50,000 kms Update:
The C220 recently crossed the 50K mark. Thought I'd present an overview thus far: Age : This is what I love about the Europeans....they wear slowly & gracefully. The car feels like its only lived 20% of its life. Outstanding build quality, not a single squeak or rattle anywhere. My C220 surely doesn't look its age, thanks to frequent detailing (every 6 months) on the exteriors as well as the interiors. Engine feels like its just opening up. Really! The 50K so far have seen more than just a normal share of hard-driving, but the CDI is a sheer workhorse. ZERO turbolag, fantastic pace, robustness & efficiency. It's at home whether puttering to work @ 10 kph or cruising at 245 kph on the express. The big diesel tank is a bonus; we did Mumbai to Goa with the needle dropping a little below the 1/2 mark. The C220 munches miles like no other in 6th gear. Minor Problems till date:
• Breakdowns : Zero.
• @ 10,000 kms : Handbrake cable plastic clip. Resolved under warranty. 15 minute job.
• @ 15,000 kms : SRS Malfunction warning. Resolved under warranty. Car kept for 1 day.
• Malfunctioning turn signal (on the LHS Mirror) : Recurring problem. Wiring fixed four times already.
• @ 45,643 kms : Wheel housing cover replaced (tyre brushing against it at high speed). Cost about Rs. 3,294. Parts Replaced:
• Tyres changed to Michelin PP2s.
• Defective suspension balance rod. Replaced in warranty.
• @ 30,236 kms : Air-con compressor & expansion valve : Under warranty.
• @ 32,000 kms : Brake pads worn out. Rs. 22,030.
• @ 41,425 kms : Replace V-Belt & Bushings. Rs. 9,026. Done alongwith the 4th service.
• @ 42,605 kms : Air-con evaporator. Under goodwill warranty.
• @ 50,000 kms : Replace Intercooler pipe. Wear & tear / Rats damage. About Rs. 12,000 (work in progress).
Last week, I took my Parents out for a one-day religious trip to Pabal (90 kms from Lonavla). On the highway, the car went into safe mode and would not revv over 3,000 rpms. A quick call to Ajmat & Auto Hangar confirmed that we could go ahead with the journey, but power delivery was only in the Ford Fiesta 1.4D range. I didn’t even bother with pushing her and went into cruise mode myself. Still, on the expressway, she was good for 150 kph, even with the engine in safe mode. Work in progress currently at Auto Hangar. Problem? Intercooler hose gone bad. The jury is out on whether its due to wear & tear or (my suspicion) rodents! Service Costs:
1st Service @ 10,000 kms : Rs. 14,078
2nd Service @ 20,000 kms : Rs. 23,648
3rd Service @ 30,000 kms : Rs. 27,572.
4th Service @ 40,000 kms : Rs. 45,742 (includes 9,000 for V-belt & bushings. And some other misc work).
All in all, the experience so far has been way superior to what I expected, as well as in comparison to the problematic C180. I have had zero breakdowns so far, and Mercedes has obviously made strides in quality.
The question is : Is it enough? Nope. I don’t think so. There have been 4 minor problems & 4 major problems (2 air-con related). A premium sedan shouldn’t have more than 1 – 2 problems (if at all) in a span of 50,000 kms. After all, we are talking about solid German engineering here. Plus, the luxo-reliability standard is the Honda Accord which rarely requires service station visits, except for scheduled maintenance, over 1.xx lakh kms. However, as you can see from the odo, the C has visited Auto Hangar on several more occasions. The frequency of repair & parts replacement is definitely more than a car of this standard deserves.
Last edited by GTO : 24th November 2008 at 17:38.
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