Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse 204 facelift C 350 Coupé, 306 PS, 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2011–2015)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 (2007-2014): known problems and buying guide

  Check the M271 timing chain, the 7G-Tronic shifts and rear axle rust before paying. Ask for timing chain records.

• Gearbox guide Mercedes 7G-Tronic (722.9) 7-speed automatic: problems, costs and what to check

  Buy only with fluid records and a clean full-system scan, and avoid any car that has run in limp mode or judders at a steady speed.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Lift the car and check the rear axle carrier for rust. Rust that has eaten through means a repair of about 2,000 EUR (year not stated).
2. Turn the key several times. Clicking with no start, or a steering lock that stays locked, means the electronic steering lock is failing.
3. On the test drive, check for jerks when pulling away and on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Ask for gearbox oil change records. A Mercedes scan tool (XENTRY) shows pressure deviations. Above 0.5 bar points to valve body wear.

From the gearbox guide

1. Read the shift pressure data with XENTRY or an equal Mercedes scanner. Bad result: pressure deviations above 0.5 bar, or adaptation values above 30 percent. Those point to valve body wear.
2. Read the full gearbox fault memory with a full-system scanner. An engine-only OBD2 reader does not show it. Bad result: speed sensor codes P0717, P0718, P0722 or P0793, or any stored limp mode.
3. Test drive cold and warm, and pull away from a stop. Bad result: stuck in 2nd, slipping between 1st and 2nd, or limp mode at about 48 km/h (30 mph).
4. Hold a steady light throttle at about 60 km/h. Bad result: a shudder or hum. A scanner shows converter slip; 5 to 25 rpm is normal, and above about 80 rpm points to clutch wear.
5. Ask for the fluid invoices and check the fluid. Bad result: no change after about 80,000 km, dark brown or black fluid, a burnt smell, or a fluid other than the one for the build. A wrong fluid can cause code P0741. Red-amber is the correct colour.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions