Mercedes W203 C180K auto avant pre facelift Service B

[2slow2calm]

Hello everyone,

I am new here so I don't know if I'm posting in the right place, sorry if I'm not I read the two sticky posts I don't think this is 'technical' stuff...here goes...

as the title suggests I'd just like to know exactly how much (on average) a first service B would cost for a W203 C Class 180 auto avantgarde (late 2003). It is long overdue on the car when it turns on (I hope this isn't a big deal...nearly 300 days overdue) but it has just been sitting and done less than 15,000 miles. I'm pretty sure all the electricals are sound, the car is not actually mine but I'm very interested in it. It would be really nice to hear from owners perspectives what the average costs are and what the majority of potential problems are related to on this model. I know it's a pre faclift model (to me I can only see the dash has been slightly revised and the headlight covers and front spoiler) so are there any major issues with the pre faclift or investing in one?

I remember a relative of mine had a 1995 C180 elegance back in 1998 and they loved the car, I loved the car too... very comfortable as a passenger, but I remember them complaining about the cost of repairs for the car, they always took it to a main dealer. The single wiper went wrong and the aerial didn't pop up, and they said it cost them an extortionate amount to fix! I don't know if they were just exaggerating!

I guess I'd just like to know for peace of mind more than anything that I'm not investing in something that I will later have to fork out a lot of money to fix things I take for granted and never or hardly ever go wrong in other so called reliable cars that I've owned, or be embarressed by when I'm driving it and the wipers don't work or the cd player doesn't work.

 

[jberks]

Ok - firstly, the service is primarily for the oil. It sounds like either it's never had an oil change or else just the one. Thats a bad thing. OK not as bad as it could be, as MB put in the best oil you can get, but I'd still have it done immediatley.

Cost wise, a dealer is around £100 per hour so yes it's expensive. The dealers do offer discounts these days but even then it can be pricey.

There are three ways of runing a merc. Neglect it, like the one you describe, and it will bite you hard at some point. I think the one you talk about would probably be ok as it's new enough but left like that for much longer and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

The second extreme is the dealer. A service around £250, B for around £450 ish. Varies wildly as there are a number of 'extras' that can double it without effort.

The third option is a reputable specialist. Lots around and often do a better job that the dealers. These guys are normally 2/3 of the dealer cost. Labour is half but good ones only fit proper MB parts.

The same option goes for parts - you can have a dealer do a diagnostic and fit the parts, VERY expensive. You can DIY and use the breakers - lot cheaper if you can suss something as complex as a Merc or use the indie and decide once the issue is diagnosed. Many expensive parts can be repaired (ECUs, dashes etc - even some sensors). Dealers will only swap things out but with a bit of nouse and the help of forums like this, you can often save packets.

So, yes you can run a C class for little more than Mondeo money if you're careful.

 

[BlackC55]

Spot on advice.

 

[2slow2calm]

Thanks v.much for the detailed reply jberks. The car has had one service...service A I believe at 7,000 miles. I'm going to see the car for the second time today and I'm supposed to be paying the deposit on it. Is there anything in particular I must be looking out for? One thing I was disappointed about was the amount of light scratches around the edges of the bumpers, it's metallic black so maybe thats why they show up more?...I'm sure I can get these touched up... though on the rear bumper the paint has come off on one of the scratches exposing the white plastic for about an inch and a half...not what you'd expect for a sub 20k miles car. There was a spilage of some sort of drink I presume over the speaker cover in the back left passenger door, but other than that the interior gave no signs of wear, I hope that hasn't affected the sound...better test the cd player. As you guys can probably tell I don't know much about the inner workings of cars and I havn't opened the bonnet of this one yet, I think it's a time aged tradition to open the bonnet before buying a used car no? What exactly should I be looking out for. The only times I usually open bonnets is to fill up windscreen washing liquid.

 

[jberks]

Sounds like its been used as a school run and shopping trolley motor - hence the mileage, the damage and the coke covered speaker. My Wife averages 5k pa too. To be fair, I'd expect some cosmetic damage on such a car. Mechanically they're usually perfect as they've done nothing.
I think the usual advice stands. Make sure everything works and nothing is making unpleasant noises.
Ideally have a proper inspection done - A car like this may need tyres and brakes but otherwise should be ok and if you're buying privately you MUST have an HPI check.
Check all the VIN numbers against the documentation etc uless you know the owner.
Personally I'd pay a deposit, subject to an AA inspection.

 

[2slow2calm]

jberks thanks again. I'm getting an RAC inspection done on it...breakdown cover is with them so I thought of them first...gave an insignificant discount for being a member...will ring AA for a quote. Hmm didn't think of this deposit subject to inspection...very good idea...the current arrangement is deposit > inspection > full payment it is a private sale. Maybe I should draw something up stating that the deposit is refundable if the car fails the inspection...which I very much doubt but better to cover myself I guess...I don't think the owner will have a problem with that and if they do I'm walking away I think...I wouldn't have a problem, they should have confidence in the car.
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edit
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Oh and as you mentioned HPI of course will be carried out. I really hope this all works out...for me it's a really nice car to sit in...I was considering a 1-2 year old A3 Sportback or VW golf but once I started looking at the c class it just felt exaclty like what I wanted in a car.

 

[jberks]

AA / RAC checks - both equally as good afaik.
As you say, if they're confident that the car is as they describe there should be no reason that they would object.
After all, if it fails on something minor there is always room to negotiate.

 

[2slow2calm]

Yes, it will have to be something very minor though otherwise I will be too scared off...I'll post on here, after I view the car tonight and with the results of the inspection after it is done. Oh and as you mentioned HPI of course will be carried out. I really hope this all works out...for me it's a really nice car to sit in...I was considering a 1-2 year old A3 Sportback or VW golf but once I started looking at the c class it just felt exaclty like what I wanted in a car and I've been looking for that 'perfect' one within my budget ever since. Unfortunately my budget falls short of approved used and those under warranty, with less than 20k miles. Though it's the first car I'm buying without any sort of warranty (Mind you I have never claimed anything with any car under warranty), I just feel like maybe I'm in uncharterd territory (I think thats the expression), the inspection will put my mind at rest. And as soon as I get the car I'll get the B Service done.

 

[2slow2calm]

Is there any documentation I need to be looking out for other than the owners manual, service history and mot certificate?

Also I presume the car should have a spare key, no? Is it acceptable to ask for a small discount if it doesn't... as I understand they are around £150 after they have been configured. I'm not being tight, it's just I'm extremely fussy about my own stuff like this, if it were my car I'd have all this stuff in place.

 

[jberks]

Manuals, history, MOT and log book. Cross check the VIN numbers on the logbook against the vin on the bottom of the windscreen. The RAC will do this anyway and the HPI check should also confirm.

absolutely insist on both keys, not only because they are £150 each (doesn't grow on trees) but also because without, Someone has a key that fits your car!

 

[2slow2calm]

Hey jberks and everyone,

Ok update for you guys, checked all the documentations out, I'm happy with the mercedes service book shows the service A was done at about 5,900 (5,937 i think) miles from a mercedes dealership the only thing that was ticked was oil and they used Mobil plus 5w 40 or something...all the other boxes had 'no' checked on them. The current owner has misplaced the manual but ordered a new one...when it came it was the one for the facelifted version of the w203 (which he showed me)...dealership incompetence he explained...anyway he's going pick up the proper manual for me tomorrow from the dealership.

No ownership wallet...and no spare key... I read the ML spare key thread, so I said with confidence that it costs around £150 and I explained that I was dissappointed about the fact it's missing (not sooo much the ownership wallet but the key). He explained that when he bought the car (he is the 2nd owner) he didn't get the spare key and he can't remember about the owner's wallet but he doesn't think he got it...but he definately misplaced the manual so he is getting a new one. I find him to be a very principled and honest guy who I'm happy to do business with...as it is a private sale I didn't feel like I could ask for a discount (partly as I had drawn up a word processed agreement stating that the deposit is refundable should it fail the RAC inspection and it already had the price we agreed for the car to be included in the contract). Maybe it's just me but at the end of the day after checking the car out and thoroughly satisfying myself that it's in excellent condition and drives very smoothly and all the buttons I pushed worked...The air from the vents took a couple of minutes to come out of the front vents (air was coming out of the vents under the windscreen instantly) I think this is normal though no? It has dual zone climate control...maybe thats why it doesn't push the air out until its the right temp? End of the day I feel very happy with the price we agreed so thats why I couldn't bring myself to ask for a discount. This security issue of the other key lurking around somewhere does bother me now though...I wasn't really thinking about that side of it...

One concern I had was that when he was scrolling through the instumental display menu (the ASSYST system I believe?) of the car with the steering wheel controls (he wasn't trying to hide anything by going through it quickly) apart from the overdue service... we came across a display that said 1 MALFUNCTION. My heart started beating faster and eyes opened wide with shock...I think he sensed this as I said 'That does not look good!' he agreed. We couldn't figure out what this 'malfunction' was...especially since we didn't have the correct manual. Another screen then said something like this 'settings changed hold and press 'R' button to restore to defualt' but we couldn't find the 'R' button! He explained to me that this '1 malfunction' message had appeared once before when he went to get the MOT and it turned out to be just a bulb in the rear driver's side brake light...I was calmer then...but again I feel like I'm in unchartered territory as I've no experience with ASSYST so I can't make any judgement as to what I believe the scale of this alleged malfunction is...the car seemed and sounded mechanically perfect. I said to myself if this is anything major the RAC inspection will highlight this and the car will fail...or at least the inspector will point out the 'malfunction' if it is something significant. So I parted with my deposit money, shook hands and walked away very happy.

Is someone going to call me a complete idiot now for paying the deposit when I have no idea what this 1 Malfunction is?

 

[jberks]

1 malfunction could easily just be another bulb.
You can access the malfunction details. Cant remember the exact button sequence, I just play with up/down/plus/minus on the wheel from the malfunction screen and it comes up. The R button is the single button on the side of the cluster (LHS from memory). Not had a 203 so not certain but its there on the 210 and 211. Bulb warnings normally auto reset each time you start the car so its worth checking. Mention it to the RAC man and he'll look it up. If it turns out to be more serious, you have the refund option on your agreement so I wouldn't worry.

No I don't think you're mad. Sounds ok.

As far as the key goes, there will be a way of unregistering the key. After all, it's electronic. True, they could still open the door in theory but the alarm will still go off and without the key coded, they can't disarm it or start the car.
Do order a key though. They take at least a week to arrive from Germany. Not a problem until you've parked in a multi storey and droped your key in a puddle and have to wait a week to retrieve your car!

You mention that he's the 2nd owner. How long has he had it and how long has it been registered to that address? I've met really nice, principled folk who turned out not to be when things got sticky. At the end of the day, there is a lot of money involved so keep repeating Caveat Emptor!

To me, you seem to be doing all the right things, so basically aside from warnings of common sense caution (we all run off with these things and easily start ignoring warning signs when we get excited at a new motor!)
keep going as you are.

 

[2slow2calm]

Thanks again jberks very helpful,

I will call him later today to tell him what time the RAC inspector will be coming tomorrow, to have sufficient fuel in the car for the test, to see if he got the manual and if so maybe he could look up the malfunction details...
I don't think he will object to me being there for the RAC inspection, also it will give me a chance to clarify the malfunction issue. He's had the car since January 2006 and he bought it from a dealer just after the first service. The first owner he didn't know much about (since he bought it through a dealer) I looked at the number plate inscription and it had an 'Alfa Romeo' dealer's details... He said he thinks it was used as a company car before he owned it...I checked the log papers and it was first registered in the UK in November 2003 by a British company. Also HPI report to follow...again I think I'll use the RAC website for this (I think they mail the report to you after you give them the number plate details online) but it is only £5! On the site it says powered by HPI...if you ask me thats a bargain, I remember doing a HPI test a couple of years back on a golf and it was more like £30.

Excellent advice about the key (unregistering the lost one and ordering a new one ASAP) and thanks for telling me the time it takes...I remember watching 'gone in 60 seconds' a few years back and the crooks had to get the keys ordered for the Mercedes direct from Hamberg through a dishonest employee...and thats what brought the heat on them...but I digress... though I have never lost a key, there is a first time for everything and I ALWAYS have a spare key for each car.

You are too right about getting caught up in the excitement of buying a car! I shall not be blinded by it!

 

[2slow2calm]

HPI clear. Yay! Certificate to follow in mail. So far so good. I'll post back after the RAC inspection tomorrow, paid £135 for HPI and inspection (with written and verbal report).

 

[2slow2calm]

Ok the RAC inspector said the car was absolutely fine after carrying out all the checks and taking it for a spin. He said he wouldn't have any concerns if he were buying the car. Just one thing he noticed under the bonnet was the cover for the battery area was missing...he said because it's got such low mileage it was probably sitting in one place for some time and someone had to jump it or charge the battery and neglected to replace it...I asked the current owner's wife (owner was at work) about this and she said she didn't recall any occaision when he had to jump start or charge the battery...I'll ask the owner about the cover, though if he doesn't have it I think I'll be able to order it from a dealer no? Hopefully it's not going to cost an arm and a leg! I think I'll also order a rear passenger side door speaker grill if the substance marking it currently fails to come off after a good clean...

He (the inspector) said the main thing is that it's overdue a service and the 1 Malfunction would be related to that (i.e. the fact that it is overdue, is the malfunction, is what he was saying)...I'm not too sure about this but I'm not too concerned about the malfunction as I'm planning on getting it serviced first thing after I buy it. He said that the 'B is the bigger service' and so they'll put it up on a ramp (he jacked the car up on all four sides...one at a time and inspected underneath each section) and take the wheels off and look at the brakes properly, but from what he could tell (with his torch) he said the pads looked like they had a lot of life in them both front and rear.

After he drove the car he said "make sure he gives you another one of these" pointing to the spare key...I laughed and explained that I'd already been through that with the owner!

So thats that, I'm going to wait for the RAC full report to come through and the HPI report. Might call my local dealer and ask them for a quote on the speaker grill and battery area cover tomorrow...once all is in place I think I shall seal the deal on this one people. Unless of course...I have missed something along the way...?

 

[2slow2calm]

EDIT

Whoops, double posted same thing above!