Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG

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Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Repair and Maintenance

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Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Car Reviews (1)

2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG, WadeLovell, San Diego, CA, January 26, 2009 18:52

Great little car in a lot of ways. Excellent power. Terrific handling once one turns off the traction control. Stock it puts out 349hp.

Issues:
1) MB is the only car manufacturer in the world that cannot make a decent lock actuator. Unlike the electric ones which work for twenty years, the vacuum units on the MB fail regularly. One has to drill out the pop rivets for the airbag to replace the driver's vacuum acuator. Plan to spend $500 to have a shop replace it.

2) The secondary air injector and its relay are very common failure items. Plan to spend $800 to $922 to have a shop replace them.

3) This monster eats rear tires. Six months or six thousand miles is acceptable according to the Costco in Poway, CA, Herb their service manager, and Jacob, the assistant buyer for tires nationwide. $1600 a set.

4) The air dam is low. It is in danger around many curbs and parking lot planters/wheel stops. $2200 with matching paint.

5) The transmission is harsh at 1500 rpm on many of these.

6) High maintenance costs and extremely high repair costs.

7) Brake pads are hard to replace (drift pin design) and the calipers do not come painted from the factory.

8) It is very hard to enjoy and retain a driver's license.

If you have the budget, this car is a monster.

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Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Problems

Brakes
  • Due to the size and materials of the brakes on these vehicles, the brakes start to squeak around the 50 percent wear point. The brake rotor surfaces become uneven, causing a lip to form at the outer edge of the rotor. Because of this, the rotors are usually replaced when the pads are worn (pad life varies depending on driving style and terrain).
  • Brake fluid should be flushed every two years to prevent premature anti-lock brake system (ABS) failure.
Engine
  • Oil leaks from the PCV vent housings on the valve covers and inspection plates on the front of the engine are common.
  • The rubber bond in the harmonic balancer can decay, which causes the balancer to move and work its way into the timing chain cover. If the balancer comes into contact with the timing cover while the engine is running, it will fracture and damage the timing case and potentially other surrounding parts. The harmonic balancer should be inspected at every service.
  • Oil leaks from the oil level sensor are common.
  • The crankshaft position sensors tend to fail. Symptoms of this are: The engine will crank—but not start—especially when the engine is warm. The car may start again if it is left to cool off, but it may run roughly or have poor performance. Communicating these specific symptoms to your technician can save diagnostic time.
Exhaust & Emissions Bad spark plug wires and ignition coils can cause intermittent misfires (rough running); the Check Engine Light may illuminate.
Suspension & Steering
  • Irregular and premature tire wear can be caused by the front thrust link bushings cracking and causing excessive movement in the suspension. The thrust link bushings are fluid-filled (to help reduce vibration), so if they crack, they will leak oil.
  • Sway bar end link joints cause a knocking noise when going over bumps.
  • The hold down nut for the upper front strut area can become loose, causing a knocking noise. This can be repaired without removing the strut assembly.
Drive Train
  • A vibration felt through the center floor of the vehicle can be caused by driveshaft flex discs, which crack and shred, causing excessive driveshaft movement. Not repairing these can cause damage to the driveshaft center support bearing, or, in the worst case scenario, damage to the transmission or differential.
  • High mileage or older vehicles develop leaks at the differential seals and cover; the whole unit needs to be resealed to repair the leaks.
  • The wire connector on the transmission leaks fluid into the wiring harness. If not repaired, the oil will migrate through the wiring harness and damage the transmission control module. A new harness and control module are required to fix the problem.
Electrical & Lights
  • Brake light switch failure can cause the ESP and BAS warnings to illuminate.
  • A bad seat control module can cause a dead battery. Spilling liquid on the front seats can cause these modules to fail.
  • CD changers suffer from internal mechanical problems and may need replacement.
  • The SRS (airbag) light may illuminate if liquid is spilled into the seat belt buckles or pools underneath the seat and gets into the electrical connector for the seat belt pretensioners.
Heating & Air Conditioning
  • A repetitive clicking noise from behind the center area of the dash panel is usually caused by a broken stepper motor actuating arm. The actuating arm controls the direction of air flow in the climate control system. Disassembly of the center console will be required to access and change the broken arm with the updated, reinforced part.
  • The heater case for the center vents can crack near the stop sensors. If the stops break, the control motor will not know when to stop and will run continuously.
  • The heater box is susceptible to mildew buildup.

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Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Recalls and TSBs

Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Recalls (Recent)

Body, Interior & Misc.: SEAT BELTS
Campaign Number: 03V534000
Dates Manufactured: 08/2003 to 10/2003
Number of Vehicles Affected: 4,348
Model Years Affected: 2004
Date Owner Notified: 12/2003

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003 120006.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG Technical Service Bulletins (Recent)

None reported.

 

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Recent Mercedes-Benz Repair Estimates

Water Pump Replacement
2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG in East Wenatchee, WA
$488 - $805
Water Pump Replacement
2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG in East Wenatchee, WA
$488 - $805
Maintenance Service B
2003 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG in Alexandria, VA
$361 - $669
Maintenance Service A
2003 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG in Alexandria, VA
$216 - $305
Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement
2003 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG in Arlington, VA
$559 - $788

Most Common Mercedes-Benz Repair Estimates

Brake Pad(s) Replacement
$131 - $205
Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement
$526 - $746
AC Recharge
$89 - $127
Maintenance Service A
$178 - $258
Water Pump Replacement
$495 - $813