02 C32 Common Issues/ Sell or Keep the car
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From: Aurora, IL
C32
02 C32 Common Issues/ Sell or Keep the car
I am debating trading out of my 02 C32 because of all of the quality issues that I have had. It has 61K miles, and my Starmark expires in Aug. If I have already had the major issues fixed I will keep and maybe buy another extended warranty. Below is a list of the issues I have already had repaired.
Entire Transmission due to glycol issue, radiator, torque converter, transmission ECU, front swaybar bushings, both front ball joints, both front seats for the seat heaters, command unit for noisy fan twice, intercooler pump, pulley for V-belt and supercharger, electronic tempature controls in cabin.
Are there other common issues with this car that are going to be expensive to repair?
Has anyone gone to 100k miles on the engine?
Thanks for any feedback.
Entire Transmission due to glycol issue, radiator, torque converter, transmission ECU, front swaybar bushings, both front ball joints, both front seats for the seat heaters, command unit for noisy fan twice, intercooler pump, pulley for V-belt and supercharger, electronic tempature controls in cabin.
Are there other common issues with this car that are going to be expensive to repair?
Has anyone gone to 100k miles on the engine?
Thanks for any feedback.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Edmonton, Canada
2003 C32
I've had my c32 for all of 4 months now and i bought it with only 28,000 KMs. Since then, the butt part of the heated seats has gone out, I suspect that the tranny will have to be replaced due to glycol contamination (have to get it checked out right away), and have totally lost power once going 160 km/h (pressed the gas pedal down and the car continued to slow). Passenger side mirror wasn't functioning properly when putting car in reverse.
Makes me wonder ....
Makes me wonder ....
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
I just had my air/smog pump go..........other than that:
Sway bar bushings (Fixed)
Ignition problems (Fixed)
I have 45,000km. I have regular warranty until April but have chosen to purchase the extended (3 more years or 160,000km). I would really like to keep it beyond that but........................
Sway bar bushings (Fixed)
Ignition problems (Fixed)
I have 45,000km. I have regular warranty until April but have chosen to purchase the extended (3 more years or 160,000km). I would really like to keep it beyond that but........................
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From: San Jose, CA
ML63
I am about to hit 90k miles. I think everything has been fixed by now.. 
(Hopefully)
I have owned the car for about 3 months now.. 4 trips to the dealer.. just had the front sway bar bushings replaced and the thrust arms?? Trip before that was the drivers power seat.. they say the track under the seat is worn and its $1200 to replace, they claim that is what shorted out the power seat control module. I had them replace the control module (free under warranty) and said forget the rail.. It works perfect now.. (figure i will just get a new control module if it goes out again.. lol)
I saw the previous service records.. three full pages worth of repairs. Mostly electrical stuff.. Guess he just replaced the water pump before I bought the car and he just had the rear electric screen replaced.
I bought it because it had the Starmark warranty the last owner bought.. I plan on keeping mine past the 100k mark, probably to 110k miles.. Then get a CLS55
(Hopefully)I have owned the car for about 3 months now.. 4 trips to the dealer.. just had the front sway bar bushings replaced and the thrust arms?? Trip before that was the drivers power seat.. they say the track under the seat is worn and its $1200 to replace, they claim that is what shorted out the power seat control module. I had them replace the control module (free under warranty) and said forget the rail.. It works perfect now.. (figure i will just get a new control module if it goes out again.. lol)
I saw the previous service records.. three full pages worth of repairs. Mostly electrical stuff.. Guess he just replaced the water pump before I bought the car and he just had the rear electric screen replaced.
I bought it because it had the Starmark warranty the last owner bought.. I plan on keeping mine past the 100k mark, probably to 110k miles.. Then get a CLS55
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Originally Posted by chyates
Wawy,
What kind of iginition problems did you have on the C32?
What kind of iginition problems did you have on the C32?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
wow that's a lot of problems from your car.
mine only had wiring harness replaced, front sway bar bushing replaced, power steering problem, and a now broken heated seat pad for the bottom cushion (never use it, but found out broken when i tried, lol).
mine only had wiring harness replaced, front sway bar bushing replaced, power steering problem, and a now broken heated seat pad for the bottom cushion (never use it, but found out broken when i tried, lol).
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From: Vancouver
C32
Originally Posted by Furious
I've had my c32 for all of 4 months now and i bought it with only 28,000 KMs. Since then, the butt part of the heated seats has gone out, I suspect that the tranny will have to be replaced due to glycol contamination (have to get it checked out right away), and have totally lost power once going 160 km/h (pressed the gas pedal down and the car continued to slow). Passenger side mirror wasn't functioning properly when putting car in reverse.
Makes me wonder ....
Makes me wonder ....
I also have the passenger side mirror problem. Had it in to the dealer twice and they claim it is ok. It never properly resets.
I have had most every problem noted on this forum (except belts and supercharger issues) and the car only has 23000km (14000miles).
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Dang..... 1st year model really sucks, huh? 
Hope my C55 is not like this.... If so, no more MB for me.... went through a lot of hassles and emotion when going back and forth dealership to have warranty job done, which in the end declaring my car ('03 E55) lemon 
Hope my C55 is not like this.... If so, no more MB for me.... went through a lot of hassles and emotion when going back and forth dealership to have warranty job done, which in the end declaring my car ('03 E55) lemon
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
I had my transmission and module replaced due the jerking...
my rear differential had a leak ...
all fixed unde warranty.
I don't mind the imperfections, as long as the car performs... and right now the car is running strong!
Once your are bored with the performance of the car, you will notice more and more of the negatives.
If you have warranty keep it, if you are about to expire and you feel that you need something newer, then sell it.
right now I don't see myself driving anything else but a C32 or E55.
my rear differential had a leak ...
all fixed unde warranty.
I don't mind the imperfections, as long as the car performs... and right now the car is running strong!
Once your are bored with the performance of the car, you will notice more and more of the negatives.
If you have warranty keep it, if you are about to expire and you feel that you need something newer, then sell it.
right now I don't see myself driving anything else but a C32 or E55.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
Originally Posted by zoink
Not even a C55? 
sorry... the c55 is a bit better than my c32 due to its newer interior and torquey V8.
but I rather spend mid 55's on a E55.
In fact one our members wants to sell me his 03 E55 25k miles, with starmark 100k warranty, bi-xenons, shade, keyless go, active seats, 6 +1 cd, for $56k. Black on Black. I wanted a silver color, but the deal is really good.
I might pull the trigger in the next few weeks.
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
That's a very good price.... 
But be careful.... 1st year model usually has a lot of bugs. My '03 E55 got lemon'd 3 months after I bought it new. Lost faith to W211 E55.... that's why I didn't buy another one. An '05+ may be a better bet.... but would rather save the money for 997TT. At least that's my plan for now... who knows in couple months I find a good deal on 05+ E55
So be sure to check warranty job history... you could go to an MB dealer, give the VIN and ask for the list of warranty jobs.... from there you could get a good judgment.
Good luck!
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally Posted by zoink
That's a very good price.... But be careful.... 1st year model usually has a lot of bugs. My '03 E55 got lemon'd 3 months after I bought it new. Lost faith to W211 E55.... that's why I didn't buy another one. An '05+ may be a better bet.... but would rather save the money for 997TT. At least that's my plan for now... who knows in couple months I find a good deal on 05+ E55
So be sure to check warranty job history... you could go to an MB dealer, give the VIN and ask for the list of warranty jobs.... from there you could get a good judgment.
Good luck!
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,450
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Yes.... don't you see that I'm AMG crazy?
Wife would like to get my W210 and I was very impressed w/ W211 power (who's not?
). Initially thought of selling the W210 but decided to sell the C4S instead (I somehow couldn't master my shifting w/ C4S plus it took me less $$$ to put for W211) to allow room for the W211 (big mistake 
).
Really wish I didn't sell the C4S as now I have 2 AMG's w/ same engine
Wife would like to get my W210 and I was very impressed w/ W211 power (who's not?
). Initially thought of selling the W210 but decided to sell the C4S instead (I somehow couldn't master my shifting w/ C4S plus it took me less $$$ to put for W211) to allow room for the W211 (big mistake ).Really wish I didn't sell the C4S as now I have 2 AMG's w/ same engine
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally Posted by zoink
Yes.... don't you see that I'm AMG crazy?
Wife would like to get my W210 and I was very impressed w/ W211 power (who's not? ). Initially thought of selling the W210 but decided to sell the C4S instead (I somehow couldn't master my shifting w/ C4S plus it took me less $$$ to put for W211) to allow room for the W211 (big mistake ).
Really wish I didn't sell the C4S as now I have 2 AMG's w/ same engine
Wife would like to get my W210 and I was very impressed w/ W211 power (who's not?
). Initially thought of selling the W210 but decided to sell the C4S instead (I somehow couldn't master my shifting w/ C4S plus it took me less $$$ to put for W211) to allow room for the W211 (big mistake ).Really wish I didn't sell the C4S as now I have 2 AMG's w/ same engine
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Well, not really..... got a Cayenne S before C55 for wife as I still didn't trust her w/ the W210. And got an amazingly high offer from a friend's friend's friend 
(once again not sure why he was crazy w/ a black fully loaded cayenne.... he told me it was impossible to get one 
) that made me unable to refuse. Thought of getting an E500 or "R" class.... but wife fell in love w/ C55 after test driving it.
So.... C55 it is.... but now, I quite often force her to drive my old max instead of the E/C Poor her :p LOL
(once again not sure why he was crazy w/ a black fully loaded cayenne.... he told me it was impossible to get one ) that made me unable to refuse. Thought of getting an E500 or "R" class.... but wife fell in love w/ C55 after test driving it.So.... C55 it is.... but now, I quite often force her to drive my old max instead of the E/C
Poor her :p LOL
