Pros and Cons of C240 Sport Auto

[Citibadger]

Hi

I am looking to purchase from a good friend a C240 Sport Estate Auto. It is a 2000 X model with 60k miles. He is looking for £ 6200 for it, it is in lovely condition, and he drives it carefully.

The only thing concerning me is the repair bills (I currently own a Ford, so it's cheap (ish)).

It has a very nice 5 speed auto tiptronic gearbox, which I imagine could be very expensive to repair, should the need ever arise. Are the Merc autos as good as everyone says?? Was this built in the 'dubious quality years' or should it be okay?

Are there any known problems that I need to look for when buying. I've always fancied a Mercedes, and this is my best chance, I just don't want it to be a disapointment or expensive mistake.

Can anyone reassure me this is a good buy, and rough costs of servicing etc.

Many Thanks
Citibadger

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I used to own an Audi and have now gone to MB and fnd the servicing costs obscene. However, that is through MB dealers them selves. If you are prepared to do the work yourself it shouldn't be to bad. Compared with a Ford though even the indie prices will probably be a bit of a shock.

I assume the car you are talking about is not the current shape one, so I can't comment on the car itself but the engine is probably the same as mine. Nice, smooth, quiet but a little lacking in power.

Servicing wise (at an MB dealer, you can pretty much half this at an Indie) :

A Service - Approx £250

B Service - Approx £700. The actual service cost is £500 (just over) but if you need plugs, filters, pads etc it will be closer to £1000 so around £700 is a fair middle price. As I said, an Idie will be about half that and if you do it yourself it would probably be around £200.

don't forget the 240 has 12 spark plugs so at MB prices you're looking at close to £100 just for the plugs and then another £100 (1 hours labour) to fit them. Apparently it's a pig of a job to get to the ones at the back.

 

[jberks]

Hi

I am looking to purchase from a good friend a C240 Sport Estate Auto. It is a 2000 X model with 60k miles. He is looking for £ 6200 for it, it is in lovely condition, and he drives it carefully.

The only thing concerning me is the repair bills (I currently own a Ford, so it's cheap (ish)).

It has a very nice 5 speed auto tiptronic gearbox, which I imagine could be very expensive to repair, should the need ever arise. Are the Merc autos as good as everyone says?? Was this built in the 'dubious quality years' or should it be okay?

Are there any known problems that I need to look for when buying. I've always fancied a Mercedes, and this is my best chance, I just don't want it to be a disapointment or expensive mistake.

Can anyone reassure me this is a good buy, and rough costs of servicing etc.

Many Thanks
Citibadger

If he's a real friend, he'll tell you what it's cost to run so far..
2000 was in the middle of the quality issues period - hence you could end up with a lovely reliable car or a money pit. Your friend should know which this one is.
Auto gearboxes are no less reliable than manual ones really and a properly looked after one should last 150,000 miles+. However, many have gone without an oil and filter change which in the view of most on this forum should be done at 60k at the latest. MB have come to this view now too, but many dealerships haven't cottoned on yet so if it hasn't been done - get it done.


Yes it will cost more to run than a ford. A basic focus service is perhaps £100. A service at a merc dealer will start at £220 and rise rapidly. That said, if you know where to go, it can be done for a lot less. Find a good independant specialist and you should be fine. That said, clearly if anything serious failed, you are fixing a £25k car rather than a £10k one so parts prices will be higher too.
On the up side, there is no comparison to drive.

 

[paul c]

Was concerned about costs when i purchased my c240 i would say costs mentioned are about right but have driven fords, vauxhalls etc this is a much
better drive you cannot espect it to be cheap go for it you only live once.

 

[Citibadger]

I used to own an Audi and have now gone to MB and fnd the servicing costs obscene. However, that is through MB dealers them selves. If you are prepared to do the work yourself it shouldn't be to bad. Compared with a Ford though even the indie prices will probably be a bit of a shock.

I assume the car you are talking about is not the current shape one, so I can't comment on the car itself but the engine is probably the same as mine. Nice, smooth, quiet but a little lacking in power.

Servicing wise (at an MB dealer, you can pretty much half this at an Indie) :

A Service - Approx £250

B Service - Approx £700. The actual service cost is £500 (just over) but if you need plugs, filters, pads etc it will be closer to £1000 so around £700 is a fair middle price. As I said, an Idie will be about half that and if you do it yourself it would probably be around £200.

don't forget the 240 has 12 spark plugs so at MB prices you're looking at close to £100 just for the plugs and then another £100 (1 hours labour) to fit them. Apparently it's a pig of a job to get to the ones at the back.

Thanks for the heads up. I will consider my options. I'm so tempted, but just don't want to get caught out with expensive servicing etc.

 

[Citibadger]

Yes that's what I was afraid of. But I suppose you pay to drive a 'proper' car. I'm not at all technically minded, so I guess I'll try and hunt down a decent inde who will take pity on me! I'm thinking I like the idea of Merc ownership, but just not the costs!

 

[Citibadger]

Yes I'm coming round to the idea that you only live once, so perhaps I'll just throw caution to the wind and hope I get some decent motoring out of it before anything happens!

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

If I hadn't taken out service plus (only up to 6 years old I'm afraid) I would have spent around £2000 on my car in the last 8 months. That said I'm all for following your heart. I kind of did that when I bought mine...perhaps not a good example

Do you have another car? If you have a spare it's probably not so bad. Like I say, it's also a good thing if you don't mind rolling your sleeves up and getting your hands dirty. In that case it's probably not much more than any other car to fix as there are plenty of places that do after market parts.

Let us know what you decide. Post a picture if you go for it.

 

[jberks]

Do remember that many back street mechanics now have access to the proper diagnostic kit. After all, even a ford is pretty much computer controlled these days so they've had to or go out of business. Parts aren't that bad if you shop around so unless a major electronic component goes you shouldn't have to worry.
Case in point - many mercs suffer from a sudden failure of the BAS/ESP and ABS systems. Terrifying for your wallet when the dash lights up like a christmas tree, with visions of massive computer failure and huge expense. Fix - an £8 switch.

 

[Concho]

servicing

Although if you do choose to have it serviced at a specialist instead of a main dealer then you lose the 30 year anto corrosion warranty which you will need as the ones from 1999 rust. My wifes 1999 C200 estate had rust on the boot and around the doors (inside the rubbers). Luckily the people we bought it off were stupidly rich (and I mean rich multi millionaires) and had kept up the servicing with the main dealer. So it was all taken care of free of cherge. I must admit though after having the last service at the main dealer you do get treated like a God and its more like going to a 5 star hotel than a garage (ford servicing is more like going to mc donalds) and they do give it a superb valet innside and out. Ours was filthy with the dogs etc and it came out looking quite superb. Anyway I am dreding the next service as it will be a main one I think. Still there is something about owning and driving a Merc, they just feel so damn solid and refined. Goodluck with yours.

Incidently I am stupid enough to be selling me VW passat which is superbly cheap and reliable to run, and buying an older used c or e class very soon, I have the bug you see.......