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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Comments
What bushings had to be replaced on your car? Did you notice some symptoms (squeaks, non-uniform tire wear, rattles) or did the dealer just see something our of sorts during a service inspection. Covered under warranty? What sorts of roads do you travel?
MB C320
MB CLK 320 (2003)
BMW 330
Infiniti G35
amongst others...
I'm heavily leaning toward one of the mercedes. But reading the boards on the C-class cars has mee getting a bit paranoid. How bad has the reliability been for these cars (at least as far as it can be extrapolated to the 2002/2003s)? Are the people with problems just more vocal about making posts?
My Lexus has been completely, totally flawless...but Lexus cars are SOOO dull...so I'm looking for something new.
Any thoughts?
I drive a beautiful Obsidian Black C320 2001, built in April 2001 and delivered June 01, 2001. It is now at 8700 miles. I originally was going for the CLK but it sat too deep for me, and the car had some blind spots with which I was not happy. I love my car and do not YET regret its purchase. The ride is smooth and luxurious; the acceleration fast and powerful. The trunk is larger than most of its class (ie BMW330). It is an "exciting" and fun car to drive. OTOH I have not yet heard a Mercedes owner use the word "flawless" in describing their MB, as do many Lexus owners. Nor have I heard a Lexus owner use the word "exciting". That said, not every C has major problems -- mine have so far been small. I have had two, so far:
#1--The first time I used the valet key for the trunk, I could not get the key to unlock it. With TeleAid service, a tech was at my location within 15 minutes of my 1:00 AM weekend call to get the trunk open. The remote will not open trunk when locked by key. I brought the car in for service thereafter and the lock was replaced.
#2--Gas level sensors needed replacement.
I do not know what the future brings -- only time will tell -- I have the original four-year warranty, along with the additional Premium four-year/100,000K warranty. Hopefully, that gives me seven years of peace of mind.
Miki
>>OTOH I have not yet heard a Mercedes owner use the word "flawless" in describing their MB, as do many Lexus owners. Nor have I heard a Lexus owner use the word "exciting".
>>
Rewrite: OTOH I have not heard Mercedes owners use the word "flawless" as often in describing their MB as do Lexus owners. Nor have I heard Lexus owners use the word "exciting" as often as Mercedes owners to describe their vehicle.
Miki
- Paul
dealer, Fletcher Jones Imports. I bought a used
2001 C320 from another car dealer, still have
36,000 and 37 months on original warranty. Now
I find out that loaner cars are only provided
to original owners who bought from Fletcher Jones.
My car came from Fletcher Jones though I am second
owner. My question is this the policy of other
MB dealers. If I bought it in another state and
moved to Las Vegas I would be out of luck. This
dealer's service dept is very busy as he is exclusive dealer for 200 mile radius. You have
to wait several days for an appointment.
If my car breaks down and I can't get them to look
at it for 5 days I'm suppose to pay for a rental
car. Why should a MB owner get penalized if MB
gives one dealer exclusive franchise rights and
their service department can't handle all the cars
that need service.
Are loaner cars a courtesy that is extended on a
dealer by dealer basis and not required by MBUSA.
Obviously if they keep your car overnight then a
loaner must be provided but the escape clause there is we are too busy to even allow you to
bring your car in for service. I sure would like
some answers on MBUSA policy.
After a while, we got tired of paying the inflated dealer prices for service and found us a reliable MB authorized independent who does not have a loaner fleet, but will drop us off and pick us up, and charges significantly less than what Hohen was charging us. I started off taking a few jobs to him, but still using the dealer too. Then one time his bid was literally 50% of Hohen's for struts and shocks on my old 300E. It was that time he became our primary mechanic.
Thanks,
Ron B.
In Sacto, there is a wide selection of current year MBs in the loaner fleet, which are then turned around and resold as Starmark cars at the end of the model year. How much MB subsidizes this, I have no idea, but my guess is that the dealer makes out like a bandit, as usual...
Thanks,
Ron B.
I purchased a 95 C280 new in late 1994 and drove it for approximately 45000 miles. I only recall two problems: the first was new front brake pads & rotors (replaced under warranty) at about 25000 miles. The other was a fuel pump that failed at about 40000 miles. I really loved driving the car. In late 1999 I traded it for a 2001 E320 and currently have about 22000 almost trouble free miles. A couple of weeks my dealer replaced the driver's seat frame (known E320 problem) as well as front brake pads. In late 2001 my wife purchased a 2002 C320 and currently has only about 3000 trouble free miles. Good luck with your search.
Any ideas on cost would be appreciated.
Thanks,
K
This makes it extremely difficult for thieves to steal your car by showing up at the dealership with the VIN (that was copied through the windshield) and picking up a "replacement" key.
Now the thief would have to conspire with the parts guy to get a key.
www.keylessride.com
Also, when do the 2003's arrive on the dealer lots?
Thanks,
K
7500---$63.95
15000-$223.95
30000-$399.95
60000-$415.95
Since these prices take the car well below nominal invoice, and even below cost [counting holdback] in some cases, I have to presume that at least one dealer in the Bay Area is spending dealer incentive money to move 'em out. Ironically, in a brief reversal of the usual deal, a SoCal zip code yields prices that are higher by $1000 or more, so it is one dealer somewhere in the SF area who is settling for just moving them, without making much profit.
The '03s are already starting to trickle in, and have been at the VPCs for weeks. Look for a good deal between now and the end of the month on an '02 - if you are seriously interested, and have a dealer nearby with a good inventory, then it's time to press him about trunk money on the Cs. Something is clearly happening, though MB is managing to keep it low profile enough that the exact amount remains a secret - I'm guessing an average of $1000, depending on model.
The editor's ratings are not well done. How, for instance, can they score power under a general classification, e.g., "C-Class," when there are so many engine options or is it some crazy interpolated average considering a C240 with a C320. If so ... not very helpful. MB's engines produce lots of torque at low rpms and the 320 has fantastic power and was among the Wards top 10 engine picks for years.
As for the consumers' ratings, they are uniformly very good, but I noticed one owner who was very enthusiastic and yet scored his car 1.4 because he thought the "1" bubbles were high scores. Even with that obvious boob, the real buyers of the world are rating 8s through 10s while Edmunds' reviewers are scoring 3s and 6s. Who's out of touch? Edmunds' reviewers or real buyers?
P.S., I give the C320 10s. How the editors could give C's a "6" for exterior styling is a mystery, unless they'd give a Taurus a 10.
Bubba
"...my friends all drive Porches, I must make AMENDS..." J. Joplin
Now here in Atlanta, summers are warmer and usually last until mid-October! :-)
- Paul
Nhtocc, you may want to check the settings of your AC. Mine seems to work perfectly in the "auto" setting. If the car is very hot, like when it's been sitting out in the sun, the AC at first will come on very powerfully until the car cools down and then the fan kicks down to a lower, quiet speed. Manually adjusting the fan speed down a tad has the same effect.
C230k - $1000
C240/320 Sedans - $1500
C320 Wagon - $3000
There are incentives on virtually every '02 model, but these are the C-Class numbers...
betanmalmon
Let me again shared my A/C solution for the fogging of center outside windshield. It can be easily solved by either shutting or closing the center top outlet or turn off AUTO mode and use the outlet in the panels (It explains in the manual). AS for the memory seat, I think it might make a different you need to turn the key on before making any memory settings. The car just has too many surprises to explore. It gives a lot of controls to drivers rather than being set by the manufacturer.
The new edition of USED CAR REVIEW gives the 2001 C-class a very good review and is better than the E ans S classes. It lost to BMW 3-series in the handling category but won the ride and quietness.
air conditioning units. It seems it is left over
moisture that turns into a mildew. I get it every
morning when turning on air. As far as unit not
cooling car enough. Would have to agree as it is
not as good some of my previous cars that were
cheaper and came from different manufactures. IE.
Honda Accord, Chevy Impala, New VW Beetle. I live
in Las Vegas and it has been 110 degrees several
days the last couple of weeks. I have it set at
max fan or one speed below depending if it is day
or night. Motor Trend, Car and Driver never seem
to test cars in desert conditions so they rarely
criticize cooling system. I sure in 90% of country
C320 more than adequate. I heard Lexus makes best
air units.
seat isn't leather. Remember the classic MB
leatherette. What is leatherette. All I know is
cars much less than 320 have true all leather
seats with soft leather. I'm no fan of my 320
seats.
Regarding the leather inserts; I can't tell difference between the leather insert and the leatherette and everyone that has been in my car assumes it's all leather. (I drive customers around, so have had many people in my car.) I too am not so impressed with the softness of the leather. Would have opted for cloth over these seats if I had had the choice.
tell if there is a humming noise because of the
loud fan in the highest 2 positions. As far as
engine noise when it is off. I think the MB is
pretty quiet. Not Lexus quiet but quiet enough
that you hear any kind of rattle from the inside
of the car like the seatbelt tensioners.