C- Class Sports Coupe

[Buzz word]

My Focus wants replacing and the normal econo boxes leave me a bit cold. I quite fancy a c180k sports coupe but have no idea what I could be letting myself in for. The reviews make them sound ok but What are they like to live with parts? faults? etc.

[niva441]

The post facelift cars are the ones to go for (after 2005?), they sorted most of the faults that effect early C classes by then. Also the Sport coupe dash was updated to the same as the rest of the range, rather than the earlier cheaper looking affair.

[Buzz word]

Ah, I was looking at 02/03 age by the looks of my budget do they have alot of problems then? I found a few posts making it sound like corrosion can be an issue. I thought that was quite odd though as it seems he cars have a 30yr body warranty.

[niva441]

The problem with the 30 year warranty is that you have to have continuous Mercedes dealer service history and even then they try and wriggle out of honouring claims.

I did'nt think corrosion was such a problem for the W203, I thought it was electrical and suspension issues (but I ready to be corrected).

[r129sl]

These are nice cars. I think they're hugely under-rated. They get a bad press presumably because they weren't very expensive and were a bit light-hearted in their styling. So far as I can tell, they've been fairly reliable, perhaps because they're not generally loaded with electronic goodies. The motors are all fairly good, too, especially the 3.2litre m112 v6.

Unfortunately, like a lot of junior premium brand cars, too many have been owned by small boys and girls let loose in the finance factory. They've been poorly maintained and just not looked after. But I'm sure if you shop around you can find a good one.

[niva441]

Yes I forgot to mention I am extremely happy with mine. The biggest problem I have is what to replace it with. I haven't seen anything else that provides the boot size with compact dimensions, good cruising ability and able to cover serious miles in a day, but very capable when needing to hustle away from the motorway.

Here's an example of a busy day, left home at 3.30AM, the car was running for 8 hours and I felt pretty fresh at the end of it.

[Killwilly]

Not sure whether you are looking to purchase new or used. I recently bought a new CLC 180 sport and love it. In fact, I find it quicker and more roomy than my BMW 320i saloon which was my previous car. Being new with still only 1500 miles on the clock it is difficult to judge reliability, but time will tell.

One of the reasons for choosing the MB was for it's flexibility, it has a hatch, not a boot. I did look at the BMW 1 series coupe, but was not impressed, it felt claustrophobic by comparison.

There are some good deals about at the moment on new and used MB C coupes, probably because there is a new model on the horizon. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

[Buzz word]

It seems a bit funny that MB would need full service history to pay a corrosion warranty. It wont really have affected the corrosion protection if it has had a Lucas oil filter over a MB one. I guess thats just MB with their business head rther than their fair head on.

I did a bit more reaserch and found info about suspention issues on w203's seemingly most of the front end including the springs seem to fail. My brother has a E46 which needed lower arms at £300 a pair fitted. If it's that ballpark I can live with it unless it's every year.

It's good to hear the car is a compenent cruiser as that's what I want it for really. My comute is all motorway miles so I just want somewhere nice to be for that time.

[niva441]

I believe the excuse for requiring full service history is that they have had a chance to periodically examine the vehicle's structure. Plus as it's complimentary it's a way of trying to retain custom.

[Killwilly]

The E46 is also prone to power steering pump failure. I had one go whilst on holiday in the south of France. Came back home £600 the poorer.

[r129sl]

Buzz word said:

It seems a bit funny that MB would need full service history to pay a corrosion warranty. It wont really have affected the corrosion protection if it has had a Lucas oil filter over a MB one. I guess thats just MB with their business head rther than their fair head on.

Those are the terms of the deal, stated at the outset, and it seems perfectly fair and not at all funny to me. The buyer's side of the bargain is that he has the car serviced and maintained at MB according to MB's schedule (which includes bodywork inspections). MB's side of the bargain is that it covers the cost of any and all work necessary to rectify corrosion from the inside through to the outside. There is an obvious commercial rationale to the deal: so what?

What is not fair is when MB welches on its side of the bargain and refuses to fix bodywork on cars with impeccable MB service histories but more than 8 years under their wheels.

Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 3rd August 13:16