Qru

Hello All,

I've been looking at a few C250's, I've seen a 2013 with 65k miles.

Now here is the trick.. it's a lemon buy back from a used random dealer that Merc gives a 1 year warranty.

The fix was replacement of the high pressure fuel pump? Cars going for ~13.5k

Is this something worth going for or avoid? I've test driven the car and given it a once over it looks in very good condition, same with the car fax apart from this issue and fix.

Any tips to check, I think I will ring up Merc and get the full report on the VIN, anything else i can do?

Cheers

superangrypenguin

Holy crap. RUN.

Don't even bother. Get a 2012 C300, with traditional PFI, and it'll run forever and ever. If you're in Canada...I'm selling mine soon!

W204Motorsports

^This

MB_FanAddict

If the high pressure fuel pump was replaced, you shouldn't have anything to worry about in regards to the fuel system. I have over 100Kmi on what I believe to be an original HPFP and the car runs flawlessly.

The problem with these cars is everything else as they are often neglected by their first and/or subsequent owners. I've spent well into the 4 figures in the past several months since purchasing my C250, taking care of overdue maintenance/repair items (Transmission service, brake fluid flush, spark plugs, thermostat, intake pipe, aux coolant pump, turbo blow off valve, filters, pvc valve, drive belt system ect.). Fortunately, I was able to do most of the work myself, but it's something to consider when purchasing a C250 or any pre-owned MB for that matter.

Have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) performed and thoroughly inspect the car yourself! A long list of needs doesn't necessarily mean you should pass on the car, but certainly the selling price should be reduced to at least partially compensate. If the seller refuses a reasonable offer, of course then walk away.

xsever

I avoided the C250 for the high-pressure fuel pump, timing chain, and turbo problems. Google search the M271 engine (250) problems and you'll see all the problems the engine is facing with mileage and time.

I stayed the hell away and bought a C300 with the reliable M272 engine.

Demvang

I do not like to drive a Merc with 4 cylinders and C250 only has one exhaust pipe.

timlippold

Go for a well maintained pre owned C300.

hellsbells

I'd research C300. I just bought this 2014 C300 double sport package with only 52K miles for $16,000. It took me over 4 months to find it, but there are many out there. The C300 is AWD, as opposed to the C250 RWD. I just got rid of my RWD C class, it's awful in a 1/2 of snow, even some rain. Check out car gurus and you'll find a much better deal than the C250 you're looking at now.

meazz1

Looking good.

hellsbells

Thank you. All I need now are new LED Euro Halo head lights and red calipers. Already replaced those green air caps with carbon fiber ones. The calipers are going to be tricky though. I want red and found out there are only two options: either paint them(which is a pain) or buy hard plastic covers and put them over in hopes they look nice.

Baekhyunn

Try tog to get a newer C300 instead as it's similar in price but different cars. More power and more fun.

superangrypenguin

It depends if someone wants to deal with direct injection. Pros and cons there.

<=2012 = port fuel injection
>=2013 = direct injection

C0d3Sp4c3

So far my 2013 C250 bought new in 12' has done 18k and still runs like new. Comes with lighting package, AMG staggered wheels, keyless Go, trunk lip spoiler, etc. No mods except for the quad tailpipe.
Car had seen the dealership once for the recall, I think it's for the steering Ground wire. I DIY the oil change once a year, air cleaner and cabin filter were changed once. That's about it, knock on wood!
I drive hard at times and I know, nothing last forever! I am making myself prepared for any possible issues down the road by occasionally lurking this forum and learn from others.

If the soon to be major problems will hit me one after the other, then it'll go out the door.

ChazThePhoenix

I had the HPFP go at 37k on my 2014 C250 coupe.... MB good will warrantied it for me (I bought it in April form Fletch Jones MB)

car drives great. I didn't want a sedan again and couldn't find a C350 at the time...

Ronin_Dax

As a C250 owner I have to agree with everyone else, don't bother. A lot of engine issues, I think the C300 would be a better purchase for the money.

Nifty911

This is my first post here. I was checking on some other information and ran across yours.

I've have one for three years. Short answer is NO, I would not buy unless you can't live without one and getting an awesome deal. Awesome is under 10k. I just got the trade value for mine and it's shockingly low. Anyone that pays over 11k for one of these is nuts.

Fortunately the warranty covered some "unplanned maintenance" involving the timing chain that I caught before it became a disaster. I had to leave it over night before the tech could find the issue, then it was in the shop for over a week. Parts are another issue. I had a small gash in the lower front bumper that could not be repaired, so the entire bumper has to be replaced. I'm not even sure how it got there. That's is well over 1k. Brakes are pricey too unless you can do yourself. Tires - about 1k for a complete set. Battery is a few bills. Service isn't too bad, but after three years you start to wonder if that is worth the cost too. I've had BMWs and Porsches and this was by far the worst IMO for value. Gas mileage was decent, but there isn't much more I can say.

Adi-Benz

If you can do stuff youself, owning a benz isn't costly at all.

And, just throwing this out there in GENERAL, but nobody should buy tires from the dealership. The OEM ones aren't even the best for that price.

ezshift5

I READ THESE POSTS WITH SOME TREPIDATION. I RECKON I SHOULD DO A SEARCH OF M271 PROBLEMS.

I HAVE A CPO C250. NEVER HAD ISSUE ONE (BUT THE ODOMETER IS IN THE LOW 30'S).................

ez

C280 Sport

Nope! Get a C300 or C350. The performance is awful in the 250, the issues are as long as can be, the 250's are basic and I mean basic by MB standards, No 4Matic! The engine is awful and loud.

Nifty911

Mine was CPO. I have nearly 80k miles on mine. Over the life of the car, it's been in the shop more times than both my Porsches did combined. Some of the more notable incidents (and bearable because I got a loaner each time):

Less than a year from ownership - it needed back brakes. I argued with the dealer that there was no way my wife could have gone through a set, and they couldn't have met standard CPO inspection standards if they are out 12 months after acquiring the car. I got all kinds of responses like "people drive differently", and another dealer certified it. They couldn't answer why not the front brakes. I lost that argument and had to pay, and was pissed forever after that one. I swore then I wouldn't do any sale business with that MB dealer again - for any car. Over years, and 40k miles later, haven't had to change them out again. Odd how that works.
Multiple bulbs have been replaced - I did all those myself. Battery was replaced - I did that too. One set of tires, when to local tire store but that wasn't cheap there anyway.

Ugly, small but noticeable ding in front bottom corner of spoiler. Something was hit. 1500 parts and labor to replace. Three shops all concluded couldn't be fixed without replacing. One of the shops can weld plastic and said it was in the worst possible spot.

Then once for an issue with the timing chain. Warranty covered this but the dealer had the car for a week. I knew one day when I cranked it something wasn't right. I took it in immediately and had to leave it because there was not any lights on the dash. Dealer found the problem next day after cranking it cold. If not covered this would have been a hefty hit in the wallet. (I will try to find the details).

Recently for an oil leak. A plug under the alternator "failed". $10 plug but a PIA to get to - had to take out the alternator to get to it.

All service is done on schedule, although the last oil change I opted not to go through the dealership and my Porsche Indy did it for nearly half the price as what the dealer does. I had him go through it end to end. He said the car was in superb condition given the miles, but gave me a short list of stuff I could expect to see in the next 2 years.

I said this before, I won't get another one of these cars again. That's unfortunate because I want to like the car, I've kept it in excellent shape, but it's just not worth continuing to do this. The depreciation is also the worst of any car I have had. Yes I know cars lose their value, but when I posed this one to trade, the offers are just ridiculous.

I will be out of this car sometime this year, definitely before it hits 100k.

ezshift5

I really appreciate the response here Nifty. I should be thankful I'm in the parallel universe.

I'm just over 35,000 miles now. What's your best guess when I should replace the C250? At what point did your issues begin?

Thanks again,

ez

Nifty911

The brakes obviously were not covered and I had to eat that- something like $450 just for the back but that happened back around 30k miles.
Battery needed replacing not long after I got it.

After 60k miles, the other stuff started.
The timing chain thing was around 65k miles, cause I took it back in for service a few months or so after that happened. .
Oil leak was around 75k. The Indy who fixed that was surprised that wasn't caught during the service a few months before. He said it was saturated under there.

I'd have to look at the receipts to tell you everything else for sure. My wife joked it was like every 5 or 6 months I had to take it in for something.


Again, I had CPO and then an extended warranty on that. The CPO ran out last year so I'm on the extended one now. That will run out soon.

ezshift5

Thanks again Nifty911 (I used your full screen name this time. Know why (you'll laugh) - - - - at one time I drove a 914.

Great minds work alike. I also have the extended warranty. I know it's good to 100,000 in miles..........or 6 years.

Where has the time gone?

I've got about 18 months left.

Thanks again for getting me thinking.

best, ez

xsever

Crooked thieves! What a lame argument about people driving differently. How come that didn't wear out the brakes 40k miles later!
Again, they're called the stealerships for a reason.