Newbie considering W202 C220 CDi Estate

[Steve S2]

Hi All,

First post from a newbie. I'm considering a W202 C220 CDi estate as my everyday car and I'm after something reliable, comfortable and a decent load space. My father-in-law had a W202 (C180, I think) and it did 250k miles without blinking, which is partly why the car is high on my list.

I'm budgeting up to £8k and I have some general questions that I'm hoping you can answer:

- Which model year should I be looking at?
- Are there any reputable independent MB specialists in Oxfordshire / Berkshire?
- What kind of issues do I need to look out for (known mechanical, electrical problems)?
- What are the proper service intervals on the car?
- What are the big service items that I need to check for in the service history?

Any other gems of info well received.

Thanks all!

Cheers,

Steve

 

[BeeJay]

Hi Steve

I am afraid I am unable to offer you advice on the questions you raised, but did just want to welcome you to the Forum.

It has been my experience that the people who subscribe to this Forum are helpful (with a nice sense of humour), and always keen to pursue a problem until a solution is reached.

I am sure someone with the right experience/expertise will answer your query.

Good Luck.

 

[duncanh]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum.

You should be able to get a W203 for that sort of money. Now that the w204 models are out, the w203 will get even cheaper. The w202 models are starting to look a little dated (wait for the flames!)

I have had my W203 for over 5 years, done 123K miles, no problems.

I get between 16 - 20K miles between services, over 45 mpg. No particular weaknesses have shown up yet.

Best of luck with your search.

 

[Steve S2]

Interesting. I thought that the later W202s were a safer bet than the early W203s, which I'm led to believe marked the quality dip that MB are still recovering from. My father in-law went from his faultless W202 to a rather more fault-ridden W203, which lends some weight to what I'd read / heard.

 

[kevinororke]

Hi, I've had a 2000 X W202 C220 CDi estate for 18 months which has been fine apart from the air con condensor starting to leak. However, if you spend £8k on a W202 make sure it is the very highest spec, lvery owest mileage and comes with a full service history and a superb warranty. If you really want a W202 you'll get a good one for £5k.

Regards, Kevin

 

[joem]

I have a W202 estate - a 2001Y with 116k on now. It has never had anything other than regular servicing and has never yet let me down. Mine is a 200 Kompressor Auto which gives around 30 mpg. Regular servicing includes an oil change every 6k with fully synthetic Mobil 1.

The only complaint is some rust on the rear tailgate - I have not found any elsewhere.

I would value mine at around £6k and it has leather and the rare Xenon option which is well worth having - early 202's have candles for lights.

Inside looks like new despite the mileage and I would never sell it.

 

[David Pemberton]

Hello Steve

I have a 2000 W C220 CDI estate.

Good points: v reliable, great auto box, good quality feel (except see bad points below), 38 mpg fast motorway, good performance, nice and discrete, simple to maintain (use independent specialist for you don't want to do yourself).

Bad points: rustier than I think a MB should be (worse than my SL) - front wings by side repeaters, front wheel arches, brakes could be better.

I bought mine to do a high mileage over the next three years and then send to the scrap yard. It eats the miles and I always feel comfortable and relaxed.

David