₦airaland Forum

Ikenna351: I don't know about other engines, but i do know that my ZN3J smiles when fed with TOTAL Quartz 5000 20W 50. The look of the oil when flowing out of the oil pan (during oil change) speaks a lot how good it is for the engine and good job it does in cleaning the engine.

Mistakenly, i switched to TOTAL Quartz 7000 15W 50, in the last oil change. But am switching back to 20W 50. Though, 10W 40 was recommended for the engine, but "negligible " was included. From what i have gathered from other users of the engine, it runs perfectly whatever good oil thrown at it.

So, i can only speak for the one i know.

Ikenna.

Thanks dearie. How long do you use it(TOTAL Quartz 5000 20W 50) before the next oil change?

smartchoice: where you dey see your own?

A friend just bought 2001 w203 c200k from Lag for that amount(very clean) when i get to his place this weekend with his permission i'll load the pictures here

Maybe i should have use the clause , "if you comb the market well..."

You know these things are not die hard stagnated in prices. If some people should tell you how much they bought their cars, you wont believe it

Ikenna351: Well, I may not know much about engine oil, but I do know that the Mineral Oil 20W 50 also acts as detergent in the engine, aside lubricating the engine. A good 20W 50 Mineral Oil should always clean off yama-yama inside the engine and leave the engine clean.

Ikenna.

Thanks dear, but what about the effect on the engine, unlike the synthetic oil of say 0w40, 5w40 0r even 10w40, or 5w30?

Gee2728: Am quite sure for #1mill or less u'll get a W202 C200 or C180.

@ Austyn44, With the 1.2mill you can obtain a clean w203 Benz c180 0r c200 possibly 2001,2002,2003 model , Lagos price

Gee2728: My kick..........!!

That must be w202 facelift model.

see picture below and mine in black

Abiodun Adebayo: Thanks for your prompt response. Unfortunately, I am more confused. Can you please she'd more light on the issue when you are in a better mood? Thanks.

Oh sorry my dear! I didnt mean to get you confused..just a good diagnose and troubleshooting will do , if the diagnose get tougher, then you troubleshoot for each of the factors already pointed out earlier. For now don't worry about re-occurrence, Benz don't spoil so soon, just be enjoying your great ride

cheers

ziccoit: There is an offer of 2003 Mercedes Benz C180k automatic transmission clean in and out.

What do you think of the ride?

Do you think this is a wonderful offer for 1M?

I have requested for the VIN number, only I don't think whether that will yield much since the car is probably from Europe.

That is w203 benz, its a very good offer if its in a good condition. Just like what Gee said , the pictures would make more meaning to us

Shagati: Oil replacement
20W50 grade oil is to be run for 1,000-1,500km to 'clean' engine before switching to synthetic oil (any contrary thoughts to this? Reactions welcome please )

I have heard this a couple time in some quarters. I'm interested in knowing any contrary opinion to this too?

Daxbiz: Thanks for allaying my fears.
The fuel efficiency aspect was really my major worry.
My thinking being that if my 190 (which is an older engine) could consume as little as #4,500 fuel weekly, then an ML Engine (more refined and modern) should consume less (maybe just a little more?) even with the AC full blast.

Also I asked around for the STAR scanner. N150k (with laptop). That's steep!!!
I asked if it could be sold without the laptop since i have quite an engine (HP 16GB Ram and all) but they said its not advisable saying it might malfunction. Final advise from the dealer - i should get a 30k scanner and leave the "PROs" to do periodical scans for me.

I want to thank you guys for your informed advice.
I will hopefully make my purchase this week. WITH MY MECHANIC, OF COURSE!!!

WHAT DO I LOOK OUT FOR WHEN MAKING MY CHOICE IN THE MARKET?

You know how some cars can be so appealing but might just be a carcass.
Should i even go there with a scanner?

Don't mind my small boy questions ooooo

Thank you all for your informed opinion.

your 190 consume 4500 per week just like mine because it is well maintained

Its not a bad idea to go with the scanner, infact its a very determine step to make sure things keep smooth right from the onset. Good thinking!!

Abiodun Adebayo: I drive a Mercedes Benz GL 450 (2009). The display showed ABS; ABS, ETS inoperable, see owner's manual and ABS, ETS unavailable, see operator's manual. A diagnosis revealed that the right side ABS speed sensor was not transmitting to the ECU. This was subsequently changed at a very exorbitant cost. I was also told this was a major problem of the SUV. But reading the threads here indicate that the change may not have been necessary. Although the warning indicators have disappeared, what do I do if it comes up again? I am really worried

Big boy!!! is it easy to own and maintain a GL? These things are common among sophisticated model like this , and may need a lot of troubleshooting to get the actual root cause. But these are the commonest causes of stuffs like this:
brake light switch
ABS control module
ABS pump
ABS brake sensors
wiring
yaw sensor
bad connector contacts
K25 relay and even your OVP etc.
Not in the mood to write much tonight

pafestula: Hello house, please I need your candid opinion and advice from experience or lasting solutions to A160 class 1999 model, honestly what I read today on carsurvey.org and peoples reviews on the car really baffled me, the cons are more than the pros... and am expecting the same model this week from Cotonou because I already bought it, I love the car so much, at least to be relieving my W202 which have done done 258,000 mileage with without any problem. Abeg help your brother out before money enter bush.

This is my personal opinion, i have this believe that Benz went into this A, B class and cla thing to maximize profit, also to help those lovers of Benz in snow driven areas, because front wheel does better in snowy roads. If i am given a choice between a, b class and an ml, i would always chose the M class. I wouldnt buy any front wheel car, talkless of a front wheel Benz.

Daxbiz: See how you guys are scaring the living daylights out of me!!!
So assuming i had to spend a 100k on maintenance this month, do you expect it to be a recurrent expenditure ?
Surely no mid-range car can be that problematic and expensive to maintain ?
Or am I being naive?

The way I've spent on maintenance of my 190, I'm pretty sure it would love to belong to me in another life.

And which one is STAR SCANNER again?
What can it do that the other scanner cannot do?

I need an education please.

NB: I'm not that bad income-wise. But prudence is key.

Dabix,

Don't be scared, believe me you can handle it. I have friends who are not all that well to do but they drive this car ye ye without any problem..The real truth is that this car ever get spoilt if properly maintained, Apart from 1 or 2 cases of some sort of problem like sensor/fuse related(that's why i gave you the secret of owning a scanner) and running cost(i.e fueling, though some of the Benz 190 we own actually consumes more than the ml320 because they are dead) you may hardly change a parts for a whole year plus in this suv . If you had a c320 sedan and an ML320 and drive them equally, your c320 midsize sedan will do frequent part changes than your Ml320, same with your benz 190. Its actually more economic-wise in terms of parts replacement and you would ever enjoy the power.

Trac, pls through more light on the star scanner thing

ziccoit: @au.hanson, pls kindly help me get the market price of auto gearbox of the following:

1998 w202 C200 and C230 (not kompressor) both 5SP box.

I'm kind of forcing it on you since nobody bothered to attend to my query of such in recent pasts.

Thanks bros.

Hello Ziccoit, 5 gear auto box at the after market for these cars cost 50k here in PH, but i believe it should be cheaper in Lagos and Onitsha etc

Smart choice, I always marvel how you respond so fast to messages even while sent for the first time , do you use a kind of responder that notifies you?

smartchoice: @AU Hanson....poly lecturers don't receive MEAGRE incomes! University teachers also are also not on MEAGRE incomes! Let me share a story...I met a rich man's younger bro who was asked to take any car of his choice from the brother's compound....he chose an ML320, on getting home he discovered that the steering...was leaking so had to dismantle it and take back to Lagos for kitting costing 45k . . .it did not work, so he had to buy another costing 90k!...plus wokkmanship. Just like that on a MEAGRE income? Well while not discouraging the man I think he should count the costs before going into the ML 320 ownership...cos the running costs of an ML 320 with a 190 are way far apart!

Yeah, you are right.He ought to count the cost though they wont come immediately and often. I want to believe he is just being humble else he shouldn't go near it. When i meant university / poly teachers , i excluded the professors

smartchoice: @AU Hanson: the OP has a MEAGRE income. . .your neighbor is a doctor with 4 cars....not just the ML320.....and certainly not a daily driver though he may be driving it more...odbII is good but what an MB really needs is a STAR . . .OP note that! @AU hanson what is the cost of the STAR?...

Loi.. i thought if he could afford the purchase , he could as well afford the maintenance as He had already had experience of what to face, with the maintenance of His Benz 190. You know that car isn't easy to maintain due to her age, if you should do it right, except you maintain it yourself. Never would i allow His dream of ML 320 elude Him.

See the trick, you know over here we have this advantage of sourcing for spare parts at the after market, this is the upper hand we have over those residing abroad, and labour is cheap too, if you aint going to service centres. Definitely , with such calculation you will understand how a Polytechnic teacher could own and maintain an ML. Of course i see a lot of Teachers driving this cars today as their everyday car, both in the universities and the polytechnic, i want to believe he is of this income bracket too-he is just being humble, else he shouldnt go near it. He wouldn't go for the real value of the maintenance but the alternative. You and i knows this. He isn't going for X5 nor X6 nor the GL ,nor Toureg,nor the Range Rovers but the entry level ML, the 320, very common on our roads.

I dont really know the cost of the STAR scanner but i thing it should be expensive

If i were you i would maintain the original colour but makes it more appealing and with a darker claddings in that same colour too.It will protect more than outrightly changing the colour totally.This is also good for easy retouch incase of some dents in future afterwards because the colour number is in your fuel fillap, always easy to obtain handily.

Give it to a good painter, this is very important, since this is the image of your car and you'll be proud of it overtime.

smartchoice: Daxbix Can you here this?

My neighbour who is a young medical doctor, and also a benz fanatic, owns 4 MB cars, and he is not in a hurry to sell out anyone of them, i wonder how he maintains them:
w201 2.6 v 6 vboot
w202 c220
w203 c200 kompressor and
ML 320 the latest one he just bought barely a year old now, whom he drives seamlessly over our dilapidated twisty windy road. When asked this evening what the maintenance is like? the guy just bluntly replied that it cost nothing to maintain it. When asked again the handling, he said, that it's just like driving a midsize sedan like that my Benz 190 that does 8.4secs within 0-60mph. i was just surprise, because i expected him to tell me that, 'men this car is hard to maintain oh'but to the contrary. He said this ride's sensor things and all the rest are durable than the midsize sedan c class them and are not expensive, that the car has solid stability, just like the sedan and so on and so forth, that he doesn't even care about any of those things while driving or travelling with it, that he just came back from Bayelsa with it that evening with lots of maneuvering as usual as if he was driving any of his sedan. Say once he just spot you, it takes nothing for him to overtake you at ease, and that the suv has 24 plugs and a better view ahead on the highway

The other day i stepped on the pedal and the tyres were just screeching at the slightest pedaling just like my benz 190 and truely it felt just like a mid size sedan car not even like an off road vehicle

Bossforeva: @au.hanson am doing that most definitely,my thoughts was that the pads comes in its unpainted black state just as most bumbers in the after market do..
Also do u recommend that i should replace the front bumbers,when u did that how much did it cost U?

The pads are sold as aftermarkets spare parts. the bumpers then cost 35k, but i gave them 10k,now i learnt is 20k . What i actually did was to exchange my old bumpers, both front and back for theirs and added a little money to them, that is negotiable with the dealer.

The whole padding thing with the running board( see the pics below), the one benits the pad,(you know you need to change that too to make it original), the bumpers cost me about 40k then,

Daxbiz: Thanks au.hanson.
Good breakdown. Really needed that.
Will sleep over this then make my decision.

@smartchoice, yes I needed an informed advice. Especially since I know so little about cars. I don't want to end up disappointed with my purchase.

Thanks all.

You are welcome Bro.

Also, if you may finally decide to fall in love with this machine(the ML320), there's nothing wrong about that. Just make sure you buy a odbII scanner along side with, it's cheap(about N35,000.00). So that you could be doing periodical scan as a preventive measure before any issue errupts its ugly head, by this way things won't get out of hand; by so doing you'll be able to handle issues before they even occur.

After all, sensors are not a curse but were meant to sense signals for the car computer(ECU), hence measuring the physical quantity and feeding the data regulated by the ecu to the engine, a stone mile in modern automobile to make easy for diagnoses, though our mech boys are still inept and uses the same old methods acquired by their master to complicate issues in modern automobile. You could just do the scan get the interpretation from the odb II scanner, or even over the net for further detail, and call your regular mech to just go straight to the point of concentration, and do not tamper with any other thing nor compromise with this machine architecture.

On the other hand, the numerous relays/switches are to help balance the electrical loads and make for perfection an effective use of the electronics/electromagnetic components/devices for the proper and efficient shading of loads in these vehicles,because current has to move variously from one circuit to another circuit in an on and off mode in the switching of these heavy loads, though atimes things could get out of hand if not properly monitored. While the fuses help in cutting out short circuited devices to save the car wiring and electrical devices from graving damages and so on, so they should never be bypassed. So all these must be understood and follow suit to adhere to proper maintenance of these vehicles.

The Ml 320 is somehow more economical to maintain in level of sophistication than the higher numbers,ML 350 , ML 500 etc, hence makes somehow resonable for everyday use and ease of maintenance than the rest

matson: Good to see u guys make up. Wish those temperamental post could be trashed.

i have trashed them out too

Daxbiz: Guys, sheath the sword abeg and attend to we laymen.

I said I want a ML 320, nobody answered me.

Ok, let me ask another way

compare a 190E (which I drive currently) and a 2003 ML 320...

cost of maintenance and fuel efficiency

I remain humble....

Thanks

In retrospect, apology to all of you. I only avoided so that i wouldn’t be the factor that kick Trac out of the forum and to avoid any form of feud. I made sure that I didn't even click on this link so that I shldnt be attracted to my irresistible “Benzes” and offend. Because I was badly hurts to understand that the trade had a sole proprietorship kind of rule based strictly on Mercedes Benz sheet standard which I was faulting, with Trace as the monopolistic director, thought I should have myself elsewhere-so I decided to do just that , just joking boy! Dn't take it serious.

But if Trace truly meant the "sheathing of sword" with what He said who am i to alter the wave. Before I gave any alternative I always quoted the MB standard practice and state otherwise in absence of.. as i understand that forum posters needs solutions to their problem, common practice i have seen among forums, whether it be international MB forum or local base…If I had made some wrong propositions, which I am of a human and stand to be corrected, I always indulge same with a sincere apology, a standard I have kept through out life.

So Mr. Trace, negate all the unfortunate behind you in sincere terms, kill the temperament and let’s move on as you said. I have also come out of the coma, it doesn’t really matter any more whether you are in direct opposition to my views or not; or whether I’m even abashed or not. After all no 2 school of thoughts ever agreed on same issue; you can’t have one political party in a true democratic setting.

However , I have resolved to stand to swallow it all, as far as the forum continues in the overall interest of peace for all. So Trace ma me’ follow me there:

So as subject refers,
For 2003 ML 350:

Engine Specifications and Gearbox
Displacement 3,199 cc
Cylinders 6
Valves 18V (3 valves per cylinder)

Torque 310 Nm → 229 lb-ft (3,000 rpm)
Power Output 218 bhp (5,600 rpm)
Kilowatts 158 kW
Gearbox
5-speed Automatic

Performance and Economy

Top Speed 121 mph (195 km/h)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 9.00 sec.
Average Mileage 21 mpg
Highway Mileage 26 mpg
City Mileage 16 mpg



For Benz 190 2.3e
Displacement 2,298 cc
Cylinders 4
Valves 8V (2 valves per cylinder)

Torque 198 Nm → 146 lb-ft (3,500 rpm)
Power Output 132 bhp (5,100 rpm)
Kilowatts 96 kW
Gearbox
5-speed Manual
Performance and Economy

Top Speed 122 mph (197 km/h)
Acceleration 0-60 mph 10.60 sec.
[b]Average Mileage 24mpg for manual 22 [/b]mpg for 4 gear automatic if properly maintained
city 21 mpg for manual and 19 for auto
highway 29 mpg for manual and 27 for auto, though this really elude us in this part of the country because of the heavy oil(20w50) that we abuse this car with and other poor maintenance issues. I use mobil 1 in my 190 and dextron 111 for the transmission and steering fluid



You can see from above that the ML is a super machine with 6 cylinders that houses 3 vales percylinder head amounting to 18 valves in all, where as, benz 190 though also a great car,compare to her over 20 years of age has 4 cylinders that houses 2 valves per cylinder head amounting to 8 valves in all

As for the economy the ml average 21mpg with a 5 gear auto system but 190 average 24mpg with a 5 gear manual gear box as standard or 22mpg for an auto 4gear system making it prone to high maintenance cost, because the more the number of gears the less stress on the engine the less the overall cost of maintenance attributed performance wise

But then , the m class of that model is a sophisticated machine, the factor goes; the more sophisticated the more problematic it could be; too many sensors ; relays; switches etc. Hence, built to very high precision that requires accurate and precise maintenance procedure unlike the 190 that could withstand some very high level of abuse but still keeps going.

Also as with modern cars, the bombers and some rubber materials are made of fragile substance , the rule of thumb in modern automobile. Perhaps that's why it is not leaving up to her actual cost as an suv( it should have been costlier than the actual amount)

Sometimes, my perception goes that this automobile were built for the money bags i.e the politician and the oil sectors executives. That ordinary guys like us, better put it, starters shouldn't go for German suv's as they are too sophisticated hence would attract high maintenance cost, because you might need to register with a good Mercedes Benz service agents to solve some of her issues(you can close eyes and maintain your 190, mine hardly ever see the mech) , or you have to develop very high standard skill to sort things out by yourself and evade some service charges, which is always dear. I beg to diver

All you need to do as in the case of Benz 190 is to watch out for signs of old parts wearing out and replace them as they come. You can also easily pick them at our aftermarket cheaply.

the front grill and traficator

Bossforeva: am interested in that part,how did U achieve this?
Do u need to drill more holes and add clips for this or can the superpadded fit into the 190,when u must have removed the stripes and lower frames?
Plz if u can upload a picture of ur ride i'll appreciate.

Nop, you simply carefully remove the previous rulers and clips with a pair of pincers and screw driver . With the same hole aready given to you by MB you insert the new clips and clip back the pads to turn it padded as easy as that. But make sure you clean the those portions very well if they are dirty, and paint with anti rust if they are rusty before you reclips them back. If you chose nice pads you cant see the difference with follow come and they flush nicely . Normally, dark pads of the same color precedes light colours body paints. Like mine see picture below, you dont even need to paint the car if your painting is ok, i never repainted mine , the pad nor the car. I like them in that already made factory painting

steg0miah: Too much money

But then he might stand to loose nothing at the end applaud his courage because, definitely this public spectacle envisage the obvious from BMW or they stand to lose ground with their M6 embarassing electronics or whatever

Bossforeva: where do U reside?

I live in PH

234CustomCars: New to the chat. This is my 330ci. H&R Sport Suspension Spring kit (2" drop), 19" wheels (225/40 fronts and 255/35 rears). Dynavin clone to be installed this weekend. @GEe2728, there's a nice silver 328ci for sale. Never been used in Nigeria. i'll put up a pic.

Killing me softly..killing me softly!!! whata machine!! Black is beauty..looks like my MB c180 in black beauty. This car330ci goes for how much?

Desanta: I have done 200km/hour with a Benz E- 230 (1984 regular),on Benin Auchi road in 2001,1 wanted to see if the car can get to the maximum speed, and it did. I had to get four brand new tyres before attempting this stunt. It was my first and most rugged car.

Even my benz 190 2.3e does that recently, 200 km/h on Ogonni- Ikot Abasi road at ease. You know, i was always afraid to go beyond 170km/h in that car not untill i did almost 200km/h in my Benz c180 of 1.8 litre engine that it was done on me that if my 1.8 litre luxury engine could do that drift, how much more my 2.3 litre raw engine. I pull it and it answered and still maintained very good handling . I love this car , the c class is only quieter and luxury bound than it but ask of handling, this 80's machine handles better than most modern cars and has very strong rigid suspension system, you can whoop the tail like no man's business and could turn even better than the c class models. To crown it all, not even the drivers machine, i.e the speed hatch BMW handles like this ride. Before now, though no more , i handle this ride with all the roughness i could but she stills stands it; the worse dragoneer driving you could thing of but this machine proof it ruggedness. Just maintain it well don't mind the age,no compromise, she's gonna be there for you.

[quote author=190-the-clown]I once comppleted a 6hr trip in 2hrs 45mins

During my granmoms burial 2010
Dat was abuja - benin

I remember doing a 200kmh in my 190 that day
Left abuja 6am in d morning, hit gwawalada by 6.20am from grawimpa via lugbe
By 9.10am I was already at d fly over in benin

I must confess I had 2 cans of alomo dat day before travellin
And I wuz already past okpella before my eyes became clearer

No car past me and I knew d dangerous spots on d road so well

190 remains d best mercedes eva 2 be made

6hrs journey in 2hrs 45mins
Dey wudnt believe it when I arrived - I opened my bonnet and d smoke
Dat left my engine could fry yam

Am a speeder - I picked a frnd some days ago
And all he kept saying wuz sofree oh sofree oh
I know say u like speed[/quote]Pls what is the model of your Benz 190? I have benz 190 2.3e with vboot 230 engine . This car handles so fine better than most of the so call modern cars and speed like demon, though sometime i think i should have bought a 2.6 v6

Deleted as well!!

yungboss: A.U. Hanson
330ci exists, it's the coupe. I use a 323ci, into which i'm dropping a 330ci engine...
You made a good sumary of the figures mr. Hanson, i personally do not like the c240...i prefer the c320 to it. The W202 kompressor will match the e46 328i, same HP/Torque numbers, but the 328i may just be slightly faster...
I will see what their power:weight ratios are ...this may be the reason for 's advantage in MPG over the Mercedes
Maintenance is definitely higher than the Toyota sedan of same Generation...

Ok, i c, 330ci. what a fine machine. It looks so low for our road. Thanks man for the clearance.
i wouldnt still like the c320 , for the fuel economy but would rather prefer the w203 c200 compressor, but then i still prefer the E46 to them all sef for the cost of spare parts. It has great economy and power compared to the Benz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfFHa9UWucI

entertainment time. check this out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sko9YHZfuMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJP8FvDBCM