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Reliability of C32
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
Reliability of C32
How does it compare to the regular C? Is it just as problematic such as key fob and everything else? Or is it more reliable? Pls give me some honest feedbacks. I am seriously consider acquiring a c32 if i sell my slk...thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2002
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The biggest difference between a regular C and a C32 is the engine. The rest of the stuff are built the same way (except the seats and the trimming). And I think everyone in here will agree that our cars are pretty reliable. Issues such as air pump failure & the 1000-1500 rpm chirp are not "that" of a big deal. As a C32 owner for 18 months, I am happy with my car's performance and build quality.
If you can find someone who owns a regular C and a C32 concurrently, then he can give you a much better comparison.
If you can find someone who owns a regular C and a C32 concurrently, then he can give you a much better comparison.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
Originally posted by Harris
If you can find someone who owns a regular C and a C32 concurrently, then he can give you a much better comparison.
If you can find someone who owns a regular C and a C32 concurrently, then he can give you a much better comparison.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Lean runner
Owned C32AMG for over 19 months & preowned Brabus C320
about the same time, manufactured by AMG & Brabus, both shared the W203 platform provided by Mercedes.
I do the maintanence every 6000 miles as instruction, never did I go back for extra parts failure repair.
The early design bug, like ticking sound both occured in my C32 & C320 had been fixed by MB recall here.
Compared C32AMG w/Lexus GS300 (I preowned it,too), they're same reliable. Excellent assembly w/o noise inside where BMW
is step behind of this kind of quality, IMO.
1997~1999 Brabus SLK2.6
1998~2000 GS300
2000~2002 Brabus C320
2001~ C32AMG
about the same time, manufactured by AMG & Brabus, both shared the W203 platform provided by Mercedes.
I do the maintanence every 6000 miles as instruction, never did I go back for extra parts failure repair.
The early design bug, like ticking sound both occured in my C32 & C320 had been fixed by MB recall here.
Compared C32AMG w/Lexus GS300 (I preowned it,too), they're same reliable. Excellent assembly w/o noise inside where BMW
is step behind of this kind of quality, IMO.
1997~1999 Brabus SLK2.6
1998~2000 GS300
2000~2002 Brabus C320
2001~ C32AMG
Last edited by Shine; May 1, 2003 at 06:48 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 470
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From: Sydney, Australia
01 C200 Kompressor, 02 C32 AMG
I have both C32 (15 months) and C200 Kompressor (20 months), both cars have been flawless (knock on the wood). The C200K has slightly more problems recently (faulty fuel pump and dead battery). Well the difference could be just wear and tear as the C32 has a lot less mileage (4200kms) compared to the C200K (30500kms).
I think C32 has a better build quality over the C200K (the C32 doors and boot/trunk has a better solid "thud" noise when closes). No rattles or anything coming from both cars. Apart from different materials used for the interior (better quality leather on C32 and part leather on C200K) everything else are basically identical in fit and finish.
All in all ... I'm happy with both cars quality with C32 slightly edges ahead ... it should be as C32 cost more than double the price of C200K.
I think C32 has a better build quality over the C200K (the C32 doors and boot/trunk has a better solid "thud" noise when closes). No rattles or anything coming from both cars. Apart from different materials used for the interior (better quality leather on C32 and part leather on C200K) everything else are basically identical in fit and finish.
All in all ... I'm happy with both cars quality with C32 slightly edges ahead ... it should be as C32 cost more than double the price of C200K.
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 23
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From: fresno
C32 and CLK430
c32 and clk55
Have 46,000 miles on my C32 which have been basically trouble free. Have had many more problems with my CLK55. The CLK problems have been mostly with the command unit and the radio.
C32 has Evosport sway bars, HR springs and ODP kit. Have an appointment to get
the headers and chip on May 22.
C32 has Evosport sway bars, HR springs and ODP kit. Have an appointment to get
the headers and chip on May 22.
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
C32 & C240
I currently have an 02 C32 and an 02 C320 wagon. The wagon was a replacement for an 02 C240.
The C32 has essentially a different chassis, tranny and engine from the other Cs. The C320 and C240 are different in engine and electronics. Doesn't help much though if you want to avoid problems.
There are general "C" problems, 240 problems, 320 problems and 32 problems. Things like keys are "C" problems. The electrical glitches the 240 is known for do not appear in the 320 line although SOS issues are universal. Chirps are unique to the 32 line. You need to trace the error, cause, etc. to figure if the particular car will be susceptible to it. In general the C32 and C320 are more reliable than the 02 C240.
My 02 C240 was a disaster, but I loved the car so much I bought the C32 (selling an 01 Boxster). The C240 was bought back and I picked up an 02 C320 wagon. Others had similar C240 problems that I was aware of (dealer employee cars) who were going to trade up to C320 (internally considered the better choice).
Throw 4-matic into the mix and a new engine choice and who knows. I suspect that the 03 and beyond C class cars will all be fine choices. The only car I would avoid is an 02 C240.
The wagons are great choices. Most people buy the ML line which means deals can be had on the C wagons. If I could get the C32 estate in the US I would.
Autoweeks list of probles with their C320 wagon is very similar to some of the issues I had with my C240. I also notice that some people have similar C32 problems to what I had experienced with my C240. Your attempt to link problems to cars is admirable,, but next to impossible with the limit information available.
The C32 has essentially a different chassis, tranny and engine from the other Cs. The C320 and C240 are different in engine and electronics. Doesn't help much though if you want to avoid problems.
There are general "C" problems, 240 problems, 320 problems and 32 problems. Things like keys are "C" problems. The electrical glitches the 240 is known for do not appear in the 320 line although SOS issues are universal. Chirps are unique to the 32 line. You need to trace the error, cause, etc. to figure if the particular car will be susceptible to it. In general the C32 and C320 are more reliable than the 02 C240.
My 02 C240 was a disaster, but I loved the car so much I bought the C32 (selling an 01 Boxster). The C240 was bought back and I picked up an 02 C320 wagon. Others had similar C240 problems that I was aware of (dealer employee cars) who were going to trade up to C320 (internally considered the better choice).
Throw 4-matic into the mix and a new engine choice and who knows. I suspect that the 03 and beyond C class cars will all be fine choices. The only car I would avoid is an 02 C240.
The wagons are great choices. Most people buy the ML line which means deals can be had on the C wagons. If I could get the C32 estate in the US I would.
Autoweeks list of probles with their C320 wagon is very similar to some of the issues I had with my C240. I also notice that some people have similar C32 problems to what I had experienced with my C240. Your attempt to link problems to cars is admirable,, but next to impossible with the limit information available.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
I had a '96 C280 before my '03 C32 and have had great luck with both. I did have a MAJOR problem right before I sold my mint C280, due to it's inablility to pass emissions. However, this was not the car's fault whatsoever. The states' emission software had a glitch within it, and after 7 emission tests I was granted exemption.
Boy, was I pissed about the whole ordeal, though. Time consuming, etc, and in the end to find out that it wasn't even the car's fault!
Boy, was I pissed about the whole ordeal, though. Time consuming, etc, and in the end to find out that it wasn't even the car's fault!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
Thank you for all your inputs...it looks like if i can sell the slk, i will join the c32 family since i really want a 4dr sports car. I'll keep you guys posted...
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Joined: Jun 2002
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C320
Originally posted by Shine
The early design bug, like ticking sound both occured in my C32 & C320 had been fixed by MB recall here.
The early design bug, like ticking sound both occured in my C32 & C320 had been fixed by MB recall here.
I get that. What causes that?
Should I go back to the dealer with it?
Thanks
