"W202 is known to be like.....if it still works great, if it breaks don't bother."
Actually, I fix pretty much every little thing on my ride, as it breaks. I also do all of my maintenance and then some, such as fluid changes in the trans every 40k. Nothing tackier than a decade-old Benz, neglected and needing $3k in nickel-and-dime repairs for things that should have been corrected when they failed.
I never would have bought a white, 7 year old, 4cyl Benz if I didn't get a warranty - I was first attracted to an '04 C230 Sport (whew, glad I didn't buy that POS!) The package was a good deal, and the car quickly grew on me. I also was actually QUITE proactive in dealing with the car's issues under Starmark, complaining enough to have all the 722.6 electronics, climate control brain, front suspension pieces, steering gearbox, alternator, and EVERY seal including head gasket replaced under warranty
I did this because I knew I could not stomach benz repairs on my own at that point. At this point, the car is in great shape, but I realize I am due for something big before 200k. Fine, I'll deal with it........point is, if you can't afford to maintain a Benz, don't buy a Benz..........because, as with any precision machine, they live and breathe maintenance and repairs. A 12-year-old Benz is what it is.......so you either spend the $2400 to repair it, or you go out and spend $100k on a new one.