Turbo C250 Sedan Thoughts for New Buyer
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
Turbo C250 Sedan Thoughts for New Buyer
I'll be taking a look at a 2014 Turbo C250 sedan, 124k. He just replaced the turbo and oil lines. I can get it for $5900, with clean title, no accidents, in outstanding condition inside and out (previous owner was a grandmother that kept it garaged).
I've had nothing but headaches with my previous two turbo cars, both having seized turbos within 90k or less so I've steering clear. But the condition and price point of this particular C250 is really enticing.
Besides the turbo, are there any other quirks about the 2014 C250 series that I should be worried about or prepared to deal with at a later date?
I've never had a Mercedes, but an ex-girlfriend had one (which is what led me to join this forum long ago to help repairing her car), and so did my mother. I've owned several BMW's, so I know repair costs can be astronomical. But I do most of own wrenching, including replacing turbos on a 335i.
TIA!
I've had nothing but headaches with my previous two turbo cars, both having seized turbos within 90k or less so I've steering clear. But the condition and price point of this particular C250 is really enticing.
Besides the turbo, are there any other quirks about the 2014 C250 series that I should be worried about or prepared to deal with at a later date?
I've never had a Mercedes, but an ex-girlfriend had one (which is what led me to join this forum long ago to help repairing her car), and so did my mother. I've owned several BMW's, so I know repair costs can be astronomical. But I do most of own wrenching, including replacing turbos on a 335i.
TIA!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
Looks like a good price for the year and miles on the car.
I have a 2013 C250, 146k miles, I had to replace the oil filter housing gasket, water pipe, control arms, idler pulleys, purge valves, driver side door handle, blower motor and the driver side seat bottom. For the seat bottom, I bought the seat cover new from an upholstery shop and added foam and all went well.
Another thing I had to replace was the valve cover gasket and seals for the spark plugs.
For regular maintenance items, I replaced transmission fluid twice, power steering fluid, front mounts etc.
I did all the work myself so I have nothing to complain.
For your case, you may not need any of these.
If you're handy, this is a great car to have. Where are you located?
I am very happy with the car, how it handles and overall performance.
I have a 2013 C250, 146k miles, I had to replace the oil filter housing gasket, water pipe, control arms, idler pulleys, purge valves, driver side door handle, blower motor and the driver side seat bottom. For the seat bottom, I bought the seat cover new from an upholstery shop and added foam and all went well.
Another thing I had to replace was the valve cover gasket and seals for the spark plugs.
For regular maintenance items, I replaced transmission fluid twice, power steering fluid, front mounts etc.
I did all the work myself so I have nothing to complain.
For your case, you may not need any of these.
If you're handy, this is a great car to have. Where are you located?
I am very happy with the car, how it handles and overall performance.
Last edited by meazz1; Jun 24, 2025 at 08:29 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
W204 C250 Sport (AMG Package with Pano Roof)
I have a 2013 C250 with 66k.
The previous owner did not look after the car. I replaced the following after winning the car on BAT.
1. Engine and transmission mounts. The car had Chinese "amazon" mounts that had collapsed in less than a month according to Carfax. I used Corteco mounts.
2. All interior console, window, and steering wheel buttons. The graphics had peeled due to previous owner parking outside in the FL sun.
3. Blower motor
4. Front pads (Brembo ceramic pads..... NO DUST!)
5. Transmission oil and filter replaced
6. Plugs and coil packs (OE)
7. Valve cover and gasket (blocked breather/leaks around plugs)
8. Cabin filter
9. Air filter
10. Removed turbo outlet damper/silencer/restrictor and fitted a larger diameter straight pipe.
11. Fitted a throttle tuner to reduce throttle "lag"
The C250 is a great car. I bought it as a third "project" car to use as a daily driver and leave at the local airport as I fly a lot. I really enjoy the driving experience, performance and build quality. I dont really enjoy the touch screen experience, and nanny tech in my other cars, preferring the analog environment of my 250. I think this era of Merc provides a good balance of tech (Bluetooth audio with integration into OE display, multi function display), with traditional mechanical switches and controls. It handles well too which is essential in my part of VA.
The previous owner did not look after the car. I replaced the following after winning the car on BAT.
1. Engine and transmission mounts. The car had Chinese "amazon" mounts that had collapsed in less than a month according to Carfax. I used Corteco mounts.
2. All interior console, window, and steering wheel buttons. The graphics had peeled due to previous owner parking outside in the FL sun.
3. Blower motor
4. Front pads (Brembo ceramic pads..... NO DUST!)
5. Transmission oil and filter replaced
6. Plugs and coil packs (OE)
7. Valve cover and gasket (blocked breather/leaks around plugs)
8. Cabin filter
9. Air filter
10. Removed turbo outlet damper/silencer/restrictor and fitted a larger diameter straight pipe.
11. Fitted a throttle tuner to reduce throttle "lag"
The C250 is a great car. I bought it as a third "project" car to use as a daily driver and leave at the local airport as I fly a lot. I really enjoy the driving experience, performance and build quality. I dont really enjoy the touch screen experience, and nanny tech in my other cars, preferring the analog environment of my 250. I think this era of Merc provides a good balance of tech (Bluetooth audio with integration into OE display, multi function display), with traditional mechanical switches and controls. It handles well too which is essential in my part of VA.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
I eneded up buying the car before seeing any responses here. It's really clean and no noticeable peeling and wear of the interior at all, except the bottom silver overlay on steering wheel spoke: i can feel the edge of it just slightly separating. Seller replaced most of the brittle lines and hoses on engine while the turbo was being replaced. My experiences with my many previous BMW's, I'm still scratching my head why German cars use a lot of plastic for cooling components.
Yes, it will be essentially a daily driver, albeit a stylish, luxurious one. Just use it until the miles get up to a point it's time to get a different rig.
Yes, it will be essentially a daily driver, albeit a stylish, luxurious one. Just use it until the miles get up to a point it's time to get a different rig.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
Located in SoCal! Prices for 2014 Non-turbo C250's with similar mileage and condition average $8,500. Seller said he initially offered it at $7,900, then dropped it to $5,900 to move sale since he bought a new car. He's actually not the owner when the turbo started making a lot of noises and was leaking oil; he was a family friend and the lady couldn't afford to repair the vehicle so he took over the car for practially nothing. Hence the low price.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 1,114
From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
California car? is it a PZEV spec? My 2010 C300 is a PZEV and it had the additional 15yr/150,000 mile warranty. Im now over 160,000 miles so its no good anymore. But very useful were something with emissions/fuel/exhaust goes wrong.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
There are no indications this is a PZEV spec. I personally don't want anything to with them because of owning a previous BMW SULEV, which used different parts, including radiator and associated components. Made repairs more expensive, though only because it was over-age on warranty.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
Although I didn't buy this particular vehicle for performance (I was looking for daily driver with 4 doors, 30ish MPG, enough room for luggage of 2-3), there's a noticeable turbo lag for my driving style...
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
FYI, I found out more information on by rig: its actually a W205 version, Sport BlueEFFICIENCY 1.6L Turbo. So this thread should now belong under W205!
Never mind: I just realized that W205 is the next model year; I still have a W204. Still getting used to these uniquely German designations...
Never mind: I just realized that W205 is the next model year; I still have a W204. Still getting used to these uniquely German designations...
Last edited by Augster; Jun 25, 2025 at 08:42 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
W204 C250 Sport (AMG Package with Pano Roof)
I just noticed this. What throttle controller did you go with? I'm familiar with PedalCommander which I use on my trucks.
Although I didn't buy this particular vehicle for performance (I was looking for daily driver with 4 doors, 30ish MPG, enough room for luggage of 2-3), there's a noticeable turbo lag for my driving style...
Although I didn't buy this particular vehicle for performance (I was looking for daily driver with 4 doors, 30ish MPG, enough room for luggage of 2-3), there's a noticeable turbo lag for my driving style...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
C250 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
I'm in NorCal. I used Pedal Commander and buried it under the carpet for an OE look. The settings I access with my phone. Not that I ever take it out of Sport, anyway. Works pretty well and no reliability issues.
