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Mercedes-Benz CLK (2005 and earlier)
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Well, that certainly explains that "Agree not to export" document I was asked to sign at delivery! Anyone else run into this one?
-hh
huntzinger: You drove a car with no Radio? Didn't you get bored? LOL!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Agreed, 110%. I almost bought a TI a few years ago and the reason why was a combination of extreme salesman indifference, combined with it being a gutless wonder; my old 8V Scirocco had significantly more "zip", which was probably due to VW having stroker motors and BMW's preference to run square (or even slightly under square), which hurts torque output. As we all (should) know, people buy HP, but drive torque.
-hh
PS: No Radio. Yes, the '79 Civic's standard equipment did not include a radio. No, that doesn't mean that it stayed that way.
I thought the car didn't need one? Right, that is why it is an option :-))
Sounds like Benz has listened to some owners and is making some adjustments. Should make a good car even better.
Hmmm... anyone potentially interested in buying a used 2002 next year? Just rolled 1000 miles this AM.
-hh
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
In other words, if you're basically happy with the '02 version, get it; '03 may be worse.
New Engines previewed at http://mbspy.bacosys.be/M271.htm
Well, they might offer other engines aside from the 2.3L, but I doubt that MB would just change the engine to a lower displacement with less power. That would be a severe regression. But, I could be wrong and you could be right.
I too am torn between the attraction of the new technology, and the concern that introducing new technology brings greater reliability risk. Even as I am writing this, I'm trying to decide whether or not to make an offer on a C230 Coupe or wait until next year, or pick something entirely different.
Drove the car yesterday [automatic required for us] and I was even more impressed than on our first drive 5 months ago. It isn't absolutely quicker than our '01 Accord V6, but the ready torque makes it feel more effortless when you want extra speed. Ride quality is merely comparable to the Accord - no better nor worse. But it is noticeably quieter than the Accord, by a whole bunch, and of course the handling, brakes, and safety features all favor the MB. However, the cargo capacity with the cover in place and the seats up is just over 10 cubic feet, and I am debating about whether I can get by with that given the normal "stuff" this enthusiast has on hand at all times [torque wrench, some tools, cleaning stuff, car cover, etc.]. Still thinking...
As for brake dust: I get a lot of it, of course the majority is on the front. To me, this is typical Mercedes. You use the brakes hard because they work great. I notice relatively clean (body washed weekly) E-class sedans all the time with absolutely filthy wheels. The dentist's wives are too lazy to wash the cars themselves and the dopes at the drive through car wash don't do the job any better than they do on the preceeding Grand Marquis or the trailing Explorer.
jjpeter - you gotta stay on it. What's wrong with cleaning your wonderful car's wheels at your apartment? Some enviro geeks will complain about greasy brake dust in the storm sewers? Do it; it is a special car and deserves to have those wheels maintained well. Get used to dirty Mercedes wheels; this isn't a Civic with wheel covers. It is a performance car with brakes that perform and leave evidence of doing so. The pads are soft; replace them only with MB parts. Note that the cost of new brake pads is on you, not part of your MB maintenance free deal.
The dealer didn't even mention the no export issue at all. I didn't have to sign anything related to this. Interest though.
Ranchero, I appreciate your comments and also agree that a C-Class is a special car, and deserves to have the wheels (and everything else) maintained well!
-hh
I will try to review it more in depth later. Right now I am going for another spin.
CP
The more I drive this car, the more I enjoy it. The hatchback gives me far more cargo flexibility than my 1998 Audi A4 did, and it is a much more nimble car than my previous car, a 2000 Infiniti I30t.
I am very impressed with it's driving performance, braking, and acceleration. Yes, the brake dust is there, but it comes off easily enough. I get about 22-24 miles per gallon driving on mostly urban streets here in Phoenix.
I love the sunroof -- it's the largest I've ever had. Almost like driving a convertible. The sound system is terrific -- the CD changer in the glove box is a great convenience.
Since it has not rained here to any extent since I've had this car, it has not needed washing so far. I brush any dust off the car after driving it, and clean off the windshield and wheels with a paper towel, window cleaner, and tire cleaner.
Eventually I will bring it to our local car wash, and am wondering if I should request the spray-on wax or "preservative" as it goes down the line? While many of you probably wash and wax your own cars, I don't plan do it myself, nor do I plan to take it in to a detailing shop for such services. Does anyone use the spray-on car wax at the car wash on their C230s? Or do you just ask them to wash the car and omit the "wax"? My sales person at the dealership told me that if the car is garaged, that the original factory finish should suffice, but I would like to get any other views on the subject.
Thanks much,
Phil Douglis
pnd1@cox.net
oh, BTW, hi huntzinger and Markx, been changing ISP's and been out of the loop for a while. Good to see you're still holding the fort and still pleased with your cars.
Hugh, I just switched back to my C7 rims. I just couldn't take the steel rims anymore. Hope that doesn't jinx us and drop 6 inches of snow on us soon.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Thanks again,
Phil Douglis
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I'm with nyc - having alot of cars with problems is no excuse for not working on your car. Are you dealing with random people in the service dept? How well did you get along with your salesperson? Sometimes the salesperson can do an end-run around the typical service bs.
If you want your car fixed, you're going to have to get tough. Ask to talk to the service manager - something smells funny about this whole thing. I'd go ahead and call MBUSA to see if they can verify this problem with supply of parts. Ball's in your court - time to kick some Atlanta dealership booty.
Also might want to try other dealerships in the area and explain your problem, and name names. Since this is profit to the dealership, you might do better with a different one, and get better service.
Tarik
But back to MB, I hope that MB will come to their senses, and provide at least some support, especially if the car is such a lemon (as based on Madeline's report of MB Support reps' comments). Or is MB turning to be like Chrysler/Dodge part? I hope not!
I will be keeping close watch to see if I get the kind of problems I see in these postings. So far, so good though. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Btw, I deleted my last post because I realized my wording could have been more carefully selected. All I meant to say was that if people were to also post (copy/paste) their problems in our C230 Problems & Solutions discussion, it will be easier for other people to find. Let's not forget that issues discussed in this faster moving discussion will have a tendency to get lost in the crowd. Hope this clarifies things.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Just turned over 3800 miles and very satified with the car. We did have a problem with ABS warning message on the dash, which turned out to be a brake sensor. Took 2 trips to dealer, one for diagnosis and on 2 weeks later after they had ordered the part (2 weeks due to my schedule).
Intereswting that you got a good deal at Fairfield dealership. When I asked about discount, the salesman got indignant and condescending, and flatly denied the possibility. He called about 4 days later, and I told him I had 3 offers at invoice +3%. He then offered to deal, but I was not interested. Guess I might have softened them up a bit.
Enjoy the car!
RE: Madeline
Allow one bit of skeptical questioning. Has anyone else had the same experience of rudeness and disturbingt info (eg 42% in for repairs) from MBUSA? Has anyone had some experience which would validate Madelines experiences? Anyone know that there are indeed valid and verifiable complaints and not some journalistic distortion?
Timjack, hang in there, at least until your car stalls out a couple of times :~)
I spoke with Denise who said maximum backlog to return calls (if that were necessary) would be five days, and that there are supervisors available to speak with customers. Of course it got a little scary when she found out I was calling to ensure their availability and helpfulness, however she assured me that they are indeed available for customers and will do everything they can to help. She did not sound like the kind of person who would hang up on someone. This call was made on Saturday 23 March at 11:50 AM EDT.
So I will continue to rely on 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES if I have any more problems. Denise has assured me if anyone has problems with their MB car, the center will assist them. Ditto on the comments of other posters especially those regarding lemon law procedures, I believe your postings have been good background info for future reference - even for people whose present MB's have run & continue to run well.
It there any option to play MP3?
Can the CD Changer play CDR or CDRW disk?
Thanks.
My only complaint is that a set of golf clubs will not fit in the trunk with the rear seats up. The car does everthing I want of it, it does it with efficiency, and it does it with no problems. To have a little fun with it, turn the esp off: it'll lay nice twin streaks of rubber down said twisty rural roads, and cruise them at 65 to 80 mph without hysterics.
Mad's problems are NOT typical of my findings. I am WELL pleased with my Benz.
Which part of the dash is blinking?
-hh
My wife's 2000 A4 does this as well.
My mom didn't see it until she drove it for 4 hours straight, which is the default timer setting.
I think my wife's first blink comes at 2 hours, and then every hour thereafter. Something like a ~10 minute break is what's required to reset it.
On the C230, I did a ~3.5 hours down + ~3.5 hours back jaunt a few weeks ago, and I don't recall seeing any sort of fatigue blinky warning thing.
-hh
Daniel
i don't believe any of the issues madeline have been telling. because just put the issues in basic logic, it's just not possible, maybe u can get a lemon, AND it started having problems on the FIRST day, AND u went bak to the dealership immdiately, i believe that the dealer would at least fix that problem for u because U JUST BOUGHT IT. maybe they won't fix anymore in the future, the on the first day, anybody would do a little favor. and secondly, u get a totally messed up car, and the dealer is telling u all kinds of crap, and MBUSA is hanging up on u? just look at the facts, has anybody ever encountered such problems? EVERYTHING goes wrong? EVERYTHING ?!?! and for her last post, it sounds like the dash blinked randomly, therefore it's probably not any kind of warning system, and i'm sure MBUSA is not STUPID enough to just agree with that. those people are smarter, they would give u trust-worthy reasons, although it's not true. if they lie, they would be good liars.
AND, is there any proof of her story? for MBUSA, has anybody ever talked to the person she said? is there really such a person? and where is the dealer madeline bought the car from? has anybody ever been there? who is the service advisor? has anybody ever got any bullcrap from the same service advisor?
and last, after reading all the messages for 20mins, her story just doesn't sound right, i don't have a reason for that, it's a simple feeling, it just doesn't sound right. after reading all the messages, i see a picture, a not-too-smart person sitting in front of the computer making up a story and feeling fun and good about it. it's a good story, but not perfect. AND IT JUST DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME.
and once again, to ME, and what I think only.
Beth
I had a dealership problem before I bought (went to another dealer) and I called MBUSA to ask what they suggested I do, if they wanted to know who their "bad apple" was, etc.
MBUSA didn't hang up on me, but they made it quite clear that they didn't want to know about a problem dealership, to possibly look into it further. Talk about apathy.
I sent in my car survey this AM, and I repeated my complaint in writing (about dealership #1, not #2). Shall we start to count the days until MBUSA tries to contact me for more information? I'm not holding my breath.
Unfortunately, overall Customer Service isn't like it used to be, so problems with MB may just be part of a larger trend. For example, I sent a "nastygram" off to Continental Airlines last night because their Frequent Flier email service blew me off: I asked for a rule interpretation and instead of answering the question, they said that they couldn't book a flight via email! Seems like people can't be bothered, or can't read plain english.
-hh
The other brochure was allllll the MB gizmos one can buy if you are really into flaunting your purchase with hats, shirts, jewelry and paper weights with the MB logo emblazed on them. All I can say is, if you are going to send this stuff off, which cannot be cheap to do, at least make it timely. I'm sure in Europe, where the awareness of "time to market" is much more acute, they would not have been this unaware and just stuffed an mailer with - what was available-.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Nice to see that MB actually let people sit in the car this year. Last year's color was the "Paprica", and it was on a rotating stand with a good 6ft gap to the handrails all the way around.
Overall, I've found the shifter's gating to be pretty good. Mine is a bit tight when downshifting into 2nd; figure I'll let it wear in a bit more before scheduling an appointment for an adjustment - - nothing else wrong so far, so no real reason to worry about it for just one thing.
-hh
I believe it would be fair to remove all "madcloyd"'s message as they are obvious fabrications. These fabrications give a slanted and untrue perspective on a reputable company and a fine motor vehicle.
Thank you,
Daniel