When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
As you can see in the title I bought an incredibly high mileage Benz. I’ve driven a bunch of c-classes from the w203 and w205 body styles, but never from the w204 so I’m going in a little blind with this one.
I plan on doing oil changes every 3k miles, and as much preventative maintenance as I can. Of course there is gonna be some unexpected things I’ll come across with the car, but as of now the car runs pretty well. It fires up right away and no issues while idling, and the transmission goes through the gears like new. The car was also a highway car and 90 percent of the miles have been highway miles from what I’ve been told.
Now for the questions and advice. How should I approach ownership? What should I be doing to the car and how can I prolong the car dying on me? Should I be worried about some major faults or problems?
Thanks everybody
Last edited by C300_SADMATIC; Jan 1, 2025 at 04:41 PM.
Nice score here that car could likely go another 70 K in it with just basic maintenance.
I would approach it very pragmatically and focus only on those things that are going to kill the car. anything else above and beyond that is just wasted money that you’ll never see again when resale or insurance settlement comes.
first, check the maintenance history and see what they’ve done if you were so lucky to get one .
The engines are pretty much solid, the transmission just needs a flush every 40 to 60 K , so just check things that are gonna kill it like serpentine belts/pulleys snapping, and leaving you stranded or overheated.
leaking sunroof that fry your electronics when they get wet.
That steering column lock thing that happens to all of these.
Brakes and tires.
Starting to get a feeling that these cars are the unkillable roaches of the 70s 300D era, minus a few complications inherent with the digital age.
Last edited by Max Blast; Jan 1, 2025 at 07:28 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
If the car has the 1st gen 7G tranny (i.e., not the 7G+), then service it every 39,000 miles max. Not a flush, but just a drain and fill with a new filter.
Looks like front end damage with the drivers fog light. Cant see the other side. I'd look into used parts to try and fix it as cheap as possible. i hardly use my fog lights so id fix it just because it would bug me looking at it.
I dont see your location. Im in new England so deal with rust. I would inspect all the brake lines to see there condition. This is a big wide spread issue i think with any Mercedes.
id just go thru the maintenance manual that should have come in the glove box. make sure everything is up to date depending on mileage. Oil, transmission fluid/filter, brake fluid, check the power steering fluid. Inspect the air filters.
From my personal experience with my 2010 with 157,000 miles there is always something to do to the car, weather planned or unplanned. I wouldnt go crazy replacing every single thing.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
