Can this car be repaired
 

1998 Mercedes-Benz C230


I saw this on Craigslist the other day and thought, man that would really make a nice car for my grand daughter if I can buy it right. What's up with the ignition on this car. I did some search work on the Forum and it seems that even if you replace the ignition switch complete, the computer would still reject it. May be they should lighten up a bit at the Benz Factory, especially on the economy models. Are there some good ideas out there?

Looks moderately worn and abused to me....and yes if the EIS key system fails it usually has to be replaced with a new one and re-coded to the car. You need the factory Startek DAS/DAS Xentry computer system to do it. I don't think a car will accept an existing/used EIS.

If it has the electronic key fob and it wont energize as you put the key in and the user says he has a new key for it. then the whole ignition requires replacement with a brand new part.

Its about 1000~1400/- and your old keys are tied to it. No cheap way of cutting it. I also saw a car like that here in Houston (W210) and the guy is asking market price and claiming its only a 100 dollar fix.

YEAH RIGHT.

Like Zulfiqar said it is over the low four digits...in cost-this is for any 90's car...All has to be done by the dealer..

The guy forgot the other zero at the back....

Martin

If you could get it for $800.00 and not much else is wrong (which is unlikely) I'd say go for it. No used EIS ignition will work. A lot of guys on eBay (junkyards, parts guys) try to sell them either knowing it won't work, or just don't care. Like everyone said it does require Star unfortunately to complete the job. Shame this car looks so abused. The W202 chassis is excellent when it is running correctly. Great on fuel. My 97 C230 got 36 (mixed) regularly. You could find one of these in better shape for most likely the same price and drive it away.

I think there is a known issue on these engines in the timing chain area, they stretch to the point of the pistons crashing into the valves.

That has to be accounted for when buying such a car.

Well thanks guys. Pretty much what I had picked up in "search". The car does look tired - no doubt about that. I was thinking "about $800.00", but I don't think so anymore. Back in 1998 my wife and I spent about 3 weeks in the Netherlands and we rented a Euro version of that same car. It was almost brand new and we really enjoyed touring the Netherlands in it. Fuel mileage was very good. Great memories as our parents were born in Friesland, Holland.

Yes, they really are excellent strong motors. The 5-speed is really great too. The cars are a dime-a-dozen right now and be easily had for around $2500.00 in good shape. Plus, just as many in the yards so a lot of parts are readily available real easily. Body parts, interior parts etc.

Save your money and buy a Frisian skutsje instead Dutch Sailing boat to buy Friesland

To me it is a $ 500 car since it can't be heard running / be driven. This way if the car is a total disaster you are not too far off scrap value.

However, last year I bought a non running 97 C280 for $ 1,000 because it had good history, was a 1 owner , lived in CA car for all but a year, was shipped cross country as a non runner as they had hopes of fixing it. ( the engine harness was mouse chewed.)

Keep looking....Good ones are out there
 

JYJ--I like your thinking about putting your granddaughter in an MB. My kids drove my W124's while they were in high school. And as you would predict, all had fender benders of one sort or the other. But, whenever they pulled out of the driveway, it was kind of one less thing to worry about knowing they were behind the wheel of a Benz.

Jake12tech--x2

97SL320--great freakin' story! How's the car today.

Car runs and drives but isn't in use yet as it needs details ( brake rotors rusty, brake pads, lower ball joints, alternator rebuild, tires and such. )

I've already replaced all the coolant hoses, fuel pump ( locked from car sitting 4 + years ) engine harness, tune up parts.

Car was poorly reclear coated ( Smoke Silver) some time in the past but I'd rather have poor paint than rust.

Original owner said car was taken off the road due to a bad drive by wire throttle actuator then mice got the wiring. It was actually more cost effective for me to buy a $250 110K mile motor and take off what I needed than chase an engine harness and throttle actuator piece meal.

Turns out that the air flow sensor was bad and.. . fuel tank senders not working showing the car had 1/4 tank but was empty. It also had 1/2 of an ignition coil fail.

This will be Moms summer car when finished.

With good history and rust free body, even if the engine and trans turned out to be bad I'd still be ahead so it was worth the risk.

Great story
 

We hijacked the post, but it was worth it. Great story. I'll post a similar one when I finish my '89 260e that was about in the same shape as your 280. Thx.

Someone should call him out on it. Give him an extra hundred dollars and tell him to deliver the car fixed.

already did that - right there - typical excuse comes back - " I dont have time"

:)