H Bear

So took my 2009 C-180K W204 to my dealer last week after my aircon started blowing hot air and the ac button blinked a few times then turns off. Apparently that's the warning of A.C. malfunction. Dealer reported that the compressor went bad and they will have to change it along with a number of other AC related parts including a back fan?...$2,500...warranty stopped after 2 years.

Not much can be done I suppose, just wanted to vent (no pun intended).

How could this happen on a vehicle bought from the dealer, maintained by the dealer, less than 3 years old with 18,000 miles? Does this type of thing happen to these cars often? Really considering an audi.

MBRedux

Crappy compressors...

300c4

2011 c300 with 27000miles had AC hose crack....no AC....
so I was on the way to the dealership which is 9 miles away on very hot day.
I was sweating too much that tech thought I just took a shower in my car.

umm... I wouldn't trust AUDI...
Benz>BMW>Audi ??

After 2 weeks, A/C didn't work during 30min ride. but it worked again 2 days later......however my 2012 C300 only 1000 miles works fine.

07 Lexus LS460 120xxx miles has no problem at all (got free $500 for a recall). Seriously I only did tire/brake/oil/filter for 120k of ownership and its still strong.

C300CA

If reliability is #1 factor for a car purchase, it would be Japanese cars followed probably by Korean cars. I had factory recommended maintenance on my 00 RX300 and 02 QX4 within factory warranty period. After that I skipped all but just oil change, and one time transmission oil change on QX4 already passed its due mileage. Nearly zero problem. RX300 driver door control module failed and replaced that's it.

I noticed 2011 C has an average reliability rating so I gave it a try.

Glyn M Ruck

**** happens! HVAC compressors are not a common failure point on these cars.

bop11

There are many AC places that could easily replace your compressor for much less. Why the dealer? Not to save your warranty. Yes, they need to replace some other stuff also like the dryer and such, but MB does not make the compressor. You need to find out what went wrong. I have had MB's and others where the hoses broke and where the vibration craked the AC radiator. In every case, fixed the problem, evacuated the system, added oil and refrigerant and not replaced the compressor. The dealer just replaces parts, the Independent would fix the problem, probably for much less.

H Bear

Sorry, my mistake. Final quote, just under $5,000. That's about 10% of what I paid for the car. Dealership was at least gracious enough to shave off $1,800.

H Bear

Thought about it, but in my neck of the woods, Trinidad & Tobago, good technicians are hard to come by and authorized service agents besides the dealer are zero. Don't know if I trust anyone else to do the job and order genuine parts. Really tarnishes the brand for me though.

jetflyboy

+1

Glyn M Ruck

OP - just one thing. It sounds as though they want to replace a lot of things unnecessarily. Please make sure that they understand the Benz HVAC system. It has a pressure switch & if the gas pressure drops it shuts down the whole system automatically to protect it.

The only way you can test the system is fully pressurised with refrigerant.

gOt BoOsT

my '10 c300's a/c just went out and it wasnt until a smokin hot day i noticed. took it in and there was a leak from one of the lines. was under warranty, but your story (much worse $ wise) just makes me know i def dont want this car out of warranty.

RLE

So the cause of the malfunction has been positively identified then? Or did they quote the price they thought they could squeeze out of you with no diagnosis first?

Mexx merc

I just realized my compressor has failed too. I'll buy it from a Dealer but will have it replaced by someone else. I have an Audi A4, it's a nice car but doesn't quite have the feel of a w204.

dodgern

Hi, Im in Nassau, Bahamas and i just had the same problem with the[B] A/C [/B]Compressor in my 2008 C300; the thing just failed suddenly. the a/c system worked fine prior to car going in. The car was to the body shop for about a week for repair to two midsize dents on left rear wheel body panel. When i picked up the car, a/c was blowing only hot air. Took it to MB certified mechanic and diagnosed it, tested with refrigerant, oil, dye, and confirmed a/c compressor is the issue. he said body work guys did not do anything to cause the problem. I only drive the car on weekends since i had it. Car has only 46,425 miles, its a US model i got 1 yr and 10 mths ago, Cost is $2,085 for part and $350 for labour. Mercedes has certainly lost its way with reliability issue with its late model cars and wont even accept responsibility to recall them. Not to mention a trashy warranty. Mercedes Benz needs to be placed in the media bout this. Anybody knows how i can contact MB USA? Im thinking on going with the BMW 335i Coupe or Sedan! Local dealer wont even look at the car!

portermd76

Can any one tell which relay operates the ac fan.