I've owned the C320 for many years. It's had a multitude of problems and it's still a low mileage car. As of this date, it has 91K. It's never been driven hard and has all required maintenance.
The seat modules were always draining the battery, it happened many times (before anyone actually told me the real problem) leaving me stranded and calling an Emergency Service. The car would be jumped and would run fine as long as it didn't sit in the garage over 24 hours. At times, I would start my Monday work week with a jump start. A new battery would solve the problem for awhile, eventually other areas were damaged from the jump start ER crew. It would be blazing hot or extremely cold, and people were in a hurry to get on their way. I had the rear SAM go out, prior to this - the alarm system would sound for no reason. The SAM went out right after a jump start, the signals wouldn't work, etc.
I've had one power seat module replaced, but the same situation occurred. I've had the power seats unplugged now for several years. I'm told that if the seats are unplugged I have no air bag protection, the steering wheel cannot be adjusted, the back window shade no longer will go up or down, etc. It's extremely dangerous to drive without air bags, especially on the freeway! Due to this problem alone, this model should have been recalled by MB many years ago. I've had to replace a fuel pump assembly and sending unit, control arms, with ball joint bushings, valve cover gaskets, hood strut, and had several brake jobs. The biggest problem to date are the seat modules and the resulting expensive SAM replacement.
The check engine light seems to stay on even after work is performed and the Mercedes trained techs can't seem to figure out why my car still shows to be running rich. I'm ready to sell or trade, but would need to spend thousands to get the car ready for a buyer, it's in great condition cosmetically and has always been garaged. Even though my car is low mileage, unless I spend a great deal of money I will be lucky to get $1,000 for it in trade. As mentioned, power seats are unplugged, steering wheel cannot be adjusted, air bags, other components will not operate with fuse removed for the seats. The CD Player has not worked in 10 years and I was told this is a common problem and expensive to replace. The check engine light would be on while trying to trade or sell and that leaves me in a very bad situation. I would need to spend a great deal more than the car is worth in maintenance, and can't get much of anything for it. SAD!
I now live on a fixed budget and cannot afford to keep this car. I do not feel safe, and it's WRONG for MB to not recall with all the problems and safety issues. I know not everyone has taken the time to report their problems, a class action suit should have been filed years ago... I've owned a few other Mercedes, the other cars were better made. The computers//electrical SAM issues//& seat modules, along with the control arms, loose gear shift covers, etc--. all are a nightmare for the owners of this model! MB should do something to help the poor unsuspecting souls that continued to have confidence in their products.
I've owned the C320 for many years. It's had a multitude of problems and it's still a low mileage car. As of this date, it has 91K. It's never been driven hard and has all required maintenance.
The seat modules were always draining the battery, it happened many times (before anyone actually told me the real problem) leaving me stranded and calling an Emergency Service. The car would be jumped and would run fine as long as it didn't sit in the garage over 24 hours. At times, I would start my Monday work week with a jump start. A new battery would solve the problem for awhile, eventually other areas were damaged from the jump start ER crew. It would be blazing hot or extremely cold, and people were in a hurry to get on their way. I had the rear SAM go out, prior to this - the alarm system would sound for no reason. The SAM went out right after a jump start, the signals wouldn't work, etc.
I've had one power seat module replaced, but the same situation occurred. I've had the power seats unplugged now for several years. I'm told that if the seats are unplugged I have no air bag protection, the steering wheel cannot be adjusted, the back window shade no longer will go up or down, etc. It's extremely dangerous to drive without air bags, especially on the freeway! Due to this problem alone, this model should have been recalled by MB many years ago. I've had to replace a fuel pump assembly and sending unit, control arms, with ball joint bushings, valve cover gaskets, hood strut, and had several brake jobs. The biggest problem to date are the seat modules and the resulting expensive SAM replacement.
The check engine light seems to stay on even after work is performed and the Mercedes trained techs can't seem to figure out why my car still shows to be running rich. I'm ready to sell or trade, but would need to spend thousands to get the car ready for a buyer, it's in great condition cosmetically and has always been garaged. Even though my car is low mileage, unless I spend a great deal of money I will be lucky to get $1,000 for it in trade. As mentioned, power seats are unplugged, steering wheel cannot be adjusted, air bags, other components will not operate with fuse removed for the seats. The CD Player has not worked in 10 years and I was told this is a common problem and expensive to replace. The check engine light would be on while trying to trade or sell and that leaves me in a very bad situation. I would need to spend a great deal more than the car is worth in maintenance, and can't get much of anything for it. SAD!
I now live on a fixed budget and cannot afford to keep this car. I do not feel safe, and it's WRONG for MB to not recall with all the problems and safety issues. I know not everyone has taken the time to report their problems, a class action suit should have been filed years ago... I've owned a few other Mercedes, the other cars were better made. The computers//electrical SAM issues//& seat modules, along with the control arms, loose gear shift covers, etc--. all are a nightmare for the owners of this model! MB should do something to help the poor unsuspecting souls that continued to have confidence in their products.
- Darla B., Oklahoma City, OK, US