1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 from North America - Comments

Nothing yet, but I've only had it for a month!

This is a really solid well built car. I bought it because it was cheap, had a full service history, and because it was a Mercedes! Feels very safe inside when driving it. I love how everything is so well made and does not have a cheap feel to it.

The engine is sluggish, but if you put your foot down it really moves. Not bad for a 2.3L with a heavy body. On the maintenance side: Parts can be expensive. Eg. Battery costs $215. The best thing is to shop around, if you don't desperately need the part. (Ebay etc).You will save a ton of money if you avoid dealerships, and can do the basic maintenance yourself. A very comfortable car to drive.

6 months now and still going strong! I have done a few maintenance jobs myself and have had no problems. A minor annoyance is an idle problem stopping at traffic lights. It will briefly shudder as if it's going to stall, but then it's OK. I would have a problem owning another car that was not superbly well put together as this one is. I have had many comments abut how nice it looks, and quite a few admiring glances from passers by! Will update you again in a few months....

Your problem might be air mass meter or angle sensor, or a bad sensor wire, take a look in all connectors and see.

I have a E200 1996 which use almost same engine as yours...

Thanks. I have suspected the Mass Flow meter, but it's so expensive to replace I've delayed it until it gets really bad.

Please proceed with caution. This model was popular and the customer service rating for that model was low. Nothing on this car is inexpensive; however if you live in California (Car Culture Capital) these car parts are constantly being recycled from owners who don't care to fix the problem. Parts are everywhere. Shop around.

There is a web site here in Canada that has prices that are hard to beat. (No I'm not on commission!) autopartsway.com.

Just replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor since it had jerky shift problems and idling was poor. Seem to be much better now although I'm not 100% sure that was the problem, since it comes and goes now. Once again bought the part for only $215 from Autopartsway. Stealership wanted $375, for the same Bosch part. Also replaced the differential oil with synthetic. Noticed a few drops on driveway, nothing major but will wait and see how long before I'm forced to change the seals ($525) Still love the car, but not so much now.....I would sell it tomorrow if I could get what I paid for it.($9000)

Well it's nearly a year now and I still love it although it's starting to rust a little around the doors. No mechanical problems and it starts without any problems in -30C without plugging in. Looking around for a new car now, but this car has spoilt me since it's so well made and nice inside! I've even got used to the RWD winter driving, but winter tires are a MUST. That's all for now...

Finally traded it in for a new Hyundai Elantra. The transmission was not always smoothly changing down to 1st gear for some reason. There would be a scary thud which felt like a loss of power. It would be fine but I couldn't risk having to replace it. That and the price of Premium gas finally swayed me into parting with it. Will always be one of the best cars I've ever owned though...