[fabchef]

Hi everyone, fab here from "unstable-weather" montreal. We have just purchased our first 2009 merc c230. We were a little hesitant at first, but all in all, it seems like a well-built car. Our car is a RWD model, and although i've driven RWD cars before (which i do enjoy in winter time), i wanted to know how these model mercs handle snow? In terms of mechanical, i looked under the hood and engine seems to be well laid out. I'm good with getting my hands dirty for basic maintenance and think i can work on this car. I think that people rag on these cars in terms of maintenance costs, but i think for the basic repairs, if one does it themselves it's not that bad.
any info or opinions are welcome.
Shout out to my fellow MTL'ers!
fab

 

[NZ-Merc]

Hi and Welcome along,
I am reasonably new to Mercedes as well and would agree if you change the oil and doing the regular servicing your self seems like they will be quite in expensive to own. I have just replaced all the disc rotors and changed the oil nothing any different from any other brand car.

 

[james.calton1]

Welcome to both of you. I am on my 5th Mercedes and I have learned that it is very important to make friends in this industry. Whether its befriending your local independent or networking with people to gets parts cheaper it all helps you out in the long run. I have been into these cars for a very long time and have learned its all about who you know and what you can do yourself. I have a friend that works at a dealer in California that sells me parts for cost and that helps out quite a bit. You would be surprised how many hundred percent some of these parts are marked up. Also I have befriended my local independent who does all of my work off the clock and charges me 30.00 an hour which is a considerable discount from the 115 that my local dealer charges. Also working on cars your self if a great tool to save money. I would recommend a subscription to AllDataDIY which is the home version of the car breakdowns that most dealers use. It helps with simple and complex tasks and is well worth the yearly fee. Next when it comes to oil I always use mobil1 0W40. It meets all of Mercedes standards of the former Mobil formula M 5W40 and in my experience I get better performance. I usually pick it up in the 5L container at my local Wal-Mart for 24.99. Although Mercedes has mobil packaging their oil in the new Mercedes Benz Motor Oil jugs it is still the same stuff. So as long as you know how to properly save money when it comes to service time they are really not that expensive to maintain at all.

 

[oberoi]

Fabchef - See the Off topic item relating to tail lights in 'engine break in period' post (if you have LED tail lights , no problem)

Oberoi