2012 C250 CDI, things to look for?

[Paul297]

Hi everyone

First post, please be kind.

So for the first time in my life I have a bit of money to buy a 'nice' car.

Issue is, for every car I like, there's a major fault with it.

There's a couple of nice 2012 (62) C class Mercs near where I live at decent prices. I love the look of them and everything.

Heard some stories about injectors going though on the 2.1 CDI.

Was this still affecting the cars from 2012?

And if an injector goes, how much to repair it?

Anything else to be wary of?

Mate of mine says they've never had a problem with the Sprinters at work but think they'll be newer.

Any advice and guidance would be appreciated. I really want one, but I've lived with a car with a known fault before and it was a nightmare and I couldn't settle.

Really want to join the Merc family!

Thanks

Paul

 

[Gazwould]

Injector replacements done years ago within early few years services .

Plastic housing water pump will go , replaced by metal design .

As will fuel filter housing coolant inlet outlet from two bolt flange design to three .

Dpf pressure sensors too , probably on their 6th design and ecu software update to facilitate new sensor .

 

[A.J.]

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum You are bound to get a bit of a mixture of opinions on here but here is mine. I am on my fourth MB. I have never had an issue with any of them. The only issue I did have was with my previous one. A speed sensor failed and I lost various functions, one being the cruise control. It cost me £120 to replace at my local Indy.

I have only had one MB Diesel and that was the 2.1ltr. It is perhaps a little clattery on start up and tick over but it is a good strong power unit, if I remember correctly there was about 400nm of torque which was amazing.

Make sure you sort yourself out an Indy for your repairs and avoid going to MB Main Stealers. An Indy being an independent MB specialist, they are considerably cheaper and their knowledge is at the same level, they are enthusiasts and not just mechanics with a job at an MB Stealership.

Just be mindful that MB's are addictive and once you have owned one there is no way back. Just go for it and enjoy the ride

 

[Paul297]

Thanks both for the replies, greatly appreciated.

Gazwould, how would I know if the injectors had been replaced? I'm not really all that mechanically savvy.

AJD - Thanks for that. I really do fancy a Merc. I've got no interest in Audi. There's barely anything in my budget that I actually like (budget of around 8k).

Just this injector issue is a worry. I nearly bought a 2012 C coupe last night, but my family were moaning about potential repair bills.

Basically, I could do without having to spend thousands again in a couple of months.

Thanks guys

Paul

 

[grahamcol]

I wouldn’t worry about repair costs unduly. Yes if you buy a lemon then it’ll cost a fortune, but I’ve owned about 7 or 8 Mercs now and I’ve not yet received a large bill. Buy carefully and choose a good Indy and l don’t think you’ll go far wrong.

 

[A.J.]

The problems you mention are very few and far between and probably immeasurable against the amount out there and running without any issues. As Graham ^ says just make sure that what you are buying is not a lemon. Take somebody with you who has a mechanical mind. There are owners on this forum who have MB's that have done 1,2,300,000 miles with no issues.

You could alternatively go out and buy a Ford Ecosport thinking it was a safe purchase and end up with a cracked block which is a major issue with that particular engine for example.

Just be careful in what you buy and don't let your heart rule your head

 

[Gazwould]

Thanks both for the replies, greatly appreciated.

Gazwould, how would I know if the injectors had been replaced? I'm not really all that mechanically savvy.

AJD - Thanks for that. I really do fancy a Merc. I've got no interest in Audi. There's barely anything in my budget that I actually like (budget of around 8k).

Just this injector issue is a worry. I nearly bought a 2012 C coupe last night, but my family were moaning about potential repair bills.


Paul

Have a look at ecu sticker should say solenoid that means faulty Piezo are changed out + Piezo don't have any fuel return lines .

 

[Gazwould]

.. And then there's the magic timing chain and tensioner , pull the auxiliary battery 7.5A fuse that facilitates Stop Strain to help prevent the start up rattle tell tail .

 

[Paul297]

Thanks again.

Gazwould - I bow to your superior knowledge but you're worrying me! Haha

AJD, thanks for that. I get what you're saying completely. I wouldnt buy something unless I felt it was a good egg haha.

The thing is I drive a Laguna coupe at the moment, so I'm used to repair bills. Just spent 600 quid on it but the engine itself is perfect.

I dont know what to do. I think its because if I buy a car, I won't have much room left in terms of expendable income. Ill be budgeting.

Should you buy a merc if you have to budget? Not sure.

 

[gianton]

What major staff needed so far on my 2013 S204 C250 CDI 4Matic with 211k miles as of today (maintained at a local MB indie):

- Thermostat at 171k miles (GBP110)
- 2x Exhaust pressure/EGR/DPF sensors at 181k miles (GBP140)
- Water pump at 185k miles (GBP205)
- Central propshaft repair/reconstruction at 186k miles (GBP270)
- Chain tensioner at 188k miles (GBP140)
- ELV steering lock repair/fix at 202k miles (GBP270)
- Radiator new at 205k miles (GBP255)
- Cleaning and testing of 4x injectors at 211k miles (GBP150)

I keep short service intervals as follow:

- Engine oil/filter every 5.000 miles
- Fuel filter and air filter every 20.000 miles
- Cabin filter every year
- Oil/filter of transmission including TC flush (7g+) every 50.000 miles
- Brake fluid every 2 years
- Coolant fluid every 3 years
- Differential fluid (front and back) every 60.000 miles

I plan on keeping the car at least for four more years and it drives as it was new.

 

[steveq]

Hi,

I have two 2011 MBs with the OM651 2.1 diesel engine currently and have not had any serious mechanical issues with either. One has 120,000 miles on it and I have had it for 3.5 years and the other has 75,000 miles on it and I've had it for 4.5 years.
I did have to replace the water pump on one and an exhaust temp sensor on the other in my ownership but that is it in terms of engine / gearbox issues -- apart from regular oil and various filter changes.

No different to buying any secondhand car --- Just be careful on what you buy -- look for cars that have a good service history and have been owned by the same owner for a long time.
A good tip is to look at the tyre brands and condition -- if they are a good well known brand and in good condition it is an indication that the owner wasn't trying to skimp on costs.

 

[A.J.]

Hi,

I have two 2011 MBs with the OM651 2.1 diesel engine currently and have not had any serious mechanical issues with either. One has 120,000 miles on it and I have had it for 3.5 years and the other has 75,000 miles on it and I've had it for 4.5 years.
I did have to replace the water pump on one and an exhaust temp sensor on the other in my ownership but that is it in terms of engine / gearbox issues -- apart from regular oil and various filter changes.

No different to buying any secondhand car --- Just be careful on what you buy -- look for cars that have a good service history and have been owned by the same owner for a long time.
A good tip is to look at the tyre brands and condition -- if they are a good well known brand and in good condition it is an indication that the owner wasn't trying to skimp on costs.

And that they they are of the same manufacturer on each axle Steve.

 

[steveq]

Agree absolutely.

And the opposite of that is four different dodgy brands and all in poor condition -- be careful, very careful.

 

[Srdl]

No different to buying any secondhand car --- Just be careful on what you buy -- look for cars that have a good service history and have been owned by the same owner for a long time.
A good tip is to look at the tyre brands and condition -- if they are a good well known brand and in good condition it is an indication that the owner wasn't trying to skimp on costs.

Hi Paul and welcome. The above advice is probably the simplest and best way to find out if a car has been loved or not. Also you can check the MOT history simply on the DVLA Website. Regular, on time, MOTs, without a long list of advisories, would suggest the car has been well looked after.

I have always had my cars (Mercedes and another premium German brand) “properly” serviced and never had anything major fail. For me personally, a full service history from Mercedes or a Mercedes Independent would be an essential.

As Andy says, MBs can become addictive so, be careful if you test drive one, because you might get the bug (and I don’t mean Covid!). I do like to look of the Laguna coupe but I imagine that driving a Mercedes will be a whole different league.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I don’t know your budget but Mercland select their vehicles carefully, know MBs inside out and give a genuine guarantee - something like this might suit:

https://www.mercland.com/vehicle/me...ickshire-ac2b8e6d-21c7-4f96-8821-ae2e90b415f4

 

[steveq]

That is definitely the best you could hope for.

I would say that most 8 year old cars are outside the main dealer network but a history with an Indy is the next best.
A history of regular servicing using quality materials is probably the minimum you would look for.

And no history beyond the first few years is another good reason to walk away.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

That is definitely the best you could hope for.

I would say that most 8 year old cars are outside the main dealer network but a history with an Indy is the next best.
A history of regular servicing using quality materials is probably the minimum you would look for.

And no history beyond the first few years is another good reason to walk away.

Yes the one at Mercland is definitely a keeper a rare find indeed and worth making the investment in

 

[Paul297]

Firstly, I'd just like to say thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply and offer some advice.

These are the two cars in roughly my local area that I was looking at:

https://www.evanshalshaw.com/search...-wg62eol/?campaign=7-day-money-back-guarantee

https://www.carshop.co.uk/used-car/MERCEDES-BENZ/C CLASS/WF62OGB

The absolute top end of my budget is 9000. I know that's not actually a lot compared to some people, but for me it really is. I'd be paying for it over 4 years, too. So it's a commitment.

I went to view the second one the other day. Not a mark on it, inside and out. It was very tidy. I would prefer a coupe but the saloon, like the first one, does look nice and I think I could get into it.

I do usually look at the tyres, I learnt that a few years ago, good tip!

The Laguna is a trusty old soul. 99000 on the clock and it's never put a foot wrong. I love it in a way because it's a bit quirky and rare. Autocar had it as one of their highlights a few months back, suggesting folk snap them up as they could be future classics as there isn't many around. Garages only offer me around 700 quid for it though, which is a bit insulting. It's taken me to Germany and back and everywhere without missing a beat.

The Mrs keeps talking me into it and then I get cold feet, worrying about potential repair bills. I guess I'll never know unless I bite the bullet.

Thanks again, really appreciated.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As above, due diligence is best there are plenty around so take your time especially as you are new to the brand, big ticket items are discs and pads, tyres and B service, you can ask the seller to email you the service history of each car which should help. Beware third party warranties for obvious reasons how on earth we have arrived at 3 month warranties defeats me

 

[steveq]

Hi,

Looking at Autotrader, there is a lot of choice both in Coupés and Saloons -- some low mileage examples and saying they have full service histories and look to be at lower prices than the two above.

Personally I like to buy privately as you get to know how the car was treated by meeting the previous owner, the car isn't as tarted up for sale and there is generally more room for negotiation.