[GTO]

Hi XTR

To answer your questions:

1. Vibration level is next to 0, except for on the clutch pedal.

2. No smoke seen till date, even on pedal-to-the-metal highway runs.

3. Yup, you can tell its a diesel, especially when cold. Once warmed up and on the run, noise is well controlled though you will never forget its a diesel.

[BUSA]

Nice report GTO. I am waiting for the report on the blue box in the C220 which gives a significant boost in power as well as torque. And considering how much a service costs, the Petes Box is like another serivce

[GTO]

Damn, there goes the C air-con again. The cooling went down to zilch, so I had the car sent over to Auto Hangar. Apparently, the cooling coil has failed.

The silver lining on this? Mercedes' goodwill warranty For cars that are exclusively maintained through the authorised channels, Mercedes "informally" offers an extended years coverage (over and above the 2 year standard warranty). Auto Hangar just called me to inform that the cooling coil will be replaced on the house.

Whew!

[Jaggu]

which make are these notorious AC units?

[iraghava]

Should be Baer I think.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

2. Of late, there seems to be a new problem with the seat belt sensor. The OBC either doesn’t recognize that the seat belt is buckled in, or gives a "SRS Malfunction warning". Switching off and restarting the car solves it, albeit temporarily.


Next up?:

- A Pete’s power box?
- Detailing for the exterior and interior.

Firstly great review as always !

I can't help but laugh at MB for still not having solved that SRS malfunction warning ! That error just brings back my nightmares. Almost every c-class and even some e-classes that i have been in have that same error.

So you finally giving into the temptation - Peted C220 ... Now you are talking !! Looking forward to that being done, hope we have a review on the same PRONTO

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by iraghava

Should be Baer I think.

Is that Behr ?

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Is that Behr ?

Yes, just checked it is Behr & the C-Class comes equipped with Behr systems.

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by iraghava

Yes, just checked it is Behr & the C-Class comes equipped with Behr systems.

Same problem with Indica air-con's. They are Behr as well. Problem with Behr's is covered here in one line. There was also a case apparently put up against Behr, mentioned here.

[GTO]

Well, in that case, Behr sucks! The only two major repairs so far on my C have been related to the air-con. And some E's & S' in my family have also had similar air-con issues.

Why doesn't Mercedes just switch over to a better component supplier?

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by GTO

Why doesn't Mercedes just switch over to a better component supplier?

Well I think the Behr unit in the Merc comes imported and isn't locally manufactured as in the case of Tata vehicles. Most of the car manufacturers in India use a variety of components manufactured by Behr in their Pune facility which is in collaboration with Anand Automotive Systems.

They have an email, write to them and check if your Mercedes A/C units are manufactured locally or not.

[GTO]

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.

[svsantosh]

Dear GTO,

Does it cost so much to own any premium car?

>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

What makes up most of above? Fluid Consumables? Or the Labour? And Oh, for a Layman, was the avg FE 10-12 over the last 50K Kms?

Thanks
San

[GTO - Touring]

>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

For most Germans, without service coverage, yes. Even the Skodas are not far off if you factor in service costs as a percentage of ex-showroom.

nd Oh, for a Layman, was the avg FE 10-12 over the last 50K Kms?

Yup, a consistent 11+ kpl in the city when driver is driving. With my driving, it falls a little lower.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by GTO - Touring

without service coverage, yes.

1) Whats is service coverage? What can it cost as a % of the car -- if I am close to it 'below'?
2) Is it something like getting a 3Yr Onsite warranty + NBD service + Damage Replacement coverage FOR $499 on a $599 Dell laptop?? (Yes, I 'was' selling those).