What to buy!

[alexanderfoti]

If I continue to drive my Smart CDI on these horrible detours and lane closures around bexhill, its wheels will fall off. So. I am going to replace it with an old MB that is squishy and economical. Max budget £1600 ish. Non runners are fine as long as the fault is simple, no point in recovering something for it to need more than its worth in repairs.

Short listers are:

W202 - Diesels - Slow, reliable but prone to rust for their age, but oh so nice.
W211 - Small diesels - Not slow, mediocre reliability, less likely to have rust issues, but cheap ones are going to have suspension that needs work etc.
W203/209 - Coupe/4door - Rust issues and suspension as above, most are at 180k in that price range.
W220 - Diesel - Nice, but air suspension and not that economical due to size.
W204 - Diesel - above price range unless they are a basket case.

Doing 300 miles a week, so even with the increased cost of diesel, they still make sense (until they are banned)

Thoughts?

 

[Richard Moakes]

W202 all the way

 

[Blobcat]

W202 all the way

Agree, a C250 Diesel

 

[s5tuart]

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[alexanderfoti]

Scouting about for 202's then. An eye on one but its a few hours away. Will keep you lot updated.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If the mileage is genuine this will run to 200k miles no problem

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[alexanderfoti]

If the mileage is genuine this will run to 200k miles no problem

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Rust will kill it

Forgot to mention no estates ideally, as we have another for my wife, and parking them will be problematic

 

[alexanderfoti]

If anybody finds something interesting in a 100mi radius of the workshop, let me know please.

 

[LostKiwi]

If the mileage is genuine this will run to 200k miles no problem

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My 210 E240 was one of the best cars I've owned till the tin worms ate through it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My 210 E240 was one of the best cars I've owned till the tin worms ate through it.

Yes, they are - I still miss mine according to MoT checker it’s still going strong the engine was a gem.

 

[ajlsl600]

If anybody finds something interesting in a 100mi radius of the workshop, let me know please.

Where is workshop

 

[alexanderfoti]

TN12 7dg

 

[JBell]

What about a '04 on W203 in Avantguard spec

 

[alexanderfoti]

What about a '04 on W203 in Avantguard spec

diesel, 4 door/coupe and rot free?

 

[Chrishazle]

04 on should be rot free, MB resumed galvanising in 03 and added nano paint in 04. My 2001 S203 was not rot free! Original 203 road tests said the 270Cdi was the best engine for the 203, it's what I had, MAF failed within a month, luckily covered by warranty. Routinely turned in 40-45mpg, 50 or a couple more on a long run. Mine was Elegance - fewer toys to go wring, tried an AG, suspension/ride was a bit harsher.

 

[grayb]

Rust will kill it

Forgot to mention no estates ideally, as we have another for my wife, and parking them will be problematic

Is a C-Class estate that much longer than a saloon? Our '98 W202 had rust holes before it was even 8 years old.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I was thinking more of e class Estate, but I take your point.

Early 202s (up to 98 ish) are pretty good if kept in good condition.

After that they ruuuuust, like 210s and 220,s!

 

[grayb]

I was thinking more of e class Estate, but I take your point.

Early 202s (up to 98 ish) are pretty good if kept in good condition.

After that they ruuuuust, like 210s and 220,s!

Our W202 used to go to our tame body shop nearly every year to stamp on the rust spiders under the paint. We even had a pinhole in the roof by the rail. It was only about 5 years old when we bought it, lowish miles.

 

[JBell]

diesel, 4 door/coupe and rot free?

Yup as @Chrishazle said, '04 on MY cars are facelifted and galvanised Headlights have silver trim round the lenses rather than the one piece of earlier cars

 

[alexanderfoti]

I'm more concerned with underbody rot, none of them have visible rust, but to spend 2+ days doing brake lines and rot prevention is a pain on the cheapo car. They do exist but its hunting them out.

My eyes are peeled.