W202

[ThomasT]

As I posted earlier, I have to sell my LHD 300E 124, I now live in Europe, and need to buy a RHD from UK, to send to Penang as my one duty-free car. I found it difficult to find a very low mileage auto/aircon 124, so I researched various other models. Having read good reviews on the W202 C class, I found some low mileage ones available. Then when I researched further, I discovered that they were not a good Merc of that era, 94 to 2001, but that the automatic had a major gearbox problem. I read that a bearing disintigrated, taking the box with it, requiring a rebuild or a new box. As it seemed to be a design fault, would it not affect all 202 automatics? Oil. Some posters commented that although MB says there was no need, that if the gearbox oil were changed every 30K miles, it would prevent this. So Qs to any owners, experts, pse. If this was a fault, was it corrected on the last one or two year models. If it was a fault, did the oil change prevent it? Being a sucker for additives, I wonder if nano friction proofing may help. My 300E is loaded with it, (as well as Enerpulse spark plugs). Also I read of occasional computor problems. Obviously they dont show on a for sale vehicle, but ...do they crop up? I have been so impressed with my 89 300E, from new, that I really dont want to end up driving a Kia.

 

[dragon]

As I posted earlier, I have to sell my LHD 300E 124, I now live in Europe, and need to buy a RHD from UK, to send to Penang as my one duty-free car. I found it difficult to find a very low mileage auto/aircon 124, so I researched various other models. Having read good reviews on the W202 C class, I found some low mileage ones available. Then when I researched further, I discovered that they were not a good Merc of that era, 94 to 2001, but that the automatic had a major gearbox problem. I read that a bearing disintigrated, taking the box with it, requiring a rebuild or a new box. As it seemed to be a design fault, would it not affect all 202 automatics? Oil. Some posters commented that although MB says there was no need, that if the gearbox oil were changed every 30K miles, it would prevent this. So Qs to any owners, experts, pse. If this was a fault, was it corrected on the last one or two year models. If it was a fault, did the oil change prevent it? Being a sucker for additives, I wonder if nano friction proofing may help. My 300E is loaded with it, (as well as Enerpulse spark plugs). Also I read of occasional computor problems. Obviously they dont show on a for sale vehicle, but ...do they crop up? I have been so impressed with my 89 300E, from new, that I really dont want to end up driving a Kia.

If in doubt buy a manual!

I still have my 97 for 12 years, no problem with the gearbox other than the problems with water pump and the Scorpion security siren and the rust due to the British salty road.

How do you qualify for one duty free if you don't mind I ask? I was aware all along, it 100 to 200% import duty unless you buy a local built Proton.

 

[ThomasT]

Hi Dragon. I will go in on a scheme called MM2H, which allows one car imported from your last residence or origin country, or a locally assembled any variety. The KIA Sportage 4WD with 7 year warranty is a fine machine, if I cant find a MB. Shipping will be about IK£, so with the KIA at about 10K£, a big saving if one finds an old low mileage Merc. Unfortunately, MB had many lemon years/models.. My wife wont drive a manual, too nervous, so I had to pass up an almost new E class 124. Tks anyway...