Hello. I am considering a new C300. I've had a W204 and X204. I stayed away from the 205 models in the beginning since they seemed so problematic. Now that 2021 is the last model year, would you say that most/all of the kinks and issues have been resolved? M264 engine I think in these? Pretty good so far? 9G Tronic proving to be better than the old 7G Plus? Are these 205 eating 4MATIC parts like the old 204s? I think they used to have issues with internal transfer cases? I am looking at cars with basic sunroof, not the pano roof.

All the ones I am looking at are built in South Africa. Would you take the plunge? I don't like the new 206 rear end at all, btw.

 

Mine is w205 C200 AMG line I wouldn't describe as problematic actually it has been so reliable. Its a 2015 model.

 

The M264 is very new, hard to say if it has established its own track record yet.

The 9G has some complaints of hard shifting in W222.

Factory warranty takes care of these things for a while, but then you need to decide if you will keep the car long term or not.

 

Having had experience with a 2015 and my current 2020, they have improved so much. The new engine is much more refined, although still a noticeable 4 banger, no rattles, and minimal creaking compared with the 2015 (only creaks when it sits in the sun and gets really hot). Mine is the last year of the Alabama built ones, and what I’ve seen and heard is that the SA built ones are even slightly better. I do have an occasional harsh downshift with my 9G which I didn’t with the 7G plus, but apart from that I really can’t complain, it’s way better built than my first one, and much more solid. I will say though, that this new one still isn’t as solid as my old 2010, which had 120k miles when I got rid of it, and was basically a tank.

 

Thanks for the replies.