Modern(ish) Car Advice Required (2001 Mercedes)

[garycox]

Sorry for DULL CONTENT, but I've been looking at Mercs for a friend, this one in particular:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-Mercedes-Benz-C240-2-6-auto-Avantgarde-Saloon-Black-Grey-Leather-Comand-/321465193002?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ad8d1922a

 

It has a couple of (small) faults which are putting her off though, and I know there are people that know about modern MBs here, so I was wondering whether the great AS knowledge base can offer some direction.

 

1) The "Command" unit, which I gather incorporates a sat nav and ridiculously complex stereo, defaults to German no matter how many times you change it back to English. Does anyone know if this is fixable, or would the whole unit need to be replaced? Sounds expensive if so.

 

2) The driver's window takes a few goes to close. Are these a simple switch and a few wires or do you need a degree in computer science and a load of specialist tools to change a window switch or trace a wiring fault?

 

 

That's it really, any other pointers would be handy too (don't bother telling me that they're mega rust prone though - I know that, but this one's OK.)

 

Thanks!!

[srad34]

Actually these ones were a lot better than the earlier 'chrysler' cars.

Engines are great but electrics are shall we say, challenging. Auto boxes are soooo much better and there are loads out there....

[Rocket88]

Is the dealer not interested in fixing the faults........if not, I would suspect he knows that to sort them out ain't going to be cheap................

[garycox]

There aren't that many that meet our criteria actually (auto, leather, not silver, decent history, less than £3k, about an hour away from here...) and this one's a particularly good spec.

[saucedoctor]

I had a supercharged one of those. The electronics in it would baffle BAe.

 

However: The COMAND unit is probably losing it's permanent 12v supply, and thus defaulting back to Kraut. TADT,S. Dealer fixed mine, so I dunno the details.

 

Window motors are known to stick in the W203. I'm told that giving it a thump or two with a rubber mallet will make it behave.

 

They are known to OMNOMNOM airflow meters - beware of SSFC knock-offs on eBay. Dealer price is £400.

 

 

 

 

[skattrd]

I thought you were a man of taste Mr Cox, what with the Maestro, shares in Allegro and other fine automobiles, whats with the new* modern Mercedes crap?

 

I went for an older C250TD for a quarter of the price of that one, and quite like it. If I was you I'd wait a bit and look for something a bit older with less electrical nonsense to go wrong.

[garycox]

I'd do that if I was me as well, this one's not for me though!

[garycox]

Dealer fixed mine, so I dunno the details.

 

 

 

Do you know how much that cost?

 

Is it possible to check an airflow meter?

[saucedoctor]

Do you know how much that cost?

 

Is it possible to check an airflow meter?

 The COMAND fix was free, as the car was under a "Signature" warranty at the time.

 

As far as the airflow meter goes, mine just threw in the towel not long before I sold the car. EML came on. I cleaned it with brake cleaner and the light went out for a week or two, and then it really was dead. The car went into it's default map.

 

You can check an airflow meter with a multimeter in resistance mode (assuming you can find out what the values are supposed to be). Live data EOBD would probably be easier.

 

The AFM is easy to change on these - a couple of jubilee-type clips and a wire, IIRC. Secondhand ones (now) aren't too pricey.

 

 

 

[cort16]

At least it's not a diesel, which is half the battle.

 

The command thing sounds like something you'd just need to live with as it;s probably impossible or blindingly expensive to fix.

[saucedoctor]

There you go. Block A Pin 4

[AnthonyG]

Given the advertiser has made a point of mentioning the 'Comand' thing in his ad I'd be thinking of telling him to get it working in the Queen's English or forget about the sale.

 

After all, you're unlikely to be the only one asking.

[HH-R]

Rip it out and install a Harry Moss tape deck.

 

If it's double din, install an Audioline Graphic Equaliser too.

[srad34]

Harry Moss / Audioline combo for the win

[gordonbennet]

Harry Moss Carnegie 8 track player for winners, locks the tape in place and no slipping, GR9.

 

Soon as Command gets mentioned my MB semi retracts to i need a girly wee cos its bloody freezing rating.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I see it has the early warning collision detection system:

 

[richardmorris]

"Over £6k Spent Since 2009 On Servicing And Maintenance."

 

[carlo]

I keep looking at these, get close then chicken out due to price of repairs, electrics etc.  I'm sure I'd love the car though, especially a C320 in metallic red which really suits it.

 

Although I don't like how MB quality took such a dive on this C class, I'd be tempted to look at a W202 even though they weren't quite as dynamic to drive.

[Lacquer Peel]

Pre emptively SCRAP IT.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Hmmm. Any Y plate C Class that isn't showing rust has either been fitted with new wings and rear arch repair panels, or spodded up with P38 and blown in. They are ALL rotten at that age - so why does this one look so nice? .

 

And is it me, or does £2300 seem dear for a 23 mpg 13 year old C Class? It's a V6, and about as desirable as Ebola. Looks like £1295 to me.

 

Aanyway....

 

There is a control box on the front of the door behind the door card that gives signals to the windows and door locks. Whilst modern German stuff is generally overcomplicated rubbish, MB sometimes make it easy. The motors and regulators are of the delightful Laguna type cable sort, but unlike Renault they swapped 10mm bolts and nuts for rivets. Nice. However, very often you can change things like control boxes and they work without recoding.