Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I received the same SOS VISIT WORKSHOP message on 12/30. I called TeleAid while on the road and they explained to me that it was a software update. I called the dealer, and yes, they told me it would be about two hours. It's funny, but the day after this incident, my display went back to reading "NO MALFUNCTION". I haven't received the VISIT WORKSHOP message since.
This brings up an interesting question: How often does MB update the TeleAid software? It could get annoying bringing my car in for a two hour stint every few months to upload a software patch.
Did anyone purchase the touch of class/permaplate extra for their MB. I am speaking of the plastic coating etc that is guaranteed for 5 years. Is it worth the $700 or not? I just wanted some extra opinions before I decide to get it.
Thanks,
Greg
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
no pull either way on my 240
We should be taking delivery of our new C320 in the next week or two. Have gone back through the forum for quite a ways (GREAT source of info) and have come up with the following "look for" list:
Break Squeal
Radio problems
rear doors not opening
trunk not opening
trunk opening by itself
are there any other things we should look for we we pick the car up/shortly thereafter?
also, to offset any possible buyer's remorse , how do folks who have received their 240/320's still like them? No regrets I hope
Thanks to all!
Me? not one regret.
Car care products- what do you people think of the maguires products? Is there something inferior about it compared to the more expensive stuff? As I said in an earlier post, I figured it was great since it's what MB sells with their name on it. I could be wrong, it's been known to happen LOL!!!
Meguiar's is good stuff. Blitz and S100 are supposed to be the best carnauba wax. Meguiar's vinyl protectant #40 is also good. S100 doesn't leave the white residue.
Zaino polish is a polymer wax. If you do a search on the net, you'll find that a lot of people swear by it for making dark colors look "wet". It doesn't seem to make that much difference on silver.
Not sure if that helps ;-)
Is it possible to get in dash cd-player without the comand system?
seocnd question is... is comand system available? If not, then when will it will be available?
You help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
sonu
When I go back to the dealer for my tags, I'll address the brake squeal problems. Haven't had Radio problems, only questions, mostly about the speakers. My sticker says 10 speakers, can't find all 10. Not sure what type of speaker, by the back window is. The manual talks about how to change the sound settings, but doesn't explain what the difference is and what happens if you use this setting vs the other one.
Back speaker sounds like it only gives out the bass, maybe that's what it's supposed to do.
Just a suggestion, when you take delivery, have the salesperson explain the radio/speaker settings and point out where the 10 speakers are.
Haven't had the opportunity to really test the car's handling,(snow and ice in NJ), but so far I'm pretty impressed. In situations where I was able to push it around curves, it's great, very tight, for a small car the ride is also very good. Just turned in my leased 98 BMW 528i and compare the C320 to it when it comes to ride, handling, etc.. Even thought they are different cars, the "C" stands right up there. Lot's of luck with your new C.
This illustrates a continuing problem that plagues the tire business: marrying the disparate materials [plastic, rubber, steel, aramid, etc.] that make up a radial tire, keeping it round and straight, and having it hold together at speeds up to 150 mph continues to be a process that creates a certain number of tires that pass all of the "external" tests of the industry...but are not perfect internally. Thus the pulling, or in the worst cases, the kind of belt separation that has made the headlines in the past few months. Even the best tires from the best makers have a surprising number of "bad guys" that get on to production cars. There's still too much handwork in the making of radial tires, and not enough science attached to detecting internal defects. So pulling and similar symptoms are not uncommon; fortunately, the kind of catastrophic failures that kill people are still very rare.
Thanks
My front seat is literally rocking back and forth like the power tilt adjuster is not quite secure.
Ironically I saw a TV road test on the European 240/270 d that was doing exactly the same thing.
I;m not that heavy at 180 lbs but you can definately feel the seat bottom shifting. Any one else notice this weird dampened tilt/rock motion? The steering wheel is not centered nad I am also getting the SOS malfunction message. This is disqusting when you think that my Avalon never went ot the dealer except for oil changes.
only problem i ever really had was a bad radio.. and that was replaced promptly.. other than that..car is performing "to specs"
David, glad that your problem is solved, and I'm impressed with your dealerships keeness on being one step ahead of the "game". No doubt that will help to keep them aprised of any potential problems and solutions.
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I have been to Europe six times. Three times on bus tours and three times driving myself. I have researched this carefully the last two trips and have some information that may help.
First of all, the auto rental companies do have the coverage, including the CDW portion and of course they are most happy to provide you with the policy. The cost for just the car, in my experience, is close to equaling the cost of the rental for just the car itself - it's expensive. You can check insurance costs out by going into www.autoeurope.com, on both the rental and the insurance.
Last September, we (wife and I) rented a car for 9 days from Europecar in Caen, France and returned it in Tours, France. We did not buy Europecar's insurance policy because of the expense.
Instead, we went online at www.utravelpro.com and ended up buying their insurance at a great savings. What we got for $53 apiece was $400k life insurance, trip cancellation, travel delay up to $1 k, baggage delay $200, medical/hospital & emergency dental, accidental deathe $25 k, and rental car protection up to $30 k. The cost of the policy depends on the cost of the trip and the number of days in travel status. we were on trip for 24 days. The underwriter for the policy was Continental Casualt Co. (this will appear in the utrevelpro web site information. This company is huge.
I also had the use of my VISA credit card as part of the backup. I got a letter from my bank ok'ying it - at no extra cost.
This will provide you with a way to research online. Good luck.
My '97 C230 had the same problem after it came back from its 21K service (which included a tire rotation). The dealer rotated the tires back to their original position, and no problems since. I've heard that MB alignment can be touchy in general and are particularly sensitive to the issues mentioned about tires.
Buying the CDW or LDW [it can be referenced by either moniker] is indeed expensive; the advantage over other coverages is that in the event of a claim, there is no third party between you and the rental company.
We've rented at least a dozen times in the last 20 years, mostly out of Germany and France, and I've flopped back and forth between depending on the credit card coverage, and buying the CDW. Depends on costs and other variables.
The idea of buying the coverage as part of a generalized travel insurance package [as suggested above] is an intriguing idea, and one I think is worth pursuing if you are at all nervous about using the CC coverage. But again, the car rental company will go after YOU first in the event of a claim - it will be up to you to get your money back from the insurer. The only way to avoid that situation is to buy the overpriced CDW at the rental counter - sometimes I wrinkle my nose and do it, sometimes not...depends on cost.
I love this car in spite of the problems though I too wish I could get the contour seat for the back support. I wonder if it could be retro fitted. First though I have to get the rocking movement fixed. (As you sit in the front drivers seat push up and down and if it moves you'll feel the gradual dampened motion. thanks for all of the comments
Thanks,
Bill (w2p2)
re:cd installation.... the car is pre wired... your local dealer will do install.. mine charged $80
As John and Clifford pointed out, Gold and Platinum cards usually cover car rental loss and damage abroad. I have been obtaining coverage this way for years, but never had an event to find out if it works (knock on my own head...).
The pricing of CDWs is pathetic, most often they range in the 75-90% neighborhood of the regular car rental.
Http://www.autoeurope.com is a very good source for a quote. I got my last rental car (a brand new C240A) through them from AVIS, a perfect transaction. At the time, they offered a discount of up to 30% on MB rentals, which made it about $4/day more expensive than an intermediate Opel or Ford. Earlier this year, they gave me a guaranteed upgrade of one vehicle class (available at http://www.autoeurope.com/specials.cfm?CFID=5220&CFTOKEN=13033376), I had to pay for an intermediate to get a full size! Those specials change frequently, so stay on top and check them out.
You don't by any chance fly DL from ATL to MUC on 3/6? If so, my wife will be happy to lend you a hand, since she is going, too.
Tarik
Car Trivia Chat
Date: Every Friday
Time: 5-6pmPT/8-9pmET
About This Chat
This chat is a place to meet others with similar interests, play Car Trivia, and talk cars.
We look forward to you joining us!
Ask about our Upcoming Winner's Circle!
Click here!
http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/chat/freewaychat110300.html
Thanks again,
Bill
http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/clarkhoward/
Now for my question...I understand there is also a problem with the radio. What, specifically is the issue?
And for those who have had the aforementioned issues, is there any buyers remorse?
Thank you, in advance.
regards,
Leon
The Bose Music System in the Mercedes C320 has the following system
content:
2" dash mounted center fill speaker
1.5" tweeter in each front door
6.5" wide range speaker in each front door
6.5" wide range speaker in coaxial configuration with 2" tweeter in
each rear door
9" low profile Nd MT Woofer in rear package shelf (this speaker delivers high fidelity sound quality from a remarkably small space)
Digital amplifier with 6 channels of customized equalization and
Audiopoilot TM noise compensation technology
Re the radio problem: My problem is static on the AM radio which seems sensitive to the motion of the car, e.g., going over a bump. Sounds very much like a loose antenna connection to me. I've had the car in once and they did not find the problem. It goes back in next week, and they have promised that they will get it handled. In answer to your other question -- No, I have no buyer's remorse. It IS the first year of a new model and some minor stuff like this is to be expected. We all knew that going in. It's a great car in my opinion.
Sherrill
With reference to our '00 C230...
At 2700 miles, I switched the oil to Mobil 1 15W-50.
I can't remember the other weights that Mobil 1 is available in, 10W-30 I think.
MB recommends 10W-30 for this car regardless of the extreme heat we see here in the Texas/Oklahoma area. Salesman and service people all say 10W-30 stating that this is what MB tells them.
This car is my wife's driver, she does not work so there is no regular commuting with this car. It is always garaged and warmed up prior to driving off. It is rarely left outside parked for more than a couple of hours.
Is there a reason why I shouldn't use Mobil 1 15W-50 in this car? The only extreme temperature conditions this car runs in is the extreme heat during the summer. On the way to Dallas last year, I saw the temperature gauge in the cluster panel read 114F. I regularly see around 110F, this is moving at highway speeds.
My thoughts were that heat is more of an issue than cold for our car, thus the 50 weight oil. I don't know if a supercharger adds more heat that non-supercharged engines, but I am guessing it does.
I know some of you other owners are driving or getting ready to drive your cars in similar conditions. Why wouldn't you go to 10W-50?
Greg
Nonetheless, This is a great handling car!
Observations so far:
The outside rear view mirrors are too small!
The back seat is not for more than two average size people.
This gas tank needs to be 2 gallons larger.
The speedo/tach cluster is poorly designed They should have used the E series for the template.
To the other contributors; I am less than excited to visit my dealer twice in the same month for problems discussed earlier. This is a Mercedes and I do expect better because we paid for better. We as customers should not be the last step in the proving process.
Buyers remorse?
I'm not sure. I guess things started out poorly but the dealer and my sales rep are top notch so in the end, I might have went on to the
E320 for more room if I could do things over.
Now for my question...I understand there is also a problem with the radio. What, specifically is the issue?
And for those who have had the aforementioned issues, is there any buyers remorse?
Thank you, in advance.
regards,
Leon