My friend has a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT 5 speed LTD currently with almost 60,000 miles and is getting tired of the rattles. He likes the performance of it and is considering a c230 Sport. He wants something reliable, with solid quality, features and is fun to drive. Don't get me wrong I really like MB, but only if I was making a good chunk of money considering the hassle of repair costs, CE lights, overall I hear they are truly finicky cars and nothing like Honda/Toyota reliability. I am trying to steer him away from the c230 Sport in fact even though I really like how it looks I just don't think it will fit the bill. Mainly because of the reliability and lack of "ooomph". His current car is a solid mid 13 second car. What do you MB guys think of these kompressors?

 

Tell him to get a Lexus IS350. Extremely reliable, cheap, and has 300bhp.

 

Too much money

 

well it all depends... 06-07 c230 SS arent kompressors, just a small v6, but the 06-07 have all the kinks all figured out from the previous years.. I think they are great cars. I bought an 06 2 years ago for my little brother and he loves it. Havent had any problems with it except maybe some squeaky belts, but warranty takes care of it... If hes looking for power this is not the car for him, although there are tons of mods for this car that could get it up there, the cost of it might not be worthwhile if money is an issue... Overall as far as reliability goes its a good choice, but its all show no go... hope this helps.

 

M-B and "reliable" cannot be used in the same sentence in my opinion!

I speak from first hand experience.

The Lexus would be a much better car and will require considerably less maintenance.

 

That is what I thought. What MB did you have that gave you hell?

 

03 CL500 that even M-B can't fix.

It's a lemon law suit to be settled the 28th of this month.

Stay away from M-B. Go Japanese.

 

Wife has the 2006 C230 Sport Sedan, which has the 2.5L V6 and 6-speed manual transmission. She has owned the car for almost three years, and zero problems so far. She is going to get a 2009 C300 in a few months.

I think all those reliability stories are from the early 2000 era. Since 2006, Mercedes has done a lot to crank up the reliability, and nowadays it is as reliable (or as unreliably) as other German cars.

With best regards,

 

Every company has their problems.

I have had my '99 C230k for almost seven years now, and in its entire existence it has had ZERO problems. NOT ONE!

My bro used to have an 02 Toyota Celica, it was a piece of ****. Car was not reliable at all. Idk why people think that Japanese is so great, they have had their fair share of problems too.