2016 W205 - Is it worth ?
Greetings All,
Need all your opinion.
I have been using a 2016 W205 Base model since 2018. It has 59000 miles on it.
I have the following problems on it for the past 2 months or so
1. Check engine light - Mercedes dealer diagnosed it to be PCV valve issue ($200 diagnostic fee). They quoted me $6000 stating it is a 15hour job
2. Steering vibrates during braking - Mercedes has quoted me $1400 to change front brake pads ($200 diagnostic fee), rotors and performing an alignment
3. Squeaking noise from the front - Mercedes has quoted me $3000 ($200 diagnostic fee) to change FT Lower control arm on both side on the front
4. Passenger side headrest broken rattles.
If I decide to resolve the issues, I am not gonna get it done from Mercedes.
I have paid $600 just to diagnose the issues in my car. This is my only car. Is it worth spending money on the car further ? I have read wrist pin issues with this engine as well !!!
Carmax is ready to give $18K for my car. I got the car for $25K in 2018
Which is the wiser decision ? To trade in and get a new car or spend the money on this car and pray no new issues pop up
Need all your opinion.
I have been using a 2016 W205 Base model since 2018. It has 59000 miles on it.
I have the following problems on it for the past 2 months or so
1. Check engine light - Mercedes dealer diagnosed it to be PCV valve issue ($200 diagnostic fee). They quoted me $6000 stating it is a 15hour job
2. Steering vibrates during braking - Mercedes has quoted me $1400 to change front brake pads ($200 diagnostic fee), rotors and performing an alignment
3. Squeaking noise from the front - Mercedes has quoted me $3000 ($200 diagnostic fee) to change FT Lower control arm on both side on the front
4. Passenger side headrest broken rattles.
If I decide to resolve the issues, I am not gonna get it done from Mercedes.
I have paid $600 just to diagnose the issues in my car. This is my only car. Is it worth spending money on the car further ? I have read wrist pin issues with this engine as well !!!
Carmax is ready to give $18K for my car. I got the car for $25K in 2018
Which is the wiser decision ? To trade in and get a new car or spend the money on this car and pray no new issues pop up
I'd suggest trying to find an independent Mercedes shop and see what they say and tell you if it even is those things MB quoted you for. Also try to never go to the dealer again......600 bones just to tell you what needs help is beyond greedy! I have a hard time trusting dealers these days, even more so than in the past because of stories like this this one.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Which is the wiser decision ? To trade in and get a new car or spend the money on this car and pray no new issues pop up
Based on what you write -speed- to CarMax (or elsewhere) and make the trade.
Based on what you write -speed- to CarMax (or elsewhere) and make the trade.
It's sad to me to see another example of a MB dealer causing undue stress and unjustified financial hardship on another MB owner. Granted, your #1 is a big job, but nowhere near $6K to fix. That's insane. Your #2 & #3 are fairly simple and not expensive at an indy shop.
For what you should do, only you know your financial posture and what works best for you, but this makes me think of something my Dad used to say: "Your first losses are your least losses."
In other words, if you hang on to a negative financial situation in the hopes it will get better, in most cases you will just lose even more in the end.
I recently went through a similar situation as you, I loved my C300 but I got really spooked with the M274 engine issues and noticed that quite a few of the failures were between 50K-60K miles. Mine had 52K at the time and was fine, but I traded it in to cut my potential future loss.
Again, only you know what's best for you. That is a very strong offer from Carmax. If it were me, I'd take that offer and if you like the MB platform, maybe get another with a V6 or V8, as those have proven themselves to be more reliable.
Best of luck to you whatever you choose!
For what you should do, only you know your financial posture and what works best for you, but this makes me think of something my Dad used to say: "Your first losses are your least losses."
In other words, if you hang on to a negative financial situation in the hopes it will get better, in most cases you will just lose even more in the end.
I recently went through a similar situation as you, I loved my C300 but I got really spooked with the M274 engine issues and noticed that quite a few of the failures were between 50K-60K miles. Mine had 52K at the time and was fine, but I traded it in to cut my potential future loss.
Again, only you know what's best for you. That is a very strong offer from Carmax. If it were me, I'd take that offer and if you like the MB platform, maybe get another with a V6 or V8, as those have proven themselves to be more reliable.
Best of luck to you whatever you choose!







