C230 Repair Costs

[dazzano]

I am looking at getting a 2004 C230, with 60,000km on it. I was wondering what to expect in a yearly total for cost on maintenance on average?
Also, is there any problems with this model that people have experienced, I had BMW last and had nothing but problems and don't want to buy into another headache.

Thanks!

[pthai2]

I just took my 2004 C230 in for schedule B maintenance @75k miles last week for $464 ($366 for labor). Oil Filter and oil change the rest just checking plus one recall work(2008020002) Schedule A service was $280 labor. So every 10K miles (+) or so depend on how you drive it will alternate A & B service. I did it myself when I have time because labor is $145/hr around Chicago area. You can get lot of help right here and you won't believe how easy it is to do regular maintenance.
I very happy with the car, no problem at all other than few light bulbs. Proper maintenance help I guess. Excellent mpg at 25 city, 31 highway.

Pat

[MBC240]

Originally Posted by dazzano

I am looking at getting a 2004 C230, with 60,000km on it. I was wondering what to expect in a yearly total for cost on maintenance on average?
Also, is there any problems with this model that people have experienced, I had BMW last and had nothing but problems and don't want to buy into another headache.

Thanks!

I don't have a C230, but a C240.

I just had $3,000 US worth or work done on my car. It had 64k Miles and is a 2003. I had a valve cover gasket leak, my instrument cluster was fading, my brakes were worn in the back, I needed my B-Service, bushings in the rear suspension needed to be replaced, I had all my fluids changed except for the transmission too, fuel filter, air filters and AC filters were also done.

$1700 of that was warranty work, so at the end of the day I paid just over $1200. The higher up in miles and age the more you'll have to do as far as maintenance goes. If you can, buy a Mercedes with an extended warranty, also, people here seem to think that the 2005's+ have less issues.

Another common issue is the door locks going out, my drivers side went and that was about $500 (thanks warranty!)

[FrankW]

Originally Posted by MBC240

I don't have a C230, but a C240.

I just had $3,000 US worth or work done on my car. It had 64k Miles and is a 2003. I had a valve cover gasket leak, my instrument cluster was fading, my brakes were worn in the back, I needed my B-Service, bushings in the rear suspension needed to be replaced, I had all my fluids changed except for the transmission too, fuel filter, air filters and AC filters were also done.

$1700 of that was warranty work, so at the end of the day I paid just over $1200. The higher up in miles and age the more you'll have to do as far as maintenance goes. If you can, buy a Mercedes with an extended warranty, also, people here seem to think that the 2005's+ have less issues.

Another common issue is the door locks going out, my drivers side went and that was about $500 (thanks warranty!)

if you had extended warranty all of that should be covered except your oil change (B-service) $100-150 tops, sway bar bushings or endlinks ($60-70 tops combined), and brake pads change $100 tops and filters probably another $100 ish. in the end you over paid by at least $800 to have the dealer do the job.

the door lock is about $130 in parts. shop normall charges two hr rate which probably around $120. total to around $250 to fix it. if you paid $500 you just got ripped at double the price.

now the M271 C230k is different than the M112. Some people has the oil leak problem from the cam shaft and there are couple recall for the engine which are free. other than that most M271 has seen pretty good reliability. 2004 was also rid of most problems on the w203 already. BUT of course if someone looking into purchasing a used MB always purchase extended warranty when you can.

[MBC240]

Originally Posted by FrankW

if you had extended warranty all of that should be covered except your oil change (B-service)

I said $1700 of it was warranty and that I paid $1200. It was in the post...

[FrankW]

Originally Posted by MBC240

I said $1700 of it was warranty and that I paid $1200. It was in the post...

yes, I read your post. I said you still paid $700-800 too much. BUT if you are willing, not my problem.

[Buellwinkle]

MB is just another German car, don't expect it to cost less to own or be more reliable than any other German car. The trick to owning a German car is to have a a good line of credit left on your credit card and a good independant mechanic that's honest so you won't ripped off by commissioned SA's at car dealerships. With MB, just like BMW, reliability is a luck of the drawer, it's some people's nightmare and some people have zero defects. I have a 2004.5 and it's been a perfect car, rare for a German car buy then I had a 2002 that was a nightmare and an SLK that's another money pit.

[MelloC230]

I just got off the phone with my local Mercedes dealer and I was told my scheduled B service for my 2005 C230K will be around $430+/- OTD. I asked him if this was only for labor costs and he said no it's for the entire service . Hopefully this is true because that will be ALOT less then what I paid on my 2007 GMC Yukon

[MBC240]

Originally Posted by MelloC230

I just got off the phone with my local Mercedes dealer and I was told my scheduled B service for my 2005 C230K will be around $430+/- OTD. I asked him if this was only for labor costs and he said no it's for the entire service . Hopefully this is true because that will be ALOT less then what I paid on my 2007 GMC Yukon

I have no idea what you paid $430+ for on a 07 Yukon... but whatever.

That 430 probably includes an oil change and all their inspections. I will be surprised if they actually replace the air filters, brake fluid, etc. I'll bet they call you 3 hours later with a to do list and you end up paying $800+.

Get the specifics!!!

[Tri-Star]

If you know what you need done on the car and tell the dealership that is what you want, you will avoid getting ripped off.