So, if any if your have noticed my recent posts, I have the car in for an oscillation at low speeds, which has been traced to an out-of-round tire. While I had it in, I decided to have some "minor" Starmark-covered issues addressed.

At 75k, I changed from Dino Sludge to 0w40 supersyn. Within 2k, I had spots on my garage. They were small, so I didn't worry too much. Today, they informed me they will need the car for 3 more days to do:

1) Head gasket
2) Differential seal (and fluid change)
3) Timing "cover" (cam seal?)

Holy crap! Thank cripes for Starmark. How much P&L would that be if it were on my own dime?

FYI, since I bought the car in March with 62k (now has 79), the following additional items have been done:

1) Entire front suspension components (all control arms, bushings, bearings, etc)
2) 722.6 conductor plate
3) Trans fluid and filter
4) Shifter bushing
5) Climate control module of some sort
6) Alternator
7) Belt tensioner? (the part known to cause vibration at RPM)
8) More, but I can't remember without the invoice

After this week, this has to be somewhere around 5k in warranty items in less than a year, no?

Yeah, that sure gives me reassurance about the quality and durability of the new models. A M/B that cannot make it to 80K without $5K in repairs.

(At 75k, I changed from Dino Sludge to 0w40 supersyn. Within 2k, I had spots on my garage. They were small, so I didn't worry too much. Today, they informed me they will need the car for 3 more days to do

1) Head gasket
2) Differential seal (and fluid change)
3) Timing "cover" (cam seal?)

I changed from regular oil to Mobil 1 after 45K on my '96 E320 and never had any problem. Granted that you might have a small leak after switching to Mobil 1 (I heard of this problem with American cars but never heard with German or Japanese car.) IMO, your dealer tries to suck money out of your pocket, go for 2nd opinion

If it's any consolation to you, my 2000 C 230 K has 75 k miles on it.
Repair costs to date : 150.00.

Will-w 202

Your dealer IS milking the Starmark warranty!
Good for you.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

You attribute a head gasket and differential leak to oil of any sort? How did synthetic in your crankase make your diferential leak.

Cause and effect is a funny thing. Just because you put in non-Mercedes anti-freeze does not mean that's the reason your sunroof or radio fails. And yes, one more vote for "your dealer is milking the warrantee".

First, your dealer has a gold mine with the Starmark warranty. They can make all of these repairs, get paid from MB and not have an unhappy customer on his hands...it is a win-win for everyone but Mercedes. I can't tell you how many times my cars go up for routine maintenance only to be told they found something wrong and have to order parts...then my work order has several under warranty repairs added to the "A" or "B" service. Last time they charged MB for a new windshield claiming they broke mine changing the windshield wiper blade! I looked closely and think they didn't change it...even the inspection sticker was intact and perfect from my local mechanic!!! I think these dealers sometimes run a scam on MB to run up big bills under warranty IMHO. Whether they will even do half of the things they charge them for is another story!

Right on, Will! You've got it now. Keep going. In addition to actual problems, try describing things like "it does not drive as smooth as it should," "the handling seems to be loose," or "the temperature creeps over 105 in slow traffic." What's left for them to replace? Personally, I'd try for a brand new, fully updated 722.6 tranny. Good luck and enjoy.

__________________
Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Great comments all.

The diff leak certainly isn't related to the oil switch or oil LEAK, but they apprently noticed it upon further inspection.

As for the dealer trying to screw MBUSA, I doubt it in my case. All their repairs have produced fixes for obvious symptoms. Of course I can't know for sure if they changed the trans fluid when they did the conductor plate, but I'm willing to take their word on that one.

As far as quality, I think THIS one, being a mid-life w202, is one of if not THE last good MB. It may be 5k in repairs, but if you break it down by actual parts replaced, it's the same kind of stuff you would replace on your Chevy truck after 8 years and 80k miles (suspension parts, alternators, gaskets). Only in this case, the parts aren't cheap like they are for a Chevy!

I figure I've got a great car to hold onto for the long-term. I'm hoping the next purchase is for MB #2, maybe a 140 coupe or a 124 cabriolet. Of course the 140 would have to be certified

Crapped out, in order, on my 1997 W202 (130,000 miles):

-water pump
-gd belt tensioner thing (same time as water pump)
-MAF sensor
-relay for aux cooling fan
-climate control compressor (started failing when the aux fan relay died and it took me several weeks to fix)

In short, many of the subsystem parts from that era suck. Dang solid overall machine, though.

Will, this Summer, I highly recommend you discover your climate control "doesn't cool like it used to."

__________________
Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Perhaps we should all be given one of those small Jap cars as a backup when we hand over our hard-earned cash for a Mercedes Benz; becaus they never leak, never stop, never need engine wiring looms etc, etc. I just don't want to go on listing all the comon faults it would take you for ever to read it. Yes I know who wants to drive one of those things all day every day. Hoever there is no reason that a Luxury car should have all these problems at enormously high repair costs

lol Michael, I might just have to do that.

My plan though is to do mt 90k service (if there is anything left to do!) at our area's top indie shop. These guys are beyond thorough, though you pay for it. I'll make sure they comb every inch of the car for items that may be failing.

Well, got it back. Here is what they did. don't see where rear diff was a part of this, it was a trans leak. They replaced 2 things of which I am not clear on. First, the tech's spelling is terrrible! I coudn't decipher some of the W/O.

1) "performed update on tranny conntector." (sic)
2) R&R/Repl. valve body (electro-hydr) (722.6 & 722.9)

Also, replaced trans interlock cable, head gasket, cam seal, adjusted timing and changed coolant, replaced 4 quarts of trans fluid, various hoses, seals, and o-rings, etc. One thing I am concerned aboutis they apparently topped it off with Rotella T! I didn't catch it until I re-read the W/O. If they mixed RT with Mobil 1, is that a problem for another 1000 miles? That's when it was originally due.

Our 95 e320 cabriolet has used Mobil 1 exclusively for the last 40,000 miles and has neither used a drop nor left a drop on the garage floor. The others seem to have a point about Starmark!

Synthetic oil has nothing to do with your leaks ...
I use Mobil1 and in 5000 mls I add nothing!
Get your car fixed ..not the oil@$%$#%$#

__________________
DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

I beg to differ. I had no leaks until the last oil change @ 75k, which is when I changed from Rotella T to Mobil 1. I think for a motor that has not had a synthetic diet, and has higer mileage, it's more likely to be affected. But not that I have new seals, it should be good as new with synthetic from here on.