Hi All,

I am interested in getting a 2012 W204 Mercedes C180 for my brother. It is a facelifted model with Mercedes Malaysia warranty still available until 2016. I tried searching the forums here for info but can't really find much user reviews. Would appreciate if anybody who owns it or knows someone who owns it can let me know the following:

1. Common known problems
2. Reliability compared to Audi A4 and BMW 320i
3. Estimated maintenance cost
4. Any fuel consumption issues?
5. NVH

Thanks!

I would drive merc over bmw or audi anyday. in terms oof maintenance is cheaper and Fc also quite good.

inb4 w203 owner

One serious advice for you. If you cannot own a new merc, bmw, audi, or other luxury branded car, better avoid it. Unless you have the capability to buy new C200 but opt for 2nd hand because it is cheaper.

Because it is a luxury brand, the price charged is also luxury level, RM800 normal service to rm7k major service, if you break a front lamp, RM21k repair cost (LV bag?), damper unit RM6k (Gucci wallet?). When you can easily own a new merc C200 at RM289k, these type of cost is well affordable for you. But if you can't afford a new merc and want to buy second hand, be prepare to pay roughly these kind of amount for servicing. I don't want you to regret buying an expensive-to-maintain car with your wallet hurting a lot and eat maggi whole month. If you don't replace this item that item, the car will break down sooner, like many youngsters buy recond BMW but no money to maintain, ended up breaking down at road side, or car sounds like lorry.

Something worth your time to reconsider.

This post has been edited by RicoT: Mar 2 2015, 10:16 PM

Thanks for your feedback. I am just planning to buy this car as a surprise gift to my younger brother who has just been promoted in his company. I suppose I better check his finances first before deciding since he was planning to start a family. Anyways, the warranty will only cover him until next year. So I assume he can sell the car off before the coverage is over (if he does decide its a financial liability)

lol...proud to be a c250 owner! A w204 fl ! Honestly ... Need to tahan the rattling here and there .

Ah good. An owner finally. I doubt my brother would mind the rattling. I just want him to start trying a continental brand to suit his new career status.

Would appreciate if you can answer the following:

1. How is the reliability? Any major repairs from the years you owned it? I assume you bought it new
2. How is the fuel consumption like? I know your model can't compare with the C180 but at least it gives some guideline
3. Is the parts expensive? Like what RicoT said that the headlights cost RM21k to replace, etc. By the way, I went to check on the headlights and most parts shop seem to charge RM 2k at most?
4. How is the NVH when driving around town and highway?

Thanks!

I'm using a C200 bought new from C&C. Warranty expires 2016.
No problem at all so far and I doubt there will be any problems even after another few years as it is a reliable car.
Petrol wise, it is quite economical.
For service cost, do search the forum as there is a thread on this.

headlamps more expensive than dampers?

This post has been edited by JunJun04035: Mar 3 2015, 07:48 AM

heard from my lawyer that he was quoted by c&c few weeks ago for >20k for the headlamp due to the electronics, though didn't ask if it's for e-class or s-class

Im using this unit.same year.
Maintenance around 1300 per regular service if send to hapseng or ccb.
When its time to change the geabox oil,brake fluid etc can reach upto 4k
Fc quite save.full tank can easily reach 700km

I do have a W212 pre-FL E200, the one using 1.8L instead of 2.0L engine. I did warranty claim on certain items before, and did find the time to ask the Service Adviser on the cost of getting it replace without warranty. Headlights one pair + workmanship = RM21k (original parts of course). Damper 1 pair (not sure front or rear) + workmanship = RM6-8k(?) (I forgot the exact amount but it is somewhere in this regime). Brake pads + workmanship about RM1.5k(?). I just got a major service done and it cost about RM7k with some spare change, gear oil, engine oil, combi filter, air con cleaning & service, etc. I am not sure how much is the charges if do it outside after warranty, but to avoid my warranty getting voided, I usually do my car service at C&C PJ.

When you walk into a merc salesroom, if you ask the salesman what the service cost is, they will reply: "if you can own a merc, these are consider small money to you." Although it is a bit sarcastic, but it is true.

very true yo... even i have cash budget RM250K for my 3rd car.....
i dont even dare goes into more luxury car models.....

1. No major issues. Just need periodic tunning to maintain the torque power. Yup..bought it new from nz wheel!
2. Reasonable as I hardly track! City driving about 550 km per tank full I guessed.
3. Genuine parts are expensive for sure as this is premium car. C180 could be cheaper as it doesn't come with intelligent lights system as in the 200 and 250. Also I don't think c180 come with Hid also.
4. the NVH for mercs is no horse run la. Very comfy ! Very quiet cabin and any noise that pops up can be heard easily .but wind noise is audible at 100 km / h. Of course the handling section can't beat that rival from Munich !

Currently using company car of the same model and manufacturing year.
Regular maintenance every 12,000km should cost around 1300+ if sent to C&C or HapSeng
FC can easily reach 700 km per full tank on mixed environment.
Maintenance like brake fluid, gearbox oil and all those related fluids if together change same time cost about RM4k+
Currently im reaching 60,000 km, i think brake pad about time to change already. not sure the cost yet.
Tyre 17" standard la, don change at CCB la go change at tyre shop.

Overall usage experience :
- NVH is acceptable la, sometimes can hear road noise also depends on the road surface. Malaysian road gg lar.
- comfort is of kos la..
- body roll is minimal during corners.
- C180 sometimes if during E mode, when want to overtake a bit slow lar, so change to S mode. I seldom use S mode cos drive like unker.
- Rattling noise is there. especially kat b pillar, seatbelt harness.
- Common problem is car tend to swirve to the left. so hand need to hold stereng all the time, cannot do stunt one.
- Color i think the very dark grey looks the best. forgot whats the name. mine is black unfortunately.

if need to know more details pm me also can i share whatever i know lo

p/s : can u be my brother too..? my requirement no need w204, w202 also can one lol

This post has been edited by riezzien: Mar 3 2015, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the info, guys!

It looks like its quite a good, reliable car. I just can't understand the RM 4k+ fluid change but I guess it comes with the brand. I suppose most of the servicing can be done by workshops once the warranty is up. I have seen plenty of older mercedes on the road compared to beemers. It really does give confidence to the brand.

When you go do workshop outside, they will sharpen up their butcher knife because it is a merc. Beware..

Thanks for the caution!

Does new mercedes have package similar to bmw bsri?

Don't think so! Infact the franchise workshop's samurai sword is sharper!this is because the workshop has a budget to fulfill ! Thy do have kpi to fulfill too! Infact if you got lobang, the parts are ain't that expensive purchase at spare parts shop.

this is the one of the best advices i've seen or heard anywhere.

there are many level of a "rich people", and that statement is poor man's interpretation of what a rich man is

there are many people that gotten rich by being careful and good spending habits, paying almost 10% of the car worth for a pair of headlamp is definitely not classify as clever money spending,a clever rich person may or may not accept that as a good way of spending their hard earn money(but poor people usually has different thinking)

Had a friend's friend whom told me and my friend, that he wanted to get a CLS 350. But he was dressed like in normal shirt and long pants.
The salesman tak mau layan him (according to him).

Finally he got so fed up, went to another showroom, got his CLS 350.

And drove back to that showroom to show it to that salesman that looked down at him.

Moral of the story; dont judge the book by it's cover.

Another example is: my mom's friend husband, he is owner of a company, but in his office, he just wears shirt and pants and slippers, at the office (i witness myself)
However he is already driving a E250 himself (and own several other cars) and stays in a bungalow.

This post has been edited by SleeplessEyes: Mar 5 2015, 08:28 AM

Yes, if one have lobang, he can get cheaper price. However, I would still opt for official workshop due to the vast resources and proper training available to them. Outside workshop, they just chin chai (simply) whack here and there, forgot some bolts and nuts, place imitation parts while selling you price for genuine one. Something like how a workshop collaborate with insurance assessor to claim original parts yet put in imitation parts in damaged cars.

Yet they (the rich but spending-conscious) can afford to pay this kind of price when it is necessary, even if they are discontent with the price. But what if one does not have the money to pay the "unexpected" high price for repair/spare parts? How? Find relative/ah long borrow money to repair the car?

As always in life, don't judge a book by its cover. The salesman attending me very helpful, of course, there are the unhelpful ones, encountered many before him. But it suit them right, not being professional enough in their work ended up losing customers and buyers.

yeah,but there are many si ai bin youngster today that will rather rent an apartment and buy a recon mercedes just to brag how rich how successful they are

Bro, I was talking about after warranty period end! If under warranty one got no choice but yo send back to franchise to maintain the warranty. U can purchase the parts yourself and pay the labour fees for outside workshop to replace the parts! There are plenty of experienced mechanic outside that are good at repairing continental car. Some even have Dyno machines just like franchise ! Lol...I avoid see & see and auto barbaric at all times! They got the most atas sa in the world ! lmao!

I think that story is an urban legend. I also heard it many times similarly from other friends as well. Here is a good example experienced by Timothy Tiah, owner of NuffNang: http://www.timothytiah.com/2014/06/16/the-...cedes-salesman/

It's good to have salesmen who can show respect to anyone who comes into the showroom. Spending a bit of time talking when you have nothing to do won't give any losses to you.

Lol...try go to Audi showroom at imbi! Bet u stand there whole day also no one bother to approach you. Hup seng star and nz wheel has got friendly sa.

I do agree with your point. I do have a few family mechanics who specialise in mercedes. Their workshop is fully equipped with dyno and testing equipments similar to the official workshops. They were the one who told me to get a mercedes since it is cheap to maintain and long lasting. Apparently, due to its popularity for many years, their spare parts are widely available in any state you go.

can you recommend me your frequent mercedes mechanics?

MBM will launch CKD version of the new C200 and C250 soon. Expected price RM20k cheaper than the current CBU version.

saving of less than a pair of its headlamp

Aren't the headlights covered by insurance? Who would pay RM21k for a pair of lights?

Those buying proton cars save more than the cars' price than those buying Honda cars.

Only those who can't afford complaint the loudest, eh?

Sometimes, it is unfortunate that someone reverse into your car and take off one of the headlamp, maybe defects on the car found after warranty, or even pebble on the road crack the headlamp. Having a nice merc, the owner will feel unhappy about it and it is an eye-sore to look at it everytime. Hence, change.

I claimed warranty for my car headlamps because there is a, er.. sort of semi-transparent V-shaped mark on it. According to the service adviser, it might be due to oil on the road being wash up on the headlamp, and the high temperature light beam pass through the plastic headlamps, deteriorated the plastic, hence the V-shape mark. It is very obvious as we can trace the beam shape to the mark on the headlamp. They never had a case before for my model, but they wouldn't be surprise mine is the first one, since it has been through 132000km in the first 3 years. The mileage and driving duration clocked on the car is much higher than usual customers.

Even merc battery cost about RM1k each, but you can claim new battery during the warranty. Rear damper had been changed, warranty claimed. It feels like every mechanical parts can be claimed during warranty, except brake pads and discs.

This post has been edited by RicoT: Mar 6 2015, 05:37 PM

Double posted.

This post has been edited by RicoT: Mar 6 2015, 05:38 PM

If someone reversed and damaged the headlights, it is considered an accident right? Can we claim insurance?

True...my DRL was broken by flying stone on the highway thus need to fork out own money to replace!

Can if both party make a report at the same time and the one who hit you admitted his liability! If this happen in a private car park and not federal roads, police will issue a NFA( non further action) letter. That means you can only claim through a lawyer on a third party claim basis ! Private places are not under the juridictions of the police!

Even if it is your fault, if you have comprehensive cover, you can claim right? And, to take it even further, the stone hitting your car is also an accident right? Maybe can claim?

Nope, to clqim insurance, you have to make police report, and there is a minimum claim amount, meaning if the DRL cost less than RM1000, thry won't entertain. That is why workshop will use hammer to break your car more, e.g. lights, bumper, etc. so you can claim insurance.

well,depends on how you define "afford"

i believe many of us can certainly buy a merc,but choose not to,so which category we falls in?

affordable but stingy category then i guess

in truth,many including me complaint vocally not because we can't afford,but because of the exorbitant price we had to pay for the car

this thread, if we let those proton basher see it, they'll just shut up directly
rattling noise, high maintenance cost...seeing this thread makes me think driving a proton is not bad at all
extremely low maintenance cost(compared to the cost seen here), spare part is cheap, after warranty any workshop outside also can fix at even much cheaper rate

You can claim insurance but for a few k you lose out on your NCD! Mine is 55% and u need 6 years to accumulate ! Not worth it!

Not really so! Any amount also can claim. It's only the NCD factor one need to consider !

Ok, if I smashed the headlights accidentally myself, I would definitely claim the insurance because one pair costs RM21k right? These continental cars are really ticking time bombs. How many of the owners actually know the costs of replacement for these parts? I bet not many know unless they are seasoned owners. That is why I read somewhere that people are actually suing the car distributors for the exorbitant cut throat prices because they know you cannot get the parts anywhere else and if you did the warranty will be void.

As I reiterate again, Mercedes Benz is a luxury and premium brand, so does BMW, Audi, Porshe, Lamborghini, Ferrrari, Bentley, Aston Martin, etc. It will cost a lot to own one. Consumers should do their research thoroughly before committing a decision to buy the car. The exorbitant price for spare parts is charged the same anywhere else in other countries. Price difference is dependent on the region, quantity ordered and profit margin the SC want to earn. Everyone is doing business, and if a business is not profitable, it wouldn't sustain itself. The number of luxury cars is smaller when compared to normal cars on the road. Naturally, if one cannot earn by quantity, it must mark up the price higher to cover its operational cost. I wouldn't blame them as it is justified to charge higher due to these facts.

1. afaik, no
2. better than those two
3. not as expensive as those two above
4. extremely good FC
5. the V and H are good, but N could be better (just my personal opinion)