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FWTW, my 2012 C350 now has 80k MILES, with ZERO repairs (knock on wood). Granted I am the original owner (factory ordered to spec), and the car is garaged daily.
My CPO C250 coupe at 30,000 miles has a zero defect history. The failure rate noted earlier in this thread - IIRC MY 2012 was the lowest - would seem to parallel my experience.
Given the above plus my perception in that the car is beautiful, fuel efficient and has sufficient 'creak' resistantance works for this sailor.
I had all fluids analyzed and it came out ok, it had the steering lock problem fixed under guarantee plus brake rotors etc. It seems ok. So I thought keeping it is like buying a 2nd hand car from myself at a varying price to come. I bought it cash so no debt, maybe saved some of the repairs there.
I did bought another new vehicle, but it was a matter of keeping this one or not.
Last edited by Moto_Guzzi; May 31, 2017 at 06:18 AM.
Grandma has a 2015 C400 Sedan loaded.. Whenever I visit her 1x a week she has me drive the car so I have good idea on both cars.
I have 2013 C350 Coupe.... And GMA had a 2009 C350 prior so been driving the W204's for 10 years.
1. Don't like the lack of a stick shifter (Tiptronic) I love being able to feel the up shift or down shift ( I know that sounded weird). On the W205 the Paddle Shifters just DONT do it for me at all.. The Lever is bringing us back to 1940.
2. Agree with another poster about the lack of buttons for the radio. On W204 I can push one button and then type and radio station in (I listen to a couple stations that are considered fringe coverage) so MB's scroll on the W205 will not pick them up.
3. Phone on W204 has the dial pad (with speed dial) Push one button and I'm speed dialing my GF, My GMA, My Dad, My Business Partner.. On W205 another step involved. Also when say punching in a new number on W204 is so easy, rotating that damn knob is a PITA on the W205.
I'm officially out of the extended CPO so my time is ticking. But I'm having a hard time getting over those everyday things I do going away. Can no longer get a C350 so I will be most likely going to C43 unless something else (Porsche '20 Vette) peaks my eyes.
I'm officially out of the extended CPO so my time is ticking. But I'm having a hard time getting over those everyday things I do going away. Can no longer get a C350 so I will be most likely going to C43 unless something else (Porsche '20 Vette) peaks my eyes.
Yeah my extended warranty clock also is ticking more and more. Next summer it evaporates. Never had to use it..............as our W204 coupe has been without issues from day one.
I had a CorVette. Ditto Porsche. My wife really thinks highly of her flawless coupe. She will pick - after agonizing over choices - the little Iridium 204's successor.
I paid cash for it, so I had the fluids analised and all turned up ok. Decided to keep it and scrap it if it fails expensively.
So far it lasts. I just use it for trips below 200Km.
Due to the ignition switch faulure, I did bought a new vehicle, but decided to move away from Mercedes due to reliability back to Japanese.
I wont sell my W204 EVER! I just pulled it out from storage to replace my '14 W166 as a daily and boy she is still a thing of a beauty. I will only part ways with her if the engine or tranny fails but with how much I maintain the fluids on this car I dont know if that will ever happen. I just need to wash her, polish and put a nice coat of wax and let her x-pipe rip on the roads.
I'm not sure resale wise if it's smart, unless it's starting to fall apart. But I still look at old Mercedes and like to think about buying them, and so I know I can't get rid of my car knowing the good condition (and since it's modded) it's in.my next car will be a Mercedes, I believe.
I'm sort of holding out for a self driving car next. That's probably in the next 5 years-ish if predictions hold. Failing that I'm hoping electrics get descent soon. Though I am half tempted to get a C7 dirt cheap used with everyone wanting to dump them for a c8. Still I like my w204. Its been reliable and is paid for. Not much other than more HP I'd like in current cars.
I'm sort of holding out for a self driving car next. That's probably in the next 5 years-ish if predictions hold. Failing that I'm hoping electrics get descent soon. Though I am half tempted to get a C7 dirt cheap used with everyone wanting to dump them for a c8. Still I like my w204. Its been reliable and is paid for. Not much other than more HP I'd like in current cars.
The W205 has been "self driving" since 2015. The car can automatically steer, brake and accelerate while in cruise. You only need to keep your hands on the wheel if going more than 20 mph. You just need the distronic plus option.
The W205 has been "self driving" since 2015. The car can automatically steer, brake and accelerate while in cruise. You only need to keep your hands on the wheel if going more than 20 mph. You just need the distronic plus option.
Yah, no. That a SAE level 2 driver assist, not self driving. I'm talking SAE level 4 where I can go sleep or play video games or whatever.
The W204 is still a looker, especially compared to the W205 (that dumpy ***, and silly "tablet" glued to the dash as an afterthought, don't you agree? Nowhere close to the E or S-Class). As far as practicality, have only performed a once-yearly service, plus one trans fluid change. A few months ago, splurged on these wear items: belt tensioner, brake pads (Akibonos yea!), plugs and front lower control arms as they were making a "tok" over speed bumps. That's it for 10 years!
Other than that, the C300 has aged gracefully, and has been more economical to maintain than friends' Toyotas or Hondas - my Accord A/C core died just after the warranty expired, fixing it would have been $1,500. Family that own BMWs and Audis run up thousands in repairs, and an exotic V12 I owned for a few years racked up over $12,000 just to keep it running.
My W204 drives better than new, not a single squad or rattle, and except for gas, economical to own. Will keep but maybe in 2025 or so could consider an EV, having leased a Chevy Bolt for a year. If anything happened to the Merc, I'd buy a used Bolt since they are out of production (just why, GM?). It's small on the outside but big on the inside, drives like a rocket and actually gets about 220 miles per charge. Catch up, MB!
My wife wanted a small SUV so we got her a new GLC300 about 8 months ago that we like a lot. I kept the 2010 C300 because the book value of it now is less than $10k and I just can't let it go for that. I would rather hang onto it. I think these cars will improve in value at some point. It may be a long time, or it may never happen but I like the car and have had very few problems from it. I did repair the steering lock this last weekend after it failed. But with the knowledge learned from this site I was able to avoid a tow bill and saved several thousand dollars too.
My 2010 c300 car has 205k miles. Rear bumper scratched. Rear corner fender needs repair. Hard to tell in pictures the damage. Needs new front struts and I'm sure other suspension parts. Not sure this is worth holding on to anymore.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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