Engine Mercedes C class W204. Review of Mercedes Benz C-class W204 Usually, the owner of the C-class just goes to scheduled maintenance and changes consumables. But if serious problems arise, then it will not seem enough

The main advantage of buying a Mercedes-Benz C-class in the body of the W204 is the basis of the car, built on the basis of older models. Includes the main components and assemblies. Is it good? We will try to find out in this article.

Brief history of modification

This model appeared on the automotive market in 2007, and is produced in three body types: sedan, station wagon and coupe. As units for the model, a wide range of engines and several transmissions to choose from are presented. For example, for the Russian market, cars were equipped with gasoline engines: P4, 1.6 liters (156 hp) and 1.8 liters (156, 184 and 204 hp); V6, 2.5 L (204 HP), 3.0 L (231 HP) and 3.5 L (272 HP); diesel, P4, 2.1 l (170 and 204 hp). At the same time, it was possible to choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and two automatic 5- or 7-speed automatic transmissions with rear or all-wheel drive.

In 2011, the company restyled the C-class in the back of the W204. As a result, the car acquired a more aggressive look, thanks to a modified radiator grille, head optics, bumpers, and interior trim.

It should be noted separately that all cars of this model belong to the German assembly and have excellent quality paintwork. At the moment, only the coupe model continues to be produced. The rest of the bodies left the assembly line in 2013.

The quality of the power units

First of all, it is worth recognizing that in modern times, Mercedes has ceased to strictly tie power units to the indices of their cars. Therefore, on a car with the C 250 index, there may be a power unit with a displacement of 1.8 liters, which makes it difficult to determine the power and engine size on each specific model.

The description of the power units should start with the younger models, which have four cylinders and a working volume of 1.6 or 1.8 liters. All motors are based on the same basis. At the same time, units with a working volume of 1.8 liters are available in three versions capable of producing 156, 184 and 204 horsepower, with the only differences in the firmware of the electronic control unit. Models produced before 2010 were equipped with a mechanical compressor (which was noted on the trunk lid of the car), and subsequently, all power units of this type were equipped with standard turbines.

The main problem of these units is the timing chain drive. The fact is that over time, the chain stretches, despite the fact that the car maintenance regulations do not provide for its inspection or replacement. At a minimum, an indicator lamp on the instrument panel - “Check engine”, and increased engine noise will signal a problem. But it is worth recognizing that the stretched chain does not jump over the teeth, and this “nuisance” will not lead to the pistons hitting the valves.

In addition, in the gas distribution system, cases of failure of the phase shifter couplings on two camshafts are not uncommon. At the same time, the engine starts to work more noisily, and at startup, a creak may be heard. Most often, couplings wear out by 50,000 km. In principle, the chain can stretch at the same time. But it is worth noting that a small resource of timing elements is visible on factory components. When replacing elements with new ones, repeated problems appear in rare cases.

As the masters at specialized service stations note, the turbines and compressors installed on these units are quite reliable. The only thing is that units with mechanical compressors are noisier. But minders did not note any particular problems with these elements. In addition, they advised me to change the engine oil at least 10,000 km.

Atmospheric V-shaped engines with six cylinders are less common in Russia, but still they are found. There are no special problems with them, subject to regular maintenance and compliance with all routine maintenance. The same problems are noted as with previous engines, only the gas distribution system is more reliable. But there are also nuances with oil seals and plugs on the back of the motor, which can leak after 60,000 km.

The most important drawback of models with atmospheric sixes was the location of the electronic control unit inside the decorative engine cover. What exactly caused such an arrangement on pre-styling cars is unknown, but it greatly influenced the reliability of electronics. Due to constant overheating, the blocks often failed, and the elements on the electronic board could crumble. It is worth recognizing that today, repairing an ECU will not cost an exorbitant amount when contacting a specialized workshop, but buying a new one can cost up to 180,000 rubles.

In addition, in all engines on this model, there is a design flaw in the crankcase ventilation system. In winter, this system can freeze, and if you start moving without the engine completely warming up, then oil begins to get inside the intake system. In addition to the fact that excessive consumption of engine oil and accelerated contamination of the catalytic converter begins, problems with oil pressure in the system can also begin (there is no pressure control sensor on these units). Therefore, the car owner may notice the problem only after the power unit has jammed. As the masters advise, it is necessary to constantly monitor the oil level, and, if possible, replace the elements of the crankcase ventilation system for prevention.

As for the generator drive belt and attachments, its resource could have been longer, but the belt itself and rollers have to be replaced approximately every 50,000 - 60,000 km.

Also, some owners of the Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of the W204 noted the sticking of the electric thermostat in the open state. This does not cause any particular troubles, but the warm-up time in cold seasons increases significantly.

As for diesel power units, it is very difficult to meet such a C-class in Russian open spaces. Although these units are installed on other models, there are very few statistics on their repair. Therefore, there is nothing special to tell, except that these units are equipped with two turbines and, depending on the firmware of the electronic control unit, can produce 170 or 204 horsepower, with full structural compliance.

Transmissions on Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of W204

Pre-styling models, and as we remember, the car was updated in 2010, time-tested (since 1996) five-speed hydromechanical automatic transmissions were installed. Among contemporaries, this transmission is noted without problems and a service life of 200,000 - 250,000 km without repair work. But this condition remains subject to routine maintenance and proper operation.

The main drawback of automatic machines on these models is the cooling system shared with the power unit. And the transmission itself has a negative attitude towards overheating. Therefore, owners have to monitor the cleanliness of the radiator and carry out a complete cleaning with removal every 3 years or 60,000 km. In addition, some owners noted that antifreeze can get into the box after 100,000 km. The first symptoms will be the twitching of the box when shifting gears. If you start the situation, you will have to shell out a large amount for restoration (it is difficult to call all the work a repair), or for the purchase of a new unit.

For restyled models, the manufacturer began to install an upgraded version of the transmission in seven steps. New planetary gear sets and a clutch package were added to its design. A more complex design affected the reliability of the transmission. The seven-speed gearbox has become more sensitive to overheating and careless operation, despite the fact that the designers have not corrected the efficiency of the cooling system, and antifreeze can also get into the automatic transmission. But a new problem was that at an unexpected moment during operation, the box control board located inside could break. In this case, the main transmission control unit is located outside.

We have to admit that automatic transmissions are quite reliable. Most often, breakdowns occur due to careless or illiterate operation. For example, some drivers may not wait until the car comes to a complete stop before engaging reverse gear, which leads to strong shock loads and rapid wear of the mechanisms in the box.

According to the official service regulations, transmission oil in automatic transmissions should be changed every 60,000 km, and as the masters note, shortening the period will not lead to an extension of life. Therefore, in this matter, we rely on German engineers.

The Mercedes-Benz C-class in the body of the W204 with a mechanical transmission was sold in Russia, but most of the craftsmen did not meet them. And in the secondary market, this model with mechanics is a rarity.

Chassis and suspension of the C-class

First of all, it is worth noting that the older brother from the E-class series became the basis for the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz C-class W204. But many note that the “hodovka” and suspension are more reliable. However, it does require some attention.

In the front suspension, adjustable wheel bearings are the biggest concern. Because of their design, they need to be adjusted at every service. Otherwise, after some time, the bearing play will increase to such an extent that the brake disc will begin to cling to the brake caliper. In this case, the car owner will “get” for serious repairs.

The next element will be the silent blocks of the trailing arms, which will last from 60,000 to 80,000 km. But the repair will not be so expensive - silent blocks from the lever are on sale separately. Therefore, the acquisition of an expensive part can be postponed for a long time.

But the most unpleasant moment will be the short life of the front shock absorbers with thrust bearings. Unfortunately, in most cases, they are able to work up to 100,000 km, after which they will need to be replaced.

The rear suspension is less whimsical, and as a repair, you will have to change the silent blocks of the front beam support, on this, the repair of the rear suspension will be completed. Therefore, we can conclude that the operation of the Mercedes-Benz C-class W204 - if you rely on the repair of the walker, will not bring high costs. Even brake pads last from 30,000 to 50,000 km, it depends on the driving style. The only thing is that in cold seasons, the rear pads wear out faster due to the operation of the motion stabilization system.

Proprietary 4Matic all-wheel drive design - no hassle. The unit is made with a good margin of safety, and even powerful modifications of a car with a 3.5-liter engine do not break the clutches in the transfer case. The only thing, by the turn of 100,000 km, it may be necessary to replace the front gearbox oil seals. The same applies to the differential. There were only isolated cases of breakdowns, but after 150,000 km, oil seals will have to be replaced, and drive anthers live almost forever.

Also, the steering, steering column and power steering are no hassle. But there is one design flaw, which is that the steering lock mechanism can jam to such an extent that the owner cannot turn the key in the ignition (this does not happen on the go). The most unpleasant thing is that pre-styling models were equipped with a locking mechanism assembled in one piece with the steering column. Therefore, it was necessary to replace the assembly, but the restyled models were redesigned, and the mechanism is now more maintainable due to the collapsible design, although the problem remains. But you will have to buy and replace the mechanism at the official dealer service station, since this mechanism belongs to the anti-theft system, and plays an important role in the safety of the car.

The quality of the interior, electronic components and body

Basically, the build quality of the interior and the quality of materials in the C-class from Mercedes are of a very high level, and there are no complaints. The same applies to electronic control units inside the cabin, but they are afraid of moisture. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the humidity in the cabin and the accuracy of cleaning inside the car. The only thing that can fail at an unexpected moment is the multimedia system drive.

The air conditioning system in the car interior works flawlessly and requires refueling every 2-3 years. In addition to refueling, you will have to clean the radiator with its complete removal. But cases of repair or replacement of the compressor are rare.

Although optics does not cause additional frequent costs on the part of the owner, it has its own characteristics. For example, pre-styling models were marked by a periodic failure of the xenon lamp ignition unit, but the updated version completely lost this problem. Also, the headlight itself does not tend to fog up (unless it has been damaged), and there are no noticeable signs of haze on the glass. But LED optics was noted by the fact that in some cases, LEDs can shine in different colors. But the manufacturer denies the existence of a marriage or malfunction, because this fact does not affect the quality of lighting. Therefore, warranty replacements are not provided.

If we say that the body of the car is made of high-quality materials and with high-quality work, then it becomes clear that this car is worth buying for someone who wants to acquire a decent level of comfort, without any problems and at an adequate cost.

Conclusion

According to the statistics collected from the owners and masters of service stations, we learned that the Mercedes-Benz C-class in the back of the W204 is the car that requires only routine maintenance, and in rare cases, unscheduled repair of some components is necessary. Even considering the fact that this car did not become the number 1 target for car thieves, nevertheless, in the secondary market, you will have to carefully study the proposed options.

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Item 233913 not found.

The restyled silver “arrow” looks clearly more aggressive. But the softer features of the predecessor have their fans.

From the history of the model

ON THE CONVEYOR: since 2007

BODY: sedan, station wagon, coupe

RUSSIAN RANGE OF ENGINES: gasoline, P4, 1.6 l (156 hp) and 1.8 l (156, 184 and 204 hp); V6, 2.5 L (204 HP), 3.0 L (231 HP) and 3.5 L (272 HP); diesel, P4, 2.1 l (170 and 204 hp)

GEARBOX: M6, A5, A7

DRIVE UNIT: back, full

RESTYLING: in 2011, interior elements, lighting equipment, bumpers, hood and radiator grille were changed; a coupe version appeared; in-line gasoline engines changed from a mechanical supercharger to a turbocharger; five-speed "automatic" finally gave way to a seven-speed

CRASH TESTS: 2009, EuroNCAP, overall rating - five stars; protection of the driver and adult passengers - 82%; protection of passenger-children - 70%; pedestrian protection - 30%; security assistance systems - 86%

All cars with a W204 body are from Germany. Sedans and station wagons were removed from the assembly line in 2013, but a relatively fresh coupe is still being produced.

The car is not popular among hijackers - engineers could not waste their energy on a very effective and complex, multi-component immobilizer.

The quality of the paintwork is good. If you find defects, then only in the form of traces of unprofessional restoration repairs. The structure of the body is quite simple, so the repair will not require intricate technologies and tools.

FOR ONE PERSON

Indexes - for example, the same C 200 - most often do not correspond to the volume of the engine in cubic centimeters with a discarded zero, as it has been for many years. A car with a C 250 nameplate can have a 1.8-liter turbo engine, and a C 180 can have a 1.6-liter engine!

In-line four-cylinder petrol engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters are built on the same base. All of them are supercharged and until 2010 were equipped with a mechanical supercharger - such cars were distinguished by the Kompressor inscription on the trunk lid. Later, turbocharging combined with direct fuel injection (CGI index) took its place. Version 1.8 exists in three power options - 156, 184 and 204 hp, and the differences are reduced only to different control programs.

The most widespread are C-classes with engines of 156 and 184 forces. Practice has shown that the degree of forcing does not affect the resource of individual components and the motor as a whole.

We have already written about the problems of 184 hp engines. at Mercedes E-classes working in a taxi (ZR, 2014, No. 7). All of the above, albeit to a lesser extent, applies to all in-line C‑class gasoline engines.

The main sore is the timing drive. Sooner or later, the chain stretches due to wear of the links, although it is designed for the entire life of the motor (the regulations do not even provide for checking its condition). The problem will be reported by the Check lamp and increased engine noise. The good news is that stretching usually does not cause the chain to jump on the teeth and to meet the pistons with the valves.

Another weak link in the timing drive is the phase shifter couplings on both camshafts: the stoppers of the advance mechanism are broken. The motor again starts to work noisier, and a crack is heard during start-up. Most often, by the time the chain is stretched, the life of one of the couplings also expires. If you do it wisely, then you need to change all the problematic timing units at once so as not to open it again. Usually these troubles occur after 50,000 km, but it happened that the couplings died after 25,000 km. At the same time, cases of repeated replacement of timing elements are extremely rare.

Another common sore is a leaking oil filter module.

The mechanical supercharger is very reliable. The only negative is the increased noise level. Turbocharging is also distinguished by a good resource: the service does not recall cases of its replacement with “tseshki”. Additionally, a more frequent oil change (every 10,000 km) will help extend the life of the turbine - to avoid coking of its oil pipes.

Naturally aspirated V6 petrol engines are less popular. They are subject to the same timing problems, but to a lesser extent and at higher mileage. There are also oil leaks. After 60,000 km, the plugs in the rear of the block heads on the gearbox side begin to leak. Occasionally there is fogging of valve cover gaskets. On pre-styling machines, the control module is located in the decorative engine panel and suffers greatly from overheating (elements often fall off the board). There are workshops that will repair a failed module for reasonable money. A new one will cost 170,000 rubles! Starting in 2011, the control module was removed from the cover and fixed separately, which removed the problem.

All gasoline engines are characterized by freezing of the elements of the crankcase ventilation system. If you do not warm up the engine before driving in severe frost, then the oil begins to go directly into the intake system. The car does not have an oil pressure warning lamp (there is only an oil level sensor), so drivers sometimes do not notice problems until the engine jams. Similar troubles happen not only with Mercedes. At BMW, due to a frozen ventilation system, the pressure in the crankcase rises so much that sometimes the seals are squeezed out and the oil is thrown out. Even if you notice an indication of a dangerous level in time, do not be too lazy to replace some of the elements of the ventilation system - just in case.

When the crankcase ventilation system on V6 engines freezes, its main part is changed - the oil separator module on the engine block. And in in-line engines, the valve and pipes, which have time to coke heavily, are most often subject to replacement.

The drive of attachments does not shine with a resource - a belt and rollers. On gasoline engines, they are changed after 50,000–60,000 km due to whistling.

The electronic thermostat is also short-lived. It sticks in the open position. Usually this can be understood only in winter (the system does not give errors) - by slowly warming up the engine.

Diesel on the "tseshka" is a very rare thing in Russia, which is strange. After all, the same diesel BMW 3 Series is noticeably more popular. The 2.1 liter engine is equipped with two sequential turbines - low and high pressure. Depending on the control program, it produces 170 or 204 hp. - there are no structural differences. This engine is also installed on other Mercedes, but the failure statistics are very poor - no one could remember any problems with it.

THIS PANDORA'S BOX

Until 2010, a 5-speed hydromechanical “automatic” worked in tandem with in-line gasoline engines. It appeared back in 1996, has undergone several upgrades and is considered quite reliable: it lives up to 200,000–250,000 km - provided that several problems do not happen.

V6 motors have different volumes, but outwardly they do not differ. In the picture on the left - the unit of a restyled car. The decorative cover was changed, the engine control unit was moved to the side. "Tseshka" with a diesel engine (pictured on the right) is rarely seen on the roads.

The main one is connected with the cooling system common to the box and the engine. It happens that by 100,000 km antifreeze penetrates inside the box, because of which the “machine” starts to twitch and, if you do not pay attention to it, quickly dies. It is bad if the radiator is clogged with dirt: the box is sensitive to overheating. The usual interval for flushing a radiator with a complete removal is 60,000 km or every three years.

Since 2010, the five-speed unit has been replaced by a seven-speed unit, created on the basis of its predecessor: an additional planetary gear set and a clutch package have been added to the box. A more complex knot has become less reliable. The problem of the cooling radiator, which drives antifreeze into the box, remained unresolved; in addition, the unit began to suffer more from overheating. First of all, small friction clutches of higher gears die. In addition, the control board located inside the node may fail at any time (the control unit itself is located outside).

Most of the problems happen due to illiterate operation - for example, when reverse gear is turned on without waiting for the car to stop completely. In such modes, the mechanical elements of the "machines" suffer from shock loads.

The regulation prescribes changing the oil in the box every 60,000 km, and it makes no sense to reduce this interval.

Cars with a manual transmission were sold in Russia, but they were never seen in the service. And in the secondary market, “tseshki” with “mechanics” are rare guests.

In-line gasoline engines (1.6 and 1.8 liters) with a mechanical supercharger stood until 2009 inclusive on the pre-styling C 180 Kompressor and C 200 Kompressor. Updated (pictured right) in-line turbocharged gasoline engines have been installed since 2010 on the C 180, C 200 and C 250 versions. The 1.6 liter engine is still only available for the C 180.

CO-PLATFORM

The architecture of the chassis "tseshka" does not differ from the E‑class. But the reliability of the chassis elements of the younger model is higher.

The front suspension uses adjustable wheel bearings that require maintenance at every maintenance. If they are not adjusted, the play will become so large that the brake disc will begin to touch the caliper bracket - the repair will cost a pretty penny.

After 60,000–80,000 km, the silent blocks of the trailing arms die. They are available as separate parts.

By 100,000 km, the front shock absorbers fail and start knocking. Usually they are changed immediately with thrust bearings, which by this time are also very tired.

In the rear suspension, by 60,000–80,000 km, it is necessary to change the silent blocks of the front beam support. This is the only weak link. In general, the reliability of the front and rear suspensions can only be envied.

Front brake pads are enough for 30,000 km, rear - for 45,000. In winter, increased wear of the rear pads is possible due to the active operation of the stabilization system.

The modified control boards for the seven-speed "automatic", which are installed during replacement, live longer than the previous ones - at least three years. There is a benefit from changing the supplier of spare parts.

The differential doesn't cause much trouble. Gearbox oil seals survive 150,000 km, and cases of replacing drive anthers are rare.

There will be no problems with the 4Matic all-wheel drive transmission, except that by 100,000 km the anthers of the drives and the front gearbox oil seals may need to be replaced. Even a 3.5 liter engine is not able to harm the clutches in the transfer case.

With steering, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, the hydraulic booster and rail almost do not cause problems: nothing knocks, does not flow. Everything is relatively smooth with rods and tips. The trouble lurked in an unexpected place - in the steering shaft lock. At one "perfect" moment, it can jam without the ability to turn the ignition key.

On pre-styling models, the repair meant replacing the entire steering column. On the updated machines, the engineers made the assembly collapsible: the blocker can be replaced separately. But the question of durability has not been resolved. Since the blocker belongs to the anti-theft system, it can only be ordered and changed from an authorized dealer.

COMFORT ZONE

"Crickets" in the cabin are extremely rare, as are electrical failures. Sometimes the CD drive of the audio system fails. Other problems are mainly related to the ingress of moisture on the control units (for example, when washing too thoroughly) and their subsequent corrosion.

In inline gasoline engines, the oil filter module often flows at the junction of plastic and aluminum. With sudden changes in temperature (usually in winter), the contact surfaces simply warp.

The air conditioner works flawlessly. Compressor replacements are rare. As a rule, every two years you need to flush the radiator (you can’t do without removal) and refill the system.

Front optics are not subject to melting or fogging. On pre-styling machines, xenon ignition blocks in the headlights periodically fail. There are no such problems on the updated ones, but often the LEDs in the headlights shine in different colors. The manufacturer does not consider this a defect, so he did not carry out any service actions.

The rear lights are also no problem - except for the rare cases of melted connectors on the boards.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material technical centers "UNIT South-West" and "Star of the Capital" (the official dealer of Mercedes-Benz).

Outcome

Usually the owner of the C‑class just goes to scheduled maintenance and changes consumables. But if serious problems arise, then it will not seem enough - road repairs!

Word to the seller

Ilya GASILIN, Purchase and sales manager for used cars

In general, the C‑class is very much in demand in the secondary market. The most liquid version is C 180 with a 1.6 engine. Cars with more serious engines (starting with 1.8 with 204 hp) are not very popular. That is why the same C 250 will most likely leave at the price of C 180.

The situation is even worse with V6 engines, and there was no demand for diesels when selling new cars. What is most interesting, it is very important for buyers to have an AMG package, regardless of the configuration - such cars are sold out first. Moreover, this phenomenon is typical only for Mercedes: in the case of the M package for BMW or the S package for Audi, this trend is not observed.

In terms of value loss, the C-Class, like Mercedes-Benz in general, does not differ from competitors in the premium segment. In our showroom, used cars are waiting for their buyer from a month to a month and a half. In 90% of cases, the car had only one owner, and the average mileage is 40,000-90,000 km.

Word to the insurer

Victoria KAPUSTINA, Senior Salesperson, Financial Services Sales Department

Casco policy for a used C class is very expensive. As a rule, only 20% of buyers insure their cars. And most often with a franchise (usually 30,000 rubles) - to save money. High tariffs are due to the fact that for insurance companies, working with this car is very unprofitable. After all, mostly young people with little driving experience buy it. It’s good that the car is rarely stolen, otherwise the cost of a comprehensive insurance policy would be generally unaffordable.

Due to the changing economic situation in the country, insurance companies are changing their rates, and I can’t offhand name the approximate cost of a hull insurance policy for a traveled car. If we talk about a new car of the latest generation, then for an owner with a small driving experience, insurance, taking into account the deductible, will cost 10-15% of the cost of the car. And for a used C‑class, it is even more expensive. But this is a justified expense, especially in an unstable economic situation: everything will pay off during repairs.

Technician's Word

Andrey CHUDAEV, master consultant

As a service worker, I recommend the C class to my friends and acquaintances. Basically, the owners of "tseshek" come only for scheduled maintenance. Of course, there are all sorts of problems, but in general, I think the car is quite reliable. In terms of maintenance costs - a very good option for the premium segment.

Malfunctions in the chassis are a rarity. Problems with phase shifters and the timing chain on the most common 1.8 motors, according to our statistics, happen on three out of ten machines. But at the same time, there are plenty of examples when this knot held on for more than 200,000 km.

Malfunctions of the "machine" are rarely seen. Most often, there are no problems with it up to 200,000-250,000 km - of course, if the owner observes the oil change interval.

maintenance regulations

On modern Mercedes, the ASSYST PLUS service system, developed by Daimler AG, is used. With a certain duration of operation and the degree of wear of the elements, the car informs the owner of the need to undergo maintenance - it issues a code in which the required list of operations is encrypted. However, there are some fixed operations: changing the oil in an automatic transmission every 60,000 km, changing the brake fluid every two years, changing spark plugs every 60,000 km.

Word to the owner

Sergey LUKOVKIN, Mercedes-Benz C 250 Coupe (2011, 1.8 l, 204 hp, 85,000 km)

Initially, I wanted a coupe of the same class from BMW and considered the secondary market. I didn’t go deep into comparisons and just listened to the advice of a familiar reseller to pay attention to the C‑class. Bought the car almost a year ago with a mileage of 70,000 km. So far, there have been no technical problems. I know for sure that the previous owner went only for scheduled maintenance. The issue with Casco was not even raised, and the choice fell on insurance with a deductible. The savings came out good, and I'm not going to run around the authorities because of possible small things. In general, I am pleased with the car, but, to be honest, I expected more from it. This is my first coupe, and the stereotype was firmly in my head that there should be more sports in the nature of such a car. In fact, I lack the drive. The steering seemed mediocre, as did the acceleration dynamics. But in terms of comfort, everything is at a very high level.

mercedes benz w204

If the soul demands to buy a car from the premium segment, but with the purchase of a used Cayenne, you can only buy *a vacuum cleaner for money*. It is worth seriously considering the mercedes benz w204. With a class in a Mercedes, created as a reduced copy, a small frisky car capable of giving drive and comfort.

Model History

Mb c180 w204 is the third generation in the c-class after the W202 and W190(w201) bodies. Produced since 2007, in sedan and station wagon body. 4 years after restyling, mercedes benz w204 became available for sale with more powerful engines, new headlights and additional options for passenger comfort in the car. In the winter of the same year, a new Mercedes w204 coupe was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
The w204 body was produced until 2014, it was replaced by the W205. For 7 years, almost two and a half million copies of cars rolled off the assembly line.

Exterior

The appearance of the 204 body and small parts of the Mercedes depends on the configuration (Classic, Elegance, Vanguard), as well as the sports package and tuning mercedes c63 amg w204.
The sport package contains Mercedes body kits and sills. The Avangard configuration does not have a Mercedes badge on the hood. It is located on a false grille and the entire *skirt* is chrome plated. Mercedes headlights - turn behind the wheel, lower and rise at the sight of cars in front. Xenon headlights, LED foglights (during the day they shine brighter, and at night they work like running lights).
After restyling, the mercedes w204 itself turns on the high beam on the highway, and cuts out a beam of rays in the shape of the car in front. Trunk volume of 475 liters and a wide opening. P17 wheels with branded rims from Mercedes Benz.

Interior

In the Mercedes 204, there is little space for rear passengers, the roof is low. Landing in a mercedes benz c204 is uncomfortable due to the high threshold. The backrest tilt is comfortable for long trips. The sofa shares an armrest. In the middle of the central tunnel in the cabin there is an ashtray, a socket and a foot warmer. The armrest has cup holders and a phone compartment. The ceiling is lined with black fabric.

On the front seat of a mercedes benz in a c class w204 body, as always, everything is expensive and practical. Missing under the steering gear lever, the box is switched from the selector. Above the two-zone climate control, there are many buttons for controlling the electronics in the cabin. The screen on the center console is not touch. The command system provides access to the Internet, and has an emergency call function.

Dashboard wells mercedes benz c class 2008, illuminated with white LEDs. The chairs are comfortable, aggressive dense lateral support. Comfortable sports, leather multi steering wheel. Landing in the car is low, it will not seem convenient for everyone. Armchairs are adjustable in height and backrest, heating and ventilation are available as an option.

Engines

The most running mercedes c250 w204 engine with a volume of 1.8 liters, a reliable good power unit. Dorestyle w204, these motors were equipped with mechanical superchargers (badge on the Kompressor trunk). The power of such a motor is 156 and 200 horsepower, and forcing is achieved by reconfiguring the electronic control systems of the units. The power of the Mercedes s180 power plant does not affect the reliability and life of the engine. Compressor engine with a capacity of 184 horsepower. In terms of reliability, all engines in the w204 coupe are the same, and you only need to know one thing about them, they prefer expensive high-quality fuel and oil needs to be filled in every 10 thousand runs to avoid coking of oil lines. The resource without repair is 200 thousand kilometers.

The main problem with the w204 Mercedes engine is the timing chain. In the region of 100 thousand mileage, it begins to slowly stretch, then rattle, but subsequently does not lead to engine jamming. The chain starts to eat the stars of 2 of them. the cost of each $ 500. You can check this malfunction with w204 when reviewing a car with a cold engine. When buying a car with a mileage of more than 100 thousand km, it is better to change the chain immediately. Couplings of phase shifters on camshafts, breaks up to 120 thousand mileage. Ideally, they should be replaced along with the chain, so that in the future there will be no problems with the operation of the engine.

Problems and malfunctions

The problem of Mercedes Benz c class 204 after restyling is gasoline in oil. It is possible to detect this when the oil level rises sharply, if you remove the dipstick from it, it smells strongly of fuel. It is possible to fix the breakdown by replacing the crankcase ventilation system ($ 100). Replacing the nozzle (if it flows and gasoline enters the cylinder) costs $ 230. If this is not done, the engine is very troit during acceleration, and in the future it may entail a major overhaul.

7-speed hydromechanical automatic (this is the same 5-speed automatic as before, but installed on the w204 c300 4matic after restyling in 2011, an additional planetary gear and clutch package was added to it). The box is very sensitive to oil overheating. The transmission control module is installed directly into its housing, respectively washed with oil. From overheating of the oil, it very often melts and crumbles and the box stops working properly.

In rare cases, w204 can get antifreeze into the box through the main radiator. It corrodes the paper layer on the clutch. The box begins to kick and slip, channels are clogged with paper dirt, and it completely stops working. Repair will cost from 2200 thousand dollars.
Mercedes w204 front shock absorbers, if they start to knock and need to be replaced, the original ones cost $ 200 apiece, non-original ones $ 150-170 per 1 piece.

Specifications

In stock, the w204 mercedes was supplied with rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive could be purchased as an option. Multi-link suspension as standard and optional air suspension. Gearbox - 5-speed manual or automatic transmission for 5 and 7 gears. Since 2010, the 7-G Tronic has been equipped with a start-stop system. The c180 w204 engine starts quietly and starts smoothly. The BlueEFFICIENCY system provides fuel savings and improves the environmental friendliness of emissions into the atmosphere. Very comfortable steering wheel, easy to manage. Gear shifts smoothly without jerks.

Comfort Mercedes w204 does not tune in to aggressive driving, soundproofing completely eliminates extraneous sounds in the cabin. Fuel consumption up to 12 liters in the city 8 liters on the highway. The higher the speed, the better the Mercedes Benz 204 in the back holds the road, and the steering wheel is filled with heaviness. Acceleration to hundreds with rear-wheel drive in 8.5 s., With a full 7.5 s., Sports package in 6 s, w204 tuning from 3.9 to 4.7 s. Mercedes autostart can be installed independently at the service, this will make life easier for the inhabitants of the cold regions of the country.

A small rear-wheel drive Mercedes C-class in the third generation (W204) appeared in 2007, and in 2011 the car underwent restyling, as a result of which the appearance changed - bumpers, taillights were modified, LED running lights appeared instead of fog lights, as well as headlights. lights, which are now L-shaped. The interior of the cabin has also changed, which began to look more luxurious and expensive compared to the pre-styling version. Also, as an option for restyling, the automatic transmission "7G-Tronic Plus" with the "Start-Stop" system began to be offered.

Mercedes Benz W204 was produced for seven years ... Many had the feeling that the Germans were trying to make amends for not the best impressions left by the previous W203 body in seven years. The body of the Mercedes-Benz W204 had 3 variations: sedan, station wagon, and since 2011 also a coupe.

Mercedes Benz W204 2007

Mercedes in the back of the W204 was produced with both gasoline and diesel engines. The drive could be rear or full 4matic. In the Russian Federation, the most common gasoline versions of the workshop are the C180: 1.8l engine. ( engine model M271) from 156hp; C200: 1.8l engine. (M271) with 184hp; C230: 2.5l engine. (M272) with 204hp; C280: 3.0 engine (M272) with 231hp; C300: 3.5l engine. (M276) with 250hp; C350: engine 3.5l. (M272 (pre-styling) and M276 (restyling)) with 272 and 306 horsepower depending on the engine model. There were also AMG versions with M156 6.2l petrol engines that could produce more than 500hp.

Characteristics of gasoline engines Mercedes-Benz W204

Of the diesel engines, the C200 CDI can be noted: 2.1l engine. (OM646, OM651) with 136hp; C220 CDI: 2.1l engine. (OM646, OM651) with 170hp; C250 CDI: 2.1l engine. from 204hp; C300 CDI: 3.0l engine. (OM642) with 231hp; C350 CDI: 3.0l engine. (OM642) with 265 horsepower under the hood.

Among the diesel units of this car, the most trouble-free were, perhaps, 2.1-liter units produced before 2009.

Mercedes Benz W204 2007

There were practically no complaints about the dual-disc flywheel of diesel engines. By right it can be considered the most enduring in its class. Although, one cannot fail to say that in the event of a replacement, the clutch kit with a dual-mass flywheel will hit the family budget painfully.

But the regulator responsible for controlling the airflow of the turbine is considered the weak link of the diesel version of the W204. Its failure is accompanied by a loss of power and an increased fuel appetite. Some services offer regulator repair. An early failure of the pump is also a common malfunction of the diesel 2.1-liter "tseshki".

Interior Mercedes Benz W204 2007

Diesel units were updated after restyling in 2009. The engines became more powerful, the timing chain was moved to another part of the engine. But the new injection system from Delphi turned out to be rather capricious. All this led to the fact that the repair of such motors became more expensive.

All diesel engines are equipped with a particulate filter, which after a few years of operation begins to cause trouble, and first of all for those who move most of the mileage around the city. It's good that many services now offer particulate filter restoration services, which are many times cheaper than replacing it.

With an increase in mileage, W204 engines, and especially diesel engines, begin to consume oil. Rarely, but antifreeze leaks occur, and also the thermostat quietly fails.

Mercedes Benz W204 AMG 2007

Owners of a gasoline “tseshka” should periodically monitor the timing chain, which can stretch already at the 100,000th run. The cost of replacing it is quite high, and its stretching can be diagnosed only with the help of special equipment.

In V6 gasoline units, the chain lives a little longer, but the work of replacing it is more complicated, and therefore more expensive. Gasoline engines with a large volume have a defect in the teeth of the sprocket balancer shafts. Correcting the problem will make the owner pay a decent amount of money.

The fragility of the viscous coupling of the generator and the air conditioning compressor should be added to the "underhood" problems. Often oil leaks from under the valve cover.

Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupé C204 2011

Yes, the former durability of modern Mercedes is not enough. Previously, the owners of the German brand could not even imagine that a manual transmission could cause problems. But the W204 has them, and they are expressed by the rapid failure of the synchronizers of the first and second gears. And the "automatic", in turn, likes to "snot" with oil.

If you are buying a used 204, be sure to diagnose the engine, gearbox, and cardan mounts.

It’s good, of course, that the three-liter diesel unit has a lot of torque, but its 7-automatic transmission does not think so, which is expressed through a breakdown of the torque converter and hydraulic gearbox valves.

The steering of this generation of Mercedes cannot be called reliable. Moreover, its weak point is the power steering pump.

Mercedes-Benz W204 2011

All "C" models in the 204th body are equipped with the "Agility Control" package, which is designed to adjust the dynamics of the car in various road conditions. And thanks to him - the cost of some suspension parts has become much more expensive, for example, shock absorbers with variable stiffness are not cheap.

The electrics of the car are quite complex, and have small annoying "glitches". Although there are problems that can completely immobilize the car. For example, a malfunction of the ignition switch module. The operation to repair it is very expensive and is carried out exclusively at the official service.

Another common malfunction is premature wear of the radiator fan motor brushes. Sometimes the navigation and audio system control system can “fail”. Display defects have been identified on some machines. It is treated only by its replacement.

A very common problem is non-working due to the loss of mass of the rear lights. The fact is that after some time of operation, the mass wire is melted, which leads to loss of contact or to its weakening. Repair is possible, again, only at the "officials". I don't think it's worth talking about its high cost.

On many models, exterior mirrors creak when folded, wiper blades “turn sour”, power windows fail. On early models, the screen could stop moving out of the panel. All these faults require significant funding to eliminate them.

Interior Mercedes-Benz W204 2011

The interior of the car has a decent level of comfort. The quality of the finish, the accuracy of fitting parts at height. The body of this Mercedes is not subject to corrosion, which "nightmare" the owners of the previous "tseshek".

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the purchase of such a machine should be accompanied by a mandatory visit to a specialized service for a complete diagnosis on a Mercedes scanner, since it is easy to buy a hemorrhoid, and there may not be enough money for its treatment. Oh, and one more thing - do not buy a used Mercedes with the last money, and even more so - in debt.

A selection of reviews, video review and test drives Mercedes Benz W204:

Crash test Mercedes Benz W204:

The restyled silver “arrow” looks clearly more aggressive. But the softer features of the predecessor have their fans.