To buy a C class?

[Tafia]

Hi,

I am thinking of changing my 2004 Honda Accord diesel Exec ( reluctantly) before something expensive breaks and writes it off. At present it is worth perhaps £2K as a trade in.

Chap I know, a big Mercedes fan and much richer than me keeps telling me to buy a C Class auto, perhaps 2011 or 2012 model year with the foot operated parking brake. I do not trust the modern electric brakes.

I looked at Honest John ( http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz... and there seem to be several issues with the auto box. Under what's good, what's bad there have been problems with the transmission valve control and also the transmission heat exchanger leaking glycol into the auto box.

Are these problems really that widespread? Reading Honest John, it seems there are problems with almost all cars.

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:07

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:13

[eldar]

It will have an electric parking brake as well, for hill hold. There were issues with the early 7g boxes, but since about 2006 they have been excellent.

[niva441]

I believe the hill hold electric park brake is a separate system, only activated when the brake is pushed so far when stationary. The foot park brake is the traditional mechanical system,the difference in release is quite notable.

[Tafia]

So the HJ report only applies to pre 2006 auto boxes both for the glycol leak and the transmission valve control? If so, HJ should have said so otherwise the problems listed appear to be current. Most misleading.

Ref the electric parking brake, my concern is that I have read so much on line about them failing either on or off I would not be happy to trust them if the car was left on a slope. Neighbours wife had an issue when the electric brake would not release at traffic lights. Caused a big problem.

Ref the hill hold, am I correct in thinking the auto box would hold the car when coming to a stop on a hill (not parking)?

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to tick the reply notification box so if I am slow to respond, apologies.

T

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:42

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:44

[V12 AMG]

HJ website is quite frankly, useless.

Glycol issues were around 2000s and completely sorted before the W204 c class was released.

[eldar]

Tafia said:

So the HJ report only applies to pre 2006 auto boxes both for the glycol leak and the transmission valve control? If so, HJ should have said so otherwise the problems listed appear to be current. Most misleading.

Ref the electric parking brake, my concern is that I have read so much on line about them failing either on or off I would not be happy to trust them if the car was left on a slope. Neighbours wife had an issue when the electric brake would not release at traffic lights. Caused a big problem.

Ref the hill hold, am I correct in thinking the auto box would hold the car when coming to a stop on a hill (not parking)?

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to tick the reply notification box so if I am slow to respond, apologies.

T

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:42

Edited by Tafia on Saturday 11th July 10:44

The HJ report is for an earlier box (not the 7g). The early 7g boxes were sealed-for-life, which was not a brilliant idea as a fluid change is needed at higher mileages. It became part of the service schedule, and is possible for the sealed box just fiddly. Buying as later car will not have that issue.

The auto box will hold the car on a slope, but not really a hill - thats what the auto hold (press the footbrake and release), activates hill hold and start/stop. push the throttle to go.

Parking brake is foot operated, with a release handle. I'm not aware of problems with either system.

[MX-5 Lazza]

The electronic brake is something I didn't think I'd like when I bought my C-Class but now I love it and really miss it when I drive other cars. The double-dab of the brake pedal to set the brake on and just drive away is so easy and the-start brake is a nice touch.
I'm still not bought on the foot operated parking brake but I don't anything against it either (it's a mechanical brake, same as a hand-brake, it just has an electronic release).

[r129sl]

If you like it, keep the Honda.

If it breaks, fix it.

It will always be cheaper than a different used car.

It does not matter that the cost of a repair may exceed the car's value. That is to confuse your capital account with your income/expenditure account.

[Tafia]

Thanks to all for your replies. As I mentioned, I forgot to tick the reply notification box so have only just seen the further responses.

Cheers

T

[Tafia]

r129sl said:

If you like it, keep the Honda.

If it breaks, fix it.

It will always be cheaper than a different used car.

It does not matter that the cost of a repair may exceed the car's value. That is to confuse your capital account with your income/expenditure account.

Thanks for this. As I am nearer 100 than 40 it seems I have cash saved that will be wasted by someone if I don't spend some of it.

Pleasant chap I know is a triple millionaire and keeps going on cruises to reduce his assets. Even that is not working for him.

I am not in that league but, hey ho!

Thanks for your thoughts.

T