What is everyone's experience with a 2012 C250?
I have the option of buying my grandmothers 2012 C250 with 27k miles. Yes, 27,000 miles on the clock. It has the AMG wheels too.
I have had a 2011 C300 since 2015 that I adore, 118,500 flawless miles on it and a brand new set of Falken tires on the wheels. I would sell this and spend a little extra and buy the C250 for what some might call theft.
Never been a big fan of Turbo engines, they run hot and are less reliable in my opinion. C250 feels twitchier and rougher ride than my C300. I love my C300, it is a part of my family in a sense.

Opinions on what engine is better long term?
Anyone have a 2012 C250 with major problems they would be willing to disclose?
Am I stupid and overthinking what should be a straightforward yes?
Am I irrationally attached emotionally to my C300?
What does this life mean?

Any input helps. Be well my fellow benzos.

 

C300....the 6

 

M272 over the M271 all day, every day.

 

C300.

 

Based upon the opinions you shared, it seems that keeping the 2011 you have and love is the easy answer.

I had a ‘13 C250. It was a good car, BUT… the M271 engine has the potential to need replacement camshaft adjusters around 75,000 miles, like mine did. There was an extended warranty so I didn’t pay, but it’s expired for the 2012.

You can fix the ride by swapping out to better tires. I would get rid of the AMG wheels and put on the 17” stock rims all around, too. But if you get it and the camshaft adjusters bite you, you’ll hate yourself and be out of about $2000 even if you DIY.

Let gram sell the C250 for market price and enjoy the money.

 

Hey @DBowman35 , I have owned both a 2014 c300 and I currently own a 2013 c250.

If you need the 4matic/AWD then c300 all day. If you don't necessarily need the 4matic, then I would be open to the c250.

I definitely get better gas mileage, it's more fun/peppier to drive as it's rear wheel. It's nice that it has the paddle shifters on the steering wheel also if you like to have spirited drives. There is also more after market parts for modifications and upgrades. I've done every bolt on you can imagine for the c250. I didn't need the 4matic since I have a truck and really thought the m271evo was a cool platform.

HOWEVER, you are correct that turbo engines have more wear items and are typically less reliable. My c250 has 106k on it now, I bought it last year with 92k miles. She runs stronger now than when I got her. Smooth and steady.

I Haven't had any MAJOR problems. Only maintenance items and the biggest jobs I had to do were

- valve cover
- oil filter housing
- Engine mounts

I have done other maintenance items like spark plugs, coils, steering/suspension, belt and tensioner.

The camshaft phasers is one MAJOR failure of the c250 but MB will cover that under the extended warranty. However since it's a 2012, it's expired. Needs to be a 2014 or 2015 to be eligible still

It's ultimately up to you brother. If you love your car stick with it. You know it and have kept up on its maintenance. BUT if you are looking to get something different and can deal with RWD, enjoy working on your own car, the c250 isn't a bad option.

Longevity I bet the c300 V6 would out last the m271evo i4, but I think it's all how you maintain your vehicle.

Either isnt a bad option in my opinion just depends what YOU are gonna use the car for.

Hope that helps!
Ant

 

Great question.

In my opinion it comes down to which will cost you less to own in the long run.

Where is your location? My 2010 C300 with M272 engine has over 150,000 miles and has been a New England car its whole life so the underside is beat, worn, rusted etc. Im actually replacing parts under the car with used parts from 40,000 mile California salvage cars.

Im guessing you know the service history of the 27k car since your grandmother owned it.

When I was looking around for my current C300 I wasnt paying attention to engines, didnt even know what engines were in them to be honest. I was looking at a nice C250 but did not get it because it wasn't a 4matic, I want AWD since I hate driving in snow. But now that I know a little about the engines in these things i am very glad i got the M272, it is pretty easy and simple to work on in my opinion. Reading through these forums seeing some issues with other engines they look more complex, more things to go wrong. More stuff to remove when replacing parts. But i wouldnt say they are not reliable engines.

Besides the engine all the other parts, suspension, transmission, brakes etc are the same. Id rather a 27k car than 118k.

 

Southern California, I've had the same battery in the car since 2016 to give you an idea of the weather wear (basically none). It's going to take me 5 years to put another 30k miles on it to match your 150k.
Thinking I am going to keep my C300 at this point (I have a matching silver/black 2004 ML350).
I know everything about the car and I hear too many issues with the C250 turbo engine.

Thanks for the input.

 

Not the same car....BUT....about a year ago I gave away my C240 4Matic that I had purchased new (in Chicago) in 2004. I did all the regular maintenance stuff. In the years did head gaskets (myself). It was the dual-spark plug car (as if that means anything).

So, at 290,000mi and after replacing the rear brake lines I gave the car to a guy. The rust had rust. From the road the car looked great, underneath...well, it was a mess (engine/trans were great). That is kinda, sorta where the C300 is today. We have one, it is NOT a fast car, but it is a great car for what it is - even with higher milage as in theory it was never beaten or raced.

 

We sold the C250 back to Mercedes Benz of Oakland CA for nearly $10k, sticking with my 2011 C300 until its in the ground or someone decides to buy me a mid 2015 S65 coupe cause I'm a nice person.

 

It's is RWD, my C300. For me, RWD is life in sport sedans. Just wish benz would bring back the manual 6sp.
I have a 2004 ML350, so road trip/mountain car is already taken care of (just crossed 203500 miles!).
I have maintained the ever living hell out of the 272 engine and transmission, it will take me 10+ years to et to 200k miles as I don't drive much.

Keeping my 2011 C300, MB of Oakland CA gave my grandma nearly $10K to buy the c250 back since it was mint. Not bad for a 12 year old W204.