W202 purchase
 

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?

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?

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

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.

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.

I can definitely feel the weighted steering and handling in my W124 whereas the W202 feels more nimble and responsive. The car is question has the manual dual zone HVAC system, so no auto climate screen problems. I can see the lighter build quality of the W202 compared to the W124. Considering that this car is 4 years newer than the newest W124 makes me more inclined to go for it. The car in question has all three 'smart' keys, which includes the low profile spare for your wallet. How are the transmissions? Is the 5 speed auto relatively reliable? I'm aware of the sealed for life fluid issue, but I understand it can be and should be changed every 30k. The car drove well and stopped better than my W124. I liked the light and responsive pedal feel in the W202 as opposed to the mushy feel I get in the W124. The ASR seems to work well, but I take it that ESP is not included unless you have the ESP switch on the dash? Does the W202 have a good HVAC system or will I face evaporator and blower motor problems like experienced in earlier cars?

I agree with the lighter handling and more responsiveness of the w202 vs w124. You'll really notice this with the AC on. The w124 is noticeably sluggish. The w202 is very Toyota/Honda like, i.e. barely noticeable and ice cold but still solid MBZ. The w124 seems primitive in comparison. This might differ with the I4 vs the V6 though. The latest 722.6s are pretty much ironed out. Mine has been perfect. I am not aware of any evaporator or blower issues.

As ikchris mentions, it is a 10 year old car, but with relatively lo miles. You have the advantage vs the seller when buying an older car. And of course at 10 years it may have problems, but that is what PPIs are for (more leverage for bargaining), and that is why we DIY and besides a new Honda or Toyota is 4X the cost.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

I believe most of the 5 speed electronic trans issues were ironed out by late 98-early 99. After the Stealership rebuilt my early 98 trans 3 times under warranty, it seems they finally got it right with the updated parts - no troubles in over 90k miles, but I change the fluid every 30 k as well.

I had all the original electronic keys and valet key as well. When the ignition switch failed, it required - no choice - the updated switch, and none of the keys could work with the new switch. Neither the keys nor the switch were cheap!!!

The brakes on my 98 C230 are un-vented disks. They stop quite well, especially after I put on Konis to tame the front end dive on braking. But the 87 300E brakes feel better. I have experienced a panic stop (ABS actuation) in each of these cars, and I feel that they stop about the same in a panic situation, despite the un-vented rotors on a C230 car which outweighs my 124.

The 124 is more traditional MB with the sound of closing doors and Hood, the C230 is about 1 step up from Toyota, and several steps below older MBs in that department.

My son's 92 300E doesn't handle as well as the C230 but the 1987 124, equiped with Sportline parts, is a go cart on corners - I feel the fold down rear seats on the 230 lets in a bit of flex - and with the 330 lb lighter weight (compared to later 124s) and the lower rear axle, the 300E accelerates like a demon. The 'Featured Cars' tab at the top of the page links to reviews on the 124, and quotes: "The 1986 300E outperformed the 380 and 500 engined S-Class cars plus the contemporary Porsche 944 and IROC Z28 Camaro...." Illustrated Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide by Frank Barrett. Of course, my 98 C230 doesn't have a Kompressor, so....

But again, the older the car, the more age related part failures regardless of mileage. OTOH, the newer cars have more bits, and more costly bits, that can go wrong. Like the huge price on the electronic ignition, the MAS, and the AC controller that are either non-existant, or much less expensive parts on the old car.

I have had 3 techs familiar with Lexus, MB, and Acura tell me that if I insist on buying something new, plan on trading it in well before end of warranty, and certainly before 100k miles.

I might be better off getting another W124 then. The car it would be replacing is a '93 Camry which completely used up. I like the '94 and '95 E320s, but I understand that they have their own issues as well. When did the W124s get the better wiring harness? Are all M104s susceptible to head gasket problems, or was it only the early models from '93?

I thought your son bought my '93 300E (3.2) "E320".

How is the car doing? I hope it hasn't been giving him any problems.