1st year with C32

[calgonis]

I have been running my C32 for 1 year and thought I would show an informative view of what it takes to keep it happy.

Background:
Car arrived with 72k and FULL MB Service History

Essential maintenance required in the last year:
Oil Burning smell - New rocket cover gaskets and seals and I had fresh Mobile 1 put in
Bleeding the brakes due to brake failure on motorway (water found in brake fluid)
New front disks and pads all round
'B' Service + garage found water in my brake fluid again and a missing part under my bonnet that should stop rain water getting into the brake fluid apparently! New part and brake fluid change again.
Snapped coil springs replaced
Both headlights went dim and one had the internal levelling mechanism broken. Replaced both headlights with facelift style ones.
Repaired wiring in front drivers electric seat as the controls stopped working and just blew fuses as soon as you tried to make them move.
Repaired mounting bracket on passenger seat.
I/C pump failed replaced with modified Johnson CM30 unit

I live with:
Air Con Stepper motor/s doing the clicky dash thing started about 3 months ago
Bottom of both heated seats have failed heater elements since purchase

Modifications:
Code 3 Pully
Two Angel tuning remaps first one for a standard car and the second for the Pully upgrade
Johnson CM30 I/C pump

Look Improvements over a year:
Facelift style headlights
Command Center brand new knobs fitted (quite worn)
New chrome metal gear plate added to replace flakey old plastic one
Alloy wheels all refurbed
Center caps replaced
Wheel nut covers added

Not got round to yet:
CD changer jamming.
Drivers door mirror loose
One of the NEW brake disks feels like it has warped under heavy braking
The window wipers have started to make a intermittent clunking on high speed wipe
Warning triangle holder in boot broken since purchase
Rear demister stopped working
Steering wheel a bit worn on leather could do with refurb or replace.

It's lucky I really like the car I wont actually put the costs down as I would rather not know the total spent. If you are getting one I would put aside a realistic £250 a month on essential maintenance based on my experience. Most things I have repaired / replaced by a garage.

Anyone else had a similar experience with their car?

 

[The _Don]

Wow that is a quite comprehensive list all in a one year period !! i have owned many c43 ( still have one) and never had that long a list - my c63 is under warranty so nothing to worry about there.

 

[harry_dhuga]

Very good write up - just goes to show they are cheap enough to buy but another thing to maintain them, be prepared to spend money when the going gets tough...!!!

I can speak from experience .

 

[Swozza]

Lets see now.

Trouble free last 8 months but the first 6 had some issues

1. Secondary Air pump failure. New pump and relay fitted.
2. Power drain. New front seat controllers fitted.
3. Cracked ball joint. New ball joints fitted.
4. Coolant leak. Finally diagnosed as the reservoir cap, MB replaced for free.

I also have the stepper motor click, other that everything works and is fine. For now anyway.

Upgrades and TLC

1. 18" AMG wheels.
2. New center caps.
3. All rush and chips taken repaired.

Future upgrades, Johnson CM30 I/C pump. Funds pending or when my current one fails.

Service A is due in about 2K.

So I'm generally happy.

 

[Neiltodd]

No troubles with mine although had springs replaced under warranty.

 

[trainer]

20 Months of ownership. I bought the car with a non functional drivers seat squab. I haven't replaced it as I find the backrest warms me up enough. The passenger seat memory controller caused a battery drain. I ended up buying a new battery and removing the constant feed from the controller. I had the pads and discs replaced but that is only to be expected.

apart from that smiles all the way!

 

[BlackC55]

The disc warp maybe due to corrosion on the hub. We see it all the time on 203's. Unless ALL of the lumps of rust are removed the disc will not sit flush. In turn the disc(s) wil warp.

Take a disc off to check.

Worst case senario is that the hubs will need replacing. Dont just put a new set of discs on check the hubs first.

I am pretty sure this will be your issue. When or if new hubs are needed spray a little aluminuim anti seize grease on them and you will never have the issue again.