Buying an early w203

[1998K]

Not according to Mercedes. Apparently factory 2R is in Germany. I may be mistaken.

When people complain of build quality I have never seen a W203 fall apart. I think that the electronics were a bit unreliable for the above reasons. Perhaps those rubber bushes could have been more chunky and the lubricant water resistant.

so owning a W203 sedan made in German is not a safety factor that it's not a weak one?

 

[1998K]

- engine harness oil - fixed with spacer harness
>> A271 part number. Special 10cm cable.

- transmission oil plug update
>> There is a cable that plugs into the sump - the new cable surround prevents the oil into the harness

thanks Miro!

as far as engine harness please where can I see this A271 special cable? I've to ask to the dealer? Any chance to see it's installed on mine?

as far as the new oil plug cable is there any chance to realize looking at, if mine is the good one?


cheers

Marco

 

[miro]

thanks Miro!

as far as engine harness please where can I see this A271 special cable? I've to ask to the dealer? Any chance to see it's installed on mine?

as far as the new oil plug cable is there any chance to realize looking at, if mine is the good one?


cheers

Marco

This is a question for someone who can see your car.

 

[1998K]

ok thanks Miro!

 

[1998K]

Miro,

from the weel known site, they report the following: Delivery date 16.01.03

should I consider mine subject to the posted common problems?

Thanks again

 

[miro]

Miro,

from the weel known site, they report the following: Delivery date 16.01.03

should I consider mine subject to the posted common problems?

Thanks again

The battery and fuel lines should be fine. The rest can apply to any car in 4 cylinder family.

 

[ROBB]

What till all of the 7G transmission owners find out that they have to change their sump pan at the first filter change. The new filter design requires more clearance - so the sump pan has to be swapped also.

I have a perfectly good used steering rack sitting in the garage. Let me know if you are interested.

No 7G for me, and i'm not sure the extent of what is required yet for steering/suspension replacement - but if i hear steering rack mentioned - i'll be in touch

Cheers
Rob

 

[1998K]

The battery and fuel lines should be fine. The rest can apply to any car in 4 cylinder family.

mine, may be I've already pointed out is a C270cdi 5cylinder as you know, and it's a sedan LHD.

Should I stay safe?

 

[recycled]

Not according to Mercedes. Apparently factory 2R is in Germany. I may be mistaken.

.

According to MB
they were made and assembled in
sindelfingen/bremen germany
east london south africa.
the ones from south africa were made for UK ,aussie and japan.
so if the one you are buying is not RHD you may not have associated problems like the ones built in germany that are for LHD countries

 

[1998K]

you are saying that RHD car are potentially weaker?

 

[JJM]

As an owner of a W203 I can NOT recommend buying one. I have had far too many problems with mine and this is the reason why ive just arranged to put it in PX against a BMW 525td M Sport which I pick up on saturday.

In short problems have been.

2 faulty diesel injectors
ball joint, track rod ends, anti roll bar bushes
Failed central locking unit on passenger door
ESP warning coming on all the time
Intermittant wipers not working
Overhead control panel faulty (no interior lights)
Bulbs blowing a lot
Central locking only working from an inch away from the door (despite 2 new batteries)
Alloy wheels corroding

Its a shame really as when it works it drives really nicely, and found the dealers very good too (good job as i have spent a lot of time there!).

 

[recycled]

you are saying that RHD car are potentially weaker?

certainly. especially the ones made in south africa.
Maybe the QC is no up to scratch. a bit like longbridge and speke/merseyside QC if you ask me.

 

[miro]

According to MB
they were made and assembled in
sindelfingen/bremen germany
east london south africa.
the ones from south africa were made for UK ,aussie and japan.
so if the one you are buying is not RHD you may not have associated problems like the ones built in germany that are for LHD countries

The middle of the VIN is the factory. 2R is my factory.

 

[ROBB]

2F for me / plant 67
wherever that is (germany methinks)

 

[JC180]

2F for me / plant 67
wherever that is (germany methinks)

2F is Germany

Look at the sticker inside the drivers door opening it should say...wait for it...
'Made in Germany' Hurray!

 

[1998K]

certainly. especially the ones made in south africa.
Maybe the QC is no up to scratch. a bit like longbridge and speke/merseyside QC if you ask me.

sorry for my poor english but I'm not able to understand, what QC does it means?

 

[1998K]

my VIN state in the middle: ...61A4...
plant 50

What does it means?

 

[mxs]

sorry for my poor english but I'm not able to understand, what QC does it means?

Quality Control

 

[miro]

my VIN state in the middle: ...61A4...
plant 50

What does it means?

Factory 1A

I did have a link once with a list of all locations. Would make a good addition to Richards site.

 

[1998K]

Factory 1A

I did have a link once with a list of all locations. Would make a good addition to Richards site.

Who's Richard?

Any chance to locate this place? May be the mytichal Area 51