You might be able to avoid a major leave me on the side of the road break down but you won't avoid replacing some very expensive components along the way.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Can any car go 300K without breakdowns?

My 96 C220 W202 did up to 315k but it was my choice to have the head gasket replaced. Car was running fine. Just normal maintenace otherwise.

__________________
the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

I think the W202 made it to production just before MB's massive cost cutting era. Besides the M111, the rest of the components in the W203 weren't so lucky.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

If you take care of it they will last. Trouble is, its tough to know how it was cared for prior when getting a used car. Its like rolling the dice. I lucked out with my C220 as it came from a family member. And my 300Ds came from original owners who I personally knew.

And by the way, taking care of it does not mean taking it to the a shop for every little thing. I believe my cars last as I do my own maintenance. Unfortunately, my experience with shops is not always so good especially with just normal maintenance. And when I really want something to be done, I bring to an Indy I found to be competent and trustworthy.

__________________
the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

You're very fortunate. The majority of 200K+ cars that come through my shop usually arrive on a flat-bed.

I'm currently looking at an 05 C320 4matic from a car dealer. It appears to have the same engine as the E320? Any advise on these models?

13-pin tranny cable?
4matic?
???

__________________
the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

Much better choice!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Mercedes M272 & M273 Engine Class Action

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

The C320 has the M112 engine. The later model year C350 and C280 are equipped with the M272 engine.

It's a good car. You should buy it.