Any trouble free motoring with C250d?

[Alynpawlin]

Hey guys,
Im looking to buy a C250d (2012-2013). For my budget ive found a couple with around 35K on the clock. Now, ive done my research on mercedes diesel engines and have come across a few horror stories i.e. black death. Ive also heard of people describing, especially with the 250's, a lag in acceleration (around 2-3s). anyone else experienced this problem?

When reading up on cars common problems or faults i always am a bit weary as people only tend to post in forums when their car has broken. Ive read some people describe these issue occurring after a few thousand miles and others saying it happened over 150k.

Just curious as to whether the people posting in the forums are the unlucky few or are most cars plagued with these issues.

Cheers for any insights,

alyn

 

[John Laidlaw]

I think you're referring to the issues which are discussed around the OM651 engines.
Firstly you're more likely to hear problems on the forums , not many people will post to say they've had no problems and a great engine!
The injector issue I believe will have been all sorted by the 2012/2013 time - I had this engine in an E class of 2013 and the injectors were changed out when the car was in for other work ' as a precaution '
the other issue blighting some 651s is the timing chain which again if there's a proactive approach it should minimise the risk
The turbo lag I can't comment, my E was a hybrid so I didn't experience that but I'm sure some others would comment
In summary if you're determined on a 4 pot you could do worse..I'd try to find a 6 pot 350 if it were me

 

[Vehementi]

Hey guys,
Im looking to buy a C250d (2012-2013). For my budget ive found a couple with around 35K on the clock. Now, ive done my research on mercedes diesel engines and have come across a few horror stories i.e. black death. Ive also heard of people describing, especially with the 250's, a lag in acceleration (around 2-3s). anyone else experienced this problem?

This has happened, but usually a change of the throttle body, throttle position sensor will clear that up. Had the 3 second lag so changed the aforementioned parts, it's now very responsive.

When reading up on cars common problems or faults i always am a bit weary as people only tend to post in forums when their car has broken. Ive read some people describe these issue occurring after a few thousand miles and others saying it happened over 150k.

As with anything second hand or indeed brand new, out of a batch of 100, you'll always get one or two lemons. Just go for it and enjoy it.

Just curious as to whether the people posting in the forums are the unlucky few or are most cars plagued with these issues.

Read what I said, regarding batches and lemons

Cheers for any insights,

alyn

I have a C250 CDI and aside from the three second lag which I mentioned above, there's not much else that can usually go wrong. (That's not to say it won't, like anything mechnical/electrical they're prone to go wrong )

More serious issues can be gearbox related (As I discovered), but if you take someone with you who knows what to listen/feel for you should have no major problems, only minor niggles.

 

[A.J.]

Hey guys,
Im looking to buy a C250d (2012-2013). For my budget ive found a couple with around 35K on the clock. Now, ive done my research on mercedes diesel engines and have come across a few horror stories i.e. black death. Ive also heard of people describing, especially with the 250's, a lag in acceleration (around 2-3s). anyone else experienced this problem?

When reading up on cars common problems or faults i always am a bit weary as people only tend to post in forums when their car has broken. Ive read some people describe these issue occurring after a few thousand miles and others saying it happened over 150k.

Just curious as to whether the people posting in the forums are the unlucky few or are most cars plagued with these issues.

Cheers for any insights,

alyn

Hi Alyn, welcome to the forum. You only hear of the problematical cars on a forum, if you consider how many of these are on the road it represents a very very small percentage. Not a cause of ant great alarm in my opinion