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I had a 2008 Lexus IS250 AWD, purchased in 2011. At 107k miles, many of which went through rough New England winters, it started to break down (engine knocks, fluids leaking/puddling on the floor (you can see the puddle in one of the pics), needed brakes, close to needing tires). So I went shopping last Saturday, primarily shopping off lease 3 series' and a C Class'. I liked the BMW I test drove, it was a loaded 328, but I didn't love it. Then I drove a face-lift W204 C-Class and loved it. on top of that, I found a super low mileage 2014 (9800 miles), and it was super clean. clearly garaged, and well taken care of.
Ended up getting 6,500 on the trade, and got the C250 for ~$25,400. Overall really happy with the car so far. It's nothing special, but I liked the low miles, condition of the paint, and since it's a CPO, the extra year of "free" warranty. Pics from inside my garage (sorry it's dark), and this is probably the cleanest it will ever be...
Nice pick up. A steal with that low miles. Had you not been there when it hit the lot I bet it would have been gone in about 2 days tops with that low miles.
Nice, add a few AMG cosmetic touches & it'll be a looker.
Always slightly preferred the C to the 3, but, being the resident MB-fanboi, that's not a surprise.
Just wondering, did your IS250 have the carbon problem? I've heard it was a common thing for that generation and I am a bit surprised to hear a Lexus falling apart at 107k miles.
awesome find... it's much cheaper than either one of your watches...
It's only cheaper than 1.... as if that makes the statement any less crazy. lol. Yeah, I don't really drive that often now that I live/work in the city. I found when I moved out of the burbs, cars became much less important to me.
Just wondering, did your IS250 have the carbon problem? I've heard it was a common thing for that generation and I am a bit surprised to hear a Lexus falling apart at 107k miles.
I never really had the car fully diagnosed.. And I'm sure the fix wasn't going to be significant, I just used it more as an excuse to get a new one. The fluid I was leaking was most likely coolant (It was pink and watery in texture), so I don't think it was major. Plus, even after weeks of the leak I was showing no signs of overheating. Other than that puddle, and some engine knocking (maybe just needed a tune up) it was just general maintenance stuff that was about to go (Brakes/tires, etc)
Nice, add a few AMG cosmetic touches & it'll be a looker.
Always slightly preferred the C to the 3, but, being the resident MB-fanboi, that's not a surprise.
I prefer the C over the 3 series as well.
Great pickup OP
I too was surprised to read that about your Lexus, but hey, if you flipped those issues into a new car... good for you! You'll love the C-Class so enjoy it!!
I never really had the car fully diagnosed.. And I'm sure the fix wasn't going to be significant, I just used it more as an excuse to get a new one. The fluid I was leaking was most likely coolant (It was pink and watery in texture), so I don't think it was major. Plus, even after weeks of the leak I was showing no signs of overheating. Other than that puddle, and some engine knocking (maybe just needed a tune up) it was just general maintenance stuff that was about to go (Brakes/tires, etc)
Being a 2008 the leak was most likely the beginning of a failing waterpump. It was a common problem on the 2007-2009 models. The finally redesigned the pump in 2010 because it happened so much. Honestly I am surprised it made it that long on the original pump. My IS-F actually used the same pump model and I was on my third when I sold it with 137k miles on it. The part is fairly cheap if I remember like maybe $200 but with the location of the pump I believe the labor brings the total bill up to around $500-700 range. Luckily for me all mine happend while under CPO warrantly.
I too was surprised to read that about your Lexus, but hey, if you flipped those issues into a new car... good for you! You'll love the C-Class so enjoy it!!
Nice, add a few AMG cosmetic touches & it'll be a looker.
Always slightly preferred the C to the 3, but, being the resident MB-fanboi, that's not a surprise.
The only thing that annoys me about it is the fact that there's a pre-facelift W204 and a post facelift W204, so you have to be careful ordering parts. I was looking into a blacked out AMG style grille, but not super confident the stuff I'm seeing is a fit.
Any tips on how to search/feel more confident that what I'm buying will fit?
Nice, add a few AMG cosmetic touches & it'll be a looker.
Always slightly preferred the C to the 3, but, being the resident MB-fanboi, that's not a surprise.
I even see differing information on the years that the pre-facelift and facelift span. From what I can tell, pre-facelift went from 2008 to mid 2013, and the post facelift went from mid-2013 to 2014.
The only thing that annoys me about it is the fact that there's a pre-facelift W204 and a post facelift W204, so you have to be careful ordering parts. I was looking into a blacked out AMG style grille, but not super confident the stuff I'm seeing is a fit.
Any tips on how to search/feel more confident that what I'm buying will fit?
Originally Posted by te3point5
I even see differing information on the years that the pre-facelift and facelift span. From what I can tell, pre-facelift went from 2008 to mid 2013, and the post facelift went from mid-2013 to 2014.
No idea on the newer ones as far as aftermarket, or even OE. Likely best to find the part number for the same year or such & go from there, if looking for OE.
Being a '14, you're definitely latest MMC, so I would think anything W204 '13+ should work
No idea on the newer ones as far as aftermarket, or even OE. Likely best to find the part number for the same year or such & go from there, if looking for OE.
Being a '14, you're definitely latest MMC, so I would think anything W204 '13+ should work
Thanks for the input. I'm mainly looking at non OE suppliers, and most of them don't know that there are different W204's, so they post a description for an 08-13 Grille, but show a pic of a '14 car.
Funny thing is, I have never owned an Acura in my life. I joined AZ 13 years ago when my buddy got an 04 3G, and wanted a bunch of stuff installed.
Originally Posted by thoiboi
brb, going to talk to Ron A about making you a mod
Never owned an Acura, what's above a Sr Mod?
Originally Posted by te3point5
Thanks for the input. I'm mainly looking at non OE suppliers, and most of them don't know that there are different W204's, so they post a description for an 08-13 Grille, but show a pic of a '14 car.
Oh well, I'll figure it out.
Looking forward to seeing the progress. Hopefully it's relatively straightforward for you.
Nice, add a few AMG cosmetic touches & it'll be a looker.
Always slightly preferred the C to the 3, but, being the resident MB-fanboi, that's not a surprise.
Originally Posted by 00TL-P3.2
Find a C63 yet?
Not yet. All funds have been getting pumped into the businesses. Sponsoring a racer and a racing class this summer, so that's one bit of funds... then re-launching a baking business we had... so that's the rest.
Focusing on those for now. Hopefully, I'll be successful enough to buy a new toy in the future
06-05-2017, 10:08 PM
I prefer the C over the 3 series as well.
Not yet. All funds have been getting pumped into the businesses. Sponsoring a racer and a racing class this summer, so that's one bit of funds... then re-launching a baking business we had... so that's the rest.