Hi Folks, im new here, first post. This might get a bit long, but here goes. I am at a crossroads where we need a new vehicle. Her car sucks, my car is old, and my track toy isnt exactly...vacation worthy (to her anyway, i'd gladly drive it across country). However, because I have known myself for 30 years now, I know that I will not be able to contain myself and will eventually do a track day or two in it. So searching criteria is: Nice, comfortable, sedan, RWD preferred (almost mandatory), road trips nicely, but has some pep. Which brings me to the W204, my sister in law has an 08, has near 200k on it now and has been extremely reliable. My family is thoroughbred GM product, in fact I am an Ex-GM engineer. I've driven her W204 loads of times, and its been fun mostly aside from the nit pick items that come from being an engineer. So: the important bits
1) Anyone regularly track their W204? Certain years, trans, engine combos more reliable than others? [Her 08 has been awesome, but in an auto, the lack of flappy paddles bothers me]
2) Aside from a C63 (the car I want, because..V8), which models have aftermarket availability? [Brake upgrades, suspension upgrade..etc]
3) Is there an organization like PCA or BMWCCA that does track day events? I have looked over the MBCA and havent seen any yet.
4)

 

Hi Houston,

Let me start off by saying that I've owned a 2009 C300 for about 9 years now and I've considered tracking it many many times. However, there are also many many reasons why I didn't, and I'll briefly list them. Everything I say is subjective and relative to my own experiences and opinions. Everything I say here only applies to RWD w204's with the naturally aspirated M272 engine, the same as your sisters(2008-2011).

1. The car is heavy
2. Suspension is floaty
3. Engine is weak and has very little tuning potential (NA vs FI)
4. German parts are expensive
5. Traction control can NEVER be turned off (without breaking ABS)
6. A large majority of W204 are terribly programmed automatics with no paddles. (C300 can be had with manual)
7. Small and expensive selection for aftermarket performance parts
8. There are far better vehicles for the money that will blow the W204 out of the water on the track and in the streets

As for race events, it all depends on what area you're in and what organizations host events. Off the top of my head I have On grid and Speed SF in my area, both great event organizers.

I'm tuned for ~245ish hp on 91 octane and I have a magnaflow x pipe. I enjoy the extra pep and sound. I was contemplating throwing in a sway bar, coilovers, sticky tires and race pads but realized that it would just be a waste of money on a nearly decade old w204 given the above list. I'd rather save the $4-5k and invest it into my next vehicle where it would go a lot farther. It would have been like putting lipstick on a pig. I just really don't think W204 and track day are the ideal combo.

In my opinion my W204 shines in a few areas: brand recognition, reliability and aesthetics.

If you thought your sisters w204 was fun then maybe we have vastly different ideas of what a baseline street/track capable car performs like.

You might enjoy the 2014 direct injected M276 C350 the most of all W204's. Decent power, has paddles, better tuned transmission and the option for the dynamic handling package.

Or just go for the real deal, the C63, which is also the car I want

Good luck with your decision and let me know if I can be of more assistance.

 

The 2008 is technically the least reliable w204. A 2012+ will be most reliable. However don't let that deter you if you get a good deal. Just expect there might be some repairs.


FCP Euro tracks their car like, once a week lol. It does great, last race came 3rd behind a 370Z and Porsche. Suspension upgrades and control arms, wider wheels, etc. are key.

Check their thread out on here "c300 race car"

 

Thanks for the input! I should have been more clear, when I say "mostly fun" I mean as a street car. Pretty solid all around car, it does have its flaws in my opinion that come from driving Performance GM products for 3 years as a test pilot.

Truth be told, in a perfect world I would be buying an E63 Wagon that car meets all of my criteria...V8 and Wagon! I love wagons! I just cant stomach a 70-100k price tag. For now I might keep my eyes on a C63. It seems to be right where I want to be. The new M3 is a JOKE, I hate that stupid engine. Audi...I dont like AWD. I keep running down the list of cars and for me and my personal preferences..its either MB or...... a dodge? :/ Also, AMG cars seem ridiculously fun to drive.

About the 08 being unreliable...I kind of got that feeling. She has a MB cert mechanic on tap for service he told her once NEVER get rid of it. She had found the magic car that never breaks down LOL.

All said, I am just trying to slow down the amount of tracking I do in the Z/28. I want to woah it up to about 2 or 3 times a year in the Z, and get my jollies in another car just for fun.

Should I be scared of higher mileage C63 cars? Plenty of them to be had in the 100+k mile range.

 

I guess I shouldn't say 'unreliable' but more likely to have issues. As it is a rwd, really the biggest issue is EIS/ESL (Car just won't start, electronically locked) costs like $1.2-2K at the dealer.

I'm a bit of a Mopar guy so the new SRT chargers are great (not even talking about hellcat) and as a fun daily they really fit the bill. Better than the new mustangs and camaros do IMO. Never really liked camaros too much tho, but I have to say, they killed it with the upcoming generation looking like a turd. Same with the 4 cylinder, 4 door mustang which will be coming out.

But as far as the C300 goes it definitely has enough power (more than the average sedan) so I wouldn't count it out. Aftermarket performance options are really limited to tune, and then it's all based on handling. Customization has a pretty decent market, I've got quite a bit done on mine.

 

I go to the best rated Mercedes specialty shop in my area. The owner/head tech told me that the w204 with the m272 was the most reliable.(2008 - 2011)

My m272 C300 has been near flawless for the past 9 years. I have yet to get the EIS/ESL failure, but even if I did, I would still consider the car as incredibly reliable. All I've ever done is replace wear and tear parts and do maintenance like oil, pads, rotors, tires, wipers, and just once a minor suspension component.

The new M276 are DI and are subject to carbon build up. Audi's are notorious for carbon build up in their DI engines, and the new 2018 ford mustang GT resolved the issue when they implemented direct AND port injection in their new 5.0. My brother's 335i also suffered from carbon build up as well. It was an easy $600 fix to walnut blast the internals on the BMW every $50,000 miles, but MB or AUDI may be a little different.

I refrained from mentioning the FCP euro guys because of all the work, time and money they put into the w204. It's basically a dedicated track car...I'd bet it would cost houston more in parts and labor than what he would pay to buy the 2010 C300 itself....

It was one of the only stick shift C300's they could find, they tore out the entire interior, removed and replaced the ABS/ESP module, put in a roll cage, upgraded to an AMG BBK, new wheels, new tires, new suspension, complex differential work and the list goes on...

Here is a link so that Houston can see how extensive this transformation really was: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-race-car.html

To track a dedicated track car once a week is cool, but a normal, non heavily modified w204? I don't think so...he already has a track car.

I just don't want houston to get the wrong idea or fall short of his expectations. The non amg w204 is not a performance car by any stretch, and is a perfectly good, reliable, grocery getter.

 

Not disappointed at all, the fact is this car needs to be 95% DD, and 5% track car. You're right, I wont be spending bookoo money modifying it for track duty, it would just be a car I could sling around a track for an afternoon 1 or 2 times a year, just to keep from over spending on the Z/28.
There is no denying that the inner me still wants a C63, because I like sledgehammers, but I am trying to find a middle ground in the C300/350. I just dont want to end up with a melted transmission or engine. Then I will have more used up cars in my driveway and still be stuck trying to convince her the Z isn't "that bad".

 

Excessive carbon buildup on the intake valves is not a problem that Mercedes suffers from due to a much better designed air oil separator versus those from BMW/Audi and the like. In fact, MB's design was adapted for use in BMW/Audi which is why their intake valve carbon buildup issues are decreasing. Audi's most recent 3.0 TSI motor, as an example, does not suffer from excessive carbon buildup on the intake valves.