Planning for my first Merc, w203 C2x0 CDI

[th3h1ghlander]

Hi all, I am looking to be a first time C-Class owner, primarily looking for an auto CDI C-Class W203 from £2-3k. I thought it would be great to join the community, get a few tips of what to look for and use my experience with the car I get to drive my contributions to the community.

If I can find one that looks clean (no rust or has been rust repaired) for 100-130k, hopefully it has already surpassed any electrical issues, then it should last me a few years without (too) much cost (I hope).

Any initial advice? I think ideally I am looking for a 100k milage, C270 CDI .

Thanks all,

Si

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi Si you should just miss the rust issues with an 03 the 270 is a good pick for the extra power & torque they also have the added bonus of not having a DPF Filter so that's one less bill to worry about.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Haggle
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[th3h1ghlander]

ZX10R NIN: Cheers dude. I tried a couple out at a few dealers, one or two had little to major niggles but I found a gem (needs very little work) and I did haggle and paid well below value:





The drive home was a blast! Need to get some photos of my own now

[th3h1ghlander]

ZX10R NIN said:

Hi Si you should just miss the rust issues with an 03 the 270 is a good pick for the extra power & torque they also have the added bonus of not having a DPF Filter so that's one less bill to worry about.

By the way, that is one big plus that stood out for me, the lack of DPF, but also the accessibility on this model of being able to (supposedly) clean out the EGR gunk without taking off the inlet manifold (through a plastic inspection hatch)

I do like the power and very smooth acceleration, it feels great

[ZX10R NIN]

It is easy to to undo the from the intercooler then spray with some carb cleaner & screwdriver as it'll probably be thick with crud, if you wanted to take it of & give it a thorough first clean it would take about 90 minutes.

Glad you found a nice one, they respond well to a map around an extra 40bhp & 80-90lb/ft torque with better fuel economy I ran my CLK270 like this & put over 150k without issues.

The only other thing to watch is the cam/crank sensors can sometimes stop talking to each other which puts it in limp mode, (it's still good for 80mph so you won't be stranded) it's a £260 fix as you have to change both.

[Orchid1]

Try and get one built in South Africa. If you open the drivers door there's a plate telling you where it was made. The SA ones were the better built ones i've always heard.

[th3h1ghlander]

Orchid1: this is an SA model, thanks for the tip

[th3h1ghlander]

ZX10R NIN said:

It is easy to to undo the from the intercooler then spray with some carb cleaner & screwdriver as it'll probably be thick with crud, if you wanted to take it of & give it a thorough first clean it would take about 90 minutes.

Glad you found a nice one, they respond well to a map around an extra 40bhp & 80-90lb/ft torque with better fuel economy I ran my CLK270 like this & put over 150k without issues.

The only other thing to watch is the cam/crank sensors can sometimes stop talking to each other which puts it in limp mode, (it's still good for 80mph so you won't be stranded) it's a £260 fix as you have to change both.

I'll keep an eye on the cam/crank sensors, I have the OBDII reader and so far no alarm codes, active or historic. I will definitely think about the Map but will run the car in first and resolve all the niggles.

Need to do a partial service to check all bits and will check EGR crud as you suggested