First time Merc owner ..... not sure what to expect ..

[mickmusky]

Hello Guys,

I'm about to buy my friends 2005 Blue C220 Diesel Elegance Saloon with 70k on the clock.
It's been garaged for almost 10 years and taken out on the road every 3 weeks or so.

Looking forward to having an auto box again but have heard some horror stories about these cars in the snow.
To that end for this coming winter I will be fitting Nokian Weatherproof Tyres .... we had similar on our cars in Canada for years (now back in the UK) .... anyone fitted them to a W203?

Also are these reliable cars ?

I've removed the DAB Pioneer unit from my old car but understand that the Merc only has a rear window aerial.
Has anyone drilled & fitted and new external DAB antenna or is there a better way to go.

I almost feel guilty getting rid of my old runaround as it has been so reliable .... is that normal

Its a low mileage diesel Fiat Sedici / Suzuki SX4 4x4 that has been well maintained.
I think that there is a classified section on this site ... will put a link there.

I don't think that my mate has had the transmission serviced lately on the W203 .... it's probably a good idea to get it serviced .... thought please ?
Also any ideas what it might cost ... is there a recommended oil to use etc .....

Any other tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

take care

Mick

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

I have a stick on DAB antenna down the side of my windscreen. No holes and works very well

ATF should be changed every ~37k miles so you’re due one now

Winter tyres are a great idea on a rear drive Mercedes

 

[grahamcol]

This could be a good buy. A 2005 may or may not be the improved facelift model. I'd only go for a facelift personally as they're galvanised and should be more rust resistant. Also the facelift shouldn't be prone to the dreaded air vent clicking syndrome which is usually a dash out job to fix. I think it will have the Om646 engine which has a reputation for being reliable and long lasting. Check it does not have a DPF, most will not. The DPF can cause problems if the car only ever does short runs. The 5 speed 722.6 autobox is very reliable generally but yes do have the fluid and filter changed.

 

[grahamcol]

Just looked at the model history and a 2005 should be the facelifted model but check, especially if it's an early 2005.

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Hi , in answer to your question "Also are these reliable cars ?" It's a 15 year old Mercedes so who knows... If your just looking for a car that you can jump in abuse, neglect, forget about for long periods of time, your probably better off buying a Toyota. However, it's likely to be more durable than most 15 year old cars, and if you maintain it well it will probably be a really rewarding car to drive ( more than a 15 year old Toyota anyway ).

 

[Chrishazle]

203's were not galvanised until 2003, then in 2004 MB changed to nano paint which is much better than earlier paint - thankyou Malcolm (Television, RIP) for that info when I owned my 2001 s203 C270 about 2009-12. Also the 37.5k ATF change came with the 7G box on the 204 (I had a major arguement with my local main dealer about this when I bought my early (2008) S204 with the 5 speed box from them in 2012!) , the 203 5 speed box was, according to MB, sealed for life, so there was no recommended service interval - however, prudence dictates that you do actually do it! I had my 203 done at about 70k miles, it made little difference, and from recommendation from my indie I did not have the 204 done until close to 100k miles - and again it made little or no noticeable difference!

 

[sonic]

Welcome yes they are crap in snow, rear wheel drive wide summer tyres & a auto box. I have Nokian all weather tyres on our SLC very impressed. I have in the past used winter tyres, I ski & drive down to the alps. No problems at all on winter tyres, but in this country you will be fine on all season tyres.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome , winter or all weather tyres are a great idea!

 

[bembo449]

not many cars are completely reliable , too many variables but a well cared for car should be more so than one that is abused so fingers crossed your first MB should be a great experience , your tapped into a wealth of knowledge on here so always ask

 

[A.J.]

Hi Mick and welcome to the forum

 

[dry run]

Welcome

 

[Srdl]

Welcome Mick. Winter tyres depends on where you live and your need for the car. If you are in the South and can manage without a car on the odd day we get any snow, then summer tyres will do fine.

 

[A.J.]

Welcome Mick. Winter tyres depends on where you lI’ve and your need for the car. If you are in the South and can manage without a car on the odd day we get any snow, then summer tyres will do fine.

Certainly wouldn't bother with Winter Tyres here, a couple of days inconvenience, and that's a maybe, a year is just not worth it. We live close to the town centre and the office is about a mile and a half away by foot and taking a short cut, the Dental Practice where my wife works is at the bottom of the road, so no point

 

[Rotorhead500]

I've switched from full winters back to all season for my winter set-up now, as I don't venture as far north as frequently as I was for work.

That said, when I was still doing my silly weekly work schleps at all hours of day and night, my W203 was on Nokian WR A3 - they were superb, even up around the back roads of the northeast in the depths of winter.

The commonly stated temperature for switch over from summer to "winter" tyres is 7 deg C, but the OE Pirellis on my current car switch off demonstrably when temps drop below 10, wet or dry.

If you don't have the option to stay at home when temps drop and icing conditions are prevalent (not just snow), winter or all-season are well worth the money, I think.

 

[Chrishazle]

Big problem I have with all season tyres is finding 245/40 R17 for the rears of both my cars! 225/45 R17 for the fronts are easy - I have Michelin XClimates on the front of the S204 - but can't find 245/40 R17 anywhere, closest I've found is 235/45 R17 (Michelins again).

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Or you can put a bit of weight in the boot (bags of potatoes or breeze blocks) as I have done in the past with various cars (Dolomite Sprint and Capri 2.8i come to mind) certainly the choice of tyres plays a big part especially if you live in a hilly area.

Well maintained the car you’re buying will give you good service, rust is the main enemy with these cars and neglect

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome. I've had no issues at all with my all season tyres on any car, though the 55 is great fun in the snow and ice...Actually in the wet too.....Hmmm and the dry

 

[mickmusky]

This is all great info guys .. thank you.
Anymore thought on whether to go for a magnetic dab windscreen mount antenna or some kind of derivative

Or take a plunge, drill a hole and mount a proper dab aerial ?

thangs again

Mick

 

[alexanderfoti]

Welcome Mick

You can always try the windscreen antenna, the switch if it does not give you the reception needed. It's a very simple installation, just stick it on and route the wire.

 

[Blobcat]

This is all great info guys .. thank you.
Anymore thought on whether to go for a magnetic dab windscreen mount antenna or some kind of derivative

Or take a plunge, drill a hole and mount a proper dab aerial ?

thangs again

Mick

My windscreen antenna, not intrusive and works very well