C200 1997 buying advice

[redgate]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a C200 1997 preface lift. and wanted to know what to look out for on them. Its got 88.000 miles with FBMSH but no past MOT's for £2000

Is it worth buying and is there any thing that usually goes wrong with them?
And can they handle high millage?

Thank you

 

[redgate]

forgot to add its a automatic elegance

 

[johnnycapone]

2000 sounds ok to me
regards
John

 

[davebox]

Ive known these engines go for years, as for the car itself other people will tell you about problems they have faced. My father in law has a 95c200 Manual and it's been like a bus. Until last year he spent nothing other than servicing costs on it. I had the car Mot'd and it failed on a lower ball joint ( I had changed the opp side the year before) and the Cat was making some strange noises (it had collapsed). It needed brake discs. so we had the discs and pads changed along with the Cat changed through Watts, a local Tyre and exhaust dealer. All together it cost about £600. For a 10 year old car thats good money in my book. He still has it and Im now thinking of touching up the paint as it has a small rust spot on the rear arch and one on the lower part of the tailgate.
He paid 14K for it seven years ago. it's prob worth 2K at most now (low miles). Standard running costs have been cheap, with an average service being just £150. about once a year. and tyres about £50 quid a corner. I think that's value for money. I know you can run cars cheaper but where could he have had that level of reliability?

 

[C220GJS]

With a FMBSH I would jump at it ,great cars and relatively bullet proof if well looked after, also a very smooth drive with the autobox. Have the gearbox oil and filter changed as soon as, if you do buy it, to avoid future problems. Also grease the wiper mechanism under the turtle shell as this is not done under normal service.
Check that EVERYTHING electrical works having any faults rectified before you buy .
At 88,000mls it's only just run-in.
Cheers, Geo.

 

[jberks]

I bought a 1995 C220 elegance in 1998 for £19k, sold it to my Dad in 2001 for £8k (ouch but at least he got the benefit) and he still has it today - now with around 80k on the clock. Went out in it over the weekend. What a car. As sweet and comfy the day I collected it from the dealer. She looks just as good too. No rust and clean and shiny. All he has had to do since buying it is replace the battery.
For 2k is a bargain!

 

[M6AJJ]

Totally agree with everyone else. My 1997 C200 Elegance was fantastic. Never let me down at all, only needed tyres and a battery in the four years and 70,000 miles I owned it. Still see it around and still looks as good as new. No sign of rust at all.

At £2000 buy it! I doubt you will be dissapointed.

 

[desrobinson]

As the owner of a '95 C200 Elegance with 92K on the clock I would say that £2k is ****** good deal for '97 version. Have his arm off

Yes, make sure everything actually works including the split heating and the air con.

Another word of advice, hook yourself up with a good MB independant, labour charge is half MB. I'm sure you can find one near where you live. My indy has never dissapointed my to date. Where as my local MB dealer has dissapointed me a number of times.

Got for it.

 

[redgate]

Thanks for the reply's guys

The only thing that worry's me is the fact that it has'nt got any old MOT's

 

[C220GJS]

You should be able to see the service book to verify the mileage, which is really all you get from previous MOT's.
Geo.

 

[anyweb]

With a FMBSH I would jump at it ,great cars and relatively bullet proof if well looked after, also a very smooth drive with the autobox. Have the gearbox oil and filter changed as soon as, if you do buy it, to avoid future problems. Also grease the wiper mechanism under the turtle shell as this is not done under normal service.
Check that EVERYTHING electrical works having any faults rectified before you buy .
At 88,000mls it's only just run-in.
Cheers, Geo.

how do you remove the turtle shell to grease the wiper arm mechanism without damaging it ?

cheers
anyweb

 

[C220GJS]

Anyweb,
Check here;http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=153041;
Cheers, Geo.