C180 (W203) Sport edition

[130r]

Hi I am new to this forum. Currently looking at a 5 yr old W203 sports edition. Most on SG carmart are single owner with mileage apprx 100 - 130K. Would like to ask the experts here any issues to take note of for this model at this age. Is it necessary to overhaul the gear box at a certain mileage like BMW?

[blackmercs]

Welcome!! Those days for bimmer is common to overhaul the engine once it hit 100km. Nowadays i doubt is a commin practice now. As for mercs till date i hv not heard anyone here send their engine for overhaul when reach above 100km.

[130r]

Hi Blackmercs, thanks for your input. How about the gearbox? Require to overhaul above 100K? Any other common issues for W203 that I should take note of? Or they are just normal wear & tear?

Thk u.

[blackmercs]

Frankly if u are planning to get a car mileage over 100km is wise good to service the gear box & engine at one go. Not too sure MBM or Starblack has service these parts for mercs. If i can remember correctly, those days for bimmer E30 or E36 engine overhaul damage is like $1200. Too bad Khiang Auto (TWM) no longer in business else they are specialise in gear box servicing.

Do you have contacts for servicing gear box & engine? If you do, please share with us, else is better you ask around before commits a W203 with over 100km mileage.

[kepiting1sg]

My brother is driving my previous 2004 W203 is at 100k km.

So problem do far other than the usual maintenance.

IIRC 1 of our moderator Cklasse traded in his 2004 W203 to CnC.

I believe his ride hit >170k+ km without major problems.

IMHO if u found one U like, send to a reliable source for evaluation.

The W203 is a reliable ride. Buy & enjoy!

[Cklasse]

As far as this 5 speed gearbox of the W203 concern, it works without problem, so is the M271 engine. Common issues with the W203 engine is the oil leak at some connector in front of the engine that will eventually seep into electrical wiring harness, and that will be costly to replace. One recommendation is go MBM for a service and they will be able to pick up this fault if there is any.

100k km W203 will likely have issues such as engine mount worn, torsion arm bushing worn, radiator tube crack, and others. Check out the link for problems that I have listed in my 8 years of owning the W203 for 200k km.

Here's the link to the common problems that will occur for a W203.

http://www.sgmerc.com/index.php?/topic/1203-w203-problem/page__hl__%2Bw203+%2Bproblem__fromsearch__1

This W203 is a reliable car if proper care is given, and this explains why I am comfortable to go for the W204 recently.

[130r]

Hi guys, many thanks for your info. I guess I can seriously consider the W203. Hope to own 1 unit soon.

[tolchi]

There are a few with low mileage.

[mercc]

With getting a high mileage pre loved, may need to do overhaul sooner.

For my W203, I had to change the aircon compressor and did a overhaul on the gearbox.

But still, this is a reliable car and a joy to own.

Maybe try searching for a lower mileage car...

[blackmercs]

With getting a high mileage pre loved, may need to do overhaul sooner.

For my W203, I had to change the aircon compressor and did a overhaul on the gearbox.

But still, this is a reliable car and a joy to own.

Maybe try searching for a lower mileage car...

All my previous bimmer after 3 yrs of ownership, 3 things will double confirm breakdown is like in the package thingy.

1) air con leak - change the entire set damage $1200 outside workshop.

2) radiator leak - replaced brandnew - $500 plus wirh PML plus 3 months warranty.

3) Roof liner (interior) - $200 plus outside workshop.

That is one of the reason i avoid bimmer

[bbwannabe]

The W203 (Sports Edition) is great. I owned one and loved it. It has a unique design and is surprisingly nimble.

One piece of advice, get the C200 W203 instead. A bit more power + Parktronic. The drive becomes so much enjoyable.

And last time I looked, they both cost roughly the same. (Weird market conditions? I don't know)

[130r]

yes, I was considering a 4 - 5 yr old 320i but was concern on the repair cost. I also search around and the gearbox require to overhaul at apprx 100k or so. Damage is apprx 5K!!

yes, prefer the sports edition with the bigger wheels and sportier interior. Saw most on SG Carmart are C180. But I read in this forum it is possible to "chip up" to increase HP. Any idea on the reliability issues and cost of "reflashing ECU" ?

[mercc]

All my previous bimmer after 3 yrs of ownership, 3 things will double confirm breakdown is like in the package thingy.

1) air con leak - change the entire set damage $1200 outside workshop.

2) radiator leak - replaced brandnew - $500 plus wirh PML plus 3 months warranty.

3) Roof liner (interior) - $200 plus outside workshop.

That is one of the reason i avoid bimmer

Before I started with merc, had a 3 series bimmer.

Bought brand new from PML, but after one year plus only issues started to arise.

About the same as what you described plus some others.

Sold the car after owning it for few years and bought a c class from c&c.

Have not looked back since.

[bbwannabe]

But I read in this forum it is possible to "chip up" to increase HP. Any idea on the reliability issues and cost of "reflashing ECU" ?

imho, if you read more thoroughly, the gains can't compare with the actual throughput of the C200.

higher model, more prestige, real power, no mucky around with $8-$20k ECU, more kit (parktronic, thermotronic, etc) and higher omv.

[hanks]

With getting a high mileage pre loved, may need to do overhaul sooner.

For my W203, I had to change the aircon compressor and did a overhaul on the gearbox.

But still, this is a reliable car and a joy to own.

Maybe try searching for a lower mileage car...

Mercc, can disclose how much you have spent to change the aircon compressor for your W203? Did you change back the same model compressor?

[mercc]

Mercc, can disclose how much you have spent to change the aircon compressor for your W203? Did you change back the same model compressor?

Sure, spent around one k to change it at one of the workshop in Sin Ming.

That was done few years back, not sure on current price.

Not original merc part, but till now still working fine.

If go back c&c will be too ex.