, for what it's worth.

I had the wheels off yesterday to reinstall my 18" wheels since one of my winter tires on the 17s was nearly flat overnight. After spending some time searching for something in the tire and finding nothing, the only thing left is the valve stem which is part of the pressure sensor. Why after two years the thing should start leaking is a mystery. I tightened the holding nut a bit and replaced the plastic cap with a metal one and we shall see. It might be just the valve core but who has trouble with those, ever?

Might end up being a warranty replacement of the sensor.

BTW, at 18K miles, the front and rear pads don't show much wear, eyeballing them.