Is Spending $5K on a $3K Mercedes C230 Really Worth It?

[@CarWizard]

Download the FREE Upside App at upside.app.link/carwizard to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

[@AraCarrano]

Local Supermarket allows up to $1.00 off per gallon with fuel points. tricky part is you have to a new store near you with on site fuel, or know where to find their only partner BP stations.

[@AraCarrano]

or split the difference and fuel up at Costco

[@tapiwashoko4383]

Hello Wizard , The models that came with the 271 and 272 engines were the worst and never lasted at all, but the Earlier 2002 M111 engines were bullet proof,my dad has had his for 22 years. I have the very same car with the M111 engine, its Glorius

[@petemedina8446]

I don't think you can find a good used Camry under 5K maybe a decent Honda Accord but definitely on a Camry and the older cameras had the oil burning issues

[@kylelewis9163]

That car is beautiful and if you can keep it going as an owner it’s great

[@potatochobit]

just because the insurance company values a car at 3k$ does not mean you can go out and buy a similar good condition working car for 3k$.

[@GrimesGarage]

3k won’t get you much in the way of a clean Benz

[@ShaneRimmerWorld]

Yeah, I felt bad about six years ago when my son was at-fault in a wreck with a guy driving what looked like the nicest 2000 Grand Am on the planet. I don't know what my insurance offered, but I'm sure it wasn't much and certainly not enough to get a car that was in similar condition. I'm sure that's probably part of the reason he ended up hiring a personal injury lawyer who advertises on TV. He didn't look hurt, but who am I to say? I hope whatever he got was worth it in the end, though, as it took well over a year for my insurance company to settle after he hired the lawyer.

[@williamtell3203]

Dollar sign goes before the number. You're welcome.

[@damrontech]

@@ShaneRimmerWorld- Most insurance companies will offer “agreed value” coverage. I put about $8k into my 240SX when it booked at $8K and insured for $16k.

[@ShaneRimmerWorld]

@@damrontech yeah, that's true, but that would've been on him. Good to know in case I get into a similar situation, though

[@hotpuppy1]

ANY old car can be a money pit. If you have owned it for years, it is in generally good condition and love it, fix it. A new $40,000 car will cost a lot more than fixing your old car.

[@alejandromorazan3420]

any old german car only

[@2URLex]

I’m in the market for a well used gx470 200-300k mile range. I know I can buy with confidence.

[@briantii]

@@alejandromorazan3420Nah, pretty much any 20 year old car is apt to need more maintenance than it's worth. Heck my well cared for IS300 was there if you actually cared enough to repair the oil leaks. If you don't care then it will just run another few hundred k without issues.

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

Facts. I still have a 1992 Olds I got in 2001. And no car payment.

[@stephencurry8552]

@@briantii Did you give your own post a thumbs-up in order to not look so stupid?

[@nelsonserrate9281]

I owned a 2006 c230 from new. Passed it on to my first daughter and then to my second. Always maintained and it was at 310k miles when my daughter was in an accident and it was totaled by the insurance company. Thankfully, she was okay.

[@mackoncars7579]

Wow a gasoline Mercedes running over 300k? Great job on taking great care of it!

[@martinsvensson6884]

@@mackoncars7579 Mercedes probably still has the most cars of all brands with really high miles. Both petrol and diesel.

[@willvandeusen7130]

@@mackoncars7579plenty of gasoline ones especially the V8’s pushing well over 200k.

[@seeburg10]

@@mackoncars7579 Grimes just said in this video, more than once, that he’s seen this family of Mercedes engines go 300-400,000 miles with proper maintenance.

[@seeburg10]

@@mackoncars7579 Grimes just said in this video, more than once, that he’s seen this family of Mercedes engines go 300-400,000 miles with proper maintenance.

[@bryantint1339]

$5000 is cheaper than a new vehicle.

[@jianbinchen2881]

but after 5k who know what coming up later. other 5 k maybe

[@Ambrose4k]

both of my cars are less than 2000$

[@lutha1720]

​@jianbinchen2881 not really that 5k seems to be the amount needed to bring the car up to date in maintenance. And any issues that pop up after can be fixed by getting aftermarket or used parts. I like buying cars in a situation like the merc they make great money flips. 💰

[@bmichelin1574]

Absolutely better than getting tied up with that then signing down for 20.78 APR and getting fucked for 72 months on a new or UsEd car

[@chrishart8548]

​@@lutha1720I bought a car for £100 its was the most expensive car I ever bought. I replaced 4 tyres, exhaust, clutch, it still overheated all the time. Everything stopped working on it electrical. It drank fuel and handling was crap.

[@Wargasm54]

I’ve got 2 Mercedes and it’s still cheaper to fix them than buy a new one and have a 1200$ a month car note. And with no car payment, it’s not that bad to fix them up 😎 People try to dog Mercedes, but look around. You’ll see a lot of old Benz’s still cruising around. Granted, the Mercedes of the 80’s and 90’s were definitely built better. But Mercedes still has some reliable cars. Just do your research before you buy one. I’ve been driving Benz’s for over 30 years now.

[@11regnartseht]

Totally, most people don't know the maintenance costs buying a cheap used german car... but if you can afford it, and you like it, why not fix it. Always cheaper than buying new.

[@thebigmon]

Practically any car will last a long time if you keep up with it. My company has a bunch of 20 year old ford pickups that are still running after being abused by employees but we keep up with the maintenance so it still runs fine.

[@smolshamer6072]

I’m seeing some 1970-1990 Mercedes in my area that sell for more than used 2015+ models 😅

[@kylelewis9163]

I had one of these with 300k miles it is basically a fun car with a good ride quality but indeed the cost of replacing parts totaled it out for me

[@davidfarrish9000]

10 years ago I bought a 07 C230 Sport for a good price. I redid the front end and have it serviced at a Germany car garage. Each year it runs around $500 to $800 in maintenance. Its is fantastic car love driving it. The Sport model is all AMG underneath, brakes, suspension etc. it handles amazing. The cost of maintaining this car is in line with any other car that age plus its just a blast to drive.

[@AFanofIsrael]

That’s it- they are fun cars. They are enjoyable to drive. Way more fun than a Toyota Camry.

[@nomebear]

My M-B Sport C230 never let me go a year without a small repair that averaged $600. The Premium fuel was a huge expense: How so? I would drive some twenty miles to Costco. It cost $60 to fill it up, and $300 for the merchandise I bought in Costco "Because I was there anyway."😮

[@kmorton54]

The C class AMG model was a fantastic car. I had a friend who owned one. It was a joy to drive 😊

[@ozelot250]

I’m going to call BS on $500-$800 on annual maintenance on ANY Mercedes. Specialist are very expensive hourly shop rates, parts are Uber expensive. Specialist quote $300-500 just for an oil change. I do my own oil changes and maintenance and brake pads and I still end up spending for than what you are quoting.

[@davidfarrish9000]

@@ozelot250 no BS. Oil changes are $180 last year the gas canister was replaced $400. That was it. Ill gladly send the name of the German Cars shop Shop rate os $165 an hour. Regular garage $150.

[@peteleoni9665]

Grimes is great. I can feel it. Don't lose him

[@duckylucky6505]

If he goes, the WIzard will have to work on American cars again.

[@madmike2624]

He might want to rethink that mustache....lol

[@twentyrothmans7308]

First, I watched for the Wizard. Then, I watched for Mrs Wizard. Now, I just want Grimes' diet tips.

[@GlycerinZ]

@@twentyrothmans7308 i never watched for mrs wizard

[@willvandeusen7130]

He’s very intelligent

[@visualaxingofficial]

Been there. Done that. Bought a 2001 Audi S8 for $13,500 in 2013. Over the next seven years I spent $13,000 on repairs and maintenance. Painful but loved every minute I owned it.

[@pfsantos007]

1,857.14 per year. Not bad, for a car like that. And few people ever consider what car they're driving if in a crash.

[@theoneandonly8567]

The Advantage of the Older Cars is: You can fix more by yourself.

[@marksawyer2426]

Hope you learned to never buy European junk again. You won’t spend 5k on a Toyota in maintenance with 300k miles

[@JESUS_IS_GOD]

​@@marksawyer2426liar! You'll spend more than that on oil changes, tires and Brakes alone! And yes things break on Toyota's all the time. But thanks to ignorance from people like you I drive $100,000 V8 Mercedes S550 that I bought for $13,000 used. Zero engine leaks very little maintenance costs. For less than the price of a brand new Toyota Corolla. Beep beep while I pass you and my air condition seats are on. The ignorance is painful that we see in the world

[@mergru6371]

​@@JESUS_IS_GODHow would your Lord think bout this comment? Easy there tiger. You've measured yourself a different suit

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

Another argument is, if the owner had a budget of $8k, buys this for 3 and spends the 5 to get it close to perfect, that's by far the better option than buy something that's been apparently maintained well.

[@jamesgregory2865]

Is a 3000 dollar mercedes worth spending 5000 on repairs and maintenance - hell yes considering the alternative.

[@00.50goldeneye]

Old Audis and BMW tickets would be twice that. Especially AUDI

[@MitchGrooms]

GRIMES IS THE NEXT BIG KZbinR, HE IS SO NICE AND HONEST..

[@markbroadworth5270]

He sounds like he's about to break down in tears. Like most Chrysler/Mercedes owners when they really think about their vehicles.

[@SiikPros]

I come here to tell everyone how great these cars are whenever the Wizard does a segment on a W203 Mercedes. They are reliable and I own one myself, but I bought the 2005 C320 4Matic.

[@trixie9867]

c240 and 320 were much better cars

[@ruck-a-tron]

I had a 2004 C230 Kompressor. I was in the military stationed in Germany and I bought it new over there. I picked it up at the factory in Stuttgart. I ended up bringing it back to the states and it was a fantastic car. I only had some minor oil leaks around the camshaft adjustment solenoids. They were around 70 bucks a piece and took 5 min to change. The brake pads were the easiest I've ever changed. There was a little pin that you tap out with a punch, then the pads slide right out. I think they became a pain in the butt around 2012 or so.

[@volvo09]

I loved those when they were new. Did you get the 2 door?

[@ruck-a-tron]

@@volvo09 no i had the four door Sedan. It was pretty cool picking it up at the show room at the factory too. We traded it in when they started making the coupe again in 2012. My wife still drives the 2012 car now.

[@stephanboldt6068]

I totally agree! It might sound expensive, but you can get really nice cars for little money. You just need to see it as an investment.

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

That service position is great, someone needs to create 3rd party hood struts to give that function to all strutted cars.

[@jonfitnessroutines]

My mom's *still* driving my '05 M271 C230 Kompressor with 269k miles. Not sure about the V6, but that supercharged 1.8 4-cylinder is surprisingly bullet proof.

[@BadaBing.UCF30]

I bought my ML55 AMG for $2k back in February with 200k miles. So far, I've had to do the following: - Conductor plate replacement - Radiator - Thermostat - A/C pressure switch - Multi-V belt - Fuel pump - Battery - Tires I should also mention it always run and drove with no issues, hasn't left me stranded once in the months I've owned it. Though the fuel pump issue was a particularly bad one (see TopherDrives' ML55 videos, same problem) it somehow always got me from point A to point B. I'm about $1700 into it ontop of the purchase price and I feel like it's worth it for such a rare car, I know there's no interest for it in the used market since this car was on sale for a year before I came through and bought it (last time I saw it back in October I offered $3.5k as it was listed for $5k). Now, a non-AMG C-Class? Insanity.

[@gulfstream7235]

I see where you are coming from, maybe you will be lucky for another 12 months or so. The big issue is when to kick the can down the road...

[@BadaBing.UCF30]

@@gulfstream7235 Been there... many, many, many times. I had to put my foot down eventually, I've had as many seller regrets as buyer's remorse.

[@abidnessman]

The thing is, old cars are going to require maintenance beyond air filter and oil changes, if you need a reliable fret free long distance mobility. I drove to Panama from NorCal and back. I keep even my Toyota updated to avoid a lonely highway strand at 104F with dog and few options. I don't like to fly in a plane.

[@derrickhall-ek9xk]

DIYer here I currently have m272 completely torn down and ready to be reassembled. Cost me about 1800 in parts & there’s plenty of info on these engines not to hard of a overhaul job

[@WookieMonster01]

This car was my first Mercedes back in 2008 when I was 19 years old. I was starting off as a realtor in DFW so I would drive everywhere to show houses. This is exactly the same car, down to the year, color, wheels, engine, ect. I drove it hard, beat it to the ground, drove it from 25k miles all the way to like 250k+ miles. I'm ashamed to say that I treated this car like absolute trash and it was always a reliable champ. I even took it on a tour of Mexico all the way down to Guadalajara and back to Texas. I did the bare minimal maintenance to it, usually after the CEL would come up because of a misfire. I mean, I would change the oil like every 20k miles, if it was lucky. Never did I ever change the trans fluid. Only changed brake pads once after my whole car got covered in rust from metal to metal brakes. Did a full suspension refresh only once in all the years I had it. I was so bad to it that I would only change tires after they would go flat from having the wires exposed. Eventually after years of abuse the balance shaft wore down so bad that the engine started to die at idle and the intake flap issues didn't help either. I parked the car for a couple of years with the excuse that I would finally fix it but I never got around to it. Ended up selling it to some salvage yard for 500 bucks just to make room for my new car an 06 E55 AMG. It is the only car I've ever sold that I cried (was bawling) as it was leaving in a tow truck. So many memories in that car that I could write a movie similar to the hangover movies. I still miss it to this day. A few years ago I bought an 06 C55 but it just didn't feel the same so I sold it. I've thought about looking for a mint white C230 again but with 3 AMGs in my garage I have no room for it. I would encourage anyone to buy it but my advice would be to treat it right. If my clapped out one made it past 250k miles I can't imagine how far a well maintained one would drive. Thank you car wizard for the video of this car.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

It's like putting down an old loyal horse, always sad. Been there with an old Ford truck that simply became a safety hazard to drive from the rust.

[@NVRAMboi]

@WookieMonster01: Great story. Thanks!

[@davidharuna6773]

Needed this honest submission, thanks. 👌🏽

[@austineleo5839]

Thank you for this

[@wockawocka5293]

Idler/pulleys -$25 each, Complete front suspension kit other than struts - $200, Oil cooler/filter housing gasket - $25, Rear seal kit - $25, complete brake kit - $250, Cam position sensors $25 each X4 - $100. The chain noise does NOT mean you have the balance shaft issue. That issue throws a code. The chain noise is worn down plastic chain guides - $250 kit with new chains and is an engine IN job. Not that hard. This is why I do my own work. Should say "If you are at a mechanic's mercy it's $5000". I understand not everyone can DIY.

[@laithellabban]

good point

[@Valentine98766]

Right right put Amazon parts in your car great idea

[@BCNeil]

Take a $3000 car. Do $5000 of repairs. You now have a $4000 car.

[@lukewalker1051]

$3100

[@jamesgeorge4874]

​@@lukewalker1051Ouch.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

I like it.

[@kajohns64]

What's the value of driving it another 100,000 miles?

[@kevinbarry71]

No, you have a $3000 car

[@63connie78]

bought a well documented 06 S350 with 88K miles several years ago.......still only has 92K miles.......love driving the car and have done routine maintenance with excellent, reasonable local mechanic......clean carfax, all maintenance records, etc.,......just do your research before buying one of these cars.....the good ones are still cheap.....be ready to spend $$ for repairs...and enjoy

[@jamesemcclure]

How does 4k over several years add up to love driving it? Most people do a lot more than that with cars they love.

[@willvandeusen7130]

I think you need to drive it more

[@gregedmand9939]

As a guy who's worked on a wide variety of vehicles, I far prefer the aviation maintenance model. Mandatory maintenance at specified intervals. In other words "fix it before it fails". Cars, trucks and motorcycles are "drive it until it breaks". If the Lycoming IO-360 engine in your Cessna 172 has 2000 hours, it must go for a complete overhaul.

[@michaelparra8719]

people would lose there mind . if we did any kinde of safty inspection like ny half the crs would bge off the road.

[@gregedmand9939]

@@michaelparra8719 If there's a safety violation, they need to be off the road. Far too many idiots will drive cars that aren't fit to be in traffic. Driving cars with seriously rusted subframes, bad brakes, bad tires and leaking exhaust, needs to stop. Most jurisdictions are moving in that direction. It's a statistical fact that insurance rates go down in places with good safety inspection cycles. People actually start doing more routine maintenance.

[@gisellesbikeseat]

​@@gregedmand9939thats a nice idea, but when shops are charging $150/hr or more, most people just don't have room in their budget. And the LAST thing we need is more govt overreach ffs

[@gregedmand9939]

@@gisellesbikeseat Government overreach? That's why we live in a democracy. Don't vote for idiots, like a Trump, that thinks magnets don't work if wet. What do you want - no FAA or auto safety regs? No fire safely regulations? No driver testing or insurance? All you Libertarian types hate government... Until you need them for something. When the fire department shows up to dig you out of tornado wreckage and FEMA helps you out afterwards, it's a all relief and smiles.

[@michaelparra8719]

@@gisellesbikeseat fo watch some just rolled in videos and then see how you feel about inspection.

[@CharlesSummers-d1v]

We bought a NEW 2005 Mercedes C-Class Kompressor Sport. It was a fantastic car…until things started going wrong. 1 - Front and rear tires are different sizes and are lowing profile. They drive great but start whining at about 20K miles. They’re almost $1000 per set…every 20K to 25K miles. 2 - The electronic shifter circuit board was right under the console cup holder. If you had a cold drink…condensation would form underneath and short it out. Cost: $1500 per repair. * Mercedes Germany & America told me to have a nice day. 3 - Mercedes Regular services: Schedule - A oil change. Back then was $150. Schedule - B oil change…was $450…they alternated. Other than that it was a fun and comfy car…we could afford to buy it, we simply couldn’t afford the regular maintenance. * We SOLD it 2 years later in 2007 and saved a ton of money. Driving Hondas and Mazdas now….very nice and very affordable to maintain.

[@kevinsboxster2310]

I have a 2005 C230 that I bought about 7 years ago for $4300. Mine has a 6-speed manual transmission which I think has helped me avoid some issues that cars with automatic transmissions experience. The car had 112,000 miles on it when I bought it and I recently hit 196,000 miles. I do some maintenance and repairs myself (an oil change with Mobil 1 from Walmart and a filter bought on local costs me about $40.) Even with my own labor at zero cost, I think I spend about $1000 a year on average to keep the car on the road. The tires do wear quickly and some of the parts are substantially more expensive than for non-German vehicles. There have also been some jobs I could not DIY. I didn’t intend to keep the car as long as I have, but I enjoy driving it. If I can keep it on the road for a grand a year, I think I can live with that.

[@Marklin15]

There are different wheels for these cars that are the same size for all 4.

[@DylanL69]

Yes a c230 is a great car and 5k is definitely worth it and learning to do the maintenance yourself can save like 3-4k easily

[@AFanofIsrael]

I have, or my son has an 07 E350 with over 200K miles on it. The engine is a 3.5 L V6 and that thing is bulletproof. If you are going to this vintage- then do the E class. I would avoid the small 6

[@shawnm3757]

I bought an 09 Volvo XC70 with 85k miles for $7500. Put another $7k into repairs for it. Anything new with anywhere near the same specs (ground clearance, cargo, etc) would cost $50k. The days of never spend more than 50% of the value of the car on repairs are long gone.

[@StardustADV]

8:16 Both my 2000 4runner and my 1994 BMW 740 have valve cover gasket leaks right now, and somehow this mercedes managed to avoid that fate 😂 It is voodoo magic lol

[@jimbuono2404]

No one should complain that a car with 180,000 miles should need an almost complete rebuild. At 15k a year that's 12 years wear. If you aren't putting $100 a month away for repair or replacement you have only yourself to blame. You can choose to put your $15K saved towards repairs or another car. Either way, no whining, you got your money's worth out of the car.

[@Jeff-wm3qn]

Dude it's only $180,000 mi That's nowhere near getting your money's worth you should be getting 250-300 thousand miles easy

[@petrosaguilar8916]

​@@Jeff-wm3qnif you drop a few grand into it now you'll likely see 300k. You won't get there without doing anything.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

​@@Jeff-wm3qnno, you won't get to 300k without any work on any car.

[@jimbuono2404]

@@Jeff-wm3qn How did you come up with this number?

[@mediocreman2]

Nah. I have several high mileage (over 200k miles) German and Japanese cars. None of them have ever needed anything close to an entire rebuild, and zero engine or transmission removals.

[@ThePCgamewalkthoughs]

I was quoted $7000 for repairs on my 2001 Saturn sl2. I told them I'll be getting a different car before I do even a third of that. Besides they charge $100 to change a brake light so it's probably a big upcharge from them.

[@JxH]

We did the opposite, spent $3k on a $5k very-well-used car. Like a mechanical refit. Car was great, lasted for quite a few years. The end came when every single last thing died at once. When it was junked, nothing but scrap metal.

[@buzztp5119]

Got an idea and don't know if it already exists but how about setting up a nationwide network of mechanics that are at least a little trustworthy so people looking to but something on the other side of the country can an inspection done before they buy. But I know that car dealers are SOOOO TRUSTING AND HONEST that it's not needed but it is.

[@kylelewis9163]

Wizard certificates

[@trixie9867]

i think already exists - AAA might be one of them - diamond certified another one?!!

[@buzztp5119]

@@trixie9867 thanks a lot

[@shawna7813]

The intake is about 400 bucks. Engine replacement on these run about $2500 used. Wizard charges mire for everything.

[@JBM425]

Watch his previous videos where he explains why used engines aren’t a good idea anymore; decades ago, sure, but not now.

[@shawna7813]

@@JBM425 - Plenty of good engines out there. You have to know who to buy from...

[@kofiarthur3749]

Yes it's true..you Can get original OEM Intake- Pieburg from Rock Auto 400-600 BUCKS. this guy charge a lot

[@meadedillon1715]

Correct, the intake made by Pierberg and sold aftermarket is not a bad price, maybe Wizard is buying parts from the dealer?

[@microdubber]

It is definitely worth fixing this thing. It's in good shape, and it's a known quantity for the owner. These things get fixed, (s)he still has a nice car that will give many more years of pleasurable service. Conventional wisdom "don't put more money than it's worth" no longer holds true.

[@JBM425]

I agree. If you view a car as just a means of getting from Point A to Point B, it might not be worth it. But if you are lucky to have an amazing car that makes the A to B trip more fun, then it’s definitely worth it.

[@Samuel_el_toro]

Old Benz tech here. That M112 V6 is a good engine worth every penny. If that model was the M271 4 cyl compressor engine then the story changes, as they are problematic

[@johnlowe2218]

Found a rebuilt salvage 2008 Acura TL with 66,000 miles that suffered only minor damage for $8,000. It’s my daily now.

[@jessefincham8899]

I bought a 07 c230 with the amg body kit and all. 59k miles. Bought the cleanest one… changed trans fluid. Oil all the time. Fixed what’s broke. It’s got 110k vary issues for a vary beautiful car… only the 07. Way more beautiful 😉

[@NVRAMboi]

GRIMES!!11!!! The Maharaji of Mercedes! Thanks, Wizard.

[@Schooner316]

I like that Wizard takes us through a car post-inspection. Shows that Grimes is an honest tech who has no issue showing exactly what he found. No hesitation.

[@aomar9449]

These guys are proper mechanics. if I lived reasonably close by, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my car to them, pay the bill and simply drive off without second guessing if I'm getting ripped off or taken advantage of. Even my local vintage Mercedes specialists can't be trusted and will pull a fast one on you if the think you don't know cars, very frustrating.

[@Luisgtm95]

Not long ago I had a W203 it was really nice to drive and felt really solid and well built, with a NA V6 and a 7 speed gearbox it was as refined if not more as even brand new vehicles that are several times the price even when accounting for doing a major repair or several small ones. So yes, supposing you can have C class for about $8k with the knowledge its all sorted and will likely do a lot of miles before needing another big repair it's not a terrible deal assuming buying another one at $3k will very likely mean there´s another $5k or more bill waiting to hit you and if you keep up with proper maintenance and only do ocasional small repairs, it can be very rewarding, providing also maybe you don't drive as much and can set aside money for when its needed it can actually be a smart alternative

[@AMDX1325]

Depends on the alternative, and with cars being so expensive, its probably worth it to keep fixing your old car until parts run out or car prices get low enough.

[@jasongennero2080]

This is vw is really your best bet when it comes to used pre owned German vehicles imo . They are easier to fix and the cost of repairs are a lot cheaper as well yet you get almost the same German over engineering, performance, options , comfort, convenience, and luxury. But I suppose that’s cuz they are really just base model Audis.

[@adamslayer3992]

I bought mine for 200 dollars with a bad engine . Got lucky with a solid low mileage eBay engine. Swapped it out literally the easiest engine swap I’ve done. And it’s been a solid car

[@geoffreycarter3981]

I just saw a MINT white C230 just like this and it drove by me in a parking lot and usually these are invisible to me, but dang these are nice cars when taken care of. Little tanks.

[@wockawocka5293]

In regards to the intake/butterfly flap issue with this engine, you DO NOT need to buy a new intake. For about $150 you can get a repair kit that replaces the broken plastic actuator arm with a metal arm that will never break. Easy to do it yourself and if you can't it's still way cheaper to have a mechanic install the kit than buying and installing a whole new intake manifold. I have a 2007 C230 Sport AMG Edition. Mine has 150K miles and runs like brand new. Had it for 6 years and do everything myself. Won't let a mechanic touch it.

[@JayMaverick]

People seem to think the purchase price is somehow a ceiling on how much you're allowed to spend fixing it. That doesn't make sense. Here's how it actually works. You got three dollar numbers: 1. Market price of car in current condition. 2. Market price of car in excellent condition. 3. Price/value of the car as a transport or hobby for the specific owner personally. Choose one. Then you have a budget for fixing the car. If your budget exceeds the dollar number you've set, you're better off throwing in the towel. For example. I bought an old Mercedes for 4000€. Market price for a similar car in good condition was 7000€ or so at the time. I spent another 4000€ fixing and upgrading the car to make it acceptable to me as a daily transport, and probably will spend another 2000€ next year. Will I ever get 10000€ back from the car when I sell it? Probably not. Is it worth the extra cost to me to drive around in a wonderful car that I built myself, instead of paying monthly car payments on a new car? Absolutely.

[@seanhershey3390]

I paid 2500 for my 06 Volvo xc70.ive put 4k? Into over the last 3 years…everything is done..works great..180k…solid as a rock.

[@GuyChapman]

It’s probably still worth it. This is before electronics got stupid complex. Once fixed up this will do another 100k easy. Love Grimes, a real asset to the shop and the show.

[@shawna7813]

I have the same motor, 06, with almost 240K on it. Seen plenty with 300k-400k..

[@juliuskwak1263]

I don't know if it is just me... but the intro Wizard has been using for the past 30-40 videos is starting to remind me of "The King of the Hill" intro.

[@abigalanderson7494]

Bwahhh

[@IKhanNot]

Yep I just had to do the intake manifold on my C300 due to a lean code and an intake manifold code. Just to play it safe I changed out the spark plugs as well. Aftermarket intake manifolds are the way to go as they have more metal parts. The OEM direct replacement has plastic parts in it that will just break again.

[@AZ-hf9ow]

Weezard, do you think Grimes can do a video on the chassis with the M273 engine and what issues to look out for with the different chassis? I think it would be interesting. I love the Toyota/Lexus reliability, but honestly, they are kind of dull. Thanks in advance.

[@chazmuska]

I have the M272 engine V6 but its a 3.5L. It runs so smooth even at 125K. Intake manifold and oil cooler gaskets were replaced. Haven't had any issues since.

[@SplosionMovies]

I hated all the little things on my C32 AMG W203. The cup holders were wobbly plastic trash. The power seat modules habitually went insane, causing electrical gremlins. The radio system was designed on fiber optics, so you either replaced the entire sound system + wiring or nothing at all, and my head unit went out early into ownership. The gearing was such that the car was spinning nearly 3,000 RPM at 70MPH, even though it could have maintained that speed easily @2,000. The crankshaft position sensor died in the middle of the road, stranding me, and was a total bear to replace. The supercharger had a rattle like a Coke can full of marbles, something the forums seemed to see a lot. The torque converter also bound up coming to a stop, which gave a hideous bucking and growling combo. The engine was pretty cool, but the entire car could have used a stern eyed once-over.

[@walterspector735]

I had a 2006 C230 Sport almost identical to this one. Very well maintained. Started having transmission problems, and then engine codes at 70=80k miles. Rather than fix the balance shaft issue, I traded it in for my 2018 Model 3, and the C230 became Elon's problem. No more ICE cars for me. At six years and 90K miles, I've replaced tires twice, added windshield washer fluid as needed. Just yesterday started getting creaks from the front upper control arms. So will finally have to do a repair.

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

Really when it comes to putting high $$ into a cheaper car the things to consider are a) will be it be a reliable car at that point? Only do this if the answer is yes and b) also consider that if you put $5k into a $3k car and then next week the car is written off, your insurance is only going to be giving you $3k. So pick a reliable car to do this to and drive very carefully for the next year or two :)

[@stevengreco1939]

The Car Wizard is the best!

[@crushonty1060]

Exorbitant parts prices. That's how MB sends their old cars to the graveyard. With reasonable parts prices these cars would easily last 10-15 more years. They are very good rides.

[@GermanCarGuyMN]

Aftermarket parts from places like AutoZone, Rock Auto, and O’Reilly’s are much more affordable and easily kept my Dad’s 1999 ML320 on the road for 25 years and 200,000 miles. It started every time, and always got us where we needed to go

[@shatbad2960]

I have 2010 Vito with the legendary 2.1 litre diesel. Its slow, but has been much improved with the 180 HP tune. A lot of the bits that have failed: both wing mirrors, few interior parts are cheap plastic. It's on 186k.

[@MrCarGuy]

If it had the M112 V6 I wouldn't hesitate

[@Loujr2250]

Yup. Anything from the m112 to the m113k are bullet proof😂

[@mergru6371]

Wait a 230 is a v6 in the US? In Europe it's a 4 in line with a supercharger.

[@SiikPros]

Proud owner of a M112

[@standyourground9973]

M272 isn’t too bad, little more needy but very smooth

[@negahplz1156]

The C240 was pretty reliable with its 5 speed auto and anemic V6 lol

[@laurat1129]

As long as the owner's understands the car, if parts are available and issues fixable, then it's still far less expensive than any newer car. (Ofc, even better that this customer has Omega and Grimes.)

[@risinbison1106]

This is a great video and is really pertinent considering the average age of US cars is now the oldest it’s ever been.

[@sc3ku]

Even 10-20k cars today have big issues just down the pike. Everything is out of control with car prices and auto part prices.

[@Blimp_Pilot]

I had a 2005 C230 Kompressor sport sedan with the 1.8L 4 cyl. with a very rare 6-speed manual transmission. It was a great car & fun to drive. I loved the looks of that car, black on black with the thick 5 spoke wheels. Never left me stranded. Sold it with just shy of 200k on it. The guy I sold it to was my former supervisor at a BMW processing facility. Last time I talked to him, he was still driving the car daily. I missed that car & I definitely miss that 6-speed manual.

[@SimbaTheGreat]

I have a 2006 C350 sport with AMG package. Needed some front end work. Wheel bearing/hub and some speed sensors. Alignment and good to go. $1000 and i spent $200 in parts. Everything works and its pretty!

[@svenmorgenstern9506]

Welp...paid $2500 for a 20 year old Toyota Matrix, figure on putting close to that in repairs into it. Why? Simple - it's fuel efficient, stupidly reliable, and I really am not interested in $300+ monthly car payments.

[@elihernandez330]

Only way I'd ever spend five grand on three grand cars is if I know damn well it's going to continue to run and drive, pass inspection, and blow ice cold for another 80k miles at minimum.

[@joshc7765]

ability to predict the future must be nice...

[@md2k8]

These slightly older, mid-2000's Mercedes-Benz vehicles can be reliable with proper maintenance, but it is much better to purchase an older used, mid-2000's Acura TSX or Acura TL than this European-German vehicle. Thank you very much.

[@aomar9449]

Acuras of that era some of the best cars the brand made, but don't be fooled they're not that cheap to maintain as they age. All in all it is cheaper than a similar year mid size Mercedes, but not by much. Important to consider if you prefer Mercedes more, but cost sensible. I'd much rather spend the extra towards the car I like the most. Source: Own an Acura TL and MB E class

[@md2k8]

@@aomar9449 Thank you very much.

[@lutha1720]

That 5k will give this car another 5years or more. It's not a waste to spend on it considering the cost of car finance.

[@adriangospodaru9733]

i've had a lot of benzes , 2 of them we're w203 like this one ... all of them are very good cars but YOU NEED to do preventive maintenance . If you are a Mercedes enthusiast like me , you will know what to look for and what to be aware of when buying and also owning ... i had a very very good experience with the diesel , especially the V6 OM642 , but i will say it again - YOU NEED TO DO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND IT WON'T BE CHEAP !!!!

[@jeadie2273]

Had this same car. Mine was a 2005 c230 kompressor. Loved it …..until the timing chain guide let loose at about 9 years old….and that was it for the engine. Only had 97k on it…was in flawless condition but didn’t have the time to do a repair.

[@CrazyMrTim]

I just got me a hooptie recently, an '84 vette, but it actually runs really well. It does need a couple things, but it's all not too hard to fix, and I got it for only $3k

[@JBM425]

If you like the car, and the cost is within your budget, go for it! Who cares what it’s “worth?” If it’s worth it to you, that’s all that matters.

[@kclefthanded427]

If there's no proven paperwork towards regular scheduled maintenance, then it's not a good buy

[@GrimesGarage]

This. Maintenance history on cars like this instantly make them much more valuable to the average buyers

[@JBM425]

@@GrimesGarageAlso, I’m concerned that at least in recent years, the likes of M-B, Audi, and BMW are recommending oil changes at 10,000 miles. The lower the mileage at purchase, the sooner I can get the car on a 5,000-mile schedule. I want the engine to last, not grenade itself.

[@GrimesGarage]

@@JBM425 from experience, 10k intervals with OE fluid spec and OE filter are just fine as long as the crankcase vent system is working properly. No issues with sludge/varnish noticed even at high mileage. The key here is OE spec.

[@mercboy111]

That’s a no brainer. Of course it is a good and sensible option. Even if it doesn’t have the latest in tech you get a reliable and robust V6 engine with excellent fuel mileage. Agreed on the regular maintenance of 6 months or 5k miles whichever comes first. Chuck in only Liquimoly with Ceratec and you’re off to a winner! 😊

[@Bizmyurt]

They drive good too, I had a borrowed one a C180k for months and it was a 2001 and quit worn but still good and it was manual I liked it.

[@aldelvechio2002]

Thank you Wizard.......and Grimes😁 You are helping the working man......Thanks again

[@cliffvictoria3863]

Grimes, thanks for sharing your knowledge! I enjoy hearing your tech talk.

[@Youcallthesebagels_]

Not sure if it’s just me but the Wizard looks like he’s been slimming down! Looking good wiz! 😎

[@bryanmauroner3347]

With the Average car payments today a new car can average anywhere between $600 - $1200 bucks or more a month. Let’s be conservative and say your payment is $600 a month. That’s about as much in one years car payments to repair this Mercedes. I would rather spend the money on good maintenance that will last another 200k miles. I also failed to mention that if you buy your parts through FCP Euro you get a Lifetime warranty on all your parts including fluids. That’s right you have lifetime warranty on your Engine oils and even Liqui Moly additives 😁

[@kevinbarry71]

I fully understand and am in sympathy with the idea of spending that kind of money on a car that isn't technically worth it; but I would not spend it on that particular car

[@mattybrews]

Tough call. Kind of unlucky that there was a design flaw in the engine. Basically any car under 12-15K is going to cost more than what it's worth to fix for any major repairs. Kind of seems a good solid fix and this thing should go another 100k miles. IDK, if its sentimental and I liked it a lot, I'd probably do it.

[@cliffvictoria3863]

My 2015 Lexus GS350 F Sport is not boring. Way more fun than people would think. Looks good, too. It's stock now but I'm debating putting a Borla exhaust on it. A little rumble can't hurt.

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

Finally a fellow W203

[@v745ti]

I lemon law'd one of these back when they were brand new. C230 sedan 6 spd manual. HID (projector) headlights. The gearbox was defective and Mercedes couldn't fix it after 3 dealer visits & refused to replace it, so after much litigation, it went bye-bye. I replaced it with an '03 Audi A4 1.8TQM sport pkg 6 spd. Which was also awful but slightly better than the Mercedes. These cars weren't worth it when they were new, now $5k is an absolute no go for me on one of these.

[@martinsvensson6884]

No they are good cars. Very reliable and not that expensive to fix. At least not in Europe.

[@604h22a]

@@martinsvensson6884 buddy there junk inside out, glad I got rid of my 04 c240 4matic. Bought a Honda and never looked back

[@mcapps1]

Be better if it was a E320.

[@kevinmarsh5034]

I always told my customers "if your car was in a breakers/parts yard, that too would be a used engine with ALL it's problems" and most of them said "I hadn't thought of that" and some of them just got lucky, but not many of them!

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

I've never owned a Mercedes with a smaller engine than 320. They've all been very reliable engine wise. Only car I've had costly fixes with is my W220 S500 4-matic.

[@westrm2010]

Hi Car Wizard, love your advice. Would you please consider reviewing America's least expensive car, the 2024 Nissan Versa S w/manual trans? I think it makes sense for my daughter's first new vehicle instead of hand-me-down very used cars. What say you? Thank-you.

[@waynechen1983]

Thats why the 06 C280 I have sitting out back is a DIY project. MY wife yells at me when I talk about repairs at mechanic to old vehicles. Finding the time is the hard part.

[@haramaschabrasir8662]

I bought a W211 for $6500 and already did repairs myself for $1500. I'm not finished yet and expecting additional $3000 to come. The previous owners unfortunately did zero maintenance. Still $11,000 for a car that has heated memory seats, lumbar support, automatically dimming mirrors, leather interior, keyless entry is a pretty good value. Plus I know exactly whats wrong with the car and what has been fixed.

[@nicholasnarcowich9163]

I am going to keep my AWD MDX, I drove a E300 TD for a while & it was nice.., but the Acura has a feeling of dependability that few automakers have, & that is important to me. No more American cars... only Honda or Toyota from now on. Thank you for your fun videos...

[@GrimesGarage]

The j series is the one engine I’ve consistently seen above 200k with the original timing belt

[@lout3921]

I purchased my 2009 C300 Sport brand new and always kept up with the maintenance. It's at 240,000 and it still runs like a clock. Luckily I can repair some of this easier accessible areas and managed to save thousands of dollars in repair.

[@davinlaroche3029]

If the vehicle is structurally sound, it is absolutely worth spending that kind of money. If you're skeptical, try finding a similar vehicle 10 years newer for $3,000 that doesn't need $2,500 in repairs. Good luck.

[@johnkaimins9998]

Great advice ~ thank you for the video. I would only add that the Electronic Steering Lock on these is prone to failure. Could be an idea to buy an unlocked used one and rebuild it with a new actuator motor as preventative maintenance.

[@boogitybear2283]

I should have bought that 2004 Buick LeSabre with only 129k miles for $2900 asking price but fot all I know, they sold it for less.

[@nomebear]

I sold a C230 identical to this one. I performerd almost all of the maintenace on it and put 265,000 miles it. My neighbor now owns it and seldom complains about it. I sold it for the very reason Wizard outlined: There are complex systems I know little about that can fail at such high mileage.

[@Jameszi_]

Thanks for the Grimes sighting, always love when he is on.