To buy W202 or W203

[eyelight]

My wife used to have a W124 Coupe, and very reliable it was too.
Sold it due to lack of use and commuting by train. (And some guy ran into the side of it in a car park).

Anyway, a new job means she needs a car again, and wants the comfort and security of a Mercedes.
Hoping to spend under £3000, ideally less than £2000, and most likely a four cylinder C-class.

Had been thinking of a W202 and there are some very nice ones on the market for under £2000.
Yesterday was looking at the "Honest John" website and reviews, and saw this...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz/c-class-w202-1993/?section=bad

Reported high incidence of ECU failures on 12 year old C200s everywhere from the UK to Australia. Has led to a worldwide parts shortage. Cost £1,300 each (as much as the value of many of these cars). So a 12 + years old C Class with an ECU problem is effectively scrap.

Is there any truth in that?
Would we be better off spending more on the newer W203, or does that come with problems of it's own?

Thanks for any info.

 

[tode]

Can only speak about my experience: have has a 1998 C250TD (yes, diesel ) for 12 years. Not a super-car, but imo a superb car. No problems since new (other than usaual brakes, glowplugs etc). And no rust

Later cars may have had problems, though.

 

[markg14]

I agree - splendid model.
I ran a C220 CDI W202 for 7 years from new, 210,000 miles.
Had a problem with 2 injectors at 56,000 miles which MB replaced under warranty, and the usual rust problem (again MB dealt with under warranty).
But maybe someone somewhere is now having ECU problems.....

 

[grahamcol]

In my humble opinion, the 202's are much much better than the 203's. The 203's, certainly the pre-facelift ones, seem to suffer from suspension knocks, rust (as do some 202's) and I believe, are prone to blowing rear SAM's if you disconnet / reconnect the bettery. I also prefer the classic styling of the 202 as well. I've had my 1996 C200 for over five years now, spent about £650 in all of those years on things like tyres, brake pads, ATF change etc. and it runs beautifully and has absolutely no rust. My 2000 C280 also runs superbly although it is starting to show some very early signs of silly rust on the leading edges of both rear wings - I've treated this and painted over with waxoyl underbody seal as it was only just showing on the visible edges. 202's are available at almost give away prices now. Pick wisely and it's my belief you will have a car which although cheap to buy, will last and last. By the way, I understand ECU's can sometimes be repaired. Look elsewhere for companies specialising in this. Will I ever want to "upgrade" to a 203 ? No, I don't think so although they're also available at cheapish prices now too. Others will, doubtless have differing opinions.

 

[santefe999]

I certainly agree with what has been said. I ran my year 2000 C220 CDI W202 for seven years and had few problems mechanical with it. It was comfortable and, above all, reliable. New set of glow plugs, new discs and pads and a new battery were the parts I had to replace in addition to routine servicing. I loved the car but, sadly, at 160,000 miles the rust finally beat me and it had to go. Still running my 2005 C220CDI Avantegarde W203 and, so far, there have been no nightmares. This too is reliable and comfortable but seems to lack the feel of the 202. If the dreaded tin worm had not have taken such a strong hold I would still have the 202, feeling special when I drove it. Choose carefully and you could get a really nice car that will serve you well without paying mega bucks. Get it wrong and you will need deep pockets and long arms! Good luck.

 

[mandrake]

i have a 1996 w202 c250d elegance price payed 800 quid , i must admit only a couple of months and its a great car. economical,comfortable and power wise is good enough . have had a key fob problem only

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I am sure there has been the odd ECU failure but not wide enough to say dont go and buy one. I have had a couple, in fact I have one now and I think they are great cars. Certainly better than the early 203 in terms of reliability and feel. Just have to watch the rust, sadly on both model variants.

I sold my 1st C180 a few months ago with 200k on it and replaced it with almost exactly the same model just slightly newer with 85k on it.

 

[eyelight]

Thanks for all the informative replies.
Interesting that the majority of you drive diesels.

One other quick question, as an aside to this.

Saw an ad for a nice looking C180 today. 1997 with low mileage. Ad says that the ABS light is staying on all the time.
Could this just be due to a low battery? Or something more serious.
I think the car hasn't been driven much for a few months.

I'm wary of stuff like that, having had an E280 which had ASR troubles and would go into "limp home mode" too often.

 

[tode]

I've always tried to go for the bigger engines (within reason ), when buying 2nd hand, woorking on the assumption thaht a larger engine will be less tired than a smaller one.

 

[eyelight]

I've always tried to go for the bigger engines (within reason ), when buying 2nd hand, woorking on the assumption that a larger engine will be less tired than a smaller one.

A reasonable assumption,but we'll be doing quite a long commute here with a mix of motorway and city driving. We've had an E220 and an E280 before and the four cylinder is the only choice for economy.

 

[tode]

What sort of consumption do you expect from a 220 ? We got 40+ mpg from ours, mix of motorway and small local roads.

 

[mandrake]

ive a 250 d 5 cylinder auto and i am getting up to 40 local and 50 + pos 60 motorway depending how heavy a right foot i have

 

[Alex M Grieve]

ive a 250 d 5 cylinder auto and i am getting up to 40 local and 50 + pos 60 motorway depending how heavy a right foot i have

Great car. Great durability. Great economy.

And over the 15 years so far, that will have saved a pile of cash. But the driver remains the most consistent and important economy device.

 

[mandrake]

Great car. Great durability. Great economy.

And over the 15 years so far, that will have saved a pile of cash. But the driver remains the most consistent and important economy device.

thats true its the way the driver drives the car on the mpg they get . ihave posted my mpg i get out of my car the way i normaly drive . but if i decide to have a bit of fun and use that kick down then its a diferent matter as the old saying goes i can make the car drink like a fish ,one question i may get into bother for ,from some but here goes . as we all do when we get a new car we well most if they tell the truth do see what it will do well i did the other day, slap wrist anybody found there w202 gets a little light at the front end at about 120 mph or have i a problem with the car

 

[eyelight]

What sort of consumption do you expect from a 220 ? We got 40+ mpg from ours, mix of motorway and small local roads.

About the same from our E220. 40mpg in general driving, up to 45 on a long motorway trip.
The E280 was nearer to 30mpg.

Often drive from near London to Ireland.
The 220 would go all the way to the ferry at Holyhead, around Dublin for a day or two and then halfway to Cork before needing to fill up.
The 280 didn't make it as far as the ferry before needing a petrol station.

 

[tode]

if they tell the truth do see what it will do well i did the other day, slap wrist anybody found there w202 gets a little light at the front end at about 120 mph or have i a problem with the car

At 120+, I've never had a little yellow light, but watch out for the blue lights behind you

 

[Alex M Grieve]

thats true its the way the driver drives the car on the mpg they get . ihave posted my mpg i get out of my car the way i normally drive . but if i decide to have a bit of fun and use that kick down then its a different matter as the old saying goes i can make the car drink like a fish ,one question i may get into bother for ,from some but here goes . as we all do when we get a new car we well most if they tell the truth do see what it will do well i did the other day, slap wrist anybody found there w202 gets a little light at the front end at about 120 mph or have i a problem with the car

if it is only a problem at that speed, it may not be worth pursuing?

If the car runs straight and true, pulls up square and the tyre wear is even then it must be pretty OK.

 

[mandrake]

if it is only a problem at that speed, it may not be worth pursuing?

If the car runs straight and true, pulls up square and the tyre wear is even then it must be pretty OK.

did it once and i can asure you i wont do it again ,never go above 60 normaly . i like the max mpg i can get .yes it performs like a near new car . drives square and true the brakes are great no pulling at all . the tyres are ready for replacing soon about 4 mill all round . and the wear is even on all four ,and i will say this the turning circle for a medium to large car is very good .

 

[Alex M Grieve]

did it once and i can assure you i wont do it again ,never go above 60 normally . i like the max mpg i can get .yes it performs like a near new car . drives square and true the brakes are great no pulling at all . the tyres are ready for replacing soon about 4 mill all round . and the wear is even on all four ,and i will say this the turning circle for a medium to large car is very good .

but its great to have done it and to realise just how much reserve you have up your sleeve in normal driving conditions. It just gives you so much confidence in the car, and so much respect for it.

 

[Phil D]

202 every time - the only problem being age now so take great care to find one without rust damage