1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 W202 4 door 2.3 16V M111 I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 HP)
Summary:
I am shopping for a lower mileage model of the same car. It's been cheap to drive in comparison
Faults:
A/C compressor, water pump, fuel pump, ball joints, various sensors for the engine control, one alternator, power mirrors, key fobs. Plus the usual maintenance items such as belts, hoses, spark plugs, brake pads, and engine mounts.
Parts are expensive, as is the service, and most recently replacement key fobs are $190 each.
General Comments:
Driving the Benz around the city, it averages 23 MPG. On the highway, depending on the load, it will average 33 miles per gallon.
The car is reliable in that it has never left us stranded, and we don't think twice about taking it on long trips. It doesn't use any oil, and there are no problems with fluid leaks, but it has some noises that are beginning to creep in with age.
The handling is superb, solid, and it's a favorite when dealing with tight city traffic.
I would like add that we have a 1999 Lexus RX300 with 263,000 miles on it, and in my opinion it's a toss up on which auto is the better. Both are excellent. However, both cars will be traded off this year, and yet I still haven't made up my mind what brand to replace them with.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th November, 2014
28th Feb 2017, 12:30
Three years later we still own this trouble free car. Noises we attributed to a failing transmission turned out to be a piece of bent heat shielding. After purchasing a replacement for it, an E320, we realized we had made a mistake by getting the larger Benz. So, we are still driving the C230, enjoying the great fuel mileage that we're not getting with the E320 4Matic. However, during the icy, snowy weather we were glad to have the 4Matic.