Old vs New - same Mercedes?

[goldenbadger]

Before purchasing my 94' W202 (which is absolutely fantastic) I was told by a number of people that new Mercs are not the same as old; build quality, reliabilty etc. I am amazed by the build quality of my car but recently had the chance to drive an 04 plate C200, I can honestly say that I agree with those who voiced their reservations regrding the 'new Mercs'. To me the newer vehicle didn't have the same feel to it at all and I felt is slipping down the lines of being just another car!

This may open a can of worms with everyone out there but I would welcome your views on this, it also poses the question of what to do when looking to change my car as I would want another Merc but not keen on the newer models - I guess I'll start looking now for a 94/95 W202 with 50,000miles on the clock!!!

Simon

 

[television]

You dont say what car you are comparing it to.

malcolm

 

[kth286]

Mercs used to be make like no other car.

Mercs are now made like every other car.

 

[GEORGEROV]

Things not the same since the tie up with Chrysler but more so the construction in places other than Germany.

 

[jberks]

This has been done to death already but baiscally - no the 203 isn't an upgraded 202, it's a totally different car. True, it doesn't have the feel of mercs of old.
That said, it handles a lot better and had far better economy. That's progress I'm afraid. I drove the C200k when the 203 came out and compared it directly to my '95 C220. It rode as well, handled better and felt remarkably similar to drive. I didn't like the dash, trim or price so I bought a 210 though i didn't really fall for the exterior of that one, the interior was lovely and still Merc old school. Sadly that was the last of the throwbacks.
I love my 211, but even I'd admit it isn't as 'merc' as my 210, let alone the 124/123s. Drive it for a while though and it's still a merc.

 

[television]

It can be very hard to get this into the right prospective. Two things, build or ride quality,two different things. It can be very hard to compare as time moves forward we tend to forget or over look certain things.

Back in the 60s I used to love driving the Alvis TE and TF cars, they drove so much nicer than most other cars of that time. Though it stays in my memory of how nice they were, to drive one today is horrible by todays standards. The same can be said of MB or any other makers and other things in our life.

Take a house,you drive past a little cottage and say,isnt that lovely,!!!lovely or damp cold, drafty, poor or non exsistant insulation, compare that to a skimpy looking modern house that is far more efficiant and better laid out.

The same could be said of my 4 wives, the first had a good build quality, but the last gave a better ride and was much quicker to respond in a tricky situation.

I have always said that i loved my 300TE, would I really want to go back there, compared to todays cars is a hard question.

Malcolm