In an overall sense Mercedes is good at making improvements for each consecutive model year.
And good advice is to buy the most recent model you can afford.


With an internet search (maybe at Benzworld) you should be able to find a coded listing of TSB's - technical service bulletins for the W203 orderd by date.

Of course you need to be WISE, need to get an expert evaluation- on a car such as a used Mercedes - it's not like buying a used Honda or Toyota.
I imagine many people who lease or own a C-class don't maintain them as they should be. The W203 is not like a W202 either in that the W203 is more electrical complex.

Does Canads have STARMARK warranty? because reliability should be your main concern. I'm a maintenance freak, and am actually very gentle on my cars, I mainly forgo hard acceleration and occassionally enjoy high-speed runs.