c class service schedule - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cheeseman · #1 10-02-2004, 06:27 PM

I have been offered a seemingly genuine 1999 c class 280 [2.8 v6] with 45,000 miles on the clock. Never having had a c class before I would be grateful if anyone could tell me if there are any hefty bills lurking around the corner ie. when do the timing belts/chains need renewing - does the auto box need any major servicing - is this engine generally reliable?. I dont want to buy a "bargain" only to find its going to cost me a fortune in the near future!
any comments would be gratefully recieved
Thanks
C. Cheeseman

Gilly · #2 10-02-2004, 08:42 PM

Why would you think it's not genuine? You think there are people out there making cheap knock-offs of C280's?
Yeah, they're pretty nice rides, I'd recommend it.
Has the V6 engine, called the M112. There have been lots of things written up on the V6's consuming oil prematurely, but the weird thing is is that it seems to mostly afflict the ML320's. But you'd want to use Mobil1 5w40 religiously. The car has this "FSS" service system that tells you when to change oil. Use that if you want, but be aware it holds 8.5 qts of oil, so don't feel bad to change the oil say every 7500 miles or so, that's ALOT of oil.
There is no timing belt, it's a chain, no service interval, I wouldn't sweat it at all unless you plan on well over 300,000 miles.
The tranny is called a 722.6, there is no official interval on the tranny oil (filled for life). Hotly debated topic here. I wouldn't sweat replacing the tranny oil also for over, hmmmmm couple hundred thousand miles. It's expensive if it "goes" on you, but I don't believe the oil service interval (or lack thereof) is a consideration to the longevity of the transmission.
Be sure to get an owners manual if it doesn't come with one.

Gilly

m444uk · #3 10-02-2004, 10:24 PM

I'd make sure the car has a service history that backs up that mileage these cars are easy to clock and hide mileage well.
The V6 is a great engine with few mechanical problems however overall Mercedes reliability is only so so.
I've just got the British magazine "Parkers price check" NOV 04 which this month has an article on the 20 most reliable cars.No mercedes gets into the top 20! The
results come from a combination faults recorded on 600,000 flleet cars between 1 to 3 years old and the JD Powers private owners satisfaction survey.
The best European model rankings are;

5) BMW 3-series
9) BMW 5-series
14) Jaguar XJ
18) Audi A4
19) VW Golf
20) VW passat

It may be worth getting 3rd party mechanical insurance.Here in the UK a years
cover(parts and labour) for engine,gearbox,recovery etc. is £250 even on cars up to 144,000 miles.

Re- changing the oil in the 722.6 gearbox I checked the past invoices on my
own car and the oil has been changed every 30,000 miles by 2 different Merc main dealers.This gearbox is not filled for life according to Mercedes UK,and they should know what there talking about as the UK is the third biggest market for new Mercedes.

adam

Gilly · #4 10-02-2004, 10:52 PM

Well, in the US they are considered "filled for life". I did have some input on this from one of our German members who said that he did some research on this for me. He said if the transmission HAS a dipstick (not just a cover over the dipstick tube) that there IS a service interval, so it would be interesting for you to report if there is a dipstick in the dipstick tube on yours and what the service book says is the service interval for your particular car. I did read the posts you have already and in one you indicate you have a C280 V6, I'd like to know what model year yours is. And are you sure it's the 722.6 5 speed automatic transmission?

Gilly

m444uk · #5 10-02-2004, 11:52 PM

All 5 speed electrohydraulic auto boxes 96 on originally came new without dipstick and with a red tamperproof clip.The idea I think is to stop topping up as the fill level is critical.The red cap section is often disgarded when prized off.
ZF boxes in modern BMW's often have the same system.In theory the oil's life is greater than the transmission friction bands etc. so yes it is filled for life in that modern oils do not break down in a non-combustion environment.The crud collects in the pan and filter.However in practice Mercedes dealers would much rather have another operation they can profit from ! Given these gearboxes have been having their oil changed from around mid 97 on it would appear to be a non-issue really as the failures have been non-lubrication related.

adam

cheeseman · #6 10-03-2004, 04:44 AM

Thanks for your prompt replies.
releived to hear there are no timing belts [friends I know have had trouble on Audis and VW's].
Huge sump capacity should keep oil company profits up though!
Can you trust relaibility serveys - can a BMW really be more reliable than a Mercedes?

Thanks again for your help
C

m444uk · #7 10-03-2004, 11:32 AM

The fleet part of the survey (stats from over half a million cars) comes from a trade newspaper about company cars.The number of days their cars are off the road is of course important to companies as are repair costs when out of warranty.This is the most accurate type of survey.
The JD powers private owners satisfaction survey is a bit more subjective, for example people expect more from a prestige brand than a cheaper car.I remember from a few years ago the Merc ML coming one from last out of the 102 models on the UK market.Most other Mercs where mid-pack.On that occasion the BMW 5 series came second and was the only European car in the top 10.
From what I've read I would say Audi and Mercedes are similar in reliability(Audi way ahead on rust proofing though) with BMW some way ahead.
Mercedes do seem to have a rust problem on some 96-2000 cars, a few E class's being quite bad in areas salt is used on the roads in winter.
Check door tops and bottoms behind door seals and around the trunk handle.
Also check the paint quality,sometimes orange peel is quite bad and sometimes the paint is a bit thin around the sills.Although they are well engineered cars you really need to inspect everything and not just assume because it is a Mercedes everything is top quality !

adam

cheeseman · #8 10-03-2004, 12:01 PM

I had a second look at the c280 today and had a drive - it is an awesome car - but just as I was getting carried away the owner said "it just has a little rust over the wheel arch- nothing to worry about its only surface rust"
but I'm afraid i am worried - its not just a small piece but is about 1-2 cm wide and runs most of the length wheel arch.

he said he'd had it looked at by an independant bodyshop who had confirmed it was only surface rust. I have asked him to take it back to the main dealer to see if could be done under warranty- he didnt seem to know what the merc warranty was on the paint/ bodywork.
the car was registered march 1999 - what warranty should the vehicle have with regard to paint/rust.
other than the rust the car seems to be 100% genuine - should I go for it or will it be a rusty money pit?
comments please
C

mpolli · #9 10-03-2004, 03:04 PM

Cheeseman,

Gilly gave you some good general advice and you can use the search function on this forum to find other info. There are many resources to research reliability of used cars. Consumer Reports sells a book (at your local bookstore) that compiles reliability data for the last 10 years. Get the book and you will see that Mercedes is in the same league with all the European brands, with the C and E class being at the top of the Merc. range reliability-wise. The Japanese brands come out on top joined by Buick of all things I believe. Also look at carsurvey.org. Anyway, the thing is not a time bomb and I have been pleasantly surprised that the parts I have bought have not been expensive in my opinion (previously I had a Toyota and those guys are PROUD of their parts, if you know what I mean) That is what I call sticker shock. Get the thing inspected. That will hopefully let you know if anything needs to be done NOW. Get the service records from the seller so you know the history. Any car will be expensive to own if you pay others to do the work. And Mercedes will be even more expensive since you probably don't want your local Firestone or Sears working on it. You will save a lot by doing the work your self but if you don't have the skill then you have to consider what these costs will be. Every car breaks, even (God forbid) Japanese cars. Mercedes is a prestige brand and you sometimes have to pay to look at the world over that little star. Maybe you will be happier in a Honda with the rest of the world. I may end up there myself.

Mike

cheeseman · #10 10-03-2004, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the comments
I appereciate that all cars break down - i dont expect miracles from even a Merc - what does worry me is what i consider significant rust on a five year old vehicle - i wouldnt expect this on any modern car. surface rust must be a result of some paint failure or other - I have read of horror stories regarding rust on mid to late '90's mercs .
I want to buy this car- as i said earlier it has an excellent provenence and drives like a dream- i dont want to end up driving somehting that will develop random paint failure.
thanks
c

cheeseman · #11 10-03-2004, 04:43 PM

Just in case you think I am being a little paranoid check out this forum on rusty Mercedes:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5899&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=60

C

Hatterasguy · #12 10-03-2004, 08:08 PM

C class cars don't seem to have rust problems, just the W210 E's. The rust you describe sounds like someone hit it or the owner hit something, and was to cheap to fix it. Figure out what it will cost to fix and factor that into the price. If you want a MB you can't go wrong with a C.