What is the difference between the 1.8L and 2L C200k

[GaryUK]

I am looking to purchase my 1st mercedes, specifically the 2005(ish) C200 kompressor. The issue i'm having is whether to buy the 1.8L or 2L, because from what i have researched the 1.8L is faster, on paper atleast, i don't know what Wnumber the cars are and i don't know what the difference between the M111 and M271 engine is or which car has what, it's all very confusing. I was hoping someone could dumb down an explanation for me please.

 

[gassed up]

Early cars had the M111 motor, later cars the M271. In my opinion the M111 is one of the best engines anyone ever produced, the M271 is one of the more embarrassing episodes in Mercedes recent history. No doubt others on the forum will have an opinion.

 

[ernieh]

I am looking to purchase my 1st mercedes, specifically the 2005(ish) C200 kompressor. The issue i'm having is whether to buy the 1.8L or 2L, because from what i have researched the 1.8L is faster, on paper atleast, i don't know what Wnumber the cars are and i don't know what the difference between the M111 and M271 engine is or which car has what, it's all very confusing. I was hoping someone could dumb down an explanation for me please.

Welcome to the forum, Gary.

The C200 Kompressor of that era has the M271 engine which can have cam chain/sprocket problems any time from around 60 - 70k miles, so listen carefully on a cold start for chain rattles which may cost more to fix than these cars are now worth. In an extreme case, it will also rattle when hot. Make sure the engine management light is working as some people have been known to disable it to mask problems. The M111 engine was standard up until around 2003 and has a Duplex timing chain which is much more reliable. Be aware of rusting problems up until 2004 when galvanised panels were introduced.

The W Number is the code for each model, eg you will be looking at the W203 C Class; S203 denotes an estate version. The W202 ran until 2001 and the W204 from 2007 - 2014; the W205 is from 2014 - Present.

Hope this helps but if you need any other info. please ask.

Ernie

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Sensible answers above


Alternatively buy a V8

 

[Oldspanners]

Whatever car you go for do as much research into its history as possible. A full service history of any description be it dealer or independent is just a start. For example at the beginning gear boxes were "sealed for life" before regular oil changes at 35-40K miles were introduced so a car may have missed out on this.
There a lot of horror stories about the M271 kompressor engine, all true of course and on forums you will hear only them but this was caused by in my opinion a quality control problem and very far from all are effected.
In short, take your time do your research and then enjoy your MB motoring.
Good luck and happy motoring.

 

[GaryUK]

Welcome to the forum, Gary.

The C200 Kompressor of that era has the M271 engine which can have cam chain/sprocket problems any time from around 60 - 70k miles, so listen carefully on a cold start for chain rattles which may cost more to fix than these cars are now worth. In an extreme case, it will also rattle when hot. Make sure the engine management light is working as some people have been known to disable it to mask problems. The M111 engine was standard up until around 2003 and has a Duplex timing chain which is much more reliable. Be aware of rusting problems up until 2004 when galvanised panels were introduced.

The W Number is the code for each model, eg you will be looking at the W203 C Class; S203 denotes an estate version. The W202 ran until 2001 and the W204 from 2007 - 2014; the W205 is from 2014 - Present.

Hope this helps but if you need any other info. please ask.

Ernie

This is exactly what i'm looking for with extra information, thank you for taking the time to reply xD

 

[GaryUK]

Thank you everyone for your replies, everything is very helpfull.

 

[daibevan]

Lots of us have the dreaded M271 engine and are very happy with it. If I had known about the potential problems I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I've had nearly 4.5 years of great driving in it.
We are of course paranoid about listening for chain rattle at first start up (I have the stereo switched off) and do extra oil changes , just ask Wighty.

 

[Oldspanners]

Thank you everyone for your replies, everything is very helpfull.

Forgot to mention this site for checking MOT history gives you an idea of how the car was treated between services. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

 

[Oldspanners]

Lots of us have the dreaded M271 engine and are very happy with it. If I had known about the potential problems I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I've had nearly 4.5 years of great driving in it.
We are of course paranoid about listening for chain rattle at first start up (I have the stereo switched off) and do extra oil changes , just ask Wighty.

Ah, the rush to get in and get it started before anyone else and maybe starts talking!
Wighty had the courage to take the cam cover off and check it over, I'm still thinking of reasons to put it off.
Same situation over 4 years and having been used to much more powerful cars in the past still surprised at what less than 150 bhp can do.

 

[Wighty]

Lots of us have the dreaded M271 engine and are very happy with it. If I had known about the potential problems I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I've had nearly 4.5 years of great driving in it.
We are of course paranoid about listening for chain rattle at first start up (I have the stereo switched off) and do extra oil changes , just ask Wighty.

Funny buddy . Yes , doing oil changes myself every 5k miles , costing £25 ish seems a good preventative maintenance . My cars value at 10+ years old makes me wonder if it’s worth paying for the chain and sprockets to be done ( god knows what my cars trade in price would be )

 

[Wighty]

Ah, the rush to get in and get it started before anyone else and maybe starts talking!
Wighty had the courage to take the cam cover off and check it over, I'm still thinking of reasons to put it off.
Same situation over 4 years and having been used to much more powerful cars in the past still surprised at what less than 150 bhp can do.

My 2009 CLK is about 180bhp , and I think has a nice turn of speed , especially in sunny France .

 

[Oldspanners]

My 2009 CLK is about 180bhp , and I think has a nice turn of speed , especially in sunny France .

Ah, but us poor with only one lowly Mercedes that live in France can rush out and wave to the rich Anglais rushing by on their way to the South and their Château.

 

[Wighty]

Ah, but us poor with only one lowly Mercedes that live in France can rush out and wave to the rich Anglais rushing by on their way to the South and their Château.

Funny buddy , but only one old MB is only half the problems

 

[Oldspanners]

Funny buddy , but only one old MB is only half the problems

Yes, but two are twice the fun!
Hope to be joining the multiple owners next year, said that last year as well.
Safe motoring and a merry Christmas.

 

[sonic]

Lots of us have the dreaded M271 engine and are very happy with it. If I had known about the potential problems I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I've had nearly 4.5 years of great driving in it.
We are of course paranoid about listening for chain rattle at first start up (I have the stereo switched off) and do extra oil changes , just ask Wighty.

Wife had a 2004 171 SLK with the M271 engine did 90K miles nothing went wrong with the car at all. Now on a 2010 171 again with the M271, 46K miles so far again no problems so far.
Yes there are issues with the M271 engine, which others have pointed out.

 

[Wighty]

Yes, but two are twice the fun!
Hope to be joining the multiple owners next year, said that last year as well.
Safe motoring and a merry Christmas.

And too you buddy

 

[GaryUK]

I have been looking around and i found a nice 2004 2.6L CLK240 avantgarde that i think looks really nice and according to youtube not much is wrong with them mechanically, i don't have a clue though, going to do some research and hope it doesn't completely confuse me xD

 

[LostKiwi]

The 240 is an M112 engine. Generally bulletproof and reliable.
Weak points are:
Cam covers can leak
Crank position sensors fail
Engine breathers can block (causing high oil consumption)
Water pumps can fail invisibly (they leak but the leak dries so you can never see it leaking - first thing to check for coolant loss).
Crank pulleys can delaminate around the 100k mark.
None of these issues are either expensive to fix or beyond the average DIYer.
Sometimes hydraulic tappets can tap but a change to decent oil and filter will often sort this.

 

[GaryUK]

The 240 is an M112 engine. Generally bulletproof and reliable.
Weak points are:
Cam covers can leak
Crank position sensors fail
Engine breathers can block (causing high oil consumption)
Water pumps can fail invisibly (they leak but the leak dries so you can never see it leaking - first thing to check for coolant loss).
Crank pulleys can delaminate around the 100k mark.
None of these issues are either expensive to fix or beyond the average DIYer.
Sometimes hydraulic tappets can tap but a change to decent oil and filter will often sort this.

Awsome, thank you for the information xD