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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Could someone please confirm or deny - I do not know the mechanics behind this, and want to make sure I'm giving correct info.
- Paul
Dat.
Miki
I know it is ONLY my opinion, but thanks for the opportunity to share.
Check it out:
http://www.spiegel.de/auto/werkstatt/0,1518,grossbild-179773-193601,00.html
The C Class is more reliable than the BMW 3 Series, though both are in the light green "good" zone.
It was 11:00pm, I had to drive home via high way, I called the road side assistant, they refused to come out and replace the bulbs.
Tom
No kidding, huh? What a bunch of knerds, maybe you should get a Toyota...
Tarik
For my own information, are you still covered by Tele Aid? There is some conflict of coverage in my mind -- When I purchased my C320 2001 05/31/01, I was told that Road Assistance was free for as long as I had my car. As I go to renew and also review the Tele Aid benefits, Road Assistance is listed as a benefit -- this does not make it free.
Miki
I just received renewal notice on TeleAid - they'll charge my credit card $240 to renew if I don't call to cancel coverage. I probably won't renew. I did use TeleAid twice last year, once when my car quit on the interstate, and once to ask for directions. The person who answered the second call was reasonably helpful, and apologized when he couldn't figure our where I was, and had to get a GPS fix uplinked. Apparently teleaid charges a separate fee (in addition to air time) if they use the GPS location feature. I never read that in the service description.
jelecroy -- thank you for the information. I did renew my Tele Aid and will continue to do so as a "just in case" I had very good immediate results when I used their Roadside Assistance in the wee small hours of the morning for on-site help and for directions -- fortunately they knew where I was -- I would not be a happy camper if they could not locate me either -- particularly if I could not locate me. I paid just the $2.95 air time for directions and the emergency service. (Locked my purse in trunk for valet parking. First time I used the key, and it would not open the trunk when I arrived home and needed the house key from the locked trunk. A tech came in 15 minutes -- he finally got it open but a new tumbler was ordered the next day.)
I am wondering if there is any difference in their service attitude if you do not subscribe to Tele Aid as far as response time, Etc.
Miki
Assuming proper inflation, what is the prevailing wisdom on when to rotate on rear drive cars? A quick review of the owner's manual gave no recommendation, other than the wear signs (shoulders on front wheels and center on rear). Thanks.
When you compare and see the corners of the front are significantly rounder than
the rear, it is time to rotate.
Miki
Is a safe car, it saves me from a car accident, and i love it so much!!!
But i didn't noticed that now you had to pay for the first mainteance fee?!!!
I never had to paid the mainteance fee, for over 10 benz i've owned, in the past ten years. I love benz but what happened? I am mad that no one notify me in advance for the $600 bill... that surprise me!
In addition service center for repairing benz nowaday is outrageous, too much cars need fixing, and appoiment service is getting longer and longer...
I guess Mb should consider building larger service center in the dealers of Vancouver.
Mb is losing their reputation of providing good service...
all in all benz made the best car in the world!Afterall
My wife and I purchased our brand new 2002 C320 in late January 2002. Everything was great until March when the engine suddenly died while we were driving on the freeway. At the time, the car only had about 1400 miles. The car was in the dealer for 5 days. A faulty fuel pump was found and replaced. Two days later on my way home from work, the engine suddenly died again while I was driving on the left most lane on the freeway. After a few scary lane changes, I was able to let the car roll itself to the right shoulder. Thank God that no body got hurt in these two incidents. This time, the car was towed to a different dealership where they kept the car for about 10 days. The dealer replaced ignition switch, keys, engine control module, and fuel tank sensor. Fearing for our safety, we requested the car to be replaced. The regional manager denied our request telling us that "they are in the business of selling and fixing cars, not replacing cars." He then assured us that the car is fixed.
Just two weeks ago, I experienced intermittent problem with my ignition. The car wouldn't start at times. Also, there was intermittent ESP and BA warnings. So the car was back to the dealer again. The car had almost 1900 miles when it was brought in on a Friday. Six days later when I got the car back, I was shocked to see the odometer reading of more than 2600 miles. (750 miles to fix an ignition problem??) This time, they replaced the entire transmission, ring gear(which is attached to the transmission), engine starter, and brake sensor.
I have never spent so much time dealing and worrying about a car before. This is definitely not what we expected after spending $40K+ on a brand new Mercedes. I am just wondering if any one had the same experience? Or am I just happened to be one of those unlucky Mercedes owners.
Hopefully after all these part replacements, the car will be trouble free because I am really tired of dealing with its problems.
We really want to enjoy this car. It is a beautiful car. But so far, our experience is just no where near "pleasant"..
check out my car photo gallery if you want.
http://members.bellatlantic.net/~rfcdmd/merc/FrameSet.htm
I heard benz problem before @ my local news stations and magazines editorial, but it seem their cars quality and services is also getting worse, any people feel the same way?
Although my car is perfectly good, it saves me ...
does it have to do with the new c-class plant in Africa. Just maybe the quality control aren't as good. (not being racist)
Where did we got out C-class from anyway Germany or Africa?
Hope benz can be the benz i am always expecting it to be=)
pexpl: Isn't merc also built in South America? Why do you think the faulty cars may be from Africa?
cambridge3: Nice photos. We bought our C240 in March 01' with same colors (white exterior and gray interior) and so far we have not had any problems except for a whizzing noise on the driver's side window. At 3600 miles (we use it only over the weekends and for church), it has been a great car.
Second, the factory in South Africa is making cars [to my knowledge] only for right-hand-drive markets. There are some Brazilian cars that are coming our way...these are assembled in Brazil from knock-down kits, which again means that all of the subassemblies, including those troublesome electronics, are German-made and just as likely [or unlikely] to be defective in a car from Bremen or Sindelfingen.
Assembly quality, per se, is not, nor has it ever been, the source of most of the problems being described with the new C [or the A, or the ML, or, or, or...]. Thus, where the car is screwed together should be the least of your potential worries. Worry more about why this company can't get its act together with its parts suppliers in a way that has been routine with the Japanese for 30 years.
As far as renewing Teleaid I gave it a lot of thought. I was told that Teleaid clients go to the front of the queue for roadside assistance. Also, on a dark night with just my dog the red engine light came on and after hitting button this voice from heaven entered the car. My dog and I got a good feeling. Also, two weeks before renewal, I also locked my purse with key in trunk and had cell phone. Car was opened in 5 minutes/ Yes, I figure I waste so much money this $240 is an insurance policy for me.
I am going to have my tires rotated Monday. Guess I should have had them done sooner but only have 9400 miles so hope it is okay.
Yes, I do love my silver C320!!!!
Connie Alias Sarg.
-CD Fiber Cable replaced after two weeks of owning the car
-Right Headlight assembly replaced at 15000 (signal stop working intermittent)
-I think I'm getting the same problem with my left headlight. I will take it to the dealer this weekend to have them check it out.
-Rear sunshade motor replaced @ 6000 miles
-New set of tires @ 20000 miles (uneven wear)..although I rotated them every 5000 miles
-Still feel a light vibration @ 40mph when parked for a long period of time...disappear after 15 or 20 minutes of driving.
-Purge Valve replaced @ 10000 miles (noise from engine compartment)
I was wondering if anyone have the same problem...
True Cost to Own (TCO): Revealing the Hidden Costs of Car Ownership
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/specialreports/articles/59897/article.html
kirstie_h
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Is it my computer or have others reported this problem?
Thanks for your help.
Yes the red light came on while I was returning home Thanksgiving night. Teleaid guy said it was fine to drive home and probably nothing or else something to do with Emissions. Called dealer next morning (Prestige in NJ) and they said probably the gas cap not on right. Also, said to put gas cap back on and light would go out in less than a week. I made an appointment as I did not believe this - posted here and someone else said probably gas cap. Well it went out in a few days so haven't considered it a problem.
Don't get me wrong 404 (how do you reply on these boards), I was furious with the Key problem - also think week or so the sun roof would not close. Now they are distant memories but should never have happened. I had two Lexus GS 300's before this and never had to return to dealer for a problem. However, not (knock on wood) a year later, I enjoy this car so much - it is a lease and may return to Lexus at the end but am enjoying the fun now.
Connie/Sarg
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Thanks!
Pat
Sedans Host
My fuel purge valve was replaced earlier for the same reason you mentioned. Interestingly enough, the loaner C320 wagon I was given also had the purge valve noise and didn't quite seem to have the same pick up as my sedan. Maybe I am just biased towards my car. With a year of ownership coming up on 6/2, I must say it's been a wonderful driving experience.
- Paul
Perhaps the paring down to three years is due to a re-evaluation of projected repair costs.
- Paul
Unfortunately, there were some disappontments:
1. Sorry, but, I love the front but the back reminds me of a cheap Ford Pinto!
2. Found out the engine will be smaller (1.8)and I read it is not as fast going 0-60 (passing power).
3. Felt too cramped and the leather upholstery was definitely too thin (I could feel the springs - and I'm a skinny SOB ).
4. I can live without the CD, but...I wish it had one.
5. MB discontinued the LIFETIME roadside assistance (it is now 4 or 5 years or 50K miles)
6. I think MB is slowly sabotaging this car which is sad.
In conclusion: I wish I could have one, sadly, the name alone cannot justify this purchase which is what got me to look at it in the first place. I love hatchbacks (I owned 2 Mitsu 3000 GT SL/VR4). This would've been my 20th and perhaps last car to purchase, but the rear end looks ugly and its' slowly degrading "features" has chipped away my enthusiasm.
2) 0-60 MPH is not a good measure of "passing power". For the record, Mercedes-Benz rates the 1.8 Litre C 230 K 0-100 km/h time at 8.1 seconds, only 0.1 seconds slower than the 2.3 litre C 230 K. 0.1 seconds is not a difference that anyone would "feel", or even notice, unless they have a stopwatch. For passing power, in-gear acceleration figures such as 40-70 MPH would be a better measure. So far I've not seen a comparison between the 1.8 and 2.3 in such a test.
3) Feeling cramped in the car is strange. I'm 6'3" and it is definitely not cramped to me, front or rear (well, excepting tight headroom in the back). Perhaps a short person with the driver's seat adjusted far forward might get that feeling, due to the car's passive knee restraints being closer. I can't help you with the seats - maybe you could gain a little weight? Mercedes-Benz seats have always seemed hard, but they are also pretty good. I'm surprised that you could feel springs, as the seat cushion is made entirely of foam.
4) 2003 models will likely have the in-dash CD player. If not, you can buy one on Ebay for about 160-200 Euros - cheap!
5) If roadside assistance after the car is out of warranty is THAT important to you, get a CAA or AAA gold membership. It's cheap!
6) I don't see what you mean by M-B "slowly sabotaging this car"...do you mean they're doing this by fitting a newer, smaller engine to it? Please elaborate.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
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...averaged 54 mph and 28.2 mpg for the trip which included three days
of driving around the city in Portland and some very twisty roads over
mountain passes to and from the coast in Oregon and California. The
car performed beautifully and really surprised me in the mountains. No
lack of power at any time and great cornering, even with the stock
Continentals. Definitely a "Sports Sedan" ride and feel.
One reason that is holding me back is the rear-wheel drive on the C230.Is it not safe to drive a rear-wheel drive car when there is snow. Please clear my doubts.