any experiece with mercedes C-class?

[Planter91C2]

any input would be greatly appreciated.

[pbs911]

My wife drives a low mileage 1998 C280. What kind of info are you looking for? Below is a link to a Benz BBS that also may be of help.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php3

[Planter91C2]

thank you, i'm thinking about getting one for wife and baby due in june.

are they big enough?

do they handle well in snow?

dependable? parts expensive?

somewhat adept home mechanic friendly?

[rob justice]

Very long lasting - during a summer holiday last year, I got into a c class taxi - on commenting about the milage 800 000 kmīs - the driver told me it had already went round the clock and was actually 1 800 000 KMīs- engine went at 1 000 000 Kmīs but driver said it was due to mechanic error!!!!!!!!

[Jim Savage]

Had a 99 c-280.
Had to sell (changed jobs) ended up with a 99 Honda Accord. Dumbest thing I've done.
Wife asked why is the Honda so noisy?
DUH!!!
Absolutely loved the car!!
Can't wait to get another Benz!!!!!

[pbs911]

My wife loves the car. It is big enough to fit four adults comfortably. Plenty of room for a young family.

Parts don't appear to be more expensive than P-car parts. The main problem, not just with the Benz, is that everything is controlled by a central computer system. Which is good and bad. For example, my wife didn't put the gas cap on correctly and it triggered a "check engine." Unfortunately, the "check engine" light requires dealer attention to reset the computer. Another time the computer malfuncted and the car would not get out of 1st gear. Another dealer vists required to reset the computer. Fortunatly the Benz dealer in my area is very good about factory warranties and most everything is covered.

I have only perfromed oil changes, brake pad replacement and brake line bleeding. These are very simple on the cars, but different than on a P-car. You will need a 18mm wrench in your tool box that I had lived without for the past 20 years in fixing cars. Aside from the computer system, nothing looks overly complicated mechanically.

Snow? What's that? I've seen movies but never actually driven in it.

Overall, the car is a very good driver, appears much safer than my 78SC, and has lots of creature comforts - even cup holders. At over 6 foot and 220 lbs, however, I find the seating a little small.

I would be sure to get one that still has the factory warranty. Hope that provides a little imput.

[targa88]

C220 -1995 with 240,000KM.
Extremely reliable, decent gas mileage. Basically have only changed consumables: tires, brake pads, rotors once. One pesky computer problem -was resolved. Wiring especially the lights, tends to be somewhat chronic (blown bulbs). Engine head gasket had to be changed around 200K
If I had known just how reliabel these cars are I would have bought one a long time ago. Great daily driver. Winter you need winter tires. Handles well, city and highway. Relatively easy to work on -except for the computer diagnostics.
Would buy another in a flash - once this one gives up the ghost.
Still going strong.....

[jfitzoz]

I had a 97' C280 SPORT EDITION black/black with 18" AMG wheels and tires.

The C280 could handle the road easily, carry four adults fairly comfortable, and very safe. I wish I did not sell it, but I did not lose very much money on resale because it was a "sports edition" Mercedes with all the blacked-out exterior and kevlar interior parts. Great used car value!

I wanted more room so I got an ML.

The AMG C36 must be a thriller!

JFITZOZ

[orlando_deke]

My wife drives a 2001 C320. The engine in the car kicks but. I have had the thing up to 135 and it is still pulling hard. Definitely a strong power plant. Go for the 3.2L car - it isn't even a contest. The car has held up nicely, but I have to second some of the problems cited with the electronic gadgets. MB has been great about fixing them though. We have taken our car on some long trips and overall it is a comfortable car. The seats are very firm - and I do mean firm. My wife loves the car - and that does it for me. She never asks to drive the P-car anymore!!!!

[jhale356]

While you asked about the C class, however, my wife chose an Audi A6 over the Mercedes. FWIW

[sy308]

I would not purchase a C-(Cheap)class for several reasons. First, the C-class is a lesser automobile than the E-(Economy)class. I wondered about the Chrysler-Diamler merger. You would not question why Chrysler would not want Mercedes, but why would Mercedes want Chrysler? The answer is based in the ability for Chrysler products to come to the market in a shorter period of time than any other manufacturer. Mercedes knew to be more competitive in the market, simple perception their quality was not enough, they would need more product earlier. Chrysler allowed enough technology transfer to cut 1-2 years off new product development. This is clearly at the expense of product quality. Look at the quality of the early E class cars, they were equal to the build quality of the S cars. Now, there is no comparison. The E is a much lesser car and the C is even lesser. Hint: ask for Paul, salesman at Northtown Lexus for more information.

Secondly, the engine quality of the C and E class running the V6 engine would be rated #3 behind the Audi V6 and BMW I6 for smoothness and driveability. If you have never driven one of the older Mercedes with the I6, you have not lived. The engine is smooth up to 5000 RPM where it just starts to get noisy. Test drive the A6 and 5 series for comparison. You will soon see what I mean. Mercedes switch to the V6 was an economy move that will never have the quality of the older in-line motors.

Third, the C-class is not as drivable as the BMW. Even the Audi is a much better driving car. The BMW is to sedans what your C2 is to sports cars. It wants to be driven.

Lastly, for the weather we have here, suggest you really look at the Audi first. Putting snow tires on one of those will just about drive the car up a tree. After that look at the BMW and finally the Mercedes.

[kstar]

Check out the M-B AMG C32:

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/models/main.jsp&modelCode=C32&src=MODELSELECTOR

349hp supercharged V6 with a factory conservative 4.9 second 0-60 time!

All for the relative bargain of about $50k.

Sure would like one of those next to my "old" P-car.

Best,

Kurt

[speeder]

My ex-GF's daughter has a brand new C-class, just saw her today and she loves it, but I guess a 23y.o. woman would probably like any new car. I have owned several MB cars, just bought a used 300TE wagon, and can tell you that previous poster is correct on decline of build quality, but that is not to disuade you from buying one. Engineering is first-rate, and as far as I am concerned, their claim to fame has always been safety. They take it VERY seriously, thus safest=best car in the world, IMO.

By far most of the taxis here in Denmark are Mercedes. Why? Because they're strong, reliable and nice to drive.

Sporty? No, but who needs that for a wife's car?

[Planter91C2]

i don't want to sound like 'nostatic' but would i be better off with a volvo s70?

i'm thinking 1996-1998 or so on the year.

i saw c-class in that vintage with about 50-60,000 miles for prices in the mid to high teens, roughly the same for the volvos

at one time i considered a 850 but it got sold.


i have a month or so to look.

any help would be appreciated.

[Titleist 911]

My wife recently purchased an "02 C240, and absolutely loves it. She shopped and shopped (with my oldest son, a master tech) until she was satisified that she was getting the best car for the money. She looked at Audi A6,4; BMW 330; Lexus GS400; Nissan Maxima; Volvo S70 and one other; Saab; and the Merc E-class (she thought it was too big). She also tried out a few older C-280 Sports, but liked the C-240 better.

She drives about 100 miles a day round trip and already has about 10,000 miles on the car. The car looks easy enough to work on if you want to do it yourself. Parts appear to be on the high side, but no more than Porsche.

I've been very impressed by the attention to customer service that the dealer (American Service Center) has given to her. So impressed that my next car will be a Mercedes.