C200 buying advice (newbie)

[ritch]

hi peeps

newbie to the forum!!

I went to view a 2000(W) c200 classic auto (i think it may have been a classic selection - it seems reasonably specced) and would appreciate any advice you guys have on these

the car is a independant trader (family friend) and has just been traded in so i have seen it pre valet/ sevice etc.
it has just under 50K with fMBsh, needs a good clean and polish, but body is straight with no evidence of repair and very few stone chips at the front.
I will be taking it for a test drive tomorrow

so my questions are;
1. what are these like to drive?
2. what would be an expected mpg?
3. what should i look out for?
4. is £7K the right money for a 2000 W?

anything else you can chip in with is appreciated!!!

cheers

Ritch :smile:

 

[ritch]

anyone have any opinions or words of wisdom on the w202 c-class?? :grin:

thanks

 

[cjcor]

so my questions are;
1. what are these like to drive?
Depends where you are coming from. It is NOT a drivers car.

2. what would be an expected mpg?
30+ should be achievable on long runs.

3. what should i look out for?
Not an expert on these matters.

4. is £7K the right money for a 2000 W?
The car is overpriced. This is what glass says,

Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 Classic
2.0 Petrol 4-door Saloon
5 Speed Automatic Rear Wheel Drive
Year: 2000 W
Mileage: 50,000


Part-exchange Price:
Excellent condition:
£5780

Average condition:
£5140

Below average condition:
£4480

 

[The Fat Baron]

Hey cjcor,

Just out of interest.

Why would you say it's not a drivers car ?

Fat Baron

 

[jberks]

Hi,
Assuming the car is mint and that a part ex price is 5780, then a dealer price allowing for warranty, discount and the odd fault rectification should be around 6250 to 6500 ish so yes it's high but I would presume this price is intended to be negotiated down so I'd expect a 450+ discount!
We all see the part ex price and complain when thats all we get for our trade-ins and yet want to pay the same when we buy another motor. Even motor dealers have to earn a living!
Anyway, on the 'drivers' car issue - no its not a driver's car in the same way as a BMW 3 series or Porsche is. It isn't as flickable, responsive or as quick, but for real world scenarios (I assume you don't live in Northern Scotland or Wales and have to drive on congested dual carriageways like the rest of us) it is an easy to drive, quiet, relaxed mile muncher. One drive and you'll be smitten.

 

[cjcor]

Hey cjcor,

Just out of interest.

Why would you say it's not a drivers car ?

Fat Baron

I am comparing it to a E46. Rightly or wrongly, I think the W202 is rather inferior in driver enjoyment compared to a W203 as well.

 

[MondeoMan]

I'm very happy with my C200 - gentleman's car. The steering would perhaps be better suited to a yacht, and if you really push it there's plenty of understeer to be found, but it's effortless to drive and gives a tremendous feeling of well-being. I get 30mpg usually, driving fairly gently with a 85mph cruising speed. A couple of extra cylinders would make it perfect.

 

[jberks]

A couple of extra cylinders would make it perfect.

Don't be so sure - before I bought the E240, i took the C220 (petrol) down to the dealer and test drove a C240 (like you, I wanted the extra cylinders) and was surprised that there wasn't anything like as much difference between the two as I had expected! Jumped back into the C220 and sailed back home with a big smile on my face. Then again I did a similar thing with a 330i - yes it was livelier and better handling than my old 2.2 C class, but somehow it just didn't have that ?????????. To my own surprise, I just wasn't tempted.

 

[cjcor]

Then again I did a similar thing with a 330i - yes it was livelier and better handling than my old 2.2 C class, but somehow it just didn't have that ?????????.

I am really puzzled... what is indeed that "?????????" that an E46 330i couldn't give?

 

[The Fat Baron]

Fair enough - I know what you mean.

I suppose it's the qualities you mention that makes it a "drivers car" to me.

Obviously it depends on the driver. 8)

 

[jberks]

Don't get me wrong - I like the 3 series - I used to have great fun in my mums 318i when I was a teenager so I know and appreciate them well - but there is something intangible that a Merc has and a BM doesn't. Feel, solidity, presence, status - I'm not sure but there is something about them that nothing else I have driven - and I've driven pretty much every marque, can get close to. I think it may be the 'old school' feel that MBs or at least the pre 00 Class, and the W210 have. The current C has less of it as they chased the handling of the 3 and cut costs, though it still seems to be present in the W211.

Different types of cars have a certain feel or personality. Japanese, British, German etc all feel and even sound different to each other. I would have a Ford or Vauxhall in preference to a Toyota (which I find to have as much personality as a dead librarian) for this reason. The BM and Audi have a similar, high tech, sombre, sporty feel but the Mercs are somehow different - more Gentleman's club perhaps.

Ok you lot, what is that certain ?? that makes us buy Mercs, even though the service is crap and a perfectly good BMW or Audi would do?

 

[cjcor]

I have not used/driven either BMs or Mercs produced prior to 2000. My BMW experience has been limited to two E46s(318i), one E39(530), one Z3(2.2) and as far as Mercs are concerned a C240 (W203). Having gone through a string of beemers, when I bought the C240 I had very high expectations.

To say that the Merc feels solid in comparison to a E46 or the E39 is very much further from the truth. For instance take a simple process - get in to the car and close the door. Feel how solid the BMW are. I was shocked as to how 'light' the C240 door felt. Don't take my word for it - try it.

I drive rather rapidly, and the C240 was not as nimble as the E46 or the E39 - a much bigger car.

I was really looking forward to the 'Mercedes' experience. However, the C240 let me down on virtually every department that I thought a prestige car should deliver. The only silver lining was that one of my neighbours thought very highly of it (she owns an A class - probably explains her thought process). I sold the C240 within three months.

Everyone raves about the W124s. I really want to buy one and see for my self.