Mercedes W203 Reliability and Service Costs

[dyllin.dannhauser]

Hi everyone, I'm currently looking at buying a 2004 Mercedes-Benz C200K A/T Classic with 147,000km on the clock for R85,000. The vehicle has a complete service history at Mercedes Benz. This will be a second car as I have a daily driver a 2012 Corsa Utility with 23000km on the clock.

My question: How reliable is this car especially the motor and electronics. Are there any major issues that I should look for in the car? And what can I expect to pay for the A and B services? My mom had a 2007 W203 C180k manual that had no problems and currently drives a 2011 W204 C200 CGI but car had issues with ignition electronics. The car wouldnt start and had to be taken away and stood at Mercedes for a month waiting for parts from Germany.

All your comments and feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[ahoudet]

Had a similar issue with the electronic starter on the A-Class... was a bad solder joint

General rule though is to find yourself a decent mechanic. Merc would rather replace than repair

 

[DanH]

2004 is the facelift year for the w203 so make sure it's the facelift model.

Classic is a no no. Either Elegance or Avantgrade(only real leather package).

The timing chain was an issue on the w203 kompressor engines. It stretches when the car gets to around 200 000km. When it stretches it destroys the teeth on the cam gears which are costly to replace. The chain itself is replaceable at a far lower cost and could/should be done preventatively. If the top of the engine is noisy then it's most likely a stretched chain.

You don't have to wait a month for parts from Germany. If you are willing to pay extra for the shipping they will be flown in, instead of coming via ship. The w203 was built locally so most parts should be available here imediately.

 

[dyllin.dannhauser]

2004 is the facelift year for the w203 so make sure it's the facelift model.

Classic is a no no. Either Elegance or Avantgrade(only real leather package).

The timing chain was an issue on the w203 kompressor engines. It stretches when the car gets to around 200 000km. When it stretches it destroys the teeth on the cam gears which are costly to replace. The chain itself is replaceable at a far lower cost and could/should be done preventatively. If the top of the engine is noisy then it's most likely a stretched chain.

You don't have to wait a month for parts from Germany. If you are willing to pay extra for the shipping they will be flown in, instead of coming via ship. The w203 was built locally so most parts should be available here imediately.

What does the Avantgarde or Elegance have over and above the Classic? I have to admit I'm not a fan of the black door handles but this example's seats inside are immaculate. Far better than a lot of others with Avantgarde and Elegance spec that I have seen.

Here is the Automart link to the vehicle:http://www.automart.co.za/cars/mercedes-benz-c-class-c200-kompressor-a-t-2004-id-2298862#sLeadsForm

 

[Colin62]

Avantegarde has sport suspension (not the best thing on bumpy roads), both abate garden and elegance have the full lighting package, which includes extra interior lights and the puddle lights under the doors. Classic has the fax leather, which is probably the best fake leather around. I found the classic's seats to be as good as the avantegarde, I just didn't like the cheaper steering wheel and gear lever.

Avantegarde had a bit of fake carbon fibre and stuff instead of wood trim.

All of them had fully adjustable seats, the on board computer was the same.

This is all on the face lifted ones, I don't know the pre-face lift well.

Edit: From the look of the dash and grill, that one is a facelift.

 

[Colin62]

Get the VIN and find out where it was serviced (from the service book) and phone the dealer. Find out what other work has been done to it. Common work to look out for is the timing chain and pulleys, and the catalytic converters. If the timing chain hasn't been done, knock at least R15 000 off the price, cos at that mileage it will need doing. Check that the gearbox oil has been changed too - merc originally claimed it never ended changing, but it's needed.

Before you buy, get it to a dealer to connect it to their STAR system to see that there are no issues that you need to know about. They'll charge you about a grand for a full check, and it's probably worth it.

 

[DanH]

Avantegarde has sport suspension (not the best thing on bumpy roads), both abate garden and elegance have the full lighting package, which includes extra interior lights and the puddle lights under the doors. Classic has the fax leather, which is probably the best fake leather around. I found the classic's seats to be as good as the avantegarde, I just didn't like the cheaper steering wheel and gear lever.

Avantegarde had a bit of fake carbon fibre and stuff instead of wood trim.

All of them had fully adjustable seats, the on board computer was the same.

This is all on the face lifted ones, I don't know the pre-face lift well.

Edit: From the look of the dash and grill, that one is a facelift.

You thinking of sports pack.

Sports pack had lowered suspension and sports cosmetics.

Avantgrade, Elegance and Classic had the same regular suspension and sports pack could be specified on each variant.

Avantgrade had brushed aluminium trim while Elegance had wood and Classic had a plastic and a little wood in places.

Outside there is also body trim missing on the classic, no paint on the door handles or grill, no gloss on the B pillar and no tint on the windows.

Avantgrade:

Elegance

 

[dyllin.dannhauser]

Get the VIN and find out where it was serviced (from the service book) and phone the dealer. Find out what other work has been done to it. Common work to look out for is the timing chain and pulleys, and the catalytic converters. If the timing chain hasn't been done, knock at least R15 000 off the price, cos at that mileage it will need doing. Check that the gearbox oil has been changed too - merc originally claimed it never ended changing, but it's needed.

Before you buy, get it to a dealer to connect it to their STAR system to see that there are no issues that you need to know about. They'll charge you about a grand for a full check, and it's probably worth it.

Thank you. Will try to get the VIN number and have a look at the service manual. No offence but the salesman wasn't in a very friendly mood on Saturday when I went to look at the car. (Didn't even get a handshake). So I don't think he'll be too pleased with me offering a lower price on the vehicle. Am I allowed as a potential customer to ask dealer to take the car to Mercedes for STAR diagnostic at my expense?

 

[ToxicBunny]

Thank you. Will try to get the VIN number and have a look at the service manual. No offence but the salesman wasn't in a very friendly mood on Saturday when I went to look at the car. (Didn't even get a handshake). So I don't think he'll be too pleased with me offering a lower price on the vehicle. Am I allowed as a potential customer to ask dealer to take the car to Mercedes for STAR diagnostic at my expense?

Of course you are....

If they don't want you to do that, then walk away from the deal because they're hiding something.

 

[Claymore]

Definitely don't do dealer servicing if the car's out of warranty; find a good independent (I can recommend one if in JHB).

 

[Ancalagon]

Thank you. Will try to get the VIN number and have a look at the service manual. No offence but the salesman wasn't in a very friendly mood on Saturday when I went to look at the car. (Didn't even get a handshake). So I don't think he'll be too pleased with me offering a lower price on the vehicle. Am I allowed as a potential customer to ask dealer to take the car to Mercedes for STAR diagnostic at my expense?

If you have a bad feeling about it because of the salesman, walk away.

I know of a good independent Merc specialist mechanic in Joburg. He could even examine the car for you, if you want (pretty sure he will have the necessary diagnostic equipment). He will give you an unbiased opinion and knows a lot about all kinds of Mercs.

With regards to offering a lower price, its a used car. You are expected to bargain a bit. Even if there was nothing wrong with the car, you would be expected to offer less than the asking price. Its just how it works. The salesman won't be offended.

Remember, the selling price is the maximum that the seller expects to make. He has a figure in his head of how much he needs to sell it for to make a profit. That figure is not the asking price.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Precisely the above, and who cares if you offend the salesman... he's not your mate, you are there to get the best deal not to be nice to him.

Oh and just be aware, if the vehicle has the "Sports Pack", just walk away..... Mine had the sports pack and had different sized tires front and back... was a pain in the arse.

 

[Colin62]

Am I allowed as a potential customer to ask dealer to take the car to Mercedes for STAR diagnostic at my expense?

Yes. I've had that done quite a few times, especially if the car is out of town. And as ToxicBunny said, if they refuse, it' a sure sign that they're hiding something.

The best way to do it is to contact the dealership directly and make sure that they know that you are their customer and they issue the report directly to you and not to the dealership.

And if the salesman is unfriendly, ask the sales manager to give you another one. Life's too short to put up with attitude from people who are paid to help you.

 

[dyllin.dannhauser]

Yes. I've had that done quite a few times, especially if the car is out of town. And as ToxicBunny said, if they refuse, it' a sure sign that they're hiding something.

The best way to do it is to contact the dealership directly and make sure that they know that you are their customer and they issue the report directly to you and not to the dealership.

And if the salesman is unfriendly, ask the sales manager to give you another one. Life's too short to put up with attitude from people who are paid to help you.

Unfortunately this dealership is like a one horse town. Owner is also the salesman and his wife Admin and F&I

 

[Ancalagon]

Unfortunately this dealership is like a one horse town. Owner is also the salesman and his wife Admin and F&I

If you're not happy, then find another dealer. Its worth driving to another town in order to find the right car.

The worst thing you can do is get hooked on this particular car. There are many cars out there that could suit your needs. Trust me, I speak from past experience, having bought an old Merc and then having to look after it. Don't rush into this.

It may even be a good idea to contact the Mercedes Benz club to see if any of the members have a car that they can vouch for and are willing to sell.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Unfortunately this dealership is like a one horse town. Owner is also the salesman and his wife Admin and F&I

Then as Ancalagon stated, find another dealer... you don't have to deal with a dealer in the town you're in.

 

[Colin62]

I've looked at W203 Mercs in George, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Newcastle, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Not all of those went in for a diagnostic, some were eliminated after speaking to the dealership on the phone and getting the full history of what work was done on them. I don't live in any of those towns.

The one in PE was checked and I didn't buy based on that feedback.
The one in Durban was checked, and I think the seller was in cahoots with the dealer - they did the booking and payment, and I paid them back, and the dealership never managed to work out that the torque convertor was stuffed. I just got the feeling that things between the seller and dealership were a bit incestuous.
Pretoria was also checked, and rejected.
Jo'burg checked and I bought it, and was quite happy with it until the night of the cow...