A small rear-wheel drive Mercedes C-class in the third generation (W204) appeared in 2007, and in 2011 the car underwent restyling, as a result of which it changed appearance- bumpers, rear lights have changed, instead of fog lights, LED ones have appeared running lights, as well as headlights, which now have an L-shape. The interior of the cabin has also changed, which began to look more luxurious and expensive compared to the dorestyling version. Also, as an option for restyling, the automatic transmission "7G-Tronic Plus" with the "Start-Stop" system began to be offered.
Mercedes Benz W204 was produced for seven years ... Many got the feeling that the Germans tried to make up for not the most best experience left by the previous "tseshka" in the back of the W203. The body of the Mercedes-Benz W204 had 3 variations: a sedan, a station wagon, and since 2011 also a coupe.
Mercedes benz W204 2007
Mercedes in the back of W204 was produced with both gasoline and diesel engines. The drive could be rear, or full 4matic. In the Russian Federation, the most common petrol versions of the tseshka are C180: a 1.8l engine. ( engine model M271) from 156hp; С200: engine 1.8l. (M271) with 184hp; S230: 2.5L engine. (M272) with 204hp; C280: engine 3.0 (M272) with 231hp; C300: 3.5L engine (M276) with 250hp; C350: 3.5l engine. (M272 (dorestyling) and M276 (restyled)) with 272 and 306 horsepower, depending on the engine model. There were also AMG versions with 6.2L M156 petrol engines, which could produce more than 500hp.
Characteristics of gasoline engines Mercedes-Benz W204
Diesel engines include C200 CDI: 2.1l engine. (OM646, OM651) with 136hp; C220 CDI: 2.1L engine. (OM646, OM651) with 170hp; C250 CDI: 2.1L engine. with 204hp; C300 CDI: 3.0L engine (OM642) with 231hp; C350 CDI: 3.0L engine (OM642) with 265 horsepower under the hood.
Among the diesel units of this car, the most problem-free were, perhaps, the 2.1-liter units produced before 2009.
Mercedes Benz W204 2007
There were practically no complaints about the two-disk flywheel of diesel engines. It can rightfully be considered the most hardy in its class. Although, one cannot but say that in the event of a replacement, the clutch kit with a dual-mass flywheel will hurt the family budget.
But the regulator responsible for controlling the air flow of the turbine is considered the weak link of the diesel version of the W204. Its failure is accompanied by a loss of power and an increased appetite for fuel. Some services offer regulator repair. Early pump failure is also a common malfunction of a 2.1-liter diesel engine.
Interior Mercedes Benz W204 2007
Diesel units have been updated after the 2009 restyling. The engines became more powerful, the timing chain was moved to another part of the motor. But here new system the injection from the Delphi company turned out to be quite capricious. All this led to the fact that the repair of such motors became more expensive.
All diesel engines are equipped with a particulate filter, which, after a few years of operation, begins to cause trouble, especially for those who move most of the mileage around the city. It is good that many services now offer services for the restoration of the particulate filter, which is several times cheaper than replacing it.
With an increase in mileage, W204 engines, and especially diesel engines, begin to consume oil. Rarely, but there are leaks of antifreeze, and also - the thermostat fails imperceptibly.
Mercedes Benz W204 AMG 2007
Owners of a gasoline "tseshka" should periodically monitor the timing chain, which can grow even after the 100-thousandth run. The cost of replacing it is quite high, and its elongation can only be diagnosed with the help of special equipment.
In V6 gasoline units, the chain lives a little longer, but the work of replacing it is more difficult, and therefore more expensive. Large displacement gasoline engines have defective balance shaft sprocket teeth. Fixing the problem will make the owner fork out a decent amount.
To the "engine compartment" problems, it is worth adding the fragility of the viscous coupling of the generator and air conditioning compressor. Oil often leaks from under the valve cover.
Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe C204 2011
Yes, there is a lack of the former durability of modern Mercedes. Formerly owners deutsche mark could not even imagine that manual gearbox can cause problems. But the W204 has them, and they are expressed in the rapid failure of the synchronizers of the first and second gears. And the "machine", in turn, likes to "snot" with oil.
If you buy a used 204, then be sure to diagnose the engine mounts, gearbox and cardan mountings.
It's good of course that the three-liter diesel unit has a lot of torque, but its 7-automatic transmission does not think so, which is expressed through a breakdown of the torque converter and the hydraulic valves of the box.
Steering This generation Mercedes cannot be called reliable in any way. Moreover, its weak point is the power steering pump.
Mercedes-Benz W204 2011
In all models "C" in the 204th body, the package "Agility Control" is installed, which is designed to adjust the dynamics of the car in various road conditions... And thanks to him - the cost of some suspension parts has become much more expensive, for example, shock absorbers with variable stiffness are not cheap.
The electrical system of a car is quite complex and has some annoying little glitches. Although there are problems that can completely immobilize the car. For example, a malfunction of the ignition lock module. The operation to repair it is very expensive and is carried out exclusively at an official service.
One more frequent malfunction premature wear of the radiator fan motor brushes is considered. Sometimes the navigation and audio control systems can "malfunction". Display defects were found on some machines. It is treated only by replacing it.
Very common problem of non-working due to weight loss rear lights... The fact is that after a while of operation, the ground wire melts, which leads to a loss of contact or to its weakening. Repair is possible, again, only at the "officials". I don't think it's worth talking about its high cost.
Even on many models, the outside mirrors creak when folded, the wiper blades "sour", the power windows fail. On early models, the screen could stop sliding out of the panel. All of these faults require substantial funding to fix them.
Interior of Mercedes-Benz W204 2011
The interior of the car has a decent level of comfort. The quality of the finish, the precision of the fit of the details at the height. The body of this Mercedes is not subject to corrosion, which "nightmare" the owners of the previous "tseshek".
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the purchase of such a machine must be accompanied by a mandatory visit to a specialized service for full diagnostics on a Mercedes scanner, since it is easy to buy hemorrhoids, and there may not be enough money for its treatment. Yes, and more - do not buy a used Mercedes for the last money, and even more so - in debt.
A selection of reviews, video review and test Mercedes drives Benz W204:
Crash test Mercedes Benz W204:
The main advantage of buying Mercedes- Benz C-class in the back of the W204 is the basis of the car, built on the basis of older models. Includes the main components and assemblies. Is it that good? We will try to find out in this article.
Brief history of modification
This model appeared on automotive market in 2007, and is produced in three body styles: sedan, station wagon and coupe. A wide range of engines and several transmissions to choose from are presented as units for the model. For example., For Russian market the cars were equipped with gasoline engines: P4, 1.6 liters (156 hp) and 1.8 liters (156, 184 and 204 hp); V6, 2.5 L (204 HP), 3.0 L (231 HP) and 3.5 L (272 HP); diesel, P4, 2.1 liters (170 and 204 hp). At the same time, one could choose between mechanical box gears in 6 steps and two automatic gears in 5 or 7 steps with rear or all-wheel drive..jpg)
In 2011, the company made a restyling of the C-class in the back of the W204. As a result, the car has acquired a more aggressive look, thanks to a modified radiator grille, head optics, bumpers, and interior trim.
It should be noted separately that all cars of this model belong to the German assembly and are of excellent quality. paintwork... At the moment, only the coupe model continues to be produced. The rest of the bodies rolled off the assembly line in 2013.
Powertrain quality
First of all, it is worth recognizing that in modern times, Mercedes has ceased to rigidly tie power units to the indices of its cars. Therefore, on a car with an index C 250, there may be a power unit with a working volume of 1.8 liters, which makes it difficult to determine the power and volume of the engine for each specific model.The description of the power units should start with the younger models, which have four cylinders and a displacement of 1.6 or 1.8 liters. All motors are based on the same base. At the same time, units with a working volume of 1.8 liters are produced in three modifications capable of producing 156, 184 and 204 Horse power, with the only differences in the firmware of the electronic control unit. Models produced before 2010 were equipped with a mechanical compressor (as noted on the trunk lid of the car), and subsequently, all power units of this type were equipped with standard turbines.
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The main problem of these units is the timing chain. The fact is that over time, the chain stretches, despite the fact that the car maintenance regulations do not provide for its check or replacement. At least, an indicator lamp on the instrument panel will signal about a problem that has arisen - “ Check engine», And increased engine noise. But it is worth recognizing that the stretched chain does not jump over the teeth, and this "nuisance" will not lead to the pistons hitting the valves.
In addition, in the gas distribution system, there are frequent cases of failure of phase shifter couplings for two camshafts... At the same time, the engine starts to work more noisily, and when starting, a creak may be heard. Most often, couplings wear out at 50,000 km. In principle, the chain can stretch at the same time. But it is worth noting that the small resource of timing elements is visible on factory components. When replacing elements with new ones, repeated problems appear in rare cases.
As noted by the masters at the specialized stations Maintenance, the turbines and compressors installed on these units are quite reliable. The only thing is that units with mechanical compressors are noisier. But the minders did not notice any particular problems with these elements. In addition, it was advised to change the engine oil at least 10,000 km.
Atmospheric V-shaped engines with six cylinders are less widespread in Russia, but they are still found. There are no particular problems with them, subject to regular maintenance and compliance with all routine maintenance... The same problems are noted as with previous engines, only the gas distribution system is more reliable. But there are also nuances with oil seals and plugs on the back of the engine, which can leak after 60,000 km.
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The main drawback of models with atmospheric sixes is the location of the electronic control unit inside the decorative engine cover. What exactly caused such an arrangement on pre-styling cars is unknown, but it strongly influenced the reliability of the electronics. Due to constant overheating, the blocks often failed, and the elements on the electronic board could crumble. It is worth recognizing that today, repairing an ECU will not cost an exorbitant amount when contacting a specialized workshop, but buying a new one can cost up to 180,000 rubles.
In addition, in all engines on this model, there is a design flaw in the crankcase ventilation system. In winter, this system can freeze up, and if you start driving without fully warming up the engine, oil begins to get into the intake system. Except that overruns begin engine oil and accelerated fouling of the catalytic converter, so problems with oil pressure in the system may still begin (there is no pressure control sensor on these units). Therefore, the car owner may notice the problem only after the power unit is jammed. As the masters advise, it is necessary to constantly monitor the oil level, and, if possible, replace the elements of the crankcase ventilation system for prevention.
Regarding the alternator drive belt and attachments, then its resource could have been greater, but it is necessary to replace the belt itself and the rollers, approximately every 50,000 - 60,000 km.
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Also, some owners of the Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of the W204 noted the electric thermostat sticking in the open state. This does not cause much trouble, but the warm-up time significantly increases in cold seasons.
As for diesel power units, it is very difficult to find such a C-class in the Russian open spaces. Although these units are installed on other models, there are very few statistics on their repair. Therefore, there is nothing special to tell, except that these units are equipped with two turbines and, depending on the firmware of the electronic control unit, can produce 170 or 204 horsepower, with full design compliance.
Transmissions on Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of W204
Pre-styling models, and as we remember, the car was updated in 2010, time-tested (since 1996) hydromechanical automatic transmissions with five steps were installed. Among contemporaries, this transmission is noted without problems and a service life of 200,000 - 250,000 km of run without renovation works... But this condition remains subject to routine maintenance and correct operation.The main disadvantage of the machines on these models is the common with power unit cooling system. And the transmission itself has a negative attitude towards overheating. Therefore, the owners have to monitor the cleanliness of the radiator and carry out full cleaning with removal every 3 years or 60,000 km of run. In addition, some owners noted that antifreeze can get into the box after 100,000 kilometers. The first symptoms will be gearbox twitching when shifting gears. If you start the situation, you will have to pay a large sum for restoration (it is difficult to call all work repairs), or for the purchase of a new unit.
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On restyled models, the manufacturer began to install an upgraded version of the transmission with seven steps. New planetary gear sets and a clutch package have been added to its design. The more complex design affected the reliability of the transmission. The seven-speed gearbox has become more sensitive to exceeding the operating temperature and careless operation, despite the fact that the designers did not correct the efficiency of the cooling system, and antifreeze can also get into automatic transmission... But new problem it became that at an unexpected moment during operation, the box control board located inside may break. In this case, the main transmission control unit is located outside.
We have to admit that automatic transmissions are quite reliable. Most often, breakdowns occur due to careless or illiterate operation. For example, some drivers may not wait until the car has come to a complete stop before turning on reverse gear, which leads to strong shock loads and rapid wear of the mechanisms in the box.
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According to the official service regulations, transmission oil in automatic transmissions, it should be changed every 60,000 km, and as the masters note, shortening the period will not lead to an extension of life. Therefore, in this matter, we rely on German engineers.
Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of W204 with mechanical transmission, on the territory of Russia was realized, but most of the masters did not meet with them. And in the secondary market, this model with mechanics - a rarity.
C-class chassis and suspension
First of all, it should be noted that the basis for the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz C-class W204 was the older brother from the E-class series. But many note that the "hodovka" and the suspension are more reliable. But nevertheless, it requires some attention to itself.In the front suspension, the biggest concern is the adjustable wheel bearings. Due to their design, their adjustment is necessary during each MOT. Otherwise, after a while, the bearing play will increase to such an extent that the brake disc starts to cling to the brake caliper. In this case, the car owner will "get" for serious repairs.
The next element will be the silent blocks of the trailing arms, which will last from 60,000 to 80,000 km. But repairs will not cost so much - there are separate silent blocks from the lever on sale. Therefore, the purchase of an expensive part will be postponed for a long time.
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But the most unpleasant moment will be the short life of the front shock absorbers with support bearings. Unfortunately, in most cases, they are able to work up to 100,000 km, after which they will need to be replaced.
The rear suspension is less whimsical, and as its repair, you will have to change the silent blocks of the front support of the beam, on this, the repair of the rear suspension will be completed. Therefore, we can conclude that operation of Mercedes-Benz C-class W204 - if you rely on the repair of the walker, it will not bring high costs. Even the brake pads last from 30,000 to 50,000 km, depending on the driving style. The only thing, in cold seasons, the rear pads wear out faster due to the work of the stabilization system.
Signature design all-wheel drive 4Matic is not a hassle. The unit is made with a good margin of safety, and even powerful modifications of a car with a 3.5 liter engine do not break the clutches in transfer case... The only thing is that by the turn of 100,000 km of run, oil seals may need to be replaced front gear... The same applies to the differential. There were only isolated cases of breakdowns, but after 150,000 km, the oil seals will have to be replaced, and the anthers of the drives live almost forever.
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Also the steering, steering column and power steering are no hassle. But there is one design flaw, which is that the steering lock mechanism can jam to such an extent that the owner cannot turn the key in the ignition lock (this does not happen on the go). The most unpleasant thing is that the pre-styling models were equipped with a locking mechanism assembled into one piece with the steering column. Therefore, it was necessary to make a complete replacement, but the restyled models were redesigned, and the mechanism is now more maintainable due to the collapsible design, although the problem remains. But you will have to buy and replace the mechanism at an official dealer service station, since this mechanism refers to the anti-theft system, and plays an important role in the safety of the car.
The quality of the interior, electronic components and body
Basically, the build quality of the cabin and the quality of materials in the C-class from Mercedes are of a very high level, and there are no complaints. The same applies to electronic control units inside the passenger compartment, but they are afraid of moisture. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the humidity in the cabin and the accuracy of cleaning inside the car. The only thing that can fail at an unexpected moment is the multimedia system's drive.The air conditioning system in the passenger compartment works flawlessly and requires refueling every 2-3 years. In addition to refueling, you will have to clean the radiator with its complete removal. But the cases of repair or replacement of the compressor are rare.
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Although optics does not cause additional frequent costs on the part of the owner, it has its own characteristics. For example, pre-styling models were noted for periodic failure of the xenon lamp ignition unit, but the updated version completely lost this problem. Also, the headlamp itself has no tendency to fog up (if there was no damage), and there are no noticeable traces of glass cloudiness. But LED optics were noted for the fact that in some cases, LEDs can shine in different colors. But the manufacturer denies the presence of a defect or malfunction, because this fact does not affect the quality of lighting. Therefore, warranty replacements are not provided.
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If we say that the car body is made of high-quality materials and with high-quality work, it will become clear that this car it is worth buying for those who wish to acquire a decent level of comfort, without unnecessary problems and at an adequate cost.
Output
According to the statistics collected from the owners and masters of service stations, we learned that the Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of the W204 is the car that requires only routine maintenance, and in rare cases, some components have to be repaired unscheduled. Even taking into account the fact that this car did not become the number 1 target for car thieves, nevertheless, in the secondary market, you will have to carefully study the proposed options.Rate the material:
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For cars Mercedes C-class in the back of W204 a wide range of Mercedes-Benz engines is installed. All engines are developed by Daimler and are produced in our own factories.
The motors are reliable but require constant maintenance. To maintain the working condition, it is important not only to refuel the car on time, but also to strictly follow the rules of service and maintenance.
By following the recommendations prescribed by the manufacturer, you can ensure long-term and problem-free operation of the vehicle and its engine.
Variety of W204 motors
The following motors are installed on the Mercedes C-class:
Important!
It is worth saying that most of the listed engines are installed not only on the C-class, but also on other Mercedes models, and the engine REPAIR PROCESS on different models Mercedes is IDENTICAL.
Malfunctions of W204 engines
Mercedes engines are reliable enough. But their reliability depends not only on how they were designed and assembled, but also on the quality of their service. Any malfunction of the motor begins to manifest itself long before the unit fails or a serious breakdown is detected.
Pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Loss of engine thrust and rough operation;
- Strong vibration from the motor;
- The need for constant topping up of engine oil;
- The appearance of extraneous noise when starting the car;
- Extraneous engine noise on a running car (knocking, crackling, hissing, metallic clanging);
- Oil leak or error low level engine oil;
- Error indication Engine Check Engine.
These are not all manifestations of a malfunctioning Mercedes engine, but one of the most frequent
If any of the listed symptoms is detected or if a malfunction is suspected, it is recommended to diagnose the Mercedes engine, identify the source of the breakdown and take appropriate measures.
Repair of the Mercedes C-class W204 engine
High-quality can only be provided by a specialized service that has the necessary repair experience, has a special tool available and can promptly provide all the necessary spare parts.
Warranty is an important aspect of the repair that worries every client, because most often the repair costs "a pretty penny". We comply with our obligations throughout the entire warranty period, which is 1 year from the date of repair work.
Spare parts are one of the key points of repair, because the quality of the spare part determines how the engine will work and how long it will work. Our own warehouse and prompt deliveries from Germany allow us to carry out any complex engine repairs in a short time, and a wide selection of spare parts (original or alternative replacement) can significantly reduce its cost.
Preliminary diagnostics of a Mercedes engine is an integral part of a successful repair. Only after making sure of the correctness of the chosen direction, you can significantly reduce the cost of repairs, eliminate the likelihood of additional and unnecessary work.
A full consultation, in our Technical Center, can be obtained based on the results of a comprehensive diagnostics of a Mercedes engine. The foreman will draw up a preliminary repair order indicating all work and spare parts, which will be handed over to the client for making a decision. We will offer optimal options troubleshooting.
Repair conditions, terms of work and cost are agreed in advance with the client and documented, by the corresponding repair order.
Restyled silver "arrow" looks clearly more aggressive. But the softer features of the predecessor also have their fans.
From the history of the model
BY CONVEYOR: since 2007
BODY: sedan, station wagon, coupe
RUSSIAN ENGINE RANGE: gasoline, P4, 1.6 liters (156 HP) and 1.8 liters (156, 184 and 204 HP); V6, 2.5 L (204 HP), 3.0 L (231 HP) and 3.5 L (272 HP); diesel, R4, 2.1 l (170 and 204 hp)
GEARBOXES: M6, A5, A7
DRIVE UNIT: rear, full
RESTYLING: in 2011, interior elements, lighting equipment, bumpers, hood and radiator grill were changed; a version with a coupe body appeared; in-line gasoline engines replaced the mechanical supercharger with a turbocharger; five-speed "automatic" finally gave way to a seven-speed
CRASH TESTS: 2009, EuroNCAP, overall rating - five stars; protection of the driver and adult passengers - 82%; protection of passengers-children - 70%; pedestrian protection - 30%; security assistance systems - 86%
All cars with a body W204 are from Germany. Sedans and station wagons were removed from the assembly line in 2013, but a relatively fresh coupe is still being produced.
The car is not popular among the hijackers - engineers did not have to spend energy on a very effective and complex, multi-component immobilizer.
The quality of the paintwork is good. If you find defects, then only in the form of traces of unprofessional refurbishment. The structure of the body is quite simple, so repairs do not require sophisticated technology and tools.
ONE PERSON
Indices - for example, the same C 200 - most often do not correspond to the volume of the motor in cubic centimeters with zero dropped, as it has been for many years. A car with a C 250 nameplate can have a 1.8-liter turbo engine, and on a C 180 - 1.6 liters at all!
Inline four-cylinder gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6 and 1.8 liters are built on the same base. All of them are supercharged and until 2010 were equipped with a mechanical supercharger - such cars were distinguished by the Kompressor inscription on the trunk lid. Later, turbocharging combined with direct fuel injection (CGI index) took its place. Version 1.8 is available in three power options - 156, 184 and 204 hp, and the differences are limited only to different control programs.
The most widespread are C-classes with motors of 156 and 184 forces. Practice has shown that the degree of forcing does not in any way affect the resource of individual units and the motor as a whole.
We have already written about the problems of 184 hp engines. for Mercedes E-classes working in a taxi (ZR, 2014, No. 7). All that has been said, albeit to a lesser extent, applies to all in-line C-class gasoline engines.
The main sore is the timing drive. Sooner or later, the chain stretches due to the wear of the links, although it is designed for the entire service life of the motor (the regulations do not even provide for checking its condition). The problem will be reported by the Check lamp and increased engine noise. It is good that stretching usually does not lead to the skipping of the chain on the teeth and to the meeting of the pistons with the valves.
Another weak link in the timing drive is the phase shifter clutches on both camshafts: the timing stops are broken. The motor again starts to run noisier, and a crackling sound is heard during start-up. Most often, by the time the chain stretches, the life of one of the couplings also expires. If you do it wisely, then you need to change all the problematic timing units at once, so as not to open it again. Usually these troubles occur after 50,000 km, but it happened that the couplings died after 25,000 km. At the same time, cases of repeated replacement of timing elements are extremely rare.
Another common sore is module leak oil filter.
The mechanical blower is very reliable. The only negative is the increased noise level. The turbocharger is also distinguished by a good resource: the service does not recall any cases of its replacement on "tseshki". In addition, to extend the life of the turbine will help more frequent replacement oil (every 10,000 km) - to avoid coking of its oil pipes.
Atmospheric gasoline engines V6s are less popular. They are susceptible to the same timing problems, but to a lesser extent and at higher mileage. There are also oil leaks. After 60,000 km, plugs begin to leak at the rear of the heads of the block from the side of the gearbox. Misting of the valve cover gaskets is occasionally noted. On dorestyling cars, the control module is located in the decorative panel of the engine and suffers greatly from overheating (elements are often shattered from the board). There are workshops that will repair a failed module for reasonable money. The new one will cost 170,000 rubles! Starting in 2011, the control module was removed from the cover and secured separately, which removed the problem.
For all gasoline engines freezing of the elements of the crankcase ventilation system is characteristic. If in severe frost you do not warm up the engine before driving, then the oil begins to flow directly into intake system... The car does not have a control lamp for oil pressure (there is only a sensor for its level), so drivers sometimes do not notice problems up to the engine jamming. Such troubles happen not only with Mercedes. At BMW, due to the frozen ventilation system, the pressure in the crankcase rises so much that sometimes the oil seals are squeezed out and the oil is thrown out. Even if you notice the indication of a dangerous level in time, do not be too lazy to replace some of the elements of the ventilation system - just in case.
When the crankcase ventilation system on V6 engines freezes up, its main part is changed - the oil separator module on the engine block. And in in-line motors, the valve and pipes are most often subject to replacement, which have time to coke heavily.
bThe drive of the attachment does not shine with a resource - a belt and rollers. On gasoline engines, they are changed after 50,000-60,000 km because of the whistle.
The electronic thermostat is also short-lived. It sticks open. Usually, this can only be understood in winter (the system does not give errors) - by the slow warming up of the motor.
Diesel in "tseshka" is very rare in Russia, which is strange. After all, the same diesel BMW The 3-series is much more popular. The 2.1 liter engine is equipped with two sequential turbines - low and high pressure... Depending on the control program, it produces 170 or 204 hp. - there are no constructive differences. This engine is also installed on other Mercedes cars, but the statistics of malfunctions are very meager - no one could remember any problems with it.
THIS BOX OF PANDORA
Until 2010, a 5-speed hydromechanical “automatic” worked in tandem with in-line gasoline engines. It appeared back in 1996, has undergone several upgrades and is considered quite reliable: it can live up to 200,000-250,000 km - provided that several problems do not happen.
V6 engines have different volumes, but they do not differ externally. In the picture on the left - the unit of the restyled machine. The decorative cover was changed, the engine control unit was moved to the side. "Tseshku" with diesel engine(pictured on the right) is rarely seen on the roads.
The main one is connected with the cooling system common to the box and the engine. It happens that by 100,000 km antifreeze penetrates the inside of the box, because of which the "machine" begins to twitch and, if you do not pay attention to this, quickly dies. It is bad if the radiator is clogged with dirt: the box is sensitive to overheating. A typical radiator flush interval with complete removal is 60,000 km or every three years.
Since 2010, the five-stage has been replaced by a seven-stage unit created on the basis of its predecessor: an additional planetary gear set and a clutch package have been added to the box. The more complex node has become less reliable. The problem of the cooling radiator, which drives antifreeze into the box, remains unresolved; in addition, the unit began to suffer more from overheating. First of all, the small clutches of the highest gears die. In addition, the control board located inside the unit may fail at any time (the control unit itself is located outside).
Most of the problems occur due to illiterate exploitation - for example, when they turn on reverse without waiting for the car to come to a complete stop. In such modes, the mechanical elements of the "automatic machines" suffer from shock loads.
The regulation prescribes an oil change in the box every 60,000 km, and it makes no sense to shorten this interval.
Cars with a manual transmission were sold in Russia, but they were not seen in the service. And on the secondary market "tseshki" with "mechanics" are rare guests.
In-line gasoline engines (1.6 and 1.8 liters) with a mechanical supercharger were used until 2009, inclusively, on the pre-styling C 180 Kompressor and C 200 Kompressor. The updated (in the photo on the right) turbocharged inline gasoline engines began to be installed in 2010 on the C 180, C 200 and C 250 versions. The 1.6 liter engine is still available only for the C 180.
PLATFORMER
The architecture of the chassis "tseshka" does not differ from the E-class. But the reliability of the chassis elements in the younger model is higher.
The front suspension uses adjustable wheel bearings, which require maintenance at every service. If they are not adjusted, the backlash will become so large that the brake disc will start to touch the caliper bracket - repairs will cost a pretty penny.
After 60,000–80,000 km, the silent blocks of the trailing arms die. They are available as separate spare parts.
To 100,000 km, the front shock absorbers fail and begin to knock. Usually they are changed immediately with support bearings, which by this time are also very tired.
In the rear suspension, by 60,000–80,000 km it is necessary to change the silent blocks of the front support of the beam. This is the only weak link. In general, the reliability of the front and rear suspension one can only envy.
The front brake pads are enough for 30,000 km, the rear ones for 45,000. V winter period increased wear of the rear pads is possible due to the active operation of the stabilization system.
The modified control boards for the seven-speed "automatic", which are installed when replacing, live longer than the previous ones - at least three years. There is a clear benefit from changing the supplier of spare parts.
The differential does not cause much trouble. The gearbox oil seals survive 150,000 km, and the cases of replacement of the drive anthers are rare.
There will be no problems with the 4Matic all-wheel drive transmission, except that by 100,000 km, the drive boots and front gear oil seals may need to be replaced. Even a 3.5 liter engine is not capable of harming the clutches in the transfer case.
With the steering, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, the power steering and the rack give almost no problems: nothing knocks, nothing flows. Everything is relatively smooth with rods and tips. The trouble lurked in an unexpected place - in the steering shaft lock. At one "fine" moment it can jam without the ability to turn the ignition key.
On pre-styling models, repairs meant replacing the entire steering column. On the updated machines, the engineers made the assembly collapsible: the blocker can be replaced separately. But the issue of durability has not been resolved. Since the blocker belongs to the anti-theft system, you can order and change it only from an authorized dealer.
COMFORT ZONE
"Crickets" in the cabin are an extremely rare thing, like failures of an electrician. Sometimes the CD drive of the audio system fails. Other problems are mainly related to moisture ingress on the control units (for example, when washing too thoroughly) and their subsequent corrosion.
Inline gasoline engines often have a leak in the oil filter module at the junction of plastic and aluminum. With sudden changes in temperature (usually in winter), the contact surfaces simply warp.
The air conditioner works flawlessly. Compressor replacement is rare. As a rule, every two years you need to flush the radiator (you cannot do without removing it) and refill the system.
Front optics are not subject to melting or fogging. On dorestyling cars, xenon ignition units in headlights periodically fail. There are no such problems on the updated ones, but often the LEDs in the headlights shine in different colors. The manufacturer does not consider this a defect, therefore, no service campaigns were carried out.
The taillights also do not cause problems - with the exception of rare cases of melting of the connectors on the boards.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material technical centers "UNIT South-West" and "Star of the Capital" ( official dealer Mercedes-Benz).
Outcome
Usually the owner of the C-class just goes to the scheduled maintenance and changes consumables. But if serious problems arise, then it will not seem a little - road repair!
A word to the seller
Ilya GASILIN, manager of purchases and sales of used cars
In general, the C-class is in great demand in the secondary market. The most liquid version is C 180 with a 1.6 engine. Cars with more serious engines (starting from 1.8 with 204 hp) are not very fond of. That is why the same C 250 will most likely go for the price of C 180.
The situation was even worse with V6 engines, and there was no demand for diesels even when new cars were sold. Most interestingly, it is very important for buyers to have an AMG package, regardless of the configuration - such cars are sold out first. Moreover, this phenomenon is typical only for Mercedes: in the case of the M ‑ package for BMW or the S ‑ package for Audi, this trend is not traced.
In terms of loss of value, the C-Class, like Mercedes-Benz in general, does not differ from competitors in the premium segment. In our showroom, used cars are waiting for their buyer from a month to one and a half. In 90% of cases, the car had only one owner, and the average mileage is 40,000–90,000 km.
A word to the insurer
Victoria KAPUSTINA, senior salesperson of the financial services sales department
Casco policy for a used C-class is very expensive. Typically, only 20% of buyers have their cars insured. And most often with a deductible (usually 30,000 rubles) - to save money. The high rates are due to the fact that for insurance companies, working with this car is very unprofitable. After all, it is mainly bought by young people with little driving experience. It's a good thing that a car is rarely stolen, otherwise the cost of a comprehensive insurance policy would be generally unaffordable.
Due to the change in the economic situation in the country, insurance companies are changing their rates, and I cannot name it offhand approximate cost a comprehensive insurance policy for a well-worn "tseshka". If we talk about a new car of the latest generation, then the owner with a small driving experience, insurance, taking into account the franchise, will cost 10-15% of the cost of the car. And for a used C-class it is even more expensive. But this is a justified expense, especially in an unstable economic situation: everything will pay off during repairs.
A word from a technician
Andrey CHUDAEV, Master Consultant
As a service worker, I recommend the C-class to my friends and acquaintances. Basically, the owners of "tseshek" come only for scheduled maintenance. Of course, there are all sorts of problems, but in general I think the car is quite reliable. In terms of maintenance costs - very a good option for the premium segment.
Chassis malfunctions are rare. Problems with phase shifters and timing chain on the most common 1.8 motors, according to our statistics, occur on three out of ten machines. But at the same time, there are many examples when this knot was held for more than 200,000 km.
We rarely see machine malfunctions. Most often, there are no problems with it up to 200,000-250,000 km - of course, if the owner observes the oil change interval.
Maintenance regulations
On modern Mercedes the ASSYST PLUS service system developed by Daimler AG was used. With a certain duration of operation and the degree of wear of the elements, the car informs the owner about the need to undergo maintenance - it issues a code in which the required list of operations is encrypted. However, there are also some fixed operations: oil change in automatic box every 60,000 km, replacement brake fluid every two years, replacement of spark plugs every 60,000 km.
A word to the owner
Sergey LUKOVKIN, Mercedes-Benz C 250 Coupe (2011, 1.8 L, 204 HP, 85,000 km)
Initially, I wanted a coupe of the same class from BMW and considered exactly secondary market... I didn't go deep into comparisons and just listened to the advice of a familiar reseller to pay attention to the C-class. I bought a car almost a year ago with a mileage of 70,000 km. Nothing yet technical problems did not have. I know for sure that the previous owner went only to scheduled maintenance. The question of hull insurance was not even raised, and the choice fell on insurance with a deductible. The savings turned out to be good, and I'm not going to run around the authorities because of the possible trifles. In general, I am satisfied with the car, but, to be honest, I expected more from it. This is my first coupe, and there was a stereotype in my head that there should be more sport in the character of such a car. In fact, I do not have enough drive. The steering felt mediocre, as did the acceleration dynamics. But in terms of comfort, everything is at a very high level.
I sold my handsome Mercedes c 180 204 restyled body in AMG body kit with a panoramic roof and a gorgeous color with a mileage of 53,000 km…. I took it after the "shop" in the dorestyle, which made me wildly delighted with its V6 ...
I'll start with the pros of the Mercedes C 180 W204
This unit has two nameplates. Left - C 180, right - AMG. THIS IS NOT A COLLECTION! The nameplate referring to the AMG package: sports steering wheel, lowered suspension, amgesh bumpers, multi-wide discs, sports pedal covers, additional spoilers, black ceiling and black curtains covering the sunroof, short steering rack, front brakes are ventilated. I put the “sight” on the hood myself - when replacing the hood for hull insurance.
"Tseshka" is very cool. Gives driving pleasure, very beautiful, reliable, not of great interest to hijackers, powerful enough, while having a very moderate appetite for gasoline. On the highway from 6.5 to 8 liters, in the city 11.
The steering wheel is very soft and light in the city and mega-informative on the track. An unreal pleasure to twist it! Apparently, I also have a short rail and a sport steering wheel, which looks cool and pleasant to the touch. After Murano and RAV4 …… The steering wheel is simply awesome, nothing can be compared with anything!
It is handled wonderfully in winter and simply amazing in summer. Enters corners, while the suspension does not seem stiff, the suspension is elastic, not roll ... Comfortable.
Rides well in the snow - really surprised. Firstly, it drags, and secondly, the system of directional stability does not give a skid. Recently I climbed on it to a frozen lake, so there was a road to it in the snow, and then up the hill, my friends were in jeepars, I thought that they would pull it out, if that…. He climbed in and out on the ice at an incline of 30 degrees - no problem!
The C 180 rides briskly, especially after 40-50. The start is normal, but not the V6, of course ... There are no problems with overtaking on the track, the turbine picks up very well.
Loudspeaker in C 180 2012 - they hear you as if from a barrel. Here no one understands that I am talking to them on the speakerphone, they ask why it is so quiet.
Really large trunk with folding seats. We climbed in suitcases, bags and a stroller for the trip south.
The light at the "shop" is excellent. Xenon shines where it is necessary and how it should be. The best light I have ever had.
OVER 55,000 kilometers, nothing broke or unscrewed. Only scheduled maintenance with replacement of pads and filters. The brake discs are still alive and I think they are up to 70,000 for sure. During this time, the tapered journal bearings were tightened once - the dealer said during the sale that they would soon need to be replaced.
Everything under the bottom is in plastic - if you cling to something with the bottom in nature, then without consequences. Of course, it was easier to drive outside the AMG package in the past Mercedes, but here, in principle, be careful, but you can drive, although of course the clearance is small. Enough for a city and a country road.
About cons
The 1.6 engine heats up for a very long time in winter, to warm up to 90 degrees, it takes about 20 minutes to drive, and if in a traffic jam, then maybe more. Such an engine will definitely not boil. Straight dream Volgovod with 402 dviglom))) At first I thought the thermostat is faulty, but no. Design feature... If you move with the stove off, it warms up to 90 degrees faster, but as soon as the stove is turned on, the temperature instantly drops from 90 to 60….
In cold and damp weather, when starting a 4-cylinder 1.6 engine, it can "sort of triple" ... Really, it twitches violently for a couple of minutes. The dealer makes new firmware, but it doesn't help. It helps to wait or add gas ...
The rain sensor lives its own life. Makes a couple of strokes of the brushes, and then always breaks down at a crazy speed. Didn't use it in the end at all.
A very interesting feature of the C 180, which only experienced Mersovians know about, is that it can be driven to the right. Type in Yandex the phrase: "Mercedes w204 leads to the right" and be surprised how many forum pages are written on this topic! This does not always manifest itself, but there are really many such cases. Naturally, the official Mercedes-Benz dealer speaks nonsense about the slope of the road and about the fact that the engineers came up with this for safety, about the wrong tires and so on .... This manifests itself on new cars, I noticed that someone wrote here that the A-class also led to the right when the descent / collapse was set to the ideal. I had the same bullshit. The problem is that it is very sensitive to the stand, and in most services the stands are not set up, and the stand needs to be set up every two weeks ... But a newly rebuilt stand does not help either. It takes a little to the right if you let go of the steering wheel. The forum has instructions on how to solve this problem if the dealer does not want to solve it.
Some owners of the C 180 W204 think that their window regulator is buggy. They press to raise the glass, and it twitches and goes down. In fact, you just need to configure it. Raise the glass and wait ten seconds without releasing the button, then lower the glass and do the same, the extreme positions will be memorized and the glass will stop twitching.
Up to a speed of 20 km / h, the turbine will howl and gurgle strangely)) This is normal. No need to worry or run to the service to change something. Design feature.
There is one more feature that applies not only to Mercs, but also to many cars in which the handbrake is implemented through additional pads. After these extra parking brake pads wipe off a little, they can start to "clang", as if the protection rattles. You can only notice this if you drive along a wall along a bad road or a “washboard” road with the windows open. It can only be solved by replacing the pads with new ones, but not for long, so it's easier to score.
Sources of crickets: the panel where the front parking sensors and side panels are located near windshield... The panel has snaps and can be easily removed, you need to put the paralon in three L-shaped hooks, which are closer to the glass. The side panels are removed by shifting to the left or right from the side stand, you just need to lift the latch under the central panel and put a piece of foam rubber in this niche for the latch.
The front head restraints are rattling. I don’t know how it is treated. Scored. May squeak in the area of the B-pillars, where the belt height adjuster is. It is necessary to disassemble the rack and there is a plastic mechanism and a spring - it sometimes rattles. There are not so many sources, if it is annoying, then this issue can be resolved and then there will be absolutely silence in the car on any road. I didn't have any extraneous sounds in dorestayl, but they appeared in restyle.
The weakest point in the C 180's cabin is the upholstery in the driver's front seat. Cracks at the seam on the pillow closer to the door. On the last Mercedes, this happened at 70,000 km, and on this by 30,000 - it was replaced under warranty.
The C 180 is a car you can enjoy. It is not a shame to come to a business meeting, they let people pass on the road, they don’t cut short and don’t honk. There is something to compare with: when I sit in my wife's RAV4, you immediately see the difference in the attitude towards you on the road. If the wife goes to the "shop", then everyone keeps away from her.
A good choice in terms of buying a new car, and even better if you take a little used one, because you can buy a 2-year-old with low mileage for the price of a new Korean / Japanese and get incredible driving pleasure.
I sold it to take something higher and bigger, but Mercedes will forever remain in my heart. Very cool machine.
