Frank O' Phile
Active Member
Looking for C32? can't help with that, sorry.
Looking for the welcome bit? No problem.
Welcome to the forum, Mr Kenobi (or can we call you Obi Wan?)
Looking for the welcome bit? No problem.
Welcome to the forum, Mr Kenobi (or can we call you Obi Wan?)
Welcome to the fourm.
There's lots of interest in C32s at the moment. Here's a copy/paste of what I've offerred previously on this subject, based upon my experience:
The Intercooler pump is very common and very very very easy to diagnose. With this problem it is only a matter of time. Expect them to last 40,000 miles - any more is a bonus. Easy DIY job though (apparently), and the same part is used on the Ford Lightning at a much lower cost (about $70 IIRC) - there's even a how to guide on a US forum.
The supercharger bearing can fail making it noisey, although this is very rare. If you hear that a supercharger fails you can be fairly confident it's probably the bearing. Dealers replace the whole unit, but US owners have found the correct bearing for the job, and is apparently not difficult for an experienced mechanic or engineer (about $20 IIRC).
Heated seat base will fail on the drivers seat, as the integrated element gets damaged. Again only a matter of time on this one. Expensive fix is a new seat cover at about £300 or about £100 if you insert a separate pad from a different model.
Air injection relay (and air injection pump) were both recall and items and should have been replaced. Not strictly necessary as it's only required to pass stringent LA smog tests AFAIK.
Purge valve can audibley 'tick', if it irritates then the bracket can be adapted to isolate the noise from being transmitted. Nothing to worry about.
Jerk at 1500rpm, although it seems all cars suffer with this and seem to be a combination of the adaptive settings and the torque converter locking up. Not noticeable and no fix - it's just the way they are.
Lumpy idle in a 10 second burst after a cold start, but only when stationary at about 2 minutes. Bizarre set of circumstances! Just another quirk, no fix.
The 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 - not just C32 or W203.
Suspension bushes can be noisey, but there's a replacement part 'with boots' to prevent re-curring problems.
Can feel vibration of window wiper sweeps through brake pedal when foot is on it at rest. Just something you live with.
Near side tilting mirror can fail, albeit not exactly common!
Rust - not really heard much on the C32 but Andy (CYP) had a successful claim for his bonnet IIRC. Watch out for this though as the earliest examples will now be 8 years old.
On balance it's not that bad. The two dead certs can be fixed cheaply DIY. The other problems with be a PITA if you get them, but could affect any car.
I hope this is of some use...
There's lots of interest in C32s at the moment. Here's a copy/paste of what I've offerred previously on this subject, based upon my experience:
The Intercooler pump is very common and very very very easy to diagnose. With this problem it is only a matter of time. Expect them to last 40,000 miles - any more is a bonus. Easy DIY job though (apparently), and the same part is used on the Ford Lightning at a much lower cost (about $70 IIRC) - there's even a how to guide on a US forum.
The supercharger bearing can fail making it noisey, although this is very rare. If you hear that a supercharger fails you can be fairly confident it's probably the bearing. Dealers replace the whole unit, but US owners have found the correct bearing for the job, and is apparently not difficult for an experienced mechanic or engineer (about $20 IIRC).
Heated seat base will fail on the drivers seat, as the integrated element gets damaged. Again only a matter of time on this one. Expensive fix is a new seat cover at about £300 or about £100 if you insert a separate pad from a different model.
Air injection relay (and air injection pump) were both recall and items and should have been replaced. Not strictly necessary as it's only required to pass stringent LA smog tests AFAIK.
Purge valve can audibley 'tick', if it irritates then the bracket can be adapted to isolate the noise from being transmitted. Nothing to worry about.
Jerk at 1500rpm, although it seems all cars suffer with this and seem to be a combination of the adaptive settings and the torque converter locking up. Not noticeable and no fix - it's just the way they are.
Lumpy idle in a 10 second burst after a cold start, but only when stationary at about 2 minutes. Bizarre set of circumstances! Just another quirk, no fix.
The 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 - not just C32 or W203.
Suspension bushes can be noisey, but there's a replacement part 'with boots' to prevent re-curring problems.
Can feel vibration of window wiper sweeps through brake pedal when foot is on it at rest. Just something you live with.
Near side tilting mirror can fail, albeit not exactly common!
Rust - not really heard much on the C32 but Andy (CYP) had a successful claim for his bonnet IIRC. Watch out for this though as the earliest examples will now be 8 years old.
On balance it's not that bad. The two dead certs can be fixed cheaply DIY. The other problems with be a PITA if you get them, but could affect any car.
I hope this is of some use...
Brian WH
MB Enthusiast
Apart from that they are a good car?
Apart from that they are a good car?
Only one that applies to the C32 (and SLK32) specifically is the heated seat element. You could live with it or implement a cheap fix (separate heating pad from W210).
The intercooler pump could and does affect any supercharged engine, but high performance engines seem to get through them quicker.
The rest apply to other W203 and R170 models, and also other MBs of similar age.
So I would say as good as any other MB
Kenobi, ive got one coming in later this week.. you arent far away..
There must be something about 32s. IIRC you've had yours an age Matt, I've had mine approaching 4 years, I spoke to a chap at Jay's GTG who'd had an SLK32 for 4 years, and I've come across a few other long term owners along the way too.
Great cars.
Great cars.
