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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Dealer Technical Bulletin 49/01
49/01 – Recalls and service campaigns: When repairing any vehicle, Always check the vehicle Master Inquiry for open campaigns.
49/01-2 Group 80 – models 203,215,and 220, KEY DEPENDENT MEMORY FEATURE: This is to clarify the operation of the key-dependent memory feature. This feature allows memory settings for seat position, steering column adjustment and A/C settings (203 only) to be dependent upon which key is used to unlock or start the vehicle. If enabled by the customer, via the Instrument Cluster (A1) settings used. There are a total of three (3) memory blocks available: one for key #1, one for key #2, and one shared by keys #3 through #8.
When ordering replacement keys for any reason, it is important to note that the only these three memory blocks are available, and the key number ordered will affect the memory blocks available. For example, if key #1 is replaced with key #4, then the first memory block (assigned to key #1) is no longer accessible. Specifically, key #2 will use the second memory block, and Keys #3 and #4 will share the third memory block. The loss of a memory block may lead to customer complaints. Therefore, if the customer wishes to retain the key dependent feature, replace keys #1 & #2 with the same numbered key.
I'm more disappointed than anything. Aside from this one flaw we love the car. It drives beautifully, has a quiet interior gets decent mileage and it's a blast telling people it cost less than a Ford Explorer.
Michael Moskovitz
Audiovisual CAD
Shen, Milsom & Wilke
Princeton Junction, New Jersey
I took in my c280 which I had purchased used for scheduled maintenance. The car had 27K miles on it and the original Michelin tires. I'm told that they are at their end of life. AT 27K miles I asked? I'm told this is not unusual for these cars. Would anyone care to confirm or deny this. Perhaps a suggestion on best tires to purchase, for safety, ride performance and good wear? Thanks
I would suggest 27,000 miles on a set of tyres is not unusual, allowing for perhaps hard driving by the previous owner, and/or no tyre rotation.
BTW I was quoted $172 USD each including fitting plus 99.95 alignment for a set of Michelin MXV4+ by our local dealership...
Other experts?
Actually, a 60 degree V-6 can be just as inherently balanced as a stright 6. DC chose to make 90 degree 6's to be able to use the same tooling they use on v-8s and v-12s, which are in balance with a 90 degree v.
They overcame the smoothness issue in to wsteps. First, the V-6 engnes (2.6 and 3.2 liter anyway) have offset cranks, so the firing order is even, at the cost of making the crankshaft somewhat more expensive to machine. Second, the egines have a counter-rotating balance shaft, to smooth out mass balance issues. My C-240 feels pretty smooth. Would an inline 6 be smoother? maybe, but it would have to have a hood close to a foot longer, and the extra weight on teh front end would make steering tougher. I'm okay with the V-6.
Maybe the updated version of the V-6 that Mercedes is working on right now will be a major improvement on it.
In any case, I'd like a 170 HP supercharged four in my sedan, thank you very much! These new engines should be as smooth if not smoother than the V6 due to the double Lanchester balancers and their small displacement. Plus, the torque characteristics of the supercharged engine will be vastly superior to those of the C 240 - more torque, more at lower revs, and a flatter curve to boot.
Meanwhile, the 2.3 L four in the 2002 C 230 K we have on order right now (should get it in a week or so) will have to do. It's got bags more speed and torque than the 2.6 V6 and better fuel economy (1.2 L/100 km better, over 10%) too. It's no smoother, though.
After that, who knows? MB seems to have actually committed to sending us the next-gen A-Class, which should be here for the 2004 model year, or so they are promising. One or more of the new 4s will be the standard engine in our A, though there will presumably also be hybrid or fuel cell drivetrains designed for this car as it matures in our market. Whether or not we will see another 4 cyl C sedan is open to question - I kind of doubt it, but the marketing people at D-B [and for that matter, BMW, as well] are notoriously schizoid about their perception of what appeals to Americans, so anything is possible.
We did drive the 325. My wife has this thing about cars with high rear decks. She has trouble seeing out the rear view mirror in such cars and thus didn't like the 325, which has a high rear deck lid. The C240 was noticeably quieter as well -- the 325 seemed to have a lot more wind noise, particularly around the A-pillar. She's not a sporting driver, so the tighter handling of a 325 is simply lost on her. I don't like parts of the interior on the 325 as well.
We've had the C240 since September 2002 and I have to say that it is a very nice car, IMHO. It's a tad slow and a bit soft for my tastes, but still a very nice, refined car. Would I prefer a E or S class? Sure. Just don't want to pay for one.
Bubba
"... My friends all drive Porsches, I must make AMENDS..." J. Joplin
I think I got a great car at a great price.
Next time I'd add memory seats as well.
The "$700 under" figure came from the dealer, so I should have double checked it. If I left money on the table, I don't think I left much.
I used the Auto Club's program to find my dealer. They'll give you a dealer name to contact for the car you're looking for. The participating dealer will show you the invoice for the car you want, then show you their price for the vehicle. For me, that was a valuable way to go.
Of course, the 2.3 L C 230 develops 30 more lbs-ft 2000 rpm sooner than the C 240, which explains everything. I wish the 4 cylinder engines were available in the sedans in N. America. The new 1.8 will not match the now superseded 2.3 for torque or the breadth of the peak, but I'd still prefer the 192 HP 4 cylinder due to its far better fuel economy and better speed. Too bad it's not available in the sedan, even in Europe (only the 162 HP version is).
About the idea that the C is the Mercedes-Benz for people that can't really afford one, and all the more expensive models are better, I'd like to point out something.
You could just as easily say that the more expensive M-B models are for those with more money than brains, though that would be cruel and most probably untrue.
But there is a kernel of truth to this, if only in the sense that the C Class, provided the vehicle size is to your liking, offers FAR better value for money than the ones that cost two and three times as much. The more expensive ones are simply not that much better than the C. In fact, German reliability statistics point out that the C has fewer breakdowns than the larger Benzes.
So yes, Virginia, the C Class is a real Benz and in fact it is by far the best value for money that this particular firm offers in North America. This is epecially true in Canada, where C prices are way lower than the equivalent cars in the USA.
My time is running out and I'm about decided to get the extended warranty since my 2001 was the first model year of a car with many new electronic bells and whistles (and seeing some of the problems with the very first of these cars back when I shopped in early 2001).
There used to be a member here who provided the name of a M-B dealer who offered the extended warranties at very good prices, which you would purchase and transfer to your dealer, or at least use the quote to show your local dealership. Does anyone still have that information?
Thanks a million. Email to schreyer@epix.net if you think it's more appropriate.
Love my C!
Tim
around town the car is getting 23mpg city driving not bad at all, i like the car very much, on long trips like down to the cape my legs started to cramp a little as i'm 6'5" and the seat all the way back and down. this car has been great and only seems to get better i would recommend this c240 for anyone looking for a nice car to drive around in.
Sounds like I should have been paying more attention. If I had I may have opted for the 4 year extension before it was discontinued.
Does anyone find it worrisome that they canned the 4 year extension? I can imagine the two years of statistical data on the new C's which may have led to the business decision...
But I like to remain positive!
Tim
I think that MB-USA cut the available extended warranty to a 3 year extension for ALL MB passenger cars, not just the C-class. It is possible that they looked at their claims experience in the last year of coverage, and didn't like what they saw. I think that simultaneous with reducing the term limit on the extension, they also raised the coverage price. If you get a quote from Lisa, please post it so that other folks will know what their options are, and I can tell my wife what a bargain our EW was.
Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.
And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.
Pat
Sedans Host
I contacted MB USA via email after reading the previous posts about seat memory loss and drift. I clipped out the technical service bulletin and they instructed me to make an appointment with my dealer and tell the dealer to contact the area service technician. Gregg at Brandywine Mercedes in West Chester Pennsylvania called yesterday and told Cheryl someting about ordering a "#1" replacement key. This is the fourth time we've had a service call on the seats or keys. I'll keep everyone posted.
Front Bushings:
Cheryl and I began to notice a low frequency rubbing noise from the front of the car when pulling into our driveway. She sat in the car while I pushed on either bumper and the sound was obvious. Gregg said that the "Bushings were defective". He told Cheryl "The parts will be in on Thursday."
Lastly, I live in South Jersey, one $3 brige toll and about an hour from my Brandywine Mercedes. Here's the list of loaners I've had: 2000 C230, 2001 C320 Sport, 2000 ML320, 2002 C320 Wagon, and a 2001 E320. The drop off/pickup drivers are always polite and on time. With the exception of the current drought conditions, our car is returned washed.
Regards, Michael
But after your message Michael about replacing the key, it occurs to me that I just replaced my batteries in my key (at the dealer, $9.95 + tx) because it was starting to operate intermittently. The greater frequency of memory drift may have been related to the failing batteries in the key. I'll have to see if the settings stick any better now with fresh batteries.
By the way, my C240 is just approaching its 1st year with us, so I thought that was pretty soon to be replacing batteries. My key is the one used 90%+ of the time, but I was kind of surprised to be changing batteries already.
Tim
If so, please send an e-mail containing your contact information and vehicle description to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, June 12.
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I have a C230K with power seats. Good luck.
I bought my C240 in June 2001, I was under impression that it is automatically covered for 4 years or 50 K miles.
Please let me know what I need to do; as I wanted a peace of mind. I have received a mail for my Tele Aid subscription renewal, please also let me know if its worth $240 price tag or we can shop similar service elsewhere too and what many of you are opted for
BTW new E class is sweet !
thanks a lot in advance