Gloryboy 13

I am looking at a 2009 C300 with about 80k miles on it. Have you guys experienced any problem with reliability? Since this will be a daily driven car. Any other comments about Maintenance would be welcome as well! Will also be my first Mercedes if that's any indication about how much I know about the car.

timlippold

The key to any German luxury or performance car is following the maintenance schedule and addressing issues when they occur. Make sure you know the service history of the car and that it has been maintained to the recommendations. Addressing deferred maintenance is expensive!

I have a 2008 C300 with 99k miles (50k since I owned). It is more expensive to maintain than a US or Japanese car but not too bad. I just had to address a rusted brake line (I live in New England). Also had to replace the thermostat and the control knob (common issue).

superangrypenguin

Are you buying it from a dealer?

If so there are probably no service records (to protect the privacy of the original owner).

Buy private and as per timlippold, try and get service records.

IMHO, I don't feel that maintaining a car according to reco is sufficient. I know I do all of my services early and have the data (used oil analysis' etc) to back up my claim that even things like oil changes shouldn't be stretched to the limit (here in Canada, our limits are much more lax mileage wise than the US). Since I don't know where you're from, I have no idea whether or not following the manu. schedule is sufficient.

Owners who are **** about their cars will have a full service history and MAY change/replace fluids sooner rather than later. It's easy to tell a loved car from one that is "just" a car.

C300Sport

My 2008 has been a very solid car. I have performed the maintenance as outlined in the owners manual (other than more frequent oil changes) and not the A/B system the dealers use. I bought the car expecting it to give me more issues than some of the Japanese cars I had prior, but it has been a good bit better!
These cars have the potential to go either way so look up the VIN to see if it has been problematic (at least while under warranty).

Gloryboy 13

Not from a dealer, The person I am buying it from, the car was his brothers before he moved to Chicago, so he just took over the payments and he has had it since. I am in Florida. Think he got the car at round 50k miles. It's at about 81-82 at the moment. Only problem he has stated to have is that he replaced the brakes but other than that nothing. I am coming from a Nissan 350Z, so it's kind of a big change. 2 seater sports car that I feel every bump in the road, to luxury sedan.

C300Matic

I have one of these now with 145k that was not maintained at all - this is time for it to fall apart.

80k you should still be fine

Trans fluid needs to be changed - mine never has

Oil needs to be changed - mine was triple over the limit

Brakes - need to be done

I don't think the dif is much of an issue, but I'm not too sure

That's about it - they are fairly strong cars if they aren't ran into the ground.

superangrypenguin

TRIPLE?! c300matic, I'm no fortune teller but your car is f*cked.

w204ant

my car is 2009 c300 sport with 110k miles, nothing has broken yet most of the maintenance has been done. I dont see the car breaking down anytime soon!

Inneedofhelp

My experience same car similar miles after a year car is dead no crank no start no gauges nothing hopefully it's just the key fob? Mercedes quoted me $900.00 & I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALER! A HOUR AWAY FROM ME!!! KMFA
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cvx5832

Old thread but I'll play. Look up the ESL threads. That's probably your issue and honestly that sounds cheap from the threads I've seen.