My Options (buying a mercedes)
 

I've been drooling over a 450SEL for YEARS, and then a little '94 C220 caught my eye...what do you all think of the W202(?) c class cars?

Moved to tech help
 

for C class owner feedback. :D

oh..ok! :)

What are the bad points about a 94 C220? I'll post pics today.

didnt you just buy a 450SEL?

Dood, the C220 may not be the most powerful Mercedes ever, but its a fairly solid little car. We bought one a little over 6 months ago, and its a blast to drive. Its handles like my W124 but without the heft of the W124.


Its also better on fuel than my TE. We get about 24 city, and 30 freeway with it. The 220 is good, as its a fairly basic motor compared to the Kompressor models. The 94-95 models also have the (i think) 722.4, so the trannie is a fairly reliable one.

I'll second all of this. The C220 doesn't have all the wiring harness/head gasket issues you get with the M104 engined cars (like mine). Good on gas, easy to work on, and feels fairly solid (especially given its size). The only down side is the power - if you don't load your car up with passengers all the time, you'll be fine. If you drive around with 4 people in the car you might find it under-powered.

I would make a point of paying close attention to the lower control arm bushings in any pre-purchase inspection. They are prone to wearing out faster on W202's and when they're damaged it is quite easy to see when the car is on a hoist. You can expect to pay $700-1000 to replace them including parts, labour and the alignment that will be necessary.

From my personal experience I would never even consider buying another W202. I think there are just far too many corner cut with that car. Get yourself a W210. You will love it. I promise.

The C220 is probably one of the most durable MB's ever made.....they just keep on going without needing repair....I have seen several with over 200-300k on them running great and not even rusted at all!

I got my wife a W124 300E.....but I'd have just as soon bought a C220, there just were never any around....

I looked at a couple of '95 202s with rust holes, I was not impressed. The climate control I remember being out on one of them, and I felt a bit cramped at 6' tall.

If the car fits though, ...

The same auction had a '96 W210, with bad rust on the doors originating at the upper trim clips.

My mom owned a '95 or '96 C220, and put about 160,000 nearly trouble free miles on it. The only thing it needed off the top of my head was an idle control valve of some kind.

My opinion of the W202's is that the 4-cylinder versions are among the most reliable, trouble-free, and economical Mercedes cars built. Ever.

I had a W124 E320, and the C class had almost as much leg room, especially in front. I see it as a 7/8th version of the E class. I'm 6'1", and with the drivers seat all the way back I could barely touch the pedals.

I say go for it.

no, I still havn't put money on that car yet. It's still at the tranny shop.
It originally been taken there to get the tranny checked out. parts are scarce around here, so it's not looking good for the 450, I'm preparing to walk away from that one....there's a C220 there that is alot newer (of course) smaller engine = better mileage and is just WAY more practical.

I'm kinda limited to model availability here. It's either a 78 450 SEL, a newer 300D with collision damage, or this C220. anything else, and I'm into the Mercedes dealers certified list and I just don't have that kind of $$$ or time to spend traveling 6 hours.

Have you looked at the C220 yet?

I'm gonna run out and take pics and write down whatever I need to and post back with price.

My guess, is he would want probably $5-8K for it, which is still in my price range, but I'll get mileage and run it past you guys and see if there's anything I can haggle on.

I've seen it. It has the DOT headlamps, silver with the pre-facelift bumper, so I'm assuming it's a 93 or a 94 in there somewhere. "I passed it by initially because I was hell bent on this 450, and I thought the C220 was kinda ugly at first but it grew on me, as the problems mounted on the SEL:rolleyes: