W202 purchase

[mbzman]

Looking to purchase a W202 series Mercedes-Benz. Looking right now at a 1999 C230 Kompressor. Overall, how do these cars hold up? The car I'm looking at seemed particularly noisy at startup and idle. Is this just the nature of the supercharged engine? How is the overall reliability of the engine and supercharger? What other things should I look out for? This car has ASR, do I need to worry about the electrical gremlins that plagued the earlier cars? What about the wiring harness? It has low miles at only 52k and the overall condition is good. How do these cars compare to the W124 or its predescessor the W201?

[mpolli]

This has been answered before a few times but I cannot find the threads right now. The cars hold up well. Weak areas are the front-end components and electrical accessories such as power windows. Engines are pretty bulletproof. No wiring issues. You will note there are relatively few posts for 98,99 C230 problems. Some people like the 96 though. I have had no ASR issues. It works well. Note this is different than ESP which is stability control. I don't have the supercharger so I don't know about that. They get very good MPG which is nice. Parts are readily available since many of these were built, and many parts were used for lots of years in a row. So is that one about 9K CAD?

[glenmore]

I have been real happy with my 2000 C280 bought almost 4 years ago w/ 35m, now 70m. Quicker and lighter handling than the W124. Modern conveniences like electronic tranny and electronic HVAC. I think of it as a Toyotafied Mercedes vs the more original MBZ W124. Runs like a top and for any issues, I have been able to DIY. Besides rotor, pads and fluid services, there has been:

1) Two of the four o2 sensors (~$80-90 each)
2) Crankshaft position sensor ($80)
3) MAF ($150)
4) Brake light switch ($17)

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

[lkchris]

It's a 10-year old car.

If it's been dealer-maintained the whole time it will be fine.

Otherwise, it's a 10-year-old car.

[mbzman]

Originally Posted by lkchris

It's a 10-year old car.

If it's been dealer-maintained the whole time it will be fine.

Otherwise, it's a 10-year-old car.

What do you mean by this? I will be getting a thorough PPI before I decide to buy. I'm curious to know how the Kompressors have held up and if there are any significant problems. Is the M111 and M112 comparable in power and reliability? I know the M104 in earlier cars did pose problems.

[JCE]

I own both a 124 (22 years old) and a C230 (1998). Not all 124 and 202 cars are equal! Early 124s were lighter - my C230 outweighs the 87 300E, but not my son's 92 300E. Later 124s had more complexity, and more problems in our experience.

The earliest of the 202 electronic transmissions had problems, likewise some people have reported short compressor life on the earliest of the 230K models. For a couple of years Mercedes used a LCD display controller for the AC, then later went to rotory knobs. The LCD displays are expensive, and somewhat prone to problems. The front suspension parts wore faster than on our 124 bodies. Mass Air Sensors are expensive, as is the 'tip' electronic ignition and key system (if the ignition on a 98 goes south, the new module isn't compatible with the old keys - you will need new $100+ keys!). The changes to the stereo make upgrading the fiberoptic variants interesting. However, after getting past the issues of the first 35,000 miles, the next 120,000 have been normal wear and tear, and much more reliable and less expensive to maintain than any of the 3 hondas/accuras we have owned.

The earlier 124s had valve guide/seal issues, push button AC controller and cruise control weakness, poor headlights, and a complex wiring scheme for the stereo. Our 87 Sportline 300E is a faster, better handling car than the 98 C230 with Koni shocks/16" rims. It also has more trunk and passenger room. However, the folding rear seat of the C230 is very convenient. Likewise, although both cars have MB Tex interiors, the upholstery on the 124 is MUCH higher quality and more durable. The AC and stereo are better on the C class cars. The C class has a replacable AC filter, which most 124s don't have.

They are both older cars, and subject to worn parts, aging plastic/seals/adhesives/insulation/etc. That said, I am not keen about new cars with refrigerated electronic cupholders, computer controlled suspensions and brakes, and more computers than a server farm in my cars.

Research the archives, make your choice, and enjoy whaterver you buy.