5by5

There are lots of owners on the W203 forum that work on their own cars. I have two (2003 C230 and 2005 C240 4Matic), and have done a fair amount of R&R and preventative maintenance. So I understand that owners of newer cars are less likely to do their own work but who all here wrenches on their W204? Are W204s getting picked up by DIYers?

So far on my 2011 C300 4Matic with 55k miles, I’ve only done routine service work. The biggest job was transmission fluid and filter.

What all have you guys done?
5by5

cvx5832

I’m a big diy’r myself but nothing ever seems to need doing on the W204, compared to my Bimmers anyway.

Now at 150k, comprehensive list of what little work I’ve done when you click on my signature below.

5by5

Thanks for sharing your logbook, Paolo. You’ve done quite a bit but it’s nice to see that it’s mostly little stuff or servicing wear items.

I like your digital log—I keep a written log book for DIY work—but having the photos and comments online is really nice. Fun to see your son grow up too!
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prktkljokr

I do all my own work on my W204's, From panel work, electrical to mechanical.
I purchased my sedan with minor panel damage to the Lh 1/4 panel and suspension
I have changed the full rear cradle, pretty easy job, repaired the rear 1/4 panel, repaired the rear bumper, pulled the Airbag module to have it reset and refitted it, changed all the LH seatbelts, curtain airbag, seat aribag and rear seat swab airbag, all set off in the minor accident , total job took just over a day prepped ready for paint, I had a good friend do the paint for me, then fit up only took a couple of hours, the car looks great and you cant tell it was crashed into.

I do all my own servicing, I refuse to go to a dealer unless I have to, I still use new genuine parts, I just dont pay dealer prices.

I also have a wreck that I purchased for parts, it was great to see how these cars go together (and come apart ), my son and myself are going to do a engine changeover in his C180 coupe in the next week, we have pulled the engine from the donor wreck already.

meazz1

I do most of the maintenance work myself.
There are other stuff I try to tackle but sometimes I take my car to a shop for diagnosis only and see if I can handle it myself.
Most of the things that could fail are easily accessible so replacing is not that difficult.

But chiming with cvx5832 that this is a very solid car and nothing needs doing anyway!

Adi-Benz

Pretty much everything service and repair wise (almost)

5by5

Hey Joker,
It sounds like you’ve gotten in pretty deep. Repairing crash damage is another world. I’ve done a little on oneof the W203s, it was a bit of an accident magnet but nothing like you. I replaced a rear bumper, bumper cover and taillight but didn’t need to repaint.

One thing I really enjoy about these cars is that they are relatively easy to work on. High initial quality combined with good OEM and third-party parts support plus great tech support on forums like this really make a difference. I also maintain a 2004 VW and a Chrysler minivan. The MBs are clearly better to work on. The VW is my least favorite. Many plastic parts are breaking and the replacement costs seem higher than MB. Of course you can’t compare applies to oranges but that’s my perception.
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5by5

Meazz1, The W204 also seem solid th me—knock on wood.

The W203/M271seems to have many more chronic problems than the W202 or W204s. Trans cooler, timing chains, cam magnet leaks, crankcase vent hoses are just a few things that come to mind. Most of these occurred early so it’s not just that the W203s are older. The w204s are, by comparison, very solid.

(Almost forgot to mention the early M272 engines with the premature wear on the balance shafts. That was a big one but they worked the bugs out before using that engine in our W204s.)

I’m about one year in on the C300. It now has 55k, I bought it with 43k so it’s still a youngster mileage wise.
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prktkljokr

Its all good, a lot of people shy away once they see an airbag out, as long as the panel damage is minor, they are pretty easy to swap out and the cars go pretty cheap, have done plenty of others in the past, plus being in the automotive industry for the last 30 years helps

meazz1

Post pics of your engine swap.

prktkljokr

Ok, my son wants to video and take pictures of it as we do it, once done ill post up a thread.

Xzero

I picked up a W204 for a winter car. Check out my signature and you’ll get a good look at everything I’ve done, along with the costs associated with doing it myself.

cvx5832

Thanks. The only show-stopper in there was the ESL, which at $20 bucks and a few hours of your time isn’t bad (as PM).

Car is currently at 5.7 cents per mile. That’s everything but gas. My E46 is at 12.7 cents per mile. Atrocious for a lowly, unmodified 325.