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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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We just bought a Mercedes, a 1999 c280 Sport with 60K on her. Seems to drive fine in the short time we have had her. I purchased an extended warranty with the car(Platinum type) which will cover basically most everthing for 24,000 miles. We didn't get the manual with the car, getting it Tuesday, so I educate myself to much until then.
I do see that upon starting the car a wrench symbol comes on with -1800 next to it. I guess that means we are 1800 over due for service. Naybody know what the 60,000 mile service is for one of theswe guys?
We are also having a problem with the car when locked. The cars headlights will flash on and off and this seems to be wearing the battery. MB said it could be a door handle problem or even the glove box... Any ideas?
Also a service advisor said he thought our motor mounts were bad when he sat in the car. We are planning on taking the car in for that and to be checked out. I beleive the mounts will be taken care of with the extended warranty. What elso should I be concerned with or about at this stage of life. Car runs strong and straight.
I look forward to learning more about these great cars and thank all in advance for any help.
Jm99c280
Anyone else dealing with this problem?
Thus...it seems to me your car has a problem. Time to have a dealer check it out. The symptoms you describe could be either a system that is low on refrigerant, or an evaporator problem, or both...or electronics [the big MB bugaboo].
As you know I am loathe to disagree with you but I've found that the AC performance of the new C-Class cars (especially in black) barely hacks it here in Cincinnati. The higher humidity back here is probably the cause in the difference in experiences. BTW I lived in the Central Valley (Madera) for three years so I know the difference of the humidity effects.
Try this: go to CarsDirect.com, and enter your zip code. Configure the car the way you intend to buy it, and check the price accordingly. That will generally put you within $500 of the lowest price to be found in your area [CD imposes a fee for its services, so their price will tend to be higher than the real floor. Achieving the real floor, though, may require some shopping around amongst dealers.] Edmunds has their TMV calculation, as well.
As a general rule of thumb, in a very competitive market [like Southern Calif], 04s can be had for $4000 or more under MSRP [check Edmunds for the current dealer incentives - it should be at least $3k on '04 C sedans]. In less competitive areas, it might be harder to get that kind of deal, but you get the idea...
Traced Edmunds.com and other sources for couple months, utilized Cardirect.com too, and test drove couple times at dealers. Finally figured out what I really wanted. I live at North California (Bay Area). The deal was made on the last day of June:
2004 C230K Sports Sedan(4Dr), Stick Shift (6sp), Black ext (not metallic, saved $600) and Ash Int. 6CD Changer, Sunroof Package.
Cost:
Price of the car: $26,700
Doc Fee: $45
Some Tire Fee: $5
Tax: $2,000 more (don't remember the exact number)
License Fee: $225 (dealer estimated, will return extra if there is any)
Total out door: $29,185 for the car
Bought 4yr/50,000mi Luxury tire/wheel road disaster insurance $299
Then the total is $29,484.
Also was offered 7yr/100,000mi ext warranty at $2,380. I'll buy it soon.
I bought a 2000 BMW 328i before. Two things we don't like:
1. Automatic Transmission (even w/Steptronic)
2. Black int. leather.
Now we got all we want. Ash leather is a beauty! It matches so well with the Aluminum trim. Black ext with the 3-pointed chrome star, man! It’s a dream coming true. Me and my wife are just politely fighting for drive. The car was originally for me, but she has already moved our two carseats from our MDX to the 230K. Well, at least she happy, me happy.
Here, I want to thank all of you with your posts. I also want to give my special appreciation to Edmunds.com. I am your loyal reader since 1999.
Thank you all again with our love. You all have a happy I-Day!
I would like to get a little impartial advice from the people on this forum. I have a 2002 c320 that has had the following problems:
-SAS and brake assist repaired twice
-cupholder repaired three times
-overhead lighting module replaced
-teleaid reprogrammed
-faulty console display replaced-and here's the funny part-the whole unit came out of the dashboard while I was driving after it had been "fixed"
-various taillight and front light replacement
I know that it is not a long list of things, but I am concerned that I am basically dealing with a shoddy piece of work and I would like to replace the car. I have 35000 miles on the car. I paid for the extended warranty, but an extended warranty means nothing if I can't trust my car to behave on long trips.
What are my options? Can I trade in this car and get a refund on the extended warranty? Is it more effective to go to the dealer or deal with a regional rep? I have bought both a ML and this car from the same dealer in Southern Cal (Laguna Niguel)-does that give me any leverage?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
-The list of problems, while long, does not rise to the level of the CA lemon law's definition of a car that is legally eligible for a buyback. You have to be able to demonstrate that the car's problems are safety-related, and/or were left unrepaired after at least 3 attempts within a 12 month period [you should verify this definition - I'm doing this from memory]. Are there any UNREPAIRED problems right now?
-The extended warranty can be transferred to a new private owner, and thus can make the car worth more in a private sale. However, no dealer is likely to give you more on a trade for the car with the warranty. This is because they most likely will run it through their Certified Used program, which restarts the warranty clock and in effect makes the extended warranty redundant. And getting a refund in the unused portion of the extended warranty is theoretically possible, but very highly unlikely.
-Having said that, you indeed should have some moral leverage with your dealer. You would have to start with the General Manager of the LN dealership, and carefully explain what you are looking for. Stranger things have been known to happen than an offer of an inflated trade-in and a hefty discount on a new car in circumstances like yours. However, my expectations here would be that resistance is the most likely reaction. Then, you have a multitude of legal and practical choices. Still, the car with 2+ years and 35k miles on the clock is only going to be worth so much, no matter what - you need to be prepared by knowing just how much you are personally willing to spend to make this car go away and be replaced by something else. Start by using the usual sources [KBB, Edmunds, etc.] to understand what the current WHOLESALE value of the car is, so you can realistically assess any offer they might make.
Finally, a word on extended warranties in general [and this is aimed at the author of post number 6926, above, as well]:
-The price of the extended warranty, like every other aspect of pricing in the car business, IS SET BY THE INDIVIDUAL DEALER. Yes, there is an MSRP, but any profit above their cost is still pure profit. Shop around for the extended warranty. Our dealer in Sacramento agreed to match the lowest price I could find - start by checking with the dealer in Chico [Courtesy Motors?] - they have historically offered the warranty with deep discounting. Our '02 C240's 7/100 extended warranty cost less than $1800 - I'd have to dig into the credit card records to remember how much less. Don't take the first offer your dealer makes on warranty prices.
The C240 AWD should do just fine. It will do much, much better if you'll spend a bit more and get a set of dedicated wheels and real snow tires. Most tire shops will store your winter/summer wheels and change them over for you for a modest fee if you choose not to do it yourself.
The AWD system will definitely reduce performance and the C240 is not exactly a speed demon without that weight.
Thanks.
The total cost of the car is $34,050.00. We will sell it to you for $30,760.00. That is under invoice. With taxes the total price comes to $33,091.94.
As a quality check, go to CarsDirect.com, configure the car using your zip code, and compare. CD has their own fee of $300-$500, so the price you see has that adjustment.
In a competitive market, which Memphis may not be, current prices on '04s average $4500 or more off MSRP [there is a $3000 dealer incentive on most '04 Cs]; for an '05, that would be a very good price anywhere.
Thanks for good info.
I just purchased a 2005 C240 6cyl for 31,000 out the door, tags, tax, etc. Did I do ok?
Huffy
2005 C230 Kompressor Sedan
Automatic
Sunroof package
Entertainment Package
Power driver seat package (10way with memory)
Might have the heated front seats too
MSRP $35,400
I am in California
Offering $400 a month for 45 months with $2500 down.
I totally agree with you. You can see from my previous post that I have been having a lot of problems with my car. (Thank you jrct9454 for the excellent advice). I decided to keep it since I had an extended warranty on it anyway and I don't want to spend any more money on a car.
I have the following comments:
-The c-class is a nice car, but it is the most basic of the Mercedes line. They should be able to get it right on this car. Does this mean that the more expensive cars with their bells and whistles have even more problems?
-I am estimating that my car has had about 4-5 thousand dollars of work done on it (parts, labor and loaner). A lot of Mercedes owners are having problems and I am sure that DaimlerChrysler is spending lots of money fixing these cars. Having said that, I assume that the price for fixing shoddy workmanship goes right into the price of the cars. How much savings could Mercedes pass onto its customers if they built the cars right and we didn't have to keep coming back?
Next car-Toyota, Honda, Lexus or Acura
Thx!
I am interested in leasing either C55 AMG or SLK35 AMG, however, I have heard a lot of quality problems with MB.
So, my plan is to lease the car until the warranty expires. Has anyone had any experience with leasing from MB dealer?
BTW I live at San Diego, CA.
Thank you
I’m new to the forum and Mercedes. I just purchased an ’04 C230 with the 6 Speed. I can’t seem to find any info in the manual (or a search on this forum) on the recommended min and max speed ranges for each gear. I am hoping someone here can provide some assistance. Thanks in advance.
I am now upside down in my car & need to get out b/c the bills are KILLING me!
I was thinking of the LEXUS 300 ES, but I have read that they are having transmission issues. Where can I find a dependable car worth the money?
1. The car has 27,000 miles on it, so it still has a ways to go on the warranty. Anyone have any experience with MB dealerships on how willing they are are to honor warranty issues from second or third owners of the vehicle?
2. There seem to be lots of questions about quality on this board. I know it's annoying when a quality vehicle gives you grief but it also sounds like the vehicles under warranty are getting problems fixed without too much trouble. Am I right or am I missing something?
3. I gotta know more about the cell phone thing. My guess is that it will only work with a specific MB approved, cell phone provider, right? There's no way to get my US Cellular number to work with this thing is there?
4. Any other advice from those of you who have bought a used MB C-Class vehicle?
Thanks for your help!
Peter
1. No problem at any MB dealer. If you plan on high mileage use get an extended warranty.
2. Correct, they eventually get fixed. Now that the model has been out for a few years most fixes are known and quick.
3. Do a search on all the forums, there's lots of grumbling about it, but I believe you can only use the MB phone package.
4. You can ask MB to bring up the service record so you can check for any recurring problems that don't seem to be fixed. Has it ever been in an accident?...is a good question to get answered. Look for obvious signs (mismatched paint, poorly aligned panels and trim, bent, replaced, or missing pieces under the hood, under the car, or in the trunk).
Seems like a good price for a low mileage car. Good luck. I am very satisfied with my '01 C320
This car is not with an MB dealer. It's actually a Hertz used car lot. Asking MB to check the service record is a good idea, as well as asking about accidents. I thought of that one after I left the lot yesterday afternoon. The vehicle looks good anyway - no obvious evidence of an accident . . .
Peter
The Hertz place would have a copy of the service records there.
You could look at the copy right there in the office if it is the same as other cars they sell.
Hertz also has a 7 day money back guarantee so you could take the car somewhere for an inspection immediately and then return the car for a refund if there is some major problem you don't want to just get fixed under the warranty or if the problem isn't covered under warranty for some reason.
Those are all good cars with favorable service records and reasonable prices. Only disadvantage is that some like the Accord and Camry are too common. But the reason they're common is that they're so good and really worth what you pay for them.....Richard
Try a Chevy Malibu LT. That's right. GM. American ingenuity and know-how. A very high value choice and fun to drive.
Alternatively, the Kia Amanti is worthy or consideration. The quality and value are incredible. The Mercedes feel without the Mercedes price or unreliability.
Our comparison discussions are on our Comparisons board - check them out. If there isn't one where your thoughts fit, feel free to create a new one.
If you need help finding any of our resources, feel free to give me a holler via email.
Thanks!
Peter
I know there is a C32 board, but it is read only and not much activity going on.
I want to know the quality reputation of Mercedes-Benz C class.
Is quality of the Mercedes-Benz much worse than, say, Honda? If it is, how much worse in terms of the typical problems and repair costs on C class? Also, does anyone have any experience with C32 AMG?
Thank you very much
My first choice (or the choice of my heart) would be the 240, but I am concerned about the recent Consumer Reports ratings of the car. I know that the 01 and 02 years are of greater concern on this. How has the reliability been for those who bought '03 and '04 model years?
I guess my close 2nd choice (or the choice of my head) would be the BMW... its a little more sports sedan (I'm more of a touring sedan type myself)and it has very high ratings from most automotive sources... at any rate I would appreciate your thoughts, thank you...
B