Can anyone help on 2001 C240, problem with smart key and "Reduce Engine Oil Level" warning light?
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and about to purchase used 2001 C240 and have some questions.
The mileage is around 61,000, outside paint and the body is in good shape, one owner with clean title.
The upholstery is in good condition except the driver’s seat has around 3inch torn and front windshield has small bullseye. I’m located in Southern California, and about to pay $14,500, which is Good condition in Private Party Value at KBB.
Before I make the commitment to buy, I asked my mechanic to check the car for me.
He said overall mechanical condition in the car is excellent and all instruments are working fine.
But he mentioned the two problems.
The Smart Key Problem.
The remote function of lock, unlock is not working but working fine in the ignition.
According to the Seller, he had this problem before and corrected problem couple of times, but it repeats.
He thinks that it may be the battery issue on smart key…
But my mechanic thinks that since the problem repeats, it may not the battery problem, it could be the problem in the smart key itself or the receiver needs to be replaced. Or something further…
My Mechanic mentioned that it could lead to big issue, since there are built in Alarm, if the problem is lead from malfunction of alarm, it could shut off the ignition to prevent start the engine.
And he cannot fix this problem but only the MB dealer can do it.
The Malfunction, "Reduce Engine Oil Level"?
The Warning light "Reduce Engine Oil Level" comes on when the engine is hot and when you drive up and down in hill. Also, when you scroll through information screen, it shows as 1 Malfunction.
But, if you turn off the engine and turn on, it disappear…
According to the seller, he recently did oil change at the MB dealer and he thinks that they may overfill the oil.
My mechanic also agrees to that statement, and if that is the case, it will disappear, if we drain off some oil.
If the oil level is correct and still shows message, the sensor may need to replace.
My mechanic said, it is not a big issue.
My question is…
1) Is $14,500 is fair price to pay for this car with Smart Key and the “Reduce Engine Oil Level� issue?
2) Does any one had problem with Smart Key and or “Reduce Engine Oil Level� issue as above and what was the solution for that? And how much it is going to cost me to fix it?
Can anyone shed some light on this? Your input is greatly appreciated in advance!
I had a similar oil light problem with my A170. It turned out just to be the sending unit but to be on the safe side I would have an MB dealer give you a quote for the repairs before you buy the car.
MBs (and European cars) are expensive to maintain/repair. Lots of used MBs come up for sale for this reason. IMHO, do not to buy this car and wait & watch for another one.
The message "Reduce oil level" is not a problem that should put you off a car according to my dealer who has always steered me right. Maybe just a tad too much oil when it was last topped up. The reading is affected by the ground being level or not. So it may say it one day (if not level) and not the next day (when dead level). Probably just a tad too full. Too much oil can be harmful so get it reduced and see if that solves problem. He says it almost always does. If there is a dipstick (is on many Mercs but not all the recent ones), check the oil that way.
its def the battery in the key. change the battery it like 3 bucks at radio shack and then try it. the battery has nothing to do with the ignition. no battery and the ignition still starts right up with the key.
i have a '00 model c200komp. i had never had an engine problem with my car until i took it for a b service to an independant mechanic because of the high price of mercedes services. after the b service the "reduce oil level" warning would show after 5mins of driving. i took the car back and had it checked out.
after a few months of the same warning my car started to sound different. i got it checked and found my resinator had shit itself. after fixing the resinator my car was running fine. a couple months later the "reduce oil level" warning appeared again and not long after that my car started sounding bad. i got it checked and found a crack in the manifold.
so im now searching for an aftermarket manifold which would work out cheaper than the stock merc manifold ($1700+install) and have a bit more performance.
what are my options as far as manifolds go for a c200k (euro model)...???
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