Buying Advise - 04 C230 Kompressor
 

I'm looking at an 04 C230 Kompressor with 100k. Drove it today and drove fine. I did notice a film of thick cream under the oil fill cap but the coolant looked very clean (and clear). The owner says its the wife's car and she mainly drives short distances (within 1-2 miles) 85% of the time. So, I'm thinking that its due to that.

Noticed it had no dipstick for engine oil and tranny but had the tubes going to each with caps. Is everything monitored by readout?

Any thoughts and advise on this model? Thanks.

MY buying advise is DON'T!

Very weak engine! not up to MB standards!
MBUSA dumped that engine after 3 years, 3 BAD years that is.

Find a nice C240 or C320 instead.

I agree. Weak timing chain and poor valve guide design.

What you want is a 2003 or earlier C230 with the 2.3 liter M111 engine. The 1.8 liter M271 in the 2004 is garbage.

Is the 2003 C230 still a W203 or a W202?

W203 was model years 2001-2007

2001-2003 C230 = M111
2004-2005 C230 = M271
2006-2007 C230 = M272 2.5 V6

Both M271 and m272 had internal mechanical issues such as the weak timing chain, VVT mechanism and balance shaft. Theres actually a class action for some of those engines. The older M111 4 cyl and M112 V6 engines (2001-2005 C320 and C240) are simpler but more robust designs. The M111 stretches back all the way to 1992 200E (not sold in the US) so it was a very well sorted design by the time the W203 showed up.

Only a 2002 C230 coupe has the M111 engine..
All 2003 to 2005 C230 use the M271=junk

Thanks all for the feedback.

MBDOC, so are all C240s recommended then? One thing I noticed in the MSN Carpoint reviews that the C240 tends to have MAF failures. Have you seen this?

newer c-class eh? :D

Why not.....;)

The M112 engine has suffered with MAF failures since its inception.

They seem to last 3-5 years.
You can get OE Bosch replacements for $200, with MB list at $310
.

The 2004-05 C240 is a much better car than the 03-05 C230!

Thanks. How about the C280s?

The C280 uses the newer M272 engine & they have balance shaft wear issues as well as intake manifold failures.

Intake manifold runs $1500 & balance shaft replacement can cost $4000!

There is a "class action" lawsuit out there on the balance shaft issue!

I drove an 04 C240 4matic 82k today from a Honda dealer. Seemed like a clean car. It has a V6 and 4matic.

Not a local car but MB dealer will print out service history for me. So I'll how it looks tomorrow.

Although I must say.... seem like the newer MBs are not as good and reliable anymore..... can I expect to log 200-300k miles on them without breakdowns? would it be better if I look for Accords or Camry's? Just wondering...:rolleyes: