How many miles do you have on your W203 and what yr is it? Have you hadany major mechanical/electrical problems so far?

2003 C240 - 89,000 miles (143,548 km)

 

I'm on my second W203. the first was a 2002 C230K Coupe. I accumulated about 55K before selling it. I currently have a 2007 C230 SS with about 1600 miles on it. No major problems that I experienced other than the sunroof motor failing and window switch motors failing on my 02. Also the climate control purge rod breaking, but that is very common and you'll know when it happens because every time you start your car and it cycles through the climate control, opening and closing all the vents, you'll hear this loud "clunk, tap, pop" noise coming from the back of your dashboard. It only goes on for about a minute or so, every time you start your car....[:@]What's worse is that it's a $25 part that costs $600 in labor[X(] to install because it's so hard to get to.

 

2005 C-230 Sport Sedan, 24,500 miles thus far.

 

2003 C230 Sports Coupe, 94,000 Km, Front wheel Bearing, O2 sensor, Various rear suspension parts, cup holder, have been the faults. Really like the car and the performance and mileage, wish it had more reliability. My 2001 Acura 3.2TL worked great and had zero defects. Sold it to a neighbour, still works like a charm. Maybe should have lept it.

Oh well. Live and learn.

Having said all that I still like the C230.

 

what do you mean opening closing all the vents? Is this an option because I don't notice my car doing this (unless it is very quiet when it is working normally). I control the vents manually with the little manual "wheel" that is on the left side of each one.

 

RE: Have you hadany major mechanical/electrical problems so far?

I have a 2002 C320 Wagon w/sport package (now w/60K miles)that was purchased as a replacement for an old Honda Accord. The C320 is a blast, hard to believe it is a station wagon. Still have original brakes that are ok!

While under factory warranty, it had several electrical/mechanical problems:
* the power seat modulators failed, causing the battery to run down - replaced.
*the attentuator fan in the overhead console would not turn off, - replaced
*the suspension needed some links & bushings -replaced
*driver's seat belt (I bought car used, original owner must have been large) would not retract - replaced
*shift bezzle (clips broke off) - replaced
*cd changer - replaced
*small piece of body trim that decided to fall off - replaced
Good thing I purchased an extended warranty:
*driver side power window switch broke
*the rear passenger side power window motor died.
* anti theft ignition switch shorted (around $800 if not warranty)


The above was a pain in the *** to get repaired as it involved numerous trips to either the dealer and/or mechanic. My old Honda lasted 190K miles and was reliable overall, but needed: several CV boots &joints, ignitors, brakes every 35K - 50K miles, timing belts @ 110K,2 mufflers, a distributor recall, and other little thingsover its lifetime. Honda maintenance is notcheap, but they seem to be more reliable, if you do not mind a basic car. This MB was an upgrade, and I expect it to last a minimum 150K miles without headaches or I will never purchase another.

 

2002 C230K Under 25,000 miles, only problem was bad #1 cylinder ignition coil found and replaced by dealer under warranty.