Just bought a T/99 C200, were my expectations too high?

[MercManners]

Hi All,

I have owned a wonderful 124 E220 (1994) for the last 2 years and totally love it. It is the meaning of luxury and comfort and feels absolutely solid.

I decided to get a slightly newer car, and a newer C Class (C200) instead of a newer E Class.

Now tell me if you think I am mad, but I just took my 'new' C200 Elegance (1999) to work today and back again, and I just don't feel that level of luxury and comfort that my good old 1994 E220 gives.

The C200 by comparison just feels cheap and plasticky whereas my trusty old E220 feels rock solid and oozes quality.

Am I missing something here?

When I took the C200 for a test drive I didn't notice this, but having spent the day out and about I don't feel the same utter comfort that I am use to with the old E220.

Should I have gone for a newer E-Class rather than a C Class? I am just wondering if that old E220 I have is perhaps as good as it is going to get?

I hope that I am wrong!! Please tell me I am wrong!!!

Why don't Mercedes make them like they use to?

Let me know what you think

Thanks

MM

P.S. Ultimately I guess I want to know if I should go for a later E Class instead, maybe 1998 or 1999, something like an E230 ??? Would this make a difference?

 

[johnnycapone]

My 1990 200 te w124 estate, although perhaps dosnt look as elegant as newer models!!!!!! I would not swap it. But that is only me.
Regards
John

 

[andy_k]

Mercedes don't make them like they used to because accountants are building them now, not engineers

Buy a w210 (later E class) at your peril. The years you mention are right in the middle of all the rust problems.

to compare a C class to a W124 is like comparing a cheap cava with champagne. Most of them, particularly the base spec modls are cheap and nasty.

Shop around and get hold of the latest and best W124 5 speed auto E320 estate you can find then just run it until the world runs out of fuel

So, no the 220 is nowhere near as good as it gets you need another litre and two more cylinders to really enjoy a W124

Andy

 

[MercManners]

That's amazing. I am rather dissappointed.

I am just going to find a newer 124 I guess.

My one is from 1994 which btw is totally immaculate with fsh and has done just 97000 miles. I hate to let it go but the only thing is that it is a 2 door coupe and I now need a 4 door saloon.

I will look for a later 124. I think that they made them until 1996.

Thanks

MM

 

[jberks]

hey hey hey -
You are comparing an E with a C. At the end of the day, the C was a replacement for the 190, not the 124. Now if you'd gone from a 124 to a 190 I suspect you'd feel the same way. Excellent as the 190 was, less luxury, not as good a ride (due to the shorter wheelbase) etc. I switched from a '95 C to a 210. The quality 'feel' was a tad better but the luxurious feel from the better walnut, wider and deeper seats,better carpet, improved ride etc was very noticible. I agree that you're probably better with a '99 C than a similar age E due to the corrosion issues and you will grow to love the C I'm sure.

I went out in my dad's at the weekend. C220 1995 (my old one) 82k. She's as smooth and quiet as the day I picked her up from the showroom back in '98, so in terms of longevity I think the C has proved it's case.

He's thinking of possibly changing for a 211 220cdi later in the year. (he's fallen in love with my 270) I think he's mad.

 

[angus falconer]

When I was buying my first C43 in 2003 it was a toss up between a 2000 C43 and a 2001 E55. Being AMG's they were very similarly specc'd but the C and E of course have different characteristics. Biggest difference as Jberks was pointing out is in terms of the ride. The E is much heavier and has a significantly longer wheelbase. The ride in the E was much more composed. In contrast the the rear axle in the C makes itself known in a more intrusive manner and there's more road noise. But then if you compared the E to an S you'd reach the same conclusion. I settled on the C as I live in central London and didn't want the extra length and width of an E. Plus it's more fun to punt round corners due to (relative) lightness.

The question about falling quality levels over time is a separate issue - there are plenty of threads comparing different generations of Mercs on the site.

 

[MercManners]

Ok, I see.

I think the wheelbase has something to do with it.

The ride seems more bumpy and less composed.

Maybe I should give it more time.

I think I prefer the longer wheelbase of the E-Class; maybe I have just got use to it as I have been driving it for 2 years now.

btw What year exactly did the corrosion issues start with the E-Class?

Maybe I could just go for an E-Class just prior to the corrosion probs. Is there a body type which I should avoid?

Thanks for all your help.

I love this site

MM

 

[jberks]

I have heard of corrosion issues from '97 and on to 2001, when the 210 saloon was being phased out, so I assume all 210's suffered to a greater or lesser extent. That's not to say they are all rot boxes, far from it, but you will get some minor corrosion and need to visit a bodyshop at least once a year if you want to keep it mint. Ok if MB are paying (as they did on mine) but a pain if you are picking up the tab. Once treated I never had a reoccurence on that area but it would generally spring up somewhere else - sort the doors and the rear wheelarch starts bubbling ...

Give it time, most folk love their C's.

 

[angus falconer]

Ok, I see.

I think the wheelbase has something to do with it. The ride seems more bumpy and less composed.

I think I prefer the longer wheelbase of the E-Class; maybe I have just got use to it as I have been driving it for 2 years now.


MM

Yep - there is a big difference. I love wafting around in E's (W124's and the ones after it - can't remember the model numbers). It's more of a big car experience. The C is refined for a car it's size of course - it's really benchmarked against cars a size down. Compared to them it's a smooth cruiser.

 

[Bolide]

You'll find a W124 estate up to 1996 on an N or P plate. W124 saloons stopped earlier - 1995, I think - as the W210 saloon was launched before the estate was available

"Shop around and get hold of the latest and best W124 5 speed auto E320 estate you can find then just run it until the world runs out of fuel" (Andy K)

What he said...


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[redmilly7]

Andyk mentioned 'two more cylinders and another litre' I have to say swopping from my E200 to my E300td its like Noddys car to Batmobile. Just fantastic,im not saying my e200 wasnt a good motor , I had it for 6 years but hey! the e300 does it all. Beautiful, except for the rust!