Opinion! Help! Mercedes C320

[thearkitekt]

Hidden Mercedes Gurus and other knowledgeable people out there I have a question.

I am considering options for a new DD and I like the look of the Mercedes C320 Kompressors, but know nothing about them. Are there good forums out there for these cars? Does anyone own one? General Opinions?

Thanks!

[ACMF74]

I belong to this one...

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/

some good stuff in there.

good luck

[trent]

LOL! I was a service writer at a Benz Dealer. I hope you have $$!!!!

[decay]

i was lurking in this forum for a while when i was considering a 190e:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/

[abepark]

I dk about the komps but I think 02-04 c class's 240/320 have a transmission cooler line run inside radiator where they break and you have to buy a new transmission with torque converter and radiator due to glycol getting into tranmission. Have had to tell the bad news to a few customers.

BTW 320's 6 cylinders were not supercharged it was the 230 4 cylinders that were.

[blocke]

My wife was looking at those for a DD. For the price of an early 2001-2003 model with high mileage (120k+) we picked up an 00 e46 with 85k. The used market price on those is way over inflated.

[s0urce]

I'll always love Mercedes, but if you're looking for a good Mercedes forum FORGET IT. Because it doesn't exist, and the few Merc owners who actually work on their cars instead of throwing it at the stealer are few and far between.

[e34john]

^
He's right but I used to go to mbworld too, haven't been on in a long time. My dad refuses to work on the MB even though he has been working on cars for over 20 years, he even did most of the work rebuilding my M50 but all he would do on the benz is oil change and brakes and that doesn't happen too often.

Are you getting the new body style? Cause the older like 2000s model with the round headlights look pretty cheap and the build quality does not seem as nice as the current generation.

[b*saint]

Your wife is looking for DD's?

[RainierHooker]

My Dad has worked on BMW, VAG, and MB since the 70's. Now that he's retired he flat-out refuses to assist in any way on any MB product. When I worked at his shop while I was younger, I too found a distain for pretty much any Merc since the 190e (and as much as I'd love a 190e 2.3-16, I'd probably be disowned if I got one). There is a reason why nearly all Mercedes owners are not wrench turners.

[scabzzzz]

I'll always love Mercedes, but if you're looking for a good Mercedes forum FORGET IT. Because it doesn't exist, and the few Merc owners who actually work on their cars instead of throwing it at the stealer are few and far between.

I noticed this... Was considering picking up a w124 and man.. Finding information was a chore and a hastle at the same time.

[mcgrath]

Hello, I'm an MB tech and have been for almost 4 years now. from my experience the chrysler merger products are not to the quality standards of what MB was known for . If you want a good c class, stick with a 202 (looks like a 4 door e36) or skip to the new 204. The 202 is a decent car, don't expect it to ride like a bmw. it's more plush, more body roll. The 204 is a huge upgrade over the 203. handles great out of the box, looks very nice inside and out, very good audio, etc.

If you do go with a kompressor (c230k in a 203 chassis) their are some things to know about the m271 engine. They have two camshaft solenoids that can leak oil into the engine harness. the oil can take out the o2 sensors, maf, crank sensor, and worst of all the ME control unit (ECU) the last ME I had replaced about 3 weeks ago customer pay was $1450 alone. You can not install a used ME in these cars, they are coded to the car. There is a recall now that has the technicians install pigtail harnesses on the solenoids to keep the oil out. If the car your looking at doesn't fall under the campaign, you need to make sure those harnesses are installed or check to see if the solenoids are leaking oil (through the electrical connector)

Be sure to listen for any loud valve tick, they have very weak valve springs which allow carbon to get trapped between the valve and valve seat which can cause the engine to have a burnt valve/seat. Usually a fuel induction service or some spirited driving will clean out the carbon.

The only other major thing I have seen is the brake booster vacuum pump, located on the back of the cylinder head. The pump is camshaft driven. They sometimes fill up will oil and can seize. I have seen one seize and actually snap the camshaft and ruin the head. You can tell if it's bad if you see oil leaking from it.

If I were looking for a 203, I would stick with one powered by the m112 v6 engine (c240, c320) I have seen those engines with over 250k miles. They are sohc 3 valves per cylinder, 2 spark plugs per cylinder, aluminum block. Most of my experience is with 2000+ cars. Out of all the engines I have worked on the m112 and m113(v8) are the easiest. They do leak oil though from the valve cover pvc chambers, and the rear main seal plate. Other then that if you keep the fluids changed when they are recommended they will run forever.

Suspension is a subject I could wright another novel on but I wont for now. It's just like any other luxury car. They use soft rubber to keep the ride plush, but it deteriorates faster. Common wear items on 203's are radius arm bushings aka thrust arm bushings and rear spring link bushings. I have rarely seen tie rods, ball joints, etc wear out on this model.

Hope there was some useful information somewhere in that rant. If you have any other questions about c320's c230's etc just ask.