Ask the Car People.SM


Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans

7297 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Car Safety, Sedan

Join other C-Class enthusiasts in Edmunds.com Mercedes-Benz C-Class Owners Club!

Messages Page 598 of 731

#5963 of 7297 1998 Mercedes C230 by beth29

Sep 30, 2002 (8:18 pm)

I recently purchased a 1998 230 C sedan with 27000 miles. I never dreamed I would own a mercedes. I do love this car - comfort, ride,quiet etc; however, the transmission does not seem real smooth, particularly between 1st and 2nd. My husband says he doesn't even notice it. The service department says this has something to do with "warming up the catalytic converter" and should occur the first mile. While it does improve, I must say I still notice it. I did see a review of the 1997 model on Edmunds that references a lag and jerky transmission". Is this inherit in the model or something I should get fixed while the warranty is in effect?

#5964 of 7297 class action settlement by fedssocr

Oct 01, 2002 (5:49 am)

I received a letter in the mail from MBUSA yesterday outlining their settlement in a class action suit. It says that my C now has a 10 year/150,000 mile warranty. I'm not clear however if this is a total vehicle warranty or if it only applies to potential engine trouble caused by the oil used in the car, which was the issue in the lawsuit. Anyone else get this letter?

#5965 of 7297 settlement by mleskovar

Oct 01, 2002 (10:27 am)

Yes, I received the letter as well. I read it to say it only applied to damage caused by using non synthetic oil....like "oil sludging and realated engine damage" and "related piston ring repairs".

#5966 of 7297 #5703 of 5703 settlement by mleskovar by michhala

Oct 01, 2002 (6:34 pm)

I read it as you did -- damage from using non-synthetic oil.
 
I am getting close to my "A" service for my 2001 C320 --I am at 9725 now. The service is due in 2000 miles, and I estimate the car will be a little over 1 1/2 years old when it goes in for service. I have checked with the District Manager several times whether or not I should have an early oil change, and his answer was always the same -- to let the FSS do its work and wait until the indicator light appears on the dashboard. (My car was delivered with Mobil synthetic.)
 
Miki

#5967 of 7297 Hi Miki by mleskovar

Oct 01, 2002 (7:20 pm)

You're OK waiting for the FSS and shouldn't worry about it. Still keeping that Obsidian Black 320 sparkling? We just passed 35K miles. Car seems to drive better or we're just use to it now. Little nagging problems happen but are fixed, sometimes afer several visits. We're happy with the C320 and would buy another.

#5968 of 7297 #5705 of 5705 Hi Miki by mleskovar by michhala

Oct 01, 2002 (9:34 pm)

HI mleskovar,
 
It's nice to know you are still out there. I, too, have no regrets (so far about buying the C320.
 
Am I still keeping that Obsidian Black sparkling, you ask? -- It puts other cars to shame! I follow the same procedure every eight to nine months (if I wanted, I bet I could do once a year)-- one coat Klasse All-In-One and two coats of Klasse Sealer Protectant. I use the California Duster before driving out of the garage and the Clear Pearl once a week. I do not wash the car myself, but bring it to the handwash carwash about every six weeks. I avoid parking under trees -- when that is impossible, it gets washed as soon thereafter as possible. Proper Auto Care has been tempting me with other products through their newsletters -- Souveran paste wax on top of Klasse, instead of Klasse Sealer Protectant and Sonus instead of Clear Pearl. The latter is tempting; whereas Clear Pearl contains #1 finest Brazilian Carnauba wax, Sonus contains the same acrylic protectant that is contained in the Klasse products.
 
However, that said, I don't know a thing about how and what and when to do under the hood!
 
Miki

#5969 of 7297 mleskovar and michhala by linard

Oct 02, 2002 (6:26 pm)

I personally would like to reassure you on your Benzes, while my family has not had any C classes, our previous E320, 500SL, and 420SEL had their share of niggling issues, but honestly, no other car on earth would have been as durable, provided us with the amount of safety inherent in a Mercedes (our 87 SEL had a driver's side airbag, ABS, and seltbelt pretensioners), been as wonderful to look at after so many years, and offer us such great resale (our 87 SEL with 140,000 miles and an auto tranny with only 1st and 2nd gear due to neglect and various other issues was traded in for 9,000 two years ago. Aand in case any of you were wondering, all of the problems were due to neglect, my parents just didn't care, the oil was changed when it got chunky on the dipstick, I'm not kidding).
 
Michhala, isn't Klasse such a wonderful product, I use it on my car about once every three months along with Souveran Pinnacle glaze and I must admit, the car looks amazing. I can't refrain from waxing at least once every three months because my car is my baby and I'm absolutely anal. The Pinnacle brings out the depth of the paint really well and should work extremely well with the Obsidian Black. I'm not sure if Mercedes paint is the same as it used to be but our 1981 gray market 500SL in Lapis Blue stayed shiny w/o waxing for 13 years before the paint bubbled during an exceptionally rainy winter in SoCal.
 
Good luck on your C classes, I'm trying to get my mom into an E class.

#5970 of 7297 #5707 of 5707 mleskovar and michhala by linard by michhala

Oct 03, 2002 (1:28 pm)

<<Michhala, isn't Klasse such a wonderful product, I use it on my car about once every three months along with Souveran Pinnacle glaze and I must admit, the car looks amazing. I can't refrain from waxing at least once every three months because my car is my baby and I'm absolutely anal>>
 
hi linard -- As addicted as I am (anal, too , I do not need to give the C320 a beauty treatment that often. Using the Eimann Clear Pearl once a week to clean and protect gives me my fix . Does the Souveran Pinnacle Glaze have the same good qualities as the Klasse Sealer Protectant?
 
<<I'm not sure if Mercedes paint is the same as it used to be but our 1981 gray market 500SL in Lapis Blue stayed shiny w/o waxing for 13 years before the paint bubbled during an exceptionally rainy winter in SoCal. <snip> And in case any of you were wondering, all of the problems were due to neglect, my parents just didn't care, the oil was changed when it got chunky on the dipstick>>
 
I believe the paint for the 1981 SL was oil based and more durable than the current water-based paint.
 
I guess your parents saved their TLC for you, rather than their Mercedes . I personally thank you for your post -- it is upbeat and reassuring.
 
Miki

#5972 of 7297 404c #5674 and jrct9454 #5683 by cira

Oct 03, 2002 (4:11 pm)

<<I'm trying to get the one predelivery defect fixed, which is a tendency to wander off to the right at speed - the wheel alignment needs the tender mercies of the very competent tech who handles this for MB Sacto. Fingers crossed... >>
 
jrct9454, how did the alignment turn out? Mine has had a right bias from day one and it has been aligned twice - without any change.
 
404c wrote: I would take a guess that your car's engine mounts may be faulty and are therefore allowing additional vibration to penetrate the interior. This is a known problem - with a service bulletin - ask about it at the MB dealer and they'll probably change the engine mounts for you. That should solve the problem.
 
My dealer acknowledges the problem but said that they checked for service bulletins and found nothing - there's no fix. 404c, if you have any further information I can point them to I would appreciate it. The vibration is starting to get so bad that you can feel it in the seats as well.

Messages Page 598 of 731

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement