Hi all,

I'm in the market for a car and really like the w204 C250 and C300--will consider the C350 too--(sticking with 2010 to 2014), but all my life I thought a Mercedes vehicle was out of reach to me due to maintenance and repair costs. Some research online confirms the cost to maintain/repair MBZ cars is quite a bit higher than other cars (my wife's car is a 2012 Acura TL for example). I also know that often times there is reputation bias (people expect Mercedes to be more expensive to maintain and so that is what you hear). I thought what better way to get accurate information than to ask MBZ owners. So thank you in advance for any feedback you guys and gals can provide regarding what I might be in for. I'm most interested in cost to maintain, but also average frequency of repairs (I realize there are variances based on how you treat and maintain the vehicle).

Thanks everyone!

Luis

 

Higher costs to maintain? Sure if you take it to the dealer. After the initial 50k warranty period, I now do the maintenance myself, so there's a ton of savings right there. Unlike most, I did have the luxury of custom ordering my w204 from the factory, so YMMV (specifically those going into it used). To date, my 2012 C350 has racked up 82k miles but maintenance/repair wise still have nothing to report.

 

2012 C300. Last W204 engine made without direct injection.

Yes, I'm beating on a dead horse. Search for posts under my name if you'd like to read more why I have this strong belief. Won't rehash it for the sanity for everyone else on this board

 

Got it. So it sounds like you'd advise to stay away from anything post-2012. Good info...I'll look further into DI.

 

That's encouraging to hear. Thanks!

 

Higher cost to maintain ... true if you take it to the MB dealership. Believe it or not, i've never taken my car to them, the only time was to stop by for the diffuser bracket, but I got home empty-handed because it was too expensive Mine is a '11 C300 with 61k miles and I've done all the routine maintenence myself except for the transmission oil change. So you've got to be a handy man somehow.

 

You can treat and maintain well and still be in for a whole world of hurt. Although most people have very few if any issues. But I'm also the guy with a horrible vasectomy story and those rarely go bad.

I would recommend to make sure you get the options that you want. After a while you might regret it otherwise.

I went with a C250 as I wanted the RWD and fuel efficiency. But now I find myself needing AWD and I'm driven crazy by the whiny sound of the C250's accessory/belt system. Spend some time driving around 2.5-3.5K RPM and see if the drill like sound bothers you.

Look for front bumper and undercarriage damage. These cars ride low. Most have some curb damage. It's normal.

Otherwise these are great and fun cars.

 

You still didn't have to install the non-return valves (check valves) and replace the left and right secondary chain tensioners on your M276 engine? It needs to be done as per Service Bulletin LI05.10-P-056435. Symptom for it is engine/chain rattle when your start the car up after it being sitting for some time.

Also no high-pressure fuel pump failures yet?

After enough research, I'm going the same route when I buy: 2012 C300 4Matic in order to get the facelift while enjoying the reliability of the M272 engine. Any trouble with the engine so far or the rest of the car?

 

No on all.

 

Thanks for excellent feedback everyone. Very much appreciated. It gives me some specific things to consider and look for. Anything else I should consider?

Thanks again!

Luis

 

It looks like MB solved all the issues with the M272 engine after engine #2729..30 895140. That would seem to be the engine I'd want. So narrowed down to the C300 model year 2011 or 2012 I think. Does that sound about right?

How do I know which year/model has the post #2729..30 895140 engine? I looked on Wikipedia and it shows the E-Class as being the only model using the M272 engine. Is that right? I'm looking for a way to narrow my search on various used car sites.

Thanks again!

Luis

 

Skip 2011 and go for 2012 to benefit from the exteriod and interioe facelift upgrades.

By 2012, the issues with the M272 were all worked out but if you want to know how to accurately identify the engine, just paste the VIN of the car here: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz

and check out the engine's serial number.

Good luck.

 

Excellent resource, thank you xsever!!

 

These days with everything computer driven ALL cars are expensive to fix whether it is a C-Class or a Prius.


Just keep up on your regular maintenance and do lots of the basic work yourself like oil changes, air filter and cabin filter changes, change your own brake pads ect


Around here shop rates at the dealers are pretty much all the same. Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Honda and on and on.


If I was buying now I'd look for a facelift 2012-2014 V6 coupe.


I have a 2008 sedan and I am happy with it but I want a new 2017 coupe in a bad way.

 

I'm issue free on my CPO 2014 4Matic Sport. I don't give much credence to the DI haters, DI problems are rare and typically attributed to non top-tier gas, poor timing and or software...mostly prior to 2011. MB isn't Ford or Honda slapping in someone's DI system...I believe it's an internal development done right, but time will tell. I didn't see much on fuel in this forum, but you get what you pay for. Nothing but Shell premium goes into any of my cars.

 

1) If you are an engineer you'd know better to make general statements about the design engines based on a sample size of n=1

2) "DI problems are rare and typically attributed to non top-tier gas, poor timing and or software...mostly prior to 2011."
- almost this entire statement is factually incorrect. DI problems are still VERY prevalent in this industry and if just fixing timing, modifying software or forcing customers to switch to top tier gas would fix this issue, then DI problems would NOT be so prevalent. If your statement mentioned something along the lines of "MB DI problems are rare", I might be so inclined as to agree; however in this case, you have made a bold and broad comment, and you are wrong.

3) You still haven't explained why top tier gas matters, and why Shell top tier gas is a good bet. If your answer doesn't include flashpoint volatility of engine oil, fuel dilution or polyether amine than your answer isn't good enough.

 

Here's something worth reading. Hopefully this dispels some of the commentary here and also adds value to those of you who actually want to know what goes on with direct injection and how things like gasoline, oil, engine load and the like work together to cause this issue.

http://www.pecj.or.jp/japanese/overs...rence12-19.pdf

This was commissioned to look at direct injection engines that Hyundai makes.

It's relevant for ALL direct injection engines. The issue of carbon buildup on intake valves is mitigated with engines that utilize both PFI and DI. Lexus D4S engines utilize this as well as series production Audi 3.0 TFSI engines made after a certain date (I believe 2015?). Audi will be releasing a 2.0TFSI engine either in 2018 or shortly thereafter which also utilizes both PFI and DI. While my next car may be a Legacy (lol) due to my effort to avoid this design as I like to drive cars for a number of years, I realize I will be relegated to buying a car with DI - that said, I will only buy a car which utilizes DUAL injection (PFI and DI).

It's all fun and games until you're presented with a $1500 bill to clean your engine every 1-2 years. This whole notion that DI engines save you gas is true, although the money you spend on more frequent oil changes, cleaning of carbon off of the intake valves, replacement of PCV valves and dealing with the failures of HPFP more than eats away at your savings. I do believe MB has done a better job at dealing with DI engines in general, but carbon buildup on the intake valves is something that cannot be mitigated as Mercedes Benz does not have an engine in series production that utilizes both DI and PFI.

I can make an argument for PEA being in some Top Tier gas and that may help, but that's like bombing North Korea with balloons - there really is not a major difference. The only gasoline I have ever only placed in my vehicle is Shell Premium. In this neck of the woods, it has 0% ethanol (please don't make me take yet another screenshot of this) and it's high in PEA. That still did not even close to prevent carbon buildup on say, my last 2.0 FSI engine as it was DI only.

Let's attack this statement with pure facts and hey I'll even make it easy for you. That .pdf in my post above this quote, go to page 8.

Instead of giving misinformation on the forum, maybe...oh I don't know, stop? As an alleged engineer you should be able to corroborate your statements with studies or be able to explain your hypothesis. You've provided none of such information in any of your posts involving DI.

 

Glad to hear. I just got my 2013 c300 4matic cpo yesterday. I am extending 2 years for peace of mind. Glad to see this forum is just as snarky as all the others. For some reason I thought mercedes would be a little more civilized. Ha Ha
Forums in general love to point out faults and problems. Most before they even occur. I have a crossfire SRT with AMG engine, I'm afraid to drive it due to the forums. No one worries about driving a 30k korean/american/japanese car, but their terrified to drive a 50k+ Mercedes.

 

It's called being educated and if you prefer being ignorant, that's wholly your call.

 

I go through the handbook and see what really needs to be changed. Inspect everything, do most of the work myself and document mostly everything. I hope this helps you out. Here are dates/mileages/cost for self-servicing.

08/2017 – 56,779 miles - Alignment (Coils off)
05/2017 - 55,335 miles – Engine Oil and Filter Change
09/2016 - 50,485 miles - Replace Brake Fluid
09/2016 - 50,263 miles - Engine Oil and Filter Change
09/2016 - 50,263 miles - Check Coolant Level
09/2016 - 50,263 miles - Check Power Steering Fluid
06/2016 - 50,123 miles - Alignment (Coils on)
05/2016 - 47,497 miles - Windshield Wiper Blades
05/2016 - 46,234 miles - Engine Air Filter
05/2016 - 46,324 miles - Cabin Air Filter
03/2016 - 44,871 miles - 4xBrand New Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Tires
03/2016 - 44,463 miles - Engine Oil and Filter Change
06/2015 - 38,964 miles - Purchase of Vehicle
04/2015 - 38,955 miles - 30K mile service performed by Fletcher Jones Motorcars

40,000 Miles
$18.02 0W40 (45K Miles)
$28.02 0W40
-$12.00 REBATE
-$12.00 REBATE
$23.93 OIL FILTER
$14.79 WASHER / BOLT
$29.49 ENGINE AIR FILTER
$36.24 CABIN AIR FILTER
_________________________
$126.49 : TOTAL


50,000 Miles
$00.00 0W40 (50K miles)
$00.00 0W40
-$12.00 REBATE
-$12.00 REBATE

$xx.00 0W40 (55K miles)
$xx.00 0W40
-$xx.00 REBATE
-$xx.00 REBATE
$40.00 WERKSHOP CHANGED OIL
$17.98 OIL FILTER
$6.82 WASHER / BOLT
$27.49 WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
$80.88 REPLACE BRAKE FLUID
_________________________
$149.17 : TOTAL

60,000 Miles
$49.65 0W40
-$24.00 REBATE
$xx.xx OIL FILTER
$6.82 WASHER / BOLT

$xx.xx Brake Fluid Flush
$xx.xx ENGINE AIR FILTER
$xx.xx CABIN AIR FILTER
$xx.xx REPLACE SPARK PLUGS
$x.xx TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE
- (can wait to 70,000)

_________________________
$xx.xx : TOTAL

Before anyone gets all butt hurt, the tranny oil for facelift w204 don't have to be changed until 70,000 miles. Pre-facelift needs to be changed at 39,000 miles. Confirmed with the dealer.
Anyways, at just around 2 years and 3 months of ownership, I spent around less than $300 to maintain my 2013 C350. The w204 facelift 2012-2015 are just super reliable. I wouldn't sweat on maintenance.

 

how this forum lets certain people stay on the board i don't know?! I'm about done. Life's too short and there are other resources.

hey mods, why would i bother contributing anything when you keep giving a troll with an agenda a voice?

 

Pot meet kettle.

 

B0 service quote from my dealer: $550
Parts for same service from advance auto: $70
Time spent doing it myself: < or = waiting at the dealer
Personal satisfaction: priceless

 

.....sure agree vis-a-vis MY 2012 exterior/interior upgrade/redesign effort.....................

ez (2012 CPO C250 Coupe Iridium - beautiful car at 30,000 miles)