Just serviced an ’05 C240 this morning….

First of all, it’s a “240” but the car has a 3.2Lin it?

But ya want to know the best thing? No dipstick!! You have to fill the engine with oil, start it up, shut it down to let the oil settle and the computer checks the oil level on the next start-up.

makes me shudder just thinking about it.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Some of us would not consider that such a good thing.

What else does "Hal" do for you that you could otherwise do for yourself?

thats pretty neat...
yea i've never understood why benz does that...90% of the cars have the displacement in the model...190s are unique like that..they are all 190E or D but have a range of engines that go in them..none of which are 1.9L

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque

Here's the problem with introducing such complex electronics into combustion engines:

1. Electronics fail...they always do at some point or another, whether it is tomorrow or ten years from now seems pretty much arbitrary in my experience.
2. Electronic diagnostics are only as accurate as the electronics which are making the diagnosis...if the electronics are damaged, then you're even further back than you would have been having to make the diagnosis on your own because now you have something else to repair and no idea what the problem is.
3. Since the main reason for making everything computerized and electronic is easier repairs/diagnostics (the other being increased efficiency, the only legitimate use in my opinion), isn't it counter-intuitive to build a system which requires special tools, electronics, and personnel to service?

You pay the huge extra money to have all the car systems computerized, you pay the huge extra money for special tools to use in conjunction with the system, you pay the extra money for technicians, and in the end all you wind up with is the same result which could have been achieved via standard tools, skilled mechanics, and a mechanical engine. Why? People say technology makes our lives so much easier, but it seems to make things more complicated. It's just another branching out in the economy to provide more jobs/goods/trade.

Maybe my sarcasm didn't ring through. The electronics in cars today is ridiculous. The truck I drive and the one you see in my avatar was built from scratch from the ground up. If there’s one thing I can’t stand is a car you can’t work on yourself. I work in an independent body/repair shop and it’s getting harder and harder for us every year.

Ahaaaa.............and I thought you serviced your own C240.