Advice on buying a 300C CRD

[Chris77]

Hi All

I am seriously considering buying a 2009 300C CRD SRT Design. It is from a main dealer with impeccable history. I had convinced myself this is the car for me, all the reliability indexes detail this car as being reliable. I understand there may be a few quality issues, however I have now read through so many issues on this site that my intentions are starting to waver.

Whilst I know most posts will be problems on forums as people rarely write about how reliable their cars are every day. Please can I have some advice on what is likely to go wrong with this spec of car, how often common faults are being seen and rough expected costs.

I commute each day to the tune of around 20,000 miles each year. I'm looking for a reliable comfortable commuting car which is different from the pack.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks
Chris

[esgyrndafydd]

Originally Posted by Chris77

Hi All

I am seriously considering buying a 2009 300C CRD SRT Design. It is from a main dealer with impeccable history. I had convinced myself this is the car for me, all the reliability indexes detail this car as being reliable. I understand there may be a few quality issues, however I have now read through so many issues on this site that my intentions are starting to waver.

Whilst I know most posts will be problems on forums as people rarely write about how reliable their cars are every day. Please can I have some advice on what is likely to go wrong with this spec of car, how often common faults are being seen and rough expected costs.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks
Chris

Look no further; job done. It's a good car, an E class Merc platform with a more interesting body. As with al cars there are problems but nothing that should cause any anxiety. Keep it serviced according to the schedules and you should have no more reliability problems than with any other car.

Ive done 8,000 miles in the last six months and had no complains. It's comfortable and suits my requirement - for a high speed armchair - very well. Having the touring it also swallows pretty well anything I want to carry in it.

Most of the early issues were history by 2009 so I would suggest you try it and if you like it then the next step is yours. Base your choice on your own feelings and then make a decision. You will hear horror stories about every car - I had a Range Rover that fell to bits, a Citroen that was trouble free and a Volvo that cost me a fortune in gearboxes...

[Chris77]

Hi David

Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure the 300C is for me. I have come across a few threads about how to prevent swirl issues so I'm fairly confident on the purchase. I'm just checking on potential costs for common failures as several invoices of four figures is not something budgeted for! The car would come with a one year warranty and I can change ball joints etc after that, but swirl motor exchanges at £1000+ a time is the kind of thing to encourage me to walk away.

[DGO]

Originally Posted by Chris77

Hi David

Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure the 300C is for me. I have come across a few threads about how to prevent swirl issues so I'm fairly confident on the purchase. I'm just checking on potential costs for common failures as several invoices of four figures is not something budgeted for! The car would come with a one year warranty and I can change ball joints etc after that, but swirl motor exchanges at £1000+ a time is the kind of thing to encourage me to walk away.

Hi I bought my 58 last year and love it. By far the most comfortable and easiest to drive car I've covered long distances in. So my vote - why not? if you've found one you like

There are a few niggles and plenty of advice/help on the forum though I think most of the members here seem to love their cars. For me the sheer size can be fun sometimes, for example parking in multi-stories and I haven't got my bluetooth to work yet.

On your swirl motor point there's a fix for less than 50p: Swirl Motor - cheap replacement solution (Pennies!) and if you have a search on this forum you'll find a number of preventative measures like hoses and catch cans

The stickies at the top of the forum page are worth a read - for example: Buyer's Tips - CRD

Whatever you choose - good luck

[badgx]

The seats on the SRT are really comfortable and nice. I would like to change my seats to black SRT or SRT8 ones

Good luck with the purchase

[esgyrndafydd]

Originally Posted by DGO

For me the sheer size can be fun sometimes, for example parking in multi-stories and I haven't got my bluetooth to work yet.

It's no bigger than a 7 series BMW, smaller than a Q7, A8 or XJ, 5cm longer than an A6 and so on. Yes, it LOOKS big and, because of the design it may FEEL big but, it actually isn't. There are many similar sized cars.

[devilmaycare]

Originally Posted by esgyrndafydd

It's no bigger than a 7 series BMW, smaller than a Q7, A8 or XJ, 5cm longer than an A6 and so on. Yes, it LOOKS big and, because of the design it may FEEL big but, it actually isn't. There are many similar sized cars.

The attached pic gives you an idea of relative sizes. However, I've never ventured into a multi-storey with it. No reliability issues and it still turns lots of heads after 6 yrs.

[kugabooga]

Hi there ,

I recently bought an 08 plate CRD . so far I've had a small problem that needed a software update from the dealers ( ECU re-flash ) .

But I would have no problem buying another one , Road presence and comfort are fantastic . I would hazard a guess that my next car will be a 300c , maybe a 5.7 v8 next time, although a CRD would also be fine .

Overall i can't recommend the car enough , I came from BMW to this and haven't had any regrets .

This forum is a great source of information and they are a great bunch of folk who are always happy to help and answer questions without bias or prejudice .

Also my car is a Touring model , it's massive inside,

Whatever your choice , enjoy !

[J_LI]

I also came from 5 series to 300c, awesome car for the money, the value of it will never be beaten. Great to cruise about in, great to customise and you know there are hardly any about like it. The good thing is I can't see them ageing for at least another 5 years apart from the interior which lets it down Abit IMO. If you could put the interior of the new 300c into this shape one it would be perfect car.

Don't listen to horror stories just buy it and go with your feeling. I looked at about 6 of them till I came across the one I ended up with, just felt right. The Reactions it can get are surreal sometimes, I've seen people shouting their mates and pointing at it lol as if it was a Ferrari, what other car can you pick up for £15k in standardish (srt) spec that would get similar reactions.

[paul@thecustom300cshop]

i couldnt say any more that all the above. great cars