One question...which car were you using/used to?

Aroca2013: Hello Mercedes Benz gurus,

Happy new year to you guys. I want the house to suggest between a 2008 or 2009 Mercedes ML350 and 2008 or 2009 Mercedes C300/C350 which is better in terms of maintenance because i don't have any experience about Mercedes benz vehicles and i intend pre-ordering one any moment from now. I don't want a vehicle that will suck me dry or that will have any difficulty in getting parts even though i intend pre-ordering one with mileage less than 70,000 with a clear title. detail advice needed please. Smartchoice,Au.hanson,Trac,Kuntash,Sienna,etc your advice needed please.

Thanks

smartchoice: One question...which car were you using/used to?

Thanks smart choice for your response. A Toyota Rav 4 1998 Model

My brother...you're entering an uncharted territory! Be sure you have a reliable mech b4 purchasing any of them! Not hearsay mech! And not as sole rides....to marry a woman nor be problem but the continuous responsibilities.....your life may be sweet if all the stated conditions are met and it may be as bitter as wormwood if otherwise! Wait for others...am sure they will enlighten you more.

Aroca2013:

Thanks smart choice for your response. A Toyota Rav 4 1998 Model

Aroca2013: Hello Mercedes Benz gurus,

Happy new year to you guys. I want the house to suggest between a 2008 or 2009 Mercedes ML350 and 2008 or 2009 Mercedes C300/C350 which is better in terms of maintenance because i don't have any experience about Mercedes benz vehicles and i intend pre-ordering one any moment from now. I don't want a vehicle that will suck me dry or that will have any difficulty in getting parts even though i intend pre-ordering one with mileage less than 70,000 with a clear title. detail advice needed please. Smartchoice,Au.hanson,Trac,Kuntash,Sienna,etc your advice needed please.

Thanks

Both cars are are good but on opposite side of the scale. For the ML350 its very good based on review and also from a competent technician here in kaduna. He said a bmw X5 will spend weeks at their workshop compare 2 an ML that mostly just come and go with ease on repair.

If u dnt rly need the space the C350 is the car to go for cos that car is way fast and rewarding 2 drive than the ML. Most complain abt the ML bn under powered (268bhp) for such a big car.

Looks and performance wise the C-class is definitely what I'll advice u for. But if u need the space for family or for slightly rough terrain then pickup the ML.

Pls be warned......this are not ur everyday toyota's. U dnt ride around with. Ur check engine lights on and expect evrything to be ok, they both will definitely cost u more than ur rav4 2 keep so have that in mind so that u dnt end up disappointed. Best at it.

Gee2728:

Both cars are are good but on opposite side of the scale. For the ML350 its very good based on review and also from a competent technician here in kaduna. He said a bmw X5 will spend weeks at their workshop compare 2 an ML that mostly just come and go with ease on repair.

If u dnt rly need the space the C350 is the car to go for cos that car is way fast and rewarding 2 drive than the ML. Most complain abt the ML bn under powered (268bhp) for such a big car.

Looks and performance wise the C-class is definitely what I'll advice u for. But if u need the space for family or for slightly rough terrain then pickup the ML.

Pls be warned......this are not ur everyday toyota's. U dnt ride around with. Ur check engine lights on and expect evrything to be ok, they both will definitely cost u more than ur rav4 2 keep so have that in mind so that u dnt end up disappointed. Best at it.

Thanks Gee2728 for your kind response. I am not after space and moreover i am not married so i don't even mind the C350 and if i pre-order the car,i will only use it for 3 or maximum 4 years before acquiring another one. The vehicle i had in mind to pre-order was the 2009 Toyota Avensis(from Germany since there's none in USA) but i considered so many things and the top on the list was the security issues with high risk of theft on Toyota brand of cars and that was what made me change my interest to the Mercedes Benz apart from the durability,you hardly hear people complain of mercedes benz theft.

Aroca2013:

Thanks Gee2728 for your kind response. I am not after space and moreover i am not married so i don't even mind the C350 and if i pre-order the car,i will only use it for 3 or maximum 4 years before acquiring another one. The vehicle i had in mind to pre-order was the 2009 Toyota Avensis(from Germany since there's none in USA) but i considered so many things and the top on the list was the security issues with high risk of theft on Toyota brand of cars and that was what made me change my interest to the Mercedes Benz apart from the durability,you hardly hear people complain of mercedes benz theft.

Am not sure how much a toyota avensis will cost but one thing am very certain is an equivalent year C- class will be way more expensive than that toyota. I guess u will have to step up ur budget.

Aroca2013:

Thanks Gee2728 for your kind response. I am not after space and moreover i am not married so i don't even mind the C350 and if i pre-order the car,i will only use it for 3 or maximum 4 years before acquiring another one. The vehicle i had in mind to pre-order was the 2009 Toyota Avensis(from Germany since there's none in USA) but i considered so many things and the top on the list was the security issues with high risk of theft on Toyota brand of cars and that was what made me change my interest to the Mercedes Benz apart from the durability,you hardly hear people complain of mercedes benz theft.

When ordering your C350, confirm that the Electronic ignition system(EIS) and/or the Electronic steering lock(ESL) issue has been resolved because its a well known fact that its the part of the w204 that fails the most. You can do a google search on EIS and ESL failure for W204. I have my w204 with MB place for the past 2months and apart from the cost of replacing, it takes ages for the parts to arrive because they can only be sourced directly from Mercedes Benz in Germany. If you have confirmed that the parts have been replaced then you can go ahead and buy the car cos you will definitely enjoy that ride.

@AROCA2013 You will just have to step up your yearly car maintenance budget because 98 Toyota parts are cheaper than that of a 2007 benz, and if you do you will surely enjoy value for money.

Thanks very much again for your response. The Toyota avensis and the C350 will land here at almost the same price or the C350 slightly higher than the Avensis depending on the mileage on the car. But all the same after am satisfied with the comments have gotten so far in general i will take a decision.

@ TheGrandMaster, i briefly googled the issue on the EIS what you said is exactly true but even though they didn't state at what mileage did it fail. At what mileage did yours fail and what is or was the estimated cost of replacement? Sincerely that vehicle trips me a lot though i know all cars with its own wahala but one need to avoid certain models to be at peace.

@ tommysparks, yes am aware of that and the beauty of the German machines is service done once and for all. You spend more and last more but Japanese is you spend less but service more. More information still welcomed by the Gurus. I really do appreciate you guys(Gee2728,TheGrandMaster and tommysparks) for the responses so far.

Aroca2013: Thanks very much again for your response. The Toyota avensis and the C350 will land here at almost the same price or the C350 slightly higher than the Avensis depending on the mileage on the car. But all the same after am satisfied with the comments have gotten so far in general i will take a decision.

@ TheGrandMaster, i briefly googled the issue on the EIS what you said is exactly true but even though they didn't state at what mileage did it fail. At what mileage did yours fail and what is or was the estimated cost of replacement? Sincerely that vehicle trips me a lot though i know all cars with its own wahala but one need to avoid certain models to be at peace.

@ tommysparks, yes am aware of that and the beauty of the German machines is service done once and for all. You spend more and last more but Japanese is you spend less but service more. More information still welcomed by the Gurus. I really do appreciate you guys(Gee2728,TheGrandMaster and tommysparks) for the responses so far.

My car is at about 61k miles, and averagely from what i got on the internet failure is around 70k miles. Replacing the EIS cost about N198k then there is what is called the green key which is used to program the EIS to work with your old key that costs another N115k, i ordered a spare key for my car so my total bill shot up to about N500k with other sundry charges included. Thats why i advice you confirm replacement of the part from wherever you are buying so you dont go through that stress

TheGrandMaster:

My car is at about 61k miles, and averagely from what i got on the internet failure is around 70k miles. Replacing the EIS cost about N198k then there is what is called the green key which is used to program the EIS to work with your old key that costs another N115k, i ordered a spare key for my car so my total bill shot up to about N500k with other sundry charges included. Thats why i advice you confirm replacement of the part from wherever you are buying so you dont go through that stress

This is real serious trouble TheGrandMaster. So such an expenses for just EIS failure? Wow if the engine packs up that will be a serious show. Issues like this makes people run away from the Benz.

gaussy: Good day Benzers, actually its my first post on this lovely thread. I own a 1984 W123 230CE (coupe regular or flat boot). Recently I have been thinking of a project on the car, and I really need the input of the forum.
I want to swap the original factory fitted engine to that of a W202 C180 or C230 (Compressor or not) still trying to decide which one might be easier to engineer and the efficiency as well.
I want to know the possibility of this swap, cost implication as regards the parts that may need replacement aside the engine. though I have a W201 gearbox fitted on it right now

Still waiting for your input, where are the benz gurus Smartchoice, Siena, Kuntash, Trac, Au. hanson, Ziccoit etc.....

TheGrandMaster:

My car is at about 61k miles, and averagely from what i got on the internet failure is around 70k miles. Replacing the EIS cost about N198k then there is what is called the green key which is used to program the EIS to work with your old key that costs another N115k, i ordered a spare key for my car so my total bill shot up to about N500k with other sundry charges included. Thats why i advice you confirm replacement of the part from wherever you are buying so you dont go through that stress

This isn't a child's play sir . Spending such money on a failing parts at only 61,000 miles? Your car is very much fresh so i wonder why such a problem at this early stage? So what it means is to either get one with less than 30K miles or above 70K miles. The funny thing is that Mercedes Benz is aware of this and fails to reduce the cost to purchase such parts . This is really painful TheGrandMaster.

Aroca2013:

This isn't a child's play sir . Spending such money on a failing parts at only 61,000 miles? Your car is very much fresh so i wonder why such a problem at this early stage? So what it means is to either get one with less than 30K miles or above 70K miles. The funny thing is that Mercedes Benz is aware of this and fails to reduce the cost to purchase such parts . This is really painful TheGrandMaster.

I see you have done extensive research regarding the failed parts for w204. If you check www.mbworld.org, most of the failures happen around 60k to 70k miles. Its best you buy one with the issue resolved, i guess using the vin number should help or a car with history properly documented. I was unlucky cos i had a wrong diagnosis at first which cost me 350k and these were guys that worked with mb for a long time, eventually had to tow to lekki before the german engineers there got the proper diagnosis and charged me N500k. Car is still not out yet though cos we are waiting for the green key to program everything. This is also a plea for our experts to tell me the best coolant for a w204.

Aroca2013:

This isn't a child's play sir . Spending such money on a failing parts at only 61,000 miles? Your car is very much fresh so i wonder why such a problem at this early stage? So what it means is to either get one with less than 30K miles or above 70K miles. The funny thing is that Mercedes Benz is aware of this and fails to reduce the cost to purchase such parts . This is really painful TheGrandMaster.

And i am really begging you to go for one with the issue resolved, cos if not you can be at a filling station buying fuel, switch of the engine and take out the key, put it back, key turns in the ignition, warning lights dont come on steering is locked, God help you if your tires are straight if not not, you will lift that car with a crane on to a flatbed tow truck. Google it, apart from that failure, the ride is extremely superb with little or no hassles.

check this brief discussion out http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/engine-transmission-powertrain/203139-mercedes-w204-starter-problem-steering-lock-issue

TheGrandMaster:

And i am really begging you to go for one with the issue resolved, cos if not you can be at a filling station buying fuel, switch of the engine and take out the key, put it back, key turns in the ignition, warning lights dont come on steering is locked, God help you if your tires are straight if not not, you will lift that car with a crane on to a flatbed tow truck. Google it, apart from that failure, the ride is extremely superb with little or no hassles.

check this brief discussion out http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/engine-transmission-powertrain/203139-mercedes-w204-starter-problem-steering-lock-issue

Yeah i understand. You are absolutely correct because apart from the issue of the EIS failure,there's no much complain about this ride. The build is as well good and that makes me love it a lot. Most complaints is more on the 2008 but i didn't get much report on the 2009 and none on the 2010 but also got one report on 2011. Also thanks for the advice on getting one that the issue has been resolved but my question now is that suppose gets the one that has been resolved,what will be the guarantee that the problem will not re-surface again? I really feel for you sir that despite spending so much to get it fixed,the vehicle is still at the workshop.

TheGrandMaster:

I see you have done extensive research regarding the failed parts for w204. If you check www.mbworld.org, most of the failures happen around 60k to 70k miles. Its best you buy one with the issue resolved, i guess using the vin number should help or a car with history properly documented. I was unlucky cos i had a wrong diagnosis at first which cost me 350k and these were guys that worked with mb for a long time, eventually had to tow to lekki before the german engineers there got the proper diagnosis and charged me N500k. Car is still not out yet though cos we are waiting for the green key to program everything. This is also a plea for our experts to tell me the best coolant for a w204.

I also believe that there should be a remedy to bypass this type of problem in Nija only that it has not been discovered yet. Just like the issue of the superchargers failure with W203 which costed so much to replace but that is being fixed here in Nigeria at peanut. Reliability happens to be the major issue with the benz compared to the Japanese.

Aroca2013:

I also believe that there should be a remedy to bypass this type of problem in Nija only that it has not been discovered yet. Just like the issue of the superchargers failure with W203 which costed so much to replace but that is being fixed here in Nigeria at peanut. Reliability happens to be the major issue with the benz compared to the Japanese.

Bypassing the problem will probably put you in deeper trouble, like someone said in the link i put up, everything is tied to that specific car, i guess thats why they say the new generation of MB's are almost impossible to steal except you are car jacked at gun point. Anyway, like i said get one that has the issue resolved or get it done in America before shipping to Nigeria, it is far cheaper over there.

TheGrandMaster:

Bypassing the problem will probably put you in deeper trouble, like someone said in the link i put up, everything is tied to that specific car, i guess thats why they say the new generation of MB's are almost impossible to steal except you are car jacked at gun point. Anyway, like i said get one that has the issue resolved or get it done in America before shipping to Nigeria, it is far cheaper over there.

I wasn't talking of bypassing the problem in this case. You know some of this service centres will use that as an opportunity to milk someone dry because they know you don't have a choice but to spend that money so if one is lucky to have an insider that has his own private workshop,he will be able to resolve that cheaper the all the big names because most engineers employed by the big workshops have their private workshops and since it isn't the workshop that fix the cars but rather the individual and equipments. But does it mean if after reviewing the history of the vehicle before purchase and there was no information on EIS replacement,that i should fix it over there despite not having any issues? The pic displayed above has less than 25K miles on it so i don't think such might have happened on it.

Aroca2013:

I wasn't talking of bypassing the problem in this case. You know some of this service centres will use that as an opportunity to milk someone dry because they know you don't have a choice but to spend that money [b]so if one is lucky to have an insider that has his own private worksho[/b]p,he will be able to resolve that cheaper the all the big names because most engineers employed by the big workshops have their private workshops and since it isn't the workshop that fix the cars but rather the individual and equipments. But does it mean if after reviewing the history of the vehicle before purchase and there was no information on EIS replacement,that i should fix it over there despite not having any issues? The pic displayed above has less than 25K miles on it so i don't think such might have happened on it.

The initial 350k i spent was from engineers with Mercedes Benz, they eventually advised i take it to their main office for the German engineers to do an extensive diagnosis. I have like 3 guys that i can call on regarding fixes and other stuff, but this particular issue is a specialized issue. In any case, i think going for that car with 25k miles is not a bad idea and doesnt look like there will be any failure anytime soon but i am just saying that you can change it as a form of preemptive maintenance.

TheGrandMaster:

The initial 350k i spent was from engineers with Mercedes Benz, they eventually advised i take it to their main office for the German engineers to do an extensive diagnosis. I have like 3 guys that i can call on regarding fixes and other stuff, but this particular issue is a specialized issue. In any case, i think going for that car with 25k miles is not a bad idea and doesnt look like there will be any failure anytime soon but i am just saying that you can change it as a form of preemptive maintenance.

OK... TheGrandMaster have stressed you a lot , So are you advicing me that if am to pre-order a 2009 C350 for instance,i should ensure that they replace the EIS for me?

Aroca2013:

OK... TheGrandMaster have stressed you a lot , So are you advicing me that if am to pre-order a 2009 C350 for instance,i should ensure that they replace the EIS for me?

No, no stress at all, lol! I would advice you search for one that has had the issue resolved or just buy the low mileage one like the one above, you just might be lucky it wont fail all through you usage.

TheGrandMaster:

No, no stress at all, lol! I would advice you search for one that has had the issue resolved or just buy the low mileage one like the one above, you just might be lucky it wont fail all through you usage.

Thanks so much for your understanding but you shouldn't blame me because is just like when one is about marrying a wife from the region he knows little or nothing about,he will be curious to know a lot prior to either forging ahead or declining . I have a family that has a sound knowledge about Mercedes Benz but in the mechanical aspect so if it's issues related to mechanical,he can handle that very well but he doesn't know much the electrical aspect .

How do you cope with the issue of premium unleaded fuel because i guess Nigerian fuel isn't like the overseas quality . Do you make use of the Octane boosters? Regular servicing isn't an issue for me even though the cost will be higher but the beauty of it is that once you get that done,it last longer. Any other thing i need to know will be greatly appreciated. Thanks once again MASTER

Aroca2013:

Thanks so much for your understanding but you shouldn't blame me because is just like when one is about marrying a wife from the region he knows little or nothing about,he will be curious to know a lot prior to either forging ahead or declining . I have a family that has a sound knowledge about Mercedes Benz but in the mechanical aspect so if it's issues related to mechanical,he can handle that very well but he doesn't know much the electrical aspect .

How do you cope with the issue of premium unleaded fuel because i guess Nigerian fuel isn't like the overseas quality . Do you make use of the Octane boosters? Regular servicing isn't an issue for me even though the cost will be higher but the beauty of it is that once you get that done,it last longer. Any other thing i need to know will be greatly appreciated. Thanks once again MASTER

I do use the octane booster but not very often.

I have been following this thread and I must confess that it has been very educative and informative. I commend all the contributors. I have a problem with my 2003 c- 240 that I would want the house help me resolve. The idle is rough at times, and at some other times once you stop it dragges before picking and I also noticed that the idle pin goes up and comes down suddenly when am not in motion. All this started after I serviced the injector and changed my plugs. I need you guys help to resolve this please. Thanks.

frankor: I have been following this thread and I must confess that it has been very educative and informative. I commend all the contributors. I have a problem with my 2003 c- 240 that I would want the house help me resolve. The idle is rough at times, and at some other times once you stop it dragges before picking and I also noticed that the idle pin goes up and comes down suddenly when am not in motion. All this started after I serviced the injector and changed my plugs. I need you guys help to resolve this please. Thanks.

Did it have any issues before you did the servicing? was the check engine light on? first of all make sure all the electrical clips and sockets are plugged in properly and check to make sure all the plugs were properly screwed in, if symptoms persist after two days go for a scan.

Good evening car gurus, I need help on which of the C-class version one could go for.

NB. Purpose of the car is home to office and traveling on few occasions.

We were on page 61...now back to 48....,Seun please explain the source n type of attack nl had in details...

smartchoice: We were on page 61...now back to 48....,Seun please explain the source n type of attack nl had in details...

My brother i wonder oooh

When some persons say they loose their phone contacts due to theft, robbery, phone loss etc... Thats exactly what you get when you dont backup.

Nairaland was hacked, and data was lost... apparently , last successful backup for this blog site was Jan this year, thus they are reverting to it..

if they only had a backup of only August 2010 and beyond, "MERCEDES BENZ THREAD" wouldn't have been amongst any post in "Auto" section, also "Car Talk" page wouldn't have been there as well...


for me, its just a lesson to us.... get a backup!!

nice to have you guys back and the site back online too!