Two problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2003 Mercedes Benz C230. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I was driving the vehicle home from work and heading uphill. My automatic air conditioning clicked off, and then I noticed a strong chemical smell. Smoke came out from under my hood. There was no safe place to pull over, so I drove another 1/4 mile until I crested the hill and came to a dip. I noticed flames coming toward me from between the driver door and the dash. I immediately pulled my car over and put it in park, grabbed my stuff and got out. The car completely burned up. I get my car regularly maintenanced by the dealer, and it said I had 1800 or 1900 miles until my next service.
I am the owner of a c-230 4 door sedan VIN# wdbrf40j93f386357. I have an issue that I was looking into addressing when another major issue just arrose that I need help from the manufacturer who I have contacted but not received a response. 1) last week I decided to quote insurance and make a change to allstate. Once they put in the VIN# major issues came. The price was way different then what I was paying with Mercury. To make this short, after talking to my broker at Mercury, it turns out my 4 door has the VIN# of a 2 door coupe. I called beverly hills ltd where I purchased the car new. They did nothing. I have the original temp registration from the day I purchased the car new, and the dealer typed coupe not four door and on the lease agreement. I did not notice this. Here are my issues. The coupe is more expensive on insurance - I have been overpaying since 2/2003. 2nd, am I paying a fair lease rate if the VIN# is for another body style. This car has been nothing but nightmare to deal with since the day I purchased it. It has been serviced 8 times, transmission work, 2 computers, camshaft, new radio, idle issues, brake system failed, and so on. It's a complete lemon. It is going in next week again. I have only 21,000 on the car, and drive my 2nd car more a 79 300sd mercedes as it is more reliable then this new car. I need somewhere, someone to go to, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, darren weingarten - phone or email.