I have seen many posts on this message board from people complaining about something breaking or their car being in the shop a lot.

I have ordered a new C230K Sedan and I am starting to get a little worried.

I know that there are problems with all cars but can you all help me and others like me and tell us why we will love our new Mercedes.

I think that there should be lots of replies to this post as I think that there are a lot of fans out there. Please help me to reduce some of my worry about ordering a new Mercedes. I am moving up from a '96 VW Jetta GLS and my wife currently has a '00 VW Passat GLX. We have loved both cars!

Thanks

Got my brand new C230 sedan this afternoon. Drove 12 km and the glovebox felt on my wife's legs... :evil:

I was in the same situation than you. I was worrying about it. But outside the reliability and construction, the confort, safety, general balance and fun factor is worth it. (It have enough power to have fun and to pass safely, but forget about racing!)

But I'm disappointed with the quality of construction of the car. (Unfortunately, it's a bad tendancy everywhere in the industry)

I have a 2003 c230 Sports Sedan that I purchased in June i already have gone 4000 miles and so far I have no problems to speak of. I don't know
if I'm lucky but my experience has really been pretty good!!! I hope
it stays the way it is (crossing my fingers). What I noticed and you guys can correct me if I'm wrong, people with problems are the ones who put some mod's in their cars mine is stock and it has been problem free.
Also, I know someone with a 2002 C240 w/ 26000 miles and it too has been problem free! I think this could be a good thread instead of hearing
problems, lets here from people who are satisfied!

I have had my 2003 Mercedes C230 Coupe for almost a year. I have had no problems at all. Fit and Finish are great, plenty of power, fun car to drive. So at this point I still love the car .

I've now got 10 months and 17k miles on the car.

I had two small problems:
1) rattle in center of dash
2) parking brake came out of adjustment

Neither of the problems were enough for me to make a special trip to the dealer, so I had them resolved at Service A. Both are now corrected.

During Service A, the tech took a road test of the car, and observed unusual wind noise. He found a damaged door seal, and this was also replaced under warranty. The car is now silent (it was quiet before).

When you look at the typical C-class problems complained about, notice that there are VERY few problems that are safety related, or that will leave you stranded.

Most problems are related to the power seats, rattles, ABS/ESP errors, etc.

Don't let the grumblings of a few convince you that you've made a mistake. Nobody comes to the forum to post "Another day with no problems", they post when the have a problem.

Enjoy your car, and if you have an annoyance (or a problem), let the dealer fix it.

Well, my problem with my glovebox is a problem of dealer... The guy who prepared my car broke it and didn't tell it. (the moron put his weight on it while it was open rather than to sit on the seat to reach the central part of the dashboard) Repared the whole part who free.

Apart that, I did 400 miles with it since yesterday and I just do love it!

I have almost 6900 miles on my C230K and so far I have no major complains. Yes, maybe craftmanship isn't what it used to in the industry in general, but Mercedes will always stand out.
Factory warranty and maintanance programs are very good too.

Lose your fear and go get yours before somebody else does!!!

Hi,

I have nearly 10,000 miles on my 2003 C230. No problems at all. Runs like a sewing machine on steroids!! Only problem: everybody note--I have already badly scraped both sides of those 18 inch long bumper strips on the front bumpers. I think they are replaceable? Say it is so! You cannot park too far up against those annoying cement car stops, in parking lots. The car is too low really and I am forever wacking them.
The C230s have a lot of the good stuff technos from the higher priced models. As long as you get regular service and dont thrash the car, with any luck it should be reliable. It is well screwed together and solid.

Al :D

I have seen many posts on this message board from people complaining about something breaking or their car being in the shop a lot.

I have ordered a new C230K Sedan and I am starting to get a little worried.

I know that there are problems with all cars but can you all help me and others like me and tell us why we will love our new Mercedes.

I think that there should be lots of replies to this post as I think that there are a lot of fans out there. Please help me to reduce some of my worry about ordering a new Mercedes. I am moving up from a '96 VW Jetta GLS and my wife currently has a '00 VW Passat GLX. We have loved both cars!

Thanks


If you loved your veedubs then you probably wont mind the MINOR annoyances that your mercedes will preceed you. I had a New Beetle one point of my life and it had electrical issues and other minor cosmetical probs but NOTHING major. Only difference now is that you will get a doughnut, coffee and a loaner when you take your car to the dealer :D

I have 115 miles on my C320 Sports Coupe and so far, no problems.

i love all benzs and just like with every other car problems do apear and u learn to live with them, i have 90,000 on my c230 coupe and guess what none that are serious, just the ocasional bulb changes, sway bar links, and a recent one front end control arm (due to my stupidity) was riding on the spare for 2 weeks in NY, imagine! thats it i still nock on wood every time i get into my baby!

Well, it is definitely not a good quality car like Lexus.
I would rate it as an avarage quality car.

However the design is perfect and the car features many things that other cars don't have. Electronic accelerator, 100% electronic cruise controle, 100% electronic ESP, Trip computer, Heated windshield water etc. And in addition the car looks small but inside you have plenty of space especially for tall people.

Do I love my Benz? At 120 MPH+, definitely. Those occasions are far too rare though. Its not everything that the uninitiated might expect from Daimler, but my first taste was a 240D, so.....

Anyway, while I could make a wish list of changes to engineer, I like the car.

I'm sorry but what qualities and what history does you Lexus has that it actually gives you the right to compare the Benz to the Lex. After all Lex is just over priced Toyota. I give you that IS300 is a fun car for high street performence. On the other hand, Benz is what it is since the 1900's. Through out the years Benz perfected the diesel motor and on top of it the gas motors is at the top of the line. Not only that but if i may, Benz does have their products in many racing circules such as F1, Touring cars, etc... Oh, and they are doing pretty good. I think 2nd or 3rd place in F1, in the past season. I don't want to put down on the Lex, but may be we should compare Lex with something different like BIG and CONFTIBLE American cars. Any how I think one has to by in the Banz family for a while in order to enjoy their products.

To be honost, like other I will tell you that the cosmetic such as glovebox and seat squicking will happen. But on the other hand you will have the service program where they will put you in a loaner car. At least that is how they do it in N.C. Any way the motor and trans. should be great. I had no problem for the past 25000 miles. have fun and enjoy it.

Couldn't care less about the loaner car, when I have trouble or just during the maintenance, I prefer to be there.

(Had too many troubles with unskilled or dishonest mechanics with my Volvos and BMWs. I don't have more trust because it's a Mercedes)

Well then, I thought that was a nice touch. But I guess you could not appreciate that. Nevertheless, it is just a glovebox that is not closing or a lightbulb. You know, the motor could go bad.... but since that is not you concern them have fun at other dealers. Besides dealer here at Charlotte ar honest. they even call up for recalls. GOOD Luck!!!

I would suggest that you scan the boards of BMW,Volvo,Saab and other brands that are in this class and compare what is posted about the cars.
I drove a VW Passet for four years before I got my C230K coupe. The stories about defects & dealer schananagins (sp?) turned my blood to ice water.The wife is still tooling around in it & the battery will be 6 yrs. old in Feb. Find a good dealer/shop & stay with it.
I think it comes down to "luck" and the care you take of the machine that
affects how it holds up in the long run. A good warrenty helps morale too.
Why not post your experience here every 5,000 miles?
So, good luck. and take it easy on your new M/B. :roll:
Zada

What in this world can you say you love without some complaints? My C230 sports coupe is running very close to what ever that may be. I'll tell you this. My daughters and son are in their 20's and I haven't found anything that is mine and they ask for it I won't give it to them or let them borrow it. My Benz is an exception. It hurts to say no when they ask to use my C230....well, it hurts for a minute at least :wink: then I say no. I only wish I could have afforded to add all of the options that are available. I must say though. Just in case Mercedes Benz reads this comment. I hate the driver and passenger seats and the side mirrors. With a little cash, I'm sure that can be remedied as well.
Now, I typed all that when what I really wanted to say is....I love my C230 sports coupe :!: :!: :!: 8)

My new C230K will be built during the second "decade" in December (between the 10th and the 20th as I understand it.)

I will keep you all posted as to my progress with my new car! I can't wait for it to arrive. I will try to do as zada suggested and post every 5,000 miles or so as to my satisfaction with my new Benz!

Thanks for all of your input. I feel much better about the decision now.

GOOD FOR YOU. SIT BACK AND DAY/NIGHT DREAM ABOUT ALL THE GOOD TIMES YOU WILL ENJOY ON THE YELLOW-BRICK ROAD WITH YOUR NEW M/B.
NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THINK OF A NAME FOR HER.
I CALL MY C230K COUPE, THE JANIS JOPLIN SUNSHINE EXPRESS, BECAUSE OF HER SONG, "OH,LORDY,WON'T YOU BUY ME A MEERRSAADEEES-BENZ...." AND BECAUSE SHE HAS A PANORAMA SUN/MOON ROOF. SOMETHING I MIGHT NOT HAVE ADDED IF I STILL LIVED IN "LIQUID SUNSHINE" OREGON. :lol:
ZADA

For everyone who holds Lexus as the pinnacle of automotive perfection, please be certain to talk to my neighbor . . .

His ES300 (first year of the current body style) has had paint issues, sunroof issues, headlight issues, and I can't recall the rest. The problems started from the first week of ownership. The car is now about a year old.

The dealer has resolved some issues, but not all; and is has definitely not provided the expected Lexus service. Letters to the dealership manager and to Lexus have been ignored, or ashcanned. Because of his problems with his Lexus and the dealer, he's been over the last days, eyeing my C-class! Let's see if he ends up with one in his driveway.

It's impossible to say that Lexus is superior, or Benz is superior. They're both good cars - but neither is perfect.

Your beautiful C230 Sports Sedan was built on the 17th and is being put
on a ship today or tomorrow. So in 30days it will be at the port in L.A.
I'll let you know when it arrives in L.A.

That is the email that I received from my dealer today. According to some friends I am very lucky because my car was built on a Wednesday and Wednesday is the best day to have a car built because the workers do their best work on Wednesdays... :)

My C230 has had a couple of problems, ECU and door seal needed to be replaced. The service department has been super, so good that today I picked up gift cards to a nearby restaurant for the service and shop manager as the last time I had the car in I swore I was putting them on my Christmas list. I usually get a E320 loaner, or at worst a C-class, and I always get my car back washed, dried, and vacuumed.

The car is not a racer, but it is fun and comfortable to drive, and on the highway she rules.

As for Lexus quality, those people I know who own them tend not to even admit that they have problems, because they believed they wouldn’t have them. Then after a couple of issues they finally breakdown and acknowledge that they really don't own the master race of cars. There are Lexus horror stories out there, and you don’t have to look any harder to find them than as with any manufacturers offerings.

After 23 months and 18,000 miles I have no regrets, only good memories.

Yesterday I was test driving cars with my brother-in-law. He is looking at Volvo S60 or S80, Audi A6, Infinity, Acura TSX, and a few others. While we were at the Audi dealership I got into an A4 and really liked it. We took one out for a test drive and I loved it!!! We did many very cool things with the Quattro!!!

I started thinking about cancelling my order for my new C230 Sedan. I called my MB dealership and told them about my quandry and they were very happy to let me come in today and drive a C230 again.

I was able to take the car out by myself this time. Last test drive I was with my wife who has a bad back so I didn't drive with all of the fun that I was able to with the Audi.

Suffice it to say that I did not cancel my order for my new C230. Also, I took the car to my parents house where my brother-in-law is staying and he took the car for a drive too. He has added it to his short list of cars to purchase. I won't be suprised if we end up with matching MB's :)

I am expecting delivery in late January... :D

What made you switch back to the M/B? Your post is not clear on the reasons :?:

Will your bro-in-law pay for your 230 out of gratitude for you guidence? :lol:

I really liked both cars, Audi A4 and MB C230k Sedan.

The A4 test drive was much more aggressive than I was able to do with the MB at first. After I drove them both I didn't feel that the handling in the Audi was that much better than the MB. I did really like the all-wheel drive of the Audi, it felt very safe and glued to the road.

One of the biggest deciding factors for me was that we drove to the MB dealer in my wifes '00 VW Passat GLX. The interior of the Passat looks very much like the inside of the Audi (they are now both under the same umbrella and share many of the same parts and technology). I like the interior but I also like variety.

Another huge decision making factor was location of service department. The MB dealership is only about 20 minutes from my house while the Audi dealership is over 1 hour from my house.

When I drove the C230 it was very fun to drive. It has the steering wheel controls, the Audi doesn't. It has a more powerful motor. There is a handling difference but that is something I will have to get used to anyway as I currently drive a '96 Jetta with front wheel drive.

In the end it just felt like the C230 was worth the extra $1,600. There are more features like the power rear window sunshade that are great touches in the C230. I still haven't been able to drive a 2004.5 which is the car that I am getting. I anticipate that it will have an even more sporty ride and more precise handling.

I did ask the salesman about a referral program if my brother-in-law purchased a car from him and he assured me that I would be taking my wife out for a very nice dinner ;)

Either way I think that a person would get a great car and I would be happy driving either of them.

Try for a significant discount on an extended warrenty and pay for your wife's good dinner yourself.
Free advice! :P

Sounds like very wise advice. Thanks :)

Just a quick update on my new Benz...

I heard from my salesman today and apparently my new C230K Sedan travelled the Panama Canal today and should arrive in LA by the 30th. I am told that I will be driving it by the 10th, for sure by Valentines Day!!!

I am getting excited. :)