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
Practical advice: ask your dealer's general manager this question - "what do you want to do to salvage this customer relationship?"
Sometimes the check engine light comes on if the gas cap has not been tightened all the way. It usually goes off after a while (say a week). An unscrupulous service advisor may not tell you to check this basic fix, preferring to have you come in and have an O2 sensor replaced(personal experience).
after starting the car and pressing the thruttle, the car would not move past 40 for appr. 2 min. then forcefully moved to 60 and would'nt go any faster.
What was the weather like? In cold weather, it is recommended that one stays under 3000 rpms until the engine heats up, which may take a minute or so. It also doesn't speed up the way it normally does when it's heated up.
It sounds to me like you were trying to speed up before the engine was warmed up (my car does this too, and it won't go very fast until the engine temperature indicator has moved out of the "blue" section). If this is the case, it's normal.
Of course, if you have this problem all the time, even after driving the car for a while, then it's not normal.
I would love for MB to buy the car back but not exactly sure of what to do. I have done some research and will be contacting the Lemon Law office tomorrow.
I adore my car but too many problems for it to be only YR.1. At the time I have 18k+ on the car and the Lemon Law stated 1yr./12,000m and also 24 mths./24k miles.I would love to stay with MB but this first exp. has not impressed me.
This board is awesome. The advice is priceless!!
By the way; I tried the gas cap and it was tight, the weather that day was warm 68-70 degrees, and we are currently working w/ the GM to see what and how long it will take before having this problem solved. Now when I am about to drive the car, I am always wondering, "What light will it be today?" In my opinion, it was a safety hazard on the highway w/ a dying engine and I almost panicked.
Clearly there is something wrong with the car.
Guess so from diamondl's followup post. I just tend to try ruling out the most obvious/cost-effective possibilites...hence my suggestions.
I'm willing to bet that you could drive at highly illegal speeds at their lowest (coldest) redline setting.
Yeah, but why would I want to?
diamondl:
Good Luck with your car. Keep us posted on further developments.
I bought a new Lexus LS430 as a replacement, as I couldn't afford the enormous amount of time owning an MB requires. Money I have, time I do not. The C240 has been without doubt, the worst vehicle I have ever owned, and the MB organization is on par with the vehicle. The Strategic Vision 2001 Vehicle Quality Study ranks MB 31st out of 35 manufacturers (just above Hyundai). It's exactly where MB belongs.
Thanks!
The head of Toyota said about 15 years ago that 2% of their cars coming off the assembly line are lemons.
The difference between a good carmaker like Toyota and a poor one is that the latter makes perhaps 10% lemons, or even more...
Mercedes-Benz is not as good as the Japanese at quality control, so they may make 4% lemons (just a guess). Audi, BMW and VW would probably be in the same range too.
NEVER allow information posted on the internet to affect your opinion of ANY car. There are lots of mischievous bits of (mis)information out there. I am not accusing anyone here of doing this, just highlighting the fact that anonymous, unverifiable testimonials are not useful.
Look instead to statistically significant sources such as ADAC Pannenstatistik (breakdown statistics), Consumer Reports (the C is still recommended) and JD Power reliability and initial quality stats.
If you like the car, buy one.
Keep in mind that the C240 has been in service for nearly two years and the A4 is completely brand new including the drive train. Audi doesn't have a pristine record of introducing new technology. While it generally works well when it functions as intended Audi's often require some field experience before the reliability bugs are rung out. Having said that my guess is that the new A4 will likely be fine. To me the bottom line is there isn't a strong enough case for reliability one way or another to drive the decision. If it were me I would pick the one I liked better. They are both very nice excellent cars. I haven't driven the 3.0 CVT. How does the 3.0 CVT compare to the C240 driving wise.
>#5314 of 5315 Lemons by 404c
For your positive approaches, good attitudes and solid information contained in your posts. Refreshing to read and much needed to balance out the posts filled with problems and anger. It is downright depressing and discouraging to read so many negative posts and they diminish the joy of ownership. My 2001 Obsidian C320 has been relatively free of problems also and a joy to drive. As far as service, the Obsidian was built for me as a replacement for a Black C320 that had some cosmetic problems with the paint -- however, it was not a lemon.
Miki
404c, would you happen to have a website address for ADAC Pannenstatistik that is in English?
I have found the ADAC Pannenstatistik quoted by secondary German sources (use a Google search), but the most recent year I've been able to get the stats for is 2000 (which in Europe was the first year for the W203). I expect to be able to see the 2001 numbers in this way shortly. Maybe I'll even try tonight!
Even if you don't read German, the stats are easy to understand - it just gives the number of vehicles per 1000 that broke down, for a certain cohort of model years (e.g. 1996 to 1999 models). For example, the best car in the 2000 stats was the Toyota Starlet, about 7 breakdowns per 1000 vehicles, if I remember rightly. It was amazing to see that the simple, small cars were far less likely to break down than the more complex, larger ones.
http://www.weltzeituhr.com/reise/avd-pannenstatisti.shtml
You want a good buying and owning experience, you go to Lexus or Infinti. MB's rhetoric on this topic far exceeds their ability to deliver, and that applies to VW/Audi even more so. BMW is a little better, but not much.
I've been a new 2001 C240 owner since last Easter. Yes, I've had a few minor issues that required a couple trips to the dealer. However, what new car doesn't when it rolls off the assembly line. I can't believe Lexus, which has recently been hailed the "prefect" car, doesn't have new car issues. When I drive by my local Lexus dealer on the way to and from work I don't see any of their service techs sunning themselves on lawn chairs while waiting to service new or used Lexus cars.
Let me say this, I love my car. The bonus, it's a Mercedes. Can you say that about a Lexus? No! It's not that I feel above anyone who drives anything else, it's just Mercedes is a company that has heritage. I feel honored to drive a Mercedes. Matter of fact, I don't normally tell people I drive a Mercedes. Why? Because I get comments like, "Oooooohhhhhh, you drive a Mercedes?" Yeah, so what. It's transportation to and from point a and b. I don't make a 7 figure income, but I found additional value and quality in the new C which to me is above the competition. Anyone who has taken a ride in my car always comments on how smooth, quite and solid the car feels. They like the exterior and interior styling. Inside the look is sophisticated and well refined. From the seats to the knobs and finishes. Personally, the interiors of Japanese luxury cars look sterile, plastic and big round knobs everywhere you look.
I could go on and on....but, I won't. If you have a question regarding your car or would like to chat about your new or used Mercedes, please post within this community. If your coming here to bash Mercedes, or the C class....GO AWAY!
I've searched above for anything that resembles "MB bashing", and am hard-pressed to see what seems to have upset you so. The fact is that these guys [Daimler-Benz AG] have not been at the top of their game recently - I know, because I have been part of the game for 35 years. I have recommended and will continue to recommend their products to people who ask, but they have not been paying enough attention to launch quality issues in the past few years.
I hope you have become a member of MBCA - they could use enthusiasts like yourself. If you were a member of the Club, you would note other members, MB enthusiasts all, who are very objective about where this company stands right now vs some of the competition. There is work to be done, and even Herr Schrempp agrees.
Since the question came up originally in connection with a comparison with Audi, I will repeat: none of the Germans sets the standards these days for either quality control or total customer support - BMW comes closest. None of this changes my appreciation for what DB does or will do in the future...it just means they need to improve to justify the lofty prices the car demands in the marketplace. [Ironically, the least expensive car, the C-Coupe, is probably the best value precisely because it delivers at a price-point that the competition simply cannot match. But once you spend $40k on a C320, you are in a different ball game.]
Thanks for the link. Interesting to see actual breakdown stats online, even if only for autos delivered in Europe.
I guess this gives me one more reason for learning German! :-)
- Paul
Although time is at a premium, and I'd really rather not make trips to the dealership on a biweekly basis, it would not have been so bad if the service folks were not so unresponsive and arrogant. They don't care, and they make no bones about letting you know that they don't care. Given that these folks have no idea what customer satisfaction means, and I am more than happy to take my business elsewhere. I must say that this is by far the worst car experience I've had so far, although all my previous cars have been lower end models.
Overall I was fotunate enough that the car was relatively trouble-free to 40k - but things like having to repaint the hood and trunk deck lid under warranty actually lowered the value of the car at trade-in time. Given the alternatives though, I decided on trading for a Y2K C-Class because I enjoyed the solidness of the car and of its operation. I hope your next auto does not provide you so many problems!
If you don't mind my suggesting so, you may want to check out Toyotas. My second vehicle, a '95 basic pickup, is approaching 150k with no mechanical problems - other than a leaking water pump at 121k. This I replaced myself in about 3 hours for $25 or so dollars. The truck has no gadgets except for basic A/C and power steering/brakes, so perhaps this contributes to its reliability record.
Thanks!
Thanks!
If you are looking at it on the MB dealer lot, is it certified? If so, your risk is less. If it is not a certified car, do you have a mechanic that is competent to check out an MB and render an opinion about the car? Can you get a warranty? Having owned 3 MBs over the years and experiencing the higher cost of repairs, an extended warranty is not a bad idea.
Thanks Neil.
For the 6 cyl C sedans, probably the one thing that will reasonate most with North American buyers is that a single disc CD player will replace the cassette as standard equipment [the changer will continue to be an option, but less expensive].
It's important to be very persistent, but also to remain rational, calm, and reasonable. You sound like you have a reasonable request [a recovered seat]...some people start by demanding a new car, and the transaction goes downhill from there...and I would be surprised if this can't be resolved to everyone's satisfaction once the right people are involved.
>
I had problems with my C320 2001. After running around in frustrating and aggravating circles and getting nowhere with the dealership's customer service manager, I did not want to bother with the owner. I went directly to the MB regional Parts and Operation Manager in my area. He worked with the dealership's owner and together they came up with a very satisfactory solution.
I E-mailed and sent a FAX to MB customer service in New Jersey, using the name and address that was on the Customer Satisfaction Survey sent to new car owners and which is also on the MB website. I recd a quick response as to when I could meet with their regional rep. You can also request to meet with an MB rep by asking your service department manager. They can tell you when he will next be at their dealership. I preferred putting things in writing for the record, and going through the main office, however, and taking some control, rather than to leave it to my local service to set it up.
Miki
I am debating whether to get a MB C320 or a Lexus ES300. I like the safety feature of the C320, but don't like the price tag (dealer told me $41,700 with the CD installed). I like the luxury of Lexus ES300 and its price tag (around $35,500), but is a little concerned about its safety feature (although it is great compare to most others).
Does anyone have an experience of shopping and comparing C320 and Lexus ES300? What is the reasonable price to pay for a C320 in upstate NY?
Your information will make my decision much easier. Thanks in advance.
Hope this helps.
If you do have acid solution in the car be very very careful to get it washed out. If it has soaked into any fabric/ material it may look ok right now but in a day or so it will shows signs of being eaten away. Flush the area with water as much as is feasible.
Older batteries had caps on each cell and these should be taken off for recharging but make sure they are replaced prior to installation.
If there are no caps (or other means of venting gas) during charge I am not sure what you can do and I would advise consulting with someone who knows the proper technique. Be careful as there is the potential for a battery to explode while charging if it is not vented properly.
Samueal70- I decided on the mercedes over the Audi simply because I liked it better. As many have pointed out reliability is about equal when comparing the two. After doing tons of research, I had to really think about what I preferred. I liked the mercedes, so that is what I bought. However, I have a good friend who just bought the Audi 3.0 quattro, we just have different preferences.