W202 Maintenance

[Denlasoul]

Hello all-

In light of Renn's post for Dragon, I have been inspired to start a similar one regarding maintenance of your W202. I have seen a huge influx of people with problems and figured that information provided here can shed some light on what may be going on.

I'll start:
67,000 miles when bought
89,xxx current miles

B service at ~70k

Have changed:
oil (every 3500-4000 miles)
coolant flush and replacement
air filters
cabin filter
all four O2 sensors
MAF
sparkplugs
wires
tranny fluid and filter
shifter bushing
harmonic balancer recall (and got new belt)
fuel filter
steering shock (boy did I need it! )

For the most part my car runs like a champ. I do need to replace my motor mounts, and LCA's (as benzaddict has pointed out to me). Other than that, no known problems.

As you can see, since I am not the original owner, service records are not always available. I do feel that I have tried to step up the maintenance by replacing things that probably needed a replacement. For many of you, I would suggest doing the same. There are alot of basic items that should be changed that can make a world of difference. Many of these parts are cheap (if you know where to go) and easy to do it yourself.

I definitely suggest that many of you think about your car and break down what you do know and do not know about the car's service history. Start with the basics, and then troubleshoot from there. ex: if I replaced my MAF 5k miles ago, and now have a rough idle, you can pretty much rule out the MAF.

[Yujin]

Can someone tell me if 0W-40 is the 'best' motor oil to use? I keep hearing about it, but I also hear that I should use the recommended 5W-35/30 for my 2000 C230K. Suggestions?

[W202FTW]

Mobil 10W-40. Never use motor oil tailored to one type of climate.

[c2dirty]

Wow, reading through all this makes me want a japanese car again...

[zmatt]

Wow, reading through all this makes me want a japanese car again...

lol my last car was a Honda accord. I replaced the timing belt, the CV joints, the rotors, sparkplugs and did the normal oil changes and stuff too. When cars get past 10 years stuff just breaks, happens to everything.


Bought mine at 136k or so

scheduled oil change Mobile 1 10w-30
engine mounts done 2 weeks ago $147 labor $120 parts thing feels new
replaced MAF sensor in july $90 parts DIY


I need to get new tires soon and I am looking to replace the shocks and springs with sportier units soon. I probably need to do my bushings, I get the knock noise sometimes when I turn right.

[DCurts]

1999 C200 Estate bought last january now has 201000 miles on clock done a key standard oil and filter and o/s lower control arm, currently refurbing early 203 avantgarde wheels in chrome to go on

[Abbaso]

Bought car at 232000km

Complete drag link assembly
Front discs and pads
Changed all filters used helix 10/40
Complete service
Changed tapper cover gasket
Rear pads

Car now has 242300km

[96mbc280]

Bought brand new ,now got 175k miles,trying to bring it back to par !

[Tony_AMG]

1999 C230 Kompressor / Sport Upgrade:
My car 134000 Miles. on July 26, 2013:

Steering box New
Steering Shock
Upper control arms both (Sport)
Lower control arms New
CLK430- Bushings to lower control arms
Drag link new
Ball joints new
Torsion bar (Sport) sway bar front
Torsion bar (Sport) sway bar rear
Shocks all around front and rear
Sway bar links
All new hardware on front and rear suspension.
New Wheel hubs both
New Knuckles both
Brakes front and rear new
Rotors front and rear new
Brakes lines new
Spark plugs x4
Spark plug coils x2
Instake fiter
Oil Filter + Oil service
Trans service
Dust filter
Oil level sensor
MAF
Knock sensor
Cam sensor
Crank sensor
New Brake E-Brake adjuster.

Drivers like a new car out vof the lot.

Next Big repair: Head gasket leak., re do the heads and possible M111 Engine re-build / repair. Any links would be nice for the head gasket repair.

[John Jones Jr.]

Hello Tony_AMG.

Seems like you'll end with a new car with that lot replaced. What caused the h/gasket to blow?

[96mbc280]

It's a 96 mb c280 , bought it brand new in Jan of 96, got 176k miles,almost traded it in @ 136k when I got a 08 mb c300 in 09, becuase it was not running right,but then put a new coil and it was kind a running ok, anyway long story short since last June with all you helpful guys I have been trying to bring it back to par, I've spend about $1700.00 thus far ,work done since last June ,4 shocks ,differential fluid change ,coolant ,spark plugs ,wires ,clutch fan ,clutch bracket,water pump,valve cover gasket,tranny fluid,fuel filter,cabin filter and vacuum distribution block ....,and still got a few things to do.....
Saluco ,is the ovp by the vacuum block with a 15 amp fuse? And how to find out if its bad ?....thanx again ....
Tranny mount & motor mounts

[cigarsmoke23]

It's a 96 mb c280 , bought it brand new in Jan of 96, got 176k miles,almost traded it in @ 136k when I got a 08 mb c300 in 09, becuase it was not running right,but then put a new coil and it was kind a running ok, anyway long story short since last June with all you helpful guys I have been trying to bring it back to par, I've spend about $1700.00 thus far ,work done since last June ,4 shocks ,differential fluid change ,coolant ,spark plugs ,wires ,clutch fan ,clutch bracket,water pump,valve cover gasket,tranny fluid,fuel filter,cabin filter and vacuum distribution block ....,and still got a few things to do.....
Saluco ,is the ovp by the vacuum block with a 15 amp fuse? And how to find out if its bad ?....thanx again ....
Tranny mount & motor mounts

Jim: did you do most of the labor for your repairs?

[96mbc280]

Hi Cigarsmoke23 ,
Yes did most of the labor for the repairs,also did the front flex disc by the tranny, replaced both motor mounts ,tranny mount and front rotors and pads last couple of weekends . Next wheel bearings !
I see you wanna do your shocks , they are not that hard DIY,if you got a floor jack and some tools

[fcar]

1. Battery
2. LCA Bushings
3. AC Recharge
3. Plugs
4. Wires
...

[Canada202]

Kms
17,232 oil and filter change 5W-40 synthetic
24,504 oil and filter change 5W-40 synthetic
Cabin filter
28,848 oil and filter change 5W-40 synthetic
36,590 oil and filter change 5W-40 synthetic
Cabin filter
45,463 Power Steering Belt
Alternator Belt
New Battery
80W90 Rear Diff Oil Change
46,100 Cabin Air Filter
Bosch wiper blade
46,300 Oil and filter change Liqui Moly 0w-40
Transmission fluid flush and filter
MAF sensor
Engine air filter
48,444 Replace 4 Bosch Super Spark Plugs OEM Copper. FR-7-KTC 7407
48,505 Replace valve cover and spark plug ring gaskets
Fuel filter