johna's automotive blog

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) 2007-2015 Review

2021-03-27T12:00:00+10:00

Four-cylinder petrol engines (M271) use a single row timing chain that can stretch and ultimately cause major engine damage. These can need replacing at around 160,000 km. Listen for rattling on cold start.

Early V6 petrol engines (M272) can have issues with balance shaft gears that can cause timing chain problems and result in engine failure. There is also a common fault relating to the intake manifold.

Image credit: © M 93 / Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) 2001-2007

2021-03-27T12:00:00+10:00

Early four-cylinder models up to 2002 used the M111 engine which are long-lasting and reliable.

Later models used the M271 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine which have a single row timing chain that can stretch and ultimately cause major engine damage. These can need replacing at around 160,000 km. Listen for rattling on cold start.

Image credit: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A used car seller with no idea?

2019-12-12T12:00:00+10:00

We came across this listing for a 2002 Mercedes-Benz on Carsales today, and it's so bad that we had to share.

What first got our attention was that this 18-year-old car was being offered for $14,250. A quick check of prices on Carsales shows that similar models are priced from $3,500 to $9,000. Around $5,000 to $6,000 we also found a few cars with similar mileage, and also some more desirable models.

We checked the description to see what reason there might be for such a huge margin over other similar models. There was mention of low kilometres (92,000), a full-service history from new, and apparently no children had ever sullied the car. It also had aftermarket wheels and sheepskin seat covers. Nowhere near enough in our opinion to justify such a huge margin over the going rate.

Another interesting part of the description is that the seller seemed insistent that the car had a 2.0-litre engine despite Carsales specifications stating it is a 1.8-litre engine. A check of the VIN confirms Carsales got it right and it is 1.8-litres.

The next part is a little dumbfounding. The description boasts that the car is registered in NSW until 24 June 2013. Yes, June 2013 - over 6 years ago. There is even a photo of the registration label attached to the windscreen (labels were phased out in 2013). A check of the registration on the Service NSW website shows the car has current registration which expires in June 2020. Huh!?!

We started to think that they may have been trying to see the car since 2013 and using the same ad, but Carsales reports the listing was posted only today.

We wonder how soon it will sell?

Update: The listing has since been revised with a new price – $5,250 – much more reasonable!