Paging EL_ULY and others with W204 experience

"AM3R shamefully returns " (am3rshamefullyreturns)
12/11/2014 at 17:35 • Filed to: W204

Tell me more. No C63 unfortunately, little sis could use a car and my brother and I are liking the W204 C300 (manual!) or C350.

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DISCUSSION (37)

EL_ULY > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 17:57

Kinja'd!!!

I got put back in the shop today and have been messing with this C250 for the last half our. Just a trade in inspection. It has 73k and in solid shape. It does have a suspension sound up front so i'll look into that in a sec. But as for these cars like a C300, besides the normal used car check list, these were pretty good cars. Only thing i could think of right now is the timing gear. It's kind of a big job that we do on some. It's a type of pully on the timing cover but it doesn't happen to all. Just make sure to look it over really good and drive it, feel it, listen for noises, and hit every button.

AM3R shamefully returns > EL_ULY
12/11/2014 at 18:09

Thanks! Should there be a certain year/model I should try to find? Did the C250's not have the timing gear issue? I was hoping to avoid a C250 because they are pretty slow and most of the ones near me are base models, and a better optioned C300 is only ~$2000 more.

RallyWrench > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 18:59

The balance shaft gear issue was pretty much over by 2009 models. I wouldn't buy a first year '08, just to be sure. Otherwise, look the engine over for oil seeps, particularly around the cam plugs & breather plate at the back of the heads. The 204 is a much better platform than the 203, particularly with respect to the interior. Not bad cars overall, and they're new enough that you should just be looking at basic used car foibles & cosmetic stuff. The 722.9 automatic trans does have issues with the valve bodies, but it's not terribly common. If it's an auto with over 40k, make sure the transmission has been serviced. If you're getting a stick you can forget about that.

VonBelmont > EL_ULY
12/11/2014 at 19:43

Do mine eyes deceive me, or is that someone saying something good about a recent Benz?

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 19:49

My dad owned a C300 for awhile. It was pretty bland. The E90 is much better. I actually wrote a comparison if you want to see it.

EL_ULY > VonBelmont
12/11/2014 at 20:52

a rare occasion lol but these are pretty good for the most part.

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 21:14

I might have read it a while ago, but a link would be great. I love my E90, I originally wanted to get her an E92 M-sport, but I pointed out a C63 on the road once and she told me it looked better than the E9x M3 (ouch).

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 21:34

I bet she said that because of the LEDs

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/bmw-328i-xdriv…

VonBelmont > EL_ULY
12/11/2014 at 21:40

I thought the '90s W2whatever C/E class cursed Mercedes to being yuppie leasewhores (which is frankly what they were to begin with).

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 21:47

she actually likes the BMW's angel eyes more haha

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 21:48

BUT I thought on the E9X M3 they never got the cool-colored ones, just the old yellowish (but still cool) halos.

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 21:56

while the yellow ones are still cool, the first mod for most owners are white bulbs. They look awesome

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 21:57

Well yeah that's what I'd do. BUT is that what SHE was using to compare?!

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 22:21

nah, overall she likes the exterior and interior more. She sat in a C350 coupe at the auto show last year and fell in love. I'm sure she'll like the more smooth ride, I'm gonna take her to test drive one this weekend to see if I can bring her back to the bmw, specially a 335is haha.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 22:25

WTF, the E90's interior is just so much cleaner looking!!2!

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 22:40

right! Dude you should get an E90

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 22:44

ARE YOU INSANE, MIATAS EXIST

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 23:03

E90 daily driver —-> Miata weekend car/autox/rally car. You can cage/strip the Miata.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 23:05

But I'd just daily the caged/stripped Miata

Or instead of buying two cars, just buy one better car

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 23:09

S2000? Z4 M coupe? they can be had for low $20's...

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 23:10

Naw, I'd be rallycrossing it so it'd need to be something that can handle that shit.

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 23:13

duuuuude get two cars, also, let me ride along if I'm ever in NY. I'm actually going up this weekend lol

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 23:18

CARS ARE EXPENSIVE

Too bad the season's over. Ice Racing is happening starting January soon though!

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
12/11/2014 at 23:20

very true.

Not to sound like a mom, but are you worried about any of this effecting the warranty on the ST?

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
12/11/2014 at 23:22

FUCK IT YOLO

but yes it actually keeps me up at night most times

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AM3R shamefully returns
12/12/2014 at 01:20

Actually the timing gear/balance shaft issue was '06 only, before they even started making 204's. It was an improperly heat treated sprocket that was too soft and wore down over time and caused a check engine light. Cam plugs and breather cover on back of heads can be done by anyone in under an hour and the parts are super cheap. Overall great cars, but I would avoid the first year ('08). First year is the worst year, for everything. Mercedes is great about fixing known issues in the middle of a production run, so the models are constantly improving. The newer the better and '12's were heavily updated, new engines included. '10 and earlier 4matic models had leaky transfer cases, but most of those have been resealed by now, they used a new type of sealant that ended up not being such a good idea. Other than that the most common problem I see on these is a failed electronic steering lock, which basically renders the ignition switch useless because of the security system, the vast majority of these have been on '08-'09 models. Just off loaner duty CPO's are a great way to go.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2014 at 01:30

Depends on what you are looking for. 204's can definitely be a little bland, especially before the face lift. But overall the 204 is a better built and mite reliable car than an E9x. Yeah, the BMW is more fun and has a better sounding engine but BMW has lost itself over the last couple of generations, and their reliability nearing and exceeding 100k is appalling. I work with some guys who converted to Mercedes after being BMW master techs for years, now they want nothing to do with BMW and frequently say things like "fuck those pieces of shit, I would take any Mercedes over any BMW. Mercedes isn't perfect either but they're way better than BMW".

Bottom line, don't own a newer BMW outside of warranty.

JDMatt > AM3R shamefully returns
12/12/2014 at 04:17

In the manual C300, I really don't like how the parking brake is pedal that's next to the clutch.

Brian Silvestro > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/12/2014 at 08:15

AMGtech to the rescue!

You always seem to clear things up for us.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2014 at 10:09

This time I was half expecting I would need a flame suit!

Brian Silvestro > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/12/2014 at 10:14

I'm not saying you're right or anything, I'd still buy an E90, that's for sure.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2014 at 10:17

Fine by me, automotive diversity is a good thing. I would not, especially one with turbos. And I hate the interior on E9x's. That's not to say I love it on 204's, but the face lifted ones are much better.

Brian Silvestro > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/12/2014 at 10:20

Yeah I'm with you on the turbos, nopenopenope

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
12/17/2014 at 21:56

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthre…

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/17/2014 at 21:59

I've read that before. That is not rallycrossing.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
12/17/2014 at 22:13

No, but it's 1,000+ miles of abuse on dirt/gravel/potholed roads! A cheap S52 clownshoe would be a righteous rallycross weapon!

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/17/2014 at 22:13

No such thing as a cheap clownshoe anymore unfortunately.