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New to this forum and looking to join the w204 family. Buying a 2010-12 C300/350 as a daily driver.
I am here seeking reviews from longtime drivers of this car. Are there any major problems with these vehicles?
From what i've been reading in the forums, I know to stay the hell away from the 4Matics.
I loved my previous Benz w203 but it became unreliable due to the car randomly not starting. I realize this is still an issue, from what i've seen it doesn't appear to affect the push start ones or am i wrong?
Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks MBWORLD!!
Similar shoes, just got a used 2010 C300 early November 2016. Had a healthy 67k miles so it was priced accordingly. Very nimble, handles great on turns, rides smooth on flat well paved roads. This was my first luxury vehicle so my bar was set low.
Only thing that needed getting accustomed to is was the low profile tires. You need to go slow over speed bumps like a modified low rider & feel every little imperfection in the road.
My advice is to get the newest, lowest-mileage one you can afford. The 2012+ are the facelift versions and those have much better interiors (IMO).
Unless you're in a part of the country where AWD would be beneficial, I'd damn sure skip it. I test drove 4Matics and they really numbed the driving experience. The RWD versions drive much better in my experience and are also less complex & get better fuel economy.
Get 2013+ C300 since it has the updated 3.5L engine with 248 hp.
Edit: Also, when I was shopping for a used C300, my main concern was to make sure I get the "flat bottom" sport steering wheel and the Navi. Pay attention to what the CarFax say and test drive one every chance you get. Most of all, enjoy the search for your C300!
I can't comment on the 4-matics, but I'd personally stay away from them unless you live in the snowbelt. I live in sunny CA and my car has never seen snow so it was a pretty easy decision for me.
I would also get a 2012+ primarily due to the interior and transmission upgrade. There are other differences as well (example M276 vs M272) however the above 2 would be the main reasons for my choice.
As for technical issues, after 72k MILES, nothing to report so far, but keep in mind not all W204s here have been treated the same. I've owned my car (2012 C350) since new so I can at least rest knowing for a fact that break in and maintenance was done by the book since mile 1. Just to give you an idea how I treat my cars, food as well as open beverage containers are also never not allowed in the cabin and this W204 has been garaged daily since delivery. Yes my wife thinks I'm but I also plan to take this all the way to a minimum of 155k miles (1st high mileage award) before I consider getting rid of it (unless it gets totaled in an accident of course).
As for fuel economy, here's a snapshot of my morning commute taken this morning on a non-OEM set of Michelin Pilot Super sports.
Total commute is 32.x miles (1-way), however I cut out the first and last mile as I was only interested in recording HWY miles since CTY miles has too many variables. I pretty much pressed the trip reset button on the last stoplight prior to entering the freeway (1 mile from the house, which also happens to get the engine to proper operating temps), and I took the pic on the 1st stop light after exiting (1 mile from the office). There was a few spots were I was at a dead stop on the freeway due to traffic and toll, but there was also a few times where I was easily doing 80+mph.
Overall I can easily say this W204 experience was a solid buy and to this day still impresses me. I also have the push start function and have yet to experience any issues other than having the replace the remote battery every 1.5 years, but I consider that part of general maintenance regardless of the make/model.
P.S.
My car also has a tune, but even without you should still get good results.
As a side note, I wish they had left the icons in the cluster alone. My 2014 has attention assist and lane tracking but there are no icons visible anymore. I liked them on the older ones.
I can't comment on the 4-matics, but I'd personally stay away from them unless you live in the snowbelt. I live in sunny CA and my car has never seen snow so it was a pretty easy decision for me.
I would also get a 2012+ primarily due to the interior and transmission upgrade. There are other differences as well (example M276 vs M272) however the above 2 would be the main reasons for my choice.
As for technical issues, after 72k MILES, nothing to report so far, but keep in mind not all W204s here have been treated the same. I've owned my car (2012 C350) since new so I can at least rest knowing for a fact that break in and maintenance was done by the book since mile 1. Just to give you an idea how I treat my cars, food as well as open beverage containers are also never not allowed in the cabin and this W204 has been garaged daily since delivery. Yes my wife thinks I'm but I also plan to take this all the way to a minimum of 155k miles (1st high mileage award) before I consider getting rid of it (unless it gets totaled in an accident of course).
As for fuel economy, here's a snapshot of my morning commute taken this morning on a non-OEM set of Michelin Pilot Super sports.
Total commute is 32.x miles (1-way), however I cut out the first and last mile as I was only interested in recording HWY miles since CTY miles has too many variables. I pretty much pressed the trip reset button on the last stoplight prior to entering the freeway (1 mile from the house, which also happens to get the engine to proper operating temps), and I took the pic on the 1st stop light after exiting (1 mile from the office). There was a few spots were I was at a dead stop on the freeway due to traffic and toll, but there was also a few times where I was easily doing 80+mph.
Overall I can easily say this W204 experience was a solid buy and to this day still impresses me. I also have the push start function and have yet to experience any issues other than having the replace the remote battery every 1.5 years, but I consider that part of general maintenance regardless of the make/model.
P.S.
My car also has a tune, but even without you should still get good results.
Thank you all for your help!
Just locked in a deal for a 2013 c350 4matic 70000km. Drove it and fell in love immediately
Would've preferred a rwd but it's hard to find one in Canada.
edgalang that's some awesome mpg you're getting there. You mentioned a transmission upgrade for the 12+ ones, any idea what was upgraded?
I suggest a front, 4matic torque converter fluid change. Your car should be about $200 at the dealer. Some say fluid is lifetime but I highly disagree. I am pretty sure MB recommends changing the fluid now.
My car is a 2008 so no drain plug. They have to remove one of the drive axles to drain and fill mine which will cost me $500 come spring. I like to DIY but this is something I won't do myself.
Also looks like at 70,000K a transmission service is due on your car if it has not been done already recently. I suggest getting that done and the fluid changed in the rear differential as well.
11-18-2016, 05:20 AM
but I also plan to take this all the way to a minimum of 155k miles (1st high mileage award) before I consider getting rid of it (unless it gets totaled in an accident of course).
