W202 1996 c200 Buying Advice

[saz7159]

Hi there

Great site with loads of information. I've been "lucky" enough to be given a 1996 W202 C200 Sport Auto from the family gratis as they are trading up and have not been offered any decent money against the new car. As a MX5 driver for many years and a regular on the MX5 Owner sites, I hope that you guys can help a newbie out as its time for me to stop driving a car with holes in the roof and wet seats for a few months at least...

What are the things to look out for on the W202 1996 with @ 130k on the clock, reasonable dealer then indie history, family driven but not thrashed.
Auto Box - I've never owned an auto, what should it sound like, drive like, what is the kick-down, what is the difference between sport and economy modes? I know sport mode won't be MX5 style, but the Merc will help settle my driving style (my 3 year old tells me to slow down at any speed over 20mph anyhow ).

What is the most likely expensive thing to go on a 130k car (especially if I intend keeping it for a few years doing @ 10k per year)? Since I not paying for it, I can justify putting some money aside for servicing/repairs.
I know the exhaust is blowing and there are rear windows have not worked since the car was liberally power washed some months ago. Battery has been recently replaced (short journey car). But aside from that, car seems to be running ok.

Thanks in advance.
Saz

 

[jberks]

Hi there and welcome.
You should have a fine reliable motor there.
There isn't much to check really. Just make sure that the gearbox oil has been changed in the last 40k or so and that as you describe the servicing has been done properly. Assuming you can answer yes to those 2, just put fuel in and drive it.
We too refused to sell our C. For what we've been offered I'd rather keep it in the family as a spare, so that's what my dad and I are doing. Despite the fact that we don't really need it.

Not sure why the windows are playing up, but if you have a decent indie and a few quid to spare, if it were me, I'd drive it for a few weeks, make a list of minor niggles, sort what I could and bob it to the indie and have the rest done, plus a general check and recommendations on condition of such things as suspension joints. Then replace any tired suspension parts and it should be as good as new.

They are quite reasonable to run. Even dealer parts are quite sensible and normally the best bet.

The sport setting has it holding gears longer and kicking down more eagerly. The economy is a more relaxed setting, changing up sooner and saving fuel. I tended to keep mine in economy most of the time and drop into sport when I was feeling like a bit of a hooligan. That way you appreciate the change more!

 

[C220GJS]

Should have no real problems as JB says, though one thing I would add ,grease the wiper drive before it starts to act up,easy job to do and could save you £100s;http://202tech.mkosonen.com/howtos.html ,(hesitating wiper section).

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

With all MB's a full read of the owners manual is not a bad place to start

 

[42847]

w202

my w regd 200 elegance has 145000 miles with only routine servicing i expect another 10 yrs of good service which equaits to another 50,000 miles without any trouble [12 services in the book so far[

 

[type49]

Def. grease the wiper as pointed out. Also check the bulkhead drain hole. Open bonnet, passenger side, below bonnet hinges, there is a rubber flap to let out water. This is common to blockage from dirt/leaves etc, if blocked, water can enter the car through the heater & cause wiring problems etc.

 

[saz7159]

Cheers guys - appreciate the quick responses.

I'm not getting the car until next month as the replacement hasn't arrived yet, but I'll keep you posted. W202 is going through MOT next week, so that will sort out most things. In any respect, I'll do the basic checks for oily coolant (head gasket), smokey exhaust, suspension rumbling etc. and then run her for a few weeks before booking into a local specialist.

Funnily enough the MX5 has similar problems with drains, particular off the roof. The sealing rubber flaps tend to get gummed up and you hear the water sloshing when you turn corners - quite disconcerting the 1st time you hear it.

BTW what is the likely cause of tyre wear on the inner tread - wheel balance seems ok and there is definitely no track days involved!

SAZ

 

[BarryG]

Most likely tracking needs doing if the wheels have been balanced.


Barry

 

[jberks]

BTW what is the likely cause of tyre wear on the inner tread - wheel balance seems ok and there is definitely no track days involved!
SAZ

If you mean that the centres of the tyres are wearing faster than the outer edges, your pressures are too high. Drop them by a few lb and it should even out. On the front, the edges wear if the tracking is out, you corner a lot and too heavily or the pressures are too low.

 

[saz7159]

Thanks All.

Had a good look at all wheels at the weekend.

Seems to be the inner tread wearing more on rear wheels than front. I'll book into for tracking setting - some of the local roads are a tad bumpy and that may have caused it. Mind you, car flew through MOT 2 weeks ago and tyres were last changed 4 years ago, not bad to get @50k (motorway driving) on a set of rubbers!

BTW what would sort of mileage would you expect to get from a set of tyres for a c200? I used to get @40k from a set of goodyear on a 1991 BMW 520.

SAZ

 

[television]

Thanks All.

Had a good look at all wheels at the weekend.

Seems to be the inner tread wearing more on rear wheels than front. I'll book into for tracking setting - some of the local roads are a tad bumpy and that may have caused it. Mind you, car flew through MOT 2 weeks ago and tyres were last changed 4 years ago, not bad to get @50k (motorway driving) on a set of rubbers!

BTW what would sort of mileage would you expect to get from a set of tyres for a c200? I used to get @40k from a set of goodyear on a 1991 BMW 520.

SAZ

I would have said that the wearing in the inside is more or less normal.
If any thing wrong with the tracking the tread would feather on the edge of each tread band and can be felt by rubbing your hand over the tread. this also causes rapid tyre wear as it is scrubing the tread off as you drive.
but I still think that it is normal the way it is.

Malcolm