mcbc220

Hi all—I've been looking at new cars, and while I was originally going to get a W204 CPO, the turbo lag was a bit much for me, and now I'm considering spending a little more and treating myself to a new W205 instead. Only trouble is, I'm concerned about the reliability. I assume much of that is first-year beta stuff, but I couldn't find as many recent threads and am wondering what people's experiences, either with 2 year old 2015's or more recent, and hopefully improved, 2016's, have been so far.

Steve71

I have a 2016, delivered in August 2015 (so an early 2016). Knock wood, but I haven't had any problems since getting it. None. Nada. It's been great!

Stones50

My C450 has been one thing after another. First the vibrating mirror, then rattle in headliner, next was the command screen went out. The mirror was replaced which is a little better and the rattle was fixed. The command screen was replaced and then went out again. Car is currently waiting for the new command brain module to come in and is sitting at the dealership. I'm pretty disappointed with the issues I have been having, but i really like the car overall. The loaner I'm in is a 2016 C 300 which has been great. It has about 3700 miles on it. I think I got one that was built late on a Friday.

skullboy

So did they fix the headliner rattle? what was done to it? I have a bit of that right above my head on rough road but not smooth one. I can live with it when the music is on. Not sure if I want that to be looked at since any tear down can make it worse.

Stones50

The noise came from right above the driver seat near the visor. They said they found two clips that were not clipped. It's been fixed and hasn't come back, although I haven't had much of a chance to drive the damn thing. Had it three weeks today.

ManiacGT

Plenty of niggly software patching niggles and wind noise but no actual reliability issues with mine (very early s205).

StanNH

My early August, 2014 build 2015 C300 was awful, and was at the dealer every few weeks. My March, 2015 build C300 has been very reliable, with a few very minor issues which were easily resolved.

The car is still not perfect, few are, but I believe it has gotten much better as most of the early bugs have been worked out. Many of the current complaints center on the electronic interfaces, and how confusing they can be.

ezshift5

No problems noted since August 2014 - W204 CPO - delivery at 21,000 miles.....at 28k today.

I looked at CR prior to purchase. Their owners survey would seem right on target.


ez

StanNH

The W204 has had a very solid reliability record. Compare that to the first year CR results for the W205 ... there is a dramatic difference.

ezshift5

Stan (there in the NH White Mtns), you made my day!!


ez

mcbc220

Thanks everyone who's responded--and please keep them coming, more data is good data for anyone reading! I'm hopeful that with time, this can turn into a car that's a long-term keeper. I've been looking at BMW, as well, but even with the F30's current average reliability rating in CR, something about "owning a BMW for 10+ years" still seems like a bad idea to me, whereas Mercedes' parts and engineering have proven very durable in the MB cars I've owned. Hopefully that hasn't changed with the W205.

MASSC450

Owning ANY of today's German cars past warranty is a bad idea IMO...let alone 10+ years.

mcbc220

For some, leasing doesn't make good financial sense, and it's not financially possible to buy a new car every four years, but there's still value attached to driving a car one really likes--so then one tries to minimize risk by finding more reliable models, and prepares for some inevitable repairs. The W204, for example, seems to be a perfectly fine car to own out of warranty if it's being properly maintained. Hopefully in time the W205 is the same. As for 10 years, I personally drive about 6000 miles per year.