Has reliability improved?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 229
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2016 C300
Has reliability improved?
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City
C 450
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 288
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Porsche 981 CS, C450, 3000GT VR4
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City
C 450
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
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.
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.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 517
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From: California
Mercedes C250 Coupe
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
I looked at CR prior to purchase. Their owners survey would seem right on target.
ez
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
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2016 C300
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.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 229
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2016 C300
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.
