230,000 km, 18 Month Update | 2013 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4matic Ownership Review

It's been a little over 18 months since I bought my 2013 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4matic sedan, how much has it cost me to keep it on the road at 230,000 kms? Find out in our ownership update video!

I bought my 2013 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4matic in January 2022 when I traded in my 2018 Ford Focus Electric, after needing an AWD vehicle to get through the winter, and a vehicle I could drive from Québec to Ontario after we decided to move in the summer. I bought this car with about 220,500 kms and have put about 10k kilometres on it since buying it.

One of the things we like to do here on TestDrive is talk about long term ownership of these luxury vehicles. While I haven't driven this car much, I have spent some money on maintenance and repairs. Totalling about $3,558.80 in maintenance since buying it, this car has cost me around $199/mo.

Maintenance includes 3 oil changes, 2 safety inspections, 3 tire swaps, a new OEM battery, A/C service, new aftermarket rear brake pads and rotors, a front brake service, two new front struts, and approximately $320 in misc costs to have dents removed from the vehicle. Most of the services were done at Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

I discuss how the car has been over the past year and a half, along with a quick road test to talk about the future of this car for me, and what repairs are still needed on it to keep this vehicle functional on the road.

TestDrive is proudly produced in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada.

[oooooooo]

Boy I watched your preview older videos about this car. Good to see that you still have it 🥰😃

[dean]

I bought mine new in 2011 c300 fully loaded for $38k with zero miles and after 119k miles still runs great. I replaced the seat cushion at MB for 550$, Steering column lock, $1200, transmission and cooling system $9, 000, belts n pulleys $500, infotainment knob $400. Brakes can last over 100k miles in this. Very reliable other than the trans issue, coolant leaked into the trans and killed it. Have the coolant lines and thermostat replaced, my advice.

[abumchukwuAmakaeze]

I got 1 after watching your review
Best entry car ever ❤love it

[DPROFIT-iq]

Ive got a 2008 w204 c300 4matic with the M272 and it's been great. I take it on longer road trips and its already high mileage (183k miles) so I've been pretty thorough with fluid flushes and major maintenance just to make sure it'll keep going. First car I've fundamentally liked. Its even got that old German sedan crayon smell, kind of smells like an old battleship

[deonkaseba]

No denying, it is a good vehicle. Personally, I'd love to own this particular model with a V6 under it. The downside of Mercedes engines is they seem a bit underpowered even with a supercharger or turbocharger mounted on it from factory. This particular engine is even underpowered as compared to the 2GR NA engine from Toyota, mostly found in Lexus IS350, Lexus GS350, Harrier G350, Mark X One good thing about the Benz engines is that are not very thirsty on gas.
Overall, good vehicle. I'd have loved to see the 2.5L with better power than what it is rated at, including the 3.5L itself.

[SoloDA]

The ac system best to really take a look with a black light to confirm WHERE exactly its leaking from, highly unlikly itll be all condensor, hoses and pump, while at it, check condensor drain from bottom of car to see if dye residue is there.

MB do sell just the bottom seat cover, or aftermarket, but easier to replace the bottom with good used, or a slip on cover to be cheapest.

Sunroof drain likely plugged, fix it before it become bigger problem. Ie water into passenger floor, shorting a bunch of things, then you'll really need to get rid of the car.

Brakes, tires, inspection, maintenance is similiar with most cars, so thats a non factor, just depends on how much you want to spend of the quality of parts, not like most people need "the best" out there, as theres not really such a thing 😅

(The following basically applies to all mb gas v6 and v8 etc from 2000s and up)

The engine oil leak is a concern though, if its the front cover / oil filter housing / oil cooler, just do it all at one go with a oil change and coolant change as it'll be required when doing the leak, sooner or later, they all eventually leak. While at it, get new belt, tensioner and all pullies.

If leak from the back side, it's likely the cam plugs, and oil separator cover leak. From time to time you may find a rear main leak on them, but fix from top down and obvious first.

[jimcabezola]

I'd first see if I could afford the fuel bill. I liked fuel sippers in my day (roughly 4.9 to 5.3 l per 100km was what I got out of my Honda CRX HF and my Toyota Prius). If you can afford the fuel, then enjoy the heck out of your purchase. Make it a bit more pleasant with your planned A/C repair. As the cliché goes: "Life's too short to drive boring cars." I never took this sage advice, lol! Mahalo and take care.

[jieruili]

That’s a great review. I would keep this beauty cuz there’s no mechanical fault other than the Ac, definitely worth keeping it as a daily commuter. I’m thinking about getting a 13 or 14 model year C300 4matic just like yours but with mileage between 70k and 90k in Toronto for less than 20, 000$ . Is that a good choice ?

[Marshal_Dunnik]

The two worst words with used car ownership: deferred maintenance

[Scouter]

I'd say these cars are worth it if you are mentally and financially prepared for it and do a lot of driving, at least 15...20k km per year, only then does the cost per km come down to a point where you can do some mental gymnastics to justify it over something reasonable like a Toyota. Although during the last 5 years or so Toyotas and other mid-level brands have stepped their game up so much that i couldnt justify the steep premium Germans charge for their (new) cars.
Looks like you bought a decent example, and it kind of sucks letting it go because you will have to sort out all of the little things with the next one you buy, very rarely are these cars sold when they are running fine.
Not a expert on the 204 but i did own a W203 for a while. Oh boy, i still have nightmares about it. In the early 2000s MB decided to put plastic panels throughout the underbody, so the state of the body itself cannot be examined just by looking at it. Once i was doing some repairs and started taking them off little by little i realized what i had bought. I am not exaggerating, there were no rocker panels and no floor. To this day i wonder what held the car together so that it didnt fold in half. From the outside it was immaculate, beautiful dark blue exterior with a cream leather interior, facelift model, one of the smoothest automatics i've driven. Looks can be deceiving is what i learned from all that.

[blazedkermit]

Have you had any ESL issues with the C300?

[AhmedAwawda-crbx]

I bought car 175k c300 2013 it been a week only O far so good

[Alex-rjsv]

w204's are great cars. fix the AC and enjoy it longer

[alexeymoujeer]

Feels like the Mercedes shop wants to use the parts cannon to fix the AC.

[Pro.]

Sounds like at the age of this car, it’s best for a DIYer that doesn’t have to go to the stealership every time something needs attention.

[nonofyourbusiness]

Looking at a 2013 with 155k km... wants 12k for it. Been well maintained. All the new domestic vehicles are crap and the japanese market so inflated. Same years with same luxury will have 100k extra km on it for more money lol.

[sonnyvisser]

Fix the problems bro its. A great car😮😮

[iceman]

The eco not work because there a second battery in the trunk

[cliffpeterson]

Nice cars but expensive to maintain as they get older . I would dump it now before you end up spending a lot of cash on a 10 year old money pit as always a nice review .

[Fade]

Mann I miss my aunt Benz and now she doesn’t has it because she totaled it😢