I,ve had to work hard to just get a used one I have had it for 4 months what a junk i,ve replaced brakes , rotors, i got a caliper that sticks causes wheel to shake when stopping , got loose struts (dealer wants 1000 ) to fix , repaced same head light lamp 2 times , replaced both parking lights , got a ticking coming from ESP box dont have a clue what that is . LIKE WWII I THINK THE GERMANS ARE DONE WELL MAYBE JUST MER****YS BENZ GOING BACK TO ACURA TL WHAT A ERROR . IF I WANTED A MOPAR I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A DODGE JUNK JUNK JUNK JUNK I GOT 56K ON IT

 

yes, there are C-class which really makes their owners comes to the point on feeding it to the shredder. one problem comes after another, and that's what drives you crazy.

it must have belongs to the batch where they modify the parts lately.

 

IMHO, the 2000 W202 was tje last of the good C Class cars. I read some horror stories on this forum and others about the W203's and I have my 99 C280 over 4 years now and the biggest bill was for new tie rods and brakes, disc and pads all around, other then that I MAS and 1 O2 sensor. I was at the local dealer picking up some bulbs for the W107 450SLC I have, and I noticed there is a C280 for 06. The two on the showroom floor were both equipped with 4matic. Sleepwalker, is 4matic standard on the new C280? As these two are two of three I've seen and all had 4matic.

 

for a 2006 C280, u can get either

7-speed automatic rear-wheel drive, or
6-speed automatic all-wheel drive.

choosing TL over a C-series is always a wise decision. TL is 99% reliable, no annoying things breaking down all the time (where Corolla is 100%reliable).

to admit the truth....i bought my 280 because i could not afford a TL at the time.

 

I have to agree with Wizard. Before I bought my '99, I read and checked around. All the evidence pointed to pre-2001 C-Class. ( If you wanted a used C-Class that is. Originally, I was searching for a Beemer, but they hold their price incredable well and I decided to look at Mercedes. I'm very happy with my C280 Sport)
It seems that besides loading the W203 down with electronic gizmos that cause problems, the build quality suffered from '01-'03, too.
Can any one verify that the 1999 C-Class was voted the most reliable car built in Germany that year? I heard some one say this on a forum and wondered if it was true. ( Bear in mind the most reliable cars on the roads in Germany that year were still cars like the Lexus, Toyota, Honda, etc.)

 

It must have not ended with the 2001 model. I have a 06 C230 Sport. It's been at the dealer for a week now.

 

i also heard that 1999 and 2000 c280 was the last good car MB built.

motortrend also wrote that 2001 C was overridden by poor workmanship. i guess this problem continues until now.

if i want a 06 C, i guess i should only get a AMG C55. but then i must be a FOOL to not get GS430 for that money.

 

What is the problem with your '06 C230? Hopefully, it doesn't signal problems to come.
There really has been a major quality push at Mercedes since 2003 and from what I've read, it's paid off. Overall, in 2003 Mercedes had dropped to its lowest quality level ever: 13th on the JD Power quality report. However, by 2005 they were up to 5th place.
My guess is your dealer will be highly sensitive to quality issuses with your car. I recommend writing a letter to MBUSA detailing your concerns over MB quality with your new car. That is a hot button issue for them and you'll likely get lots of attention.

 

It must have been built on a Monday.

 

Or a Friday