c280, what to expect...

[gchild]

I have had my c280 sport w202 (97) for almost two years now. It has ~73k miles, and always serviced by MB since day one. Other than the usual wear and tear items, I've done the following since i've owned it:

-new diff seals
-new tensioner pulley
-new engine mounts
-new rear window regulator (still to do)

what other things should i look out for or expect to do to keep the car tip top?

 

[Will]

Leaky head gasket (mainly oil down the side)
Rust (check around boot lock and plastic trim above number plate, door tops, wheel arches)
Gearbox fluid replacement if not already done
Prop couplings (flex discs) for wear
Lower ball joints on the front
Steering damper

Probably a few other things but that's a good starting point

Will

 

[jaymanek]

Id say 73k is a little low for the items Will has mentioned, worry about it after 100K... apart from the gearbox fluid, always good to renew that every few years..

 

[Will]

I know it's fairly low miles Jay, but it's 10 years old and I think Gchild is from London - speed bumps galore etc.

Obviously I'm not suggesting he replaces that lot but it doesn't hurt to check stuff

Will

 

[gchild]

yes - speed bumps everywhere.

do MB renew gearbox fluid as part of a service or do you have to request it specifically?

 

[vijilants]

Id say 73k is a little low for the items Will has mentioned, worry about it after 100K... apart from the gearbox fluid, always good to renew that every few years..

Steering damper tends to go way before 73000 miles.

Also lubricate the wiper mechanism.....very important.

 

[jaymanek]

sorry didnt notice he was from london, thats a whole other ball game! i replaced the shocks on my 50cc scooter twice in a three year period..

 

[tim.100]

yes - speed bumps everywhere.

do MB renew gearbox fluid as part of a service or do you have to request it specifically?

Some real world 202 experience - the car has been in London for the last 4 of its 10 years, and has 75k miles: new suspension joints at front and rear, new bushes at rear. New steering damper. I'm still on the factory shock absorbers.

Tim

 

[Dec]

Leaky head gasket (mainly oil down the side)
Rust (check around boot lock and plastic trim above number plate, door tops, wheel arches)
Gearbox fluid replacement if not already done
Prop couplings (flex discs) for wear
Lower ball joints on the front
Steering damper

Probably a few other things but that's a good starting point

Will

I have had all of the above exept for balljoints plus Wiper assembly, brakepipe rust, thats it really.

Dec

 

[grober]

Is it A STRAIGHT 6 OR V6 ENGINE? MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHAT TO EXPECT!

 

[BlackC55]

It Will Be A Straight 6 I Suspect.

Why Are We Shouting?

 

[gchild]

Its the V6

 

[jaymanek]

C280 V6? Didnt think there was one, they were all in line 6's

 

[gchild]

i thought they were revised for the facelift version ~97. i could be wrong

 

[gchild]

Leaky head gasket (mainly oil down the side)
Gearbox fluid replacement if not already done
Prop couplings (flex discs) for wear
Lower ball joints on the front
Steering damper


Will

How would i know when the above start to fail/degrade...what would the symptoms and likely costs at an indy be to put right. Cheers

 

[Will]

C280 V6? Didnt think there was one, they were all in line 6's

All the facelift 6-cylinder 202s are V6s, C240s and C280s

Will

 

[jaymanek]

oh of course, sorry yes... i was thinking of the e class W124 for some reason..

 

[television]

All the facelift 6-cylinder 202s are V6s, C240s and C280s

Will

Dont leave out the 129,210 and ML versions

 

[Will]

How would i know when the above start to fail/degrade...what would the symptoms and likely costs at an indy be to put right. Cheers

TBH, the head gasket is a common issue on the straight six, but as yours is a very late '97 and you say it's the V6, it's unlikely to be an issue

If you've not had the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) replaced in your ownership, or any evidence that it was recently done before you got it, it's time to get it replaced.

Your car will have the 722.6 gearbox and you should use the proper MB fluid, quite expensive but not worth taking the risk with other stuff. Probably going to be between one and two hundred £ all in but the fluid is expensive. Replacement is neccessary to maintain the life of your box and should make the shift quality better.

The prop couplings are rubber discs, some people call them 'doughnuts', if they wear you might notice excessive vibration in the drivetrain or slack causing a thud as the gears change up and down. Parts are fairly cheap (under £100) and labour shouldn't be too much, it's only a few bolts to undo and replace

The ball joints should be picked up on a service or MOT, you might notice a knocking sound over bumps etc but most people won't know until they're told, probably the same with the steering damper, you might notice a difference in weight or vibration/vagueness in the steering, they wear and leak the fluid out - but these parts are only £20/30 each and fitting is also simple.

Will

 

[Will]

Dont leave out the 129,210 and ML versions

Yes, although we are talking about the W202 C-class here, these other models were facelifted as Malcolm has mentioned - and this included these models. Did the ML come with any other six cylinder petrol engine other than the V6?

I think the 208 CLK and the R170 SLK also only had V6s?

Will