JamesY

So I bought my 2013 C300 CPO with around 14K miles and now have around 26K miles. During that time all have been repaired and/or replaced under warranty:

Both front struts worn and replaced
Low tone horn replaced
Wipers and arms (wipers still suck and chatter)
AM radio amplifier replaced
Poly V belt (TSB). I don't even know hat that belt is

I think that's it off the top of my head. The car however drives and handles beautifully. I'm just concerned, should I expect more things to go? Like my struts were worn at 20K miles. Another 20k from now, should I expect them to go also? I really enjoy the car but I'm losing confidence in the brand.

Uncle

On my 2010, bought at 33K miles, the following was done:
both front struts
both front door handles
Power steering pump
Thermostat
lots of bulbs
three tpms senders (fractured stems)
Multi-function control


But, recently, now at 60K miles, it is solid.

shotgun_banjo

How do you know the front struts needs replacement?

Citation Driver

The front struts on my 2013 C250 have been replaced, too, because of a clunking sound. Also rear rotors replaced (updated black retaining springs installed). And right rear wheel differential seal was replaced due to leaking.
I, too, am concerned about the reliability of the car. It's leased and I may not replace it with another. Damn, 'cause it sure drives GREAT. And the dealer service has been terrific. Just not a car to have out of warranty IMO.

MDMercedesGuy

When were you guys detecting clunking in the struts - mileage wise?

I've heard/felt a few minor strange pops in the past few weeks and am thinking about having them look at it. It has to go back next week to get one of the rubber sunroof bellows replaced that the dealer tore accidentally when replacing my sunroof module last week. Additionally, it started crying for coolant yesterday. They replaced an O ring about a year ago after I took it in 3 times for making my garage reek of coolant, and I noticed it smelling again towards the end of the summer.

I love my car, but my service writer and I have nicknamed it "problem child", and it fits. Definitely hoping my next one treats me better.

Citation Driver

My struts were replaced at 6424 miles.

shotgun_banjo

Whenever I go over a hump and the car travels down and hits the pavement I hear a loud squeak that seems to come from the suspension. This only happens when I go over the hump a little fast but when I go really easy I do not hear anything. Is it the struts or shocks making that noise and should it even make that noise? I only hear it at the front of the car.

Citation Driver

When I took my car to the dealership, they placed sound sensors (microphones?) in areas they suspected were causing the noise I heard. That's how they determined what to replace. Pretty smart, I thought.

PeterUbers

To answer the op's initial concern: help me restore faith in Benz

I can't. It's not a reliably reliable car, everyone's experience seems hit or miss. See my sig, had two back to back Buybacks on 2014 e550's. Now in a 2014 e63 that has had crankshaft sensor replaced, needs rear shade replaced and otherwise drives ok but who knows what's to come.. Some people claim they are ridiculously reliable and that I'm crazy, good for them and I'm glad their experiences are different than mine.

My Acura and Infiniti are boring and ridiculously reliable and dependable and low maintenance. Benz is the hot chick that's high maintenance... So fun to drive

MDMercedesGuy

I think this hits the nail on the head. I can go from wanting to light a match to mine to loving it in one highway pass.

Uncle

I agree in that they are great cars. The issue is they are somewhat over engineered, with issues, like the door handles, that should not be problems, and there should be a rational fix.

capt_paul

I have a 2013 C350 Coupe purchased new October 2012. It now has a little over 16000 miles and absolutely no issues since delivery

edgalang

It's stories like these why I refuse to buy used when you plan to use it as a PRIMARY/SOLE daily driver (without knowing the original owners). For a 3rd or 4th car down the line, example: a track car, a truck to tow a boat, a general purpose weekend car or collectible fine. However, there's just too many unknowns and the amount of abuse I've seen done on leased cars is enough to convince me otherwise regardless of brand.

To the OP:
Factory purchased my 2012 with 2 miles on the odometer and 35k miles later, still running new (knock on wood), with the exception of noisy warning stickers rubbing against each other on the back of an airbag assembly during a hot summer day (which were later removed). However it is not with MB I think you need to be comforted with since there are countless of high mileage MB cars all over the world. It is from who you originally took the car from.

MBSebas87

haha 100%

JamesY

Mine were replaced around 15K miles. Was hearing a squeaking/whistling sound form the front left strut, took it it, they sprayed it down. Week later, it started again, so the shop foreman looked at it and said it was worn. They replaced both front left and right under warranty. Also forgot to mention that my brakes were shot, the steering wheel would shimmy around 10mph when braking. Rotors were warped, so they replaced both front rotors and pads.

The dealer has been awesome. It just makes me think a CPO shouldn't have these problems so early. My acura was mechanically sound, never had a problem until around 90K miles where I had a water leak damaging important wires and harnesses. So i just got rid of it and got the benz.

Don't get me wrong, the drive is incredible. truly is a difference behind the wheel of german engineering. I can't lie though, I do worry about it's reliability and longevity cuz we all know, once I'm out of warranty and things go, it's gonna cost a pretty penny.

JamesY

agree 100%!

JamesY

exactly!

JamesY

sorry. quoted the wrong quote from MBSebas87 and don't know how to delete it. LOL

Surge

Don't trust or put any value in a "CPO". You're trusting a dealer who wants to sell the car. It's a meaningless designation.

Trust the due diligence on previous owners, if you can do it.