Buying a used C-Class estate (w203?) - What to look out for?

[gchild]

Hi,

Colleague at work looking to buy their 1st Benz. Current thinking is either a
c220 cdi or c270 cdi. Probably avantgarde spec about 3-4years old. Budget around £12-15k

What sort of things should they check or look out for to avoid expensive visits to a dealer?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Venomous]

Hi,

I found this helpful.

Many Thanks

Brian

 

[Rory]

Crucial thing at that age is that the car was facelifted mid 2004 so be aware if your're looking at pre or post facelift versions.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

In terms of problems, the following spring to mind.

I believe the 270 engine in particular is prone to injector problems, so one thing to look out for.

Valeo radiators (cars built pre 09/03 IIRC) can leak and cause glycol contamination. At worst can require a new transmission, albeit uncommon. Can be replaced with a later Behr radiator to ease concerns. There's lots of info on this. Other models are affected too - you would need to check if this applies to the model you're looking at.

Suspension bushes can be noisey, but there's a replacement part 'with boots' to prevent re-curring problems.

Near side tilting mirror can fail, albeit not exactly common!

Rust is not common on the W203/S203 but it has been known.

Servicing and routine maintenance is not cheap so try to find a car with the expensive stuff already done. Off the top of my head, you're looking roughly at:

A Service about £230-250 (or £60 cheaper if supply own oil).
B Service about £400-450 (or £60 cheaper if supply own oil).
Transmission oil about £100-150 (at about 60,000 miles).
Brake fluid change about £60 (at 2 years)

Brakes not that expensive if you do it yourself, but at a dealer the circa £100 labour rates will soon bump up the bill.

I hope this is of some use. Good luck.

 

[Stratman]

The best way to avoid expensive visits to a dealer (or Stealer as we call them) is to use one of the many excellent independent garages regularly frequented (and indeed owned) by Forum members.

Take a look in this forum or let us know roughly where your friend lives and the recommendations will come flooding in.

 

[jadefox]

A lovely choice of car

All I would say is that if it's a straight choice of 220 over 270, I'd say 270 every time as there is really no real difference in the fuel economy and emmissions are same group. Therefore you get the extra performance and smoother engine without the extra economic burden!

 

[Alfie]

Hi,

Colleague at work looking to buy their 1st Benz. Current thinking is either a
c220 cdi or c270 cdi. Probably avantgarde spec about 3-4years old. Budget around £12-15k

What sort of things should they check or look out for to avoid expensive visits to a dealer?

Any advice appreciated.

If at all possible get a facelifted car. these were built from April 2004 onwards so the vast majority of 54 plated cars are facelifted as are all 05,55,06... cars. there are some 04 plated ones around. The facelift really is worth it the car drives so much nicer IMHO. The facelifted ones also had the suspension bushes issues sorted out.

 

[recycled]

avoid the sequentronic box A,N,R +,-