Any Mercedes-Benz owners?

[RhynoCZ]

Hello, I know this is a motorcycle forum (don't karma rape me here), but I would like to know, if anyone of you ever had a W202, W210, C208 and what engine? I came to a point where I need a car for a year or two and I thought I'd buy something I used to have on my wall as a poster, when I was younger. I need something to do 400 miles 6 times a month. Going by train I'd be paying more than for a 30 mpg car + I would always be in my destination 2-3 hours early. Using my motorcycle is out of question, although it only takes about 3 hours to cover the distance.

Back on topic,
I was reading a lot and checking the prices of parts for MB's and it's not really that expensive, some bits are even cheaper than some for other, cheaper built, cars so I decided to give an MB a chance. I tried some MB forums, but those people are brainwashed and will tell you their MB's are perfect no matter what.

So, I narrowed the pick on those three cars: W202, W210, C208.
Sub £3000, there are some quite nice and clean cars, but I can't decide what engine should I get, diesel or petrol and what displacement. There are avalible these cars at the moment (similar pricing, the same insurance rate: £217/p.a.):
W202 - C180/200, C250 TD, C200 CDI, even C280 (in-line 6, petrol)
W210 - E200 up to 290 TD, + various petrol engines
C208 - CLK200, 200k, 230k

The first own car must be fun, so RWD and not made by BMW.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Robby]

Between myself and the rest of the family there have been a few of them- off your list there was W210 E300TD, also a couple of older big petrol E classes and a 190E (W201 I think) 2.6 petrol.

I wouldn't get one. They're big, expensive cars with plenty of expensive ways of going wrong. Servicing parts are cheap, and if you get lucky then the cars keeps on going with just normal servicing. This is the exception, not the rule. The 210 series in particular was the model where the accountants took after that trashed MBs image for over a decade. They rust and they break.

If you want to do distance in comfort for cheapness, get a modern generic hatchback. You'll find a way to enjoy it. If you want something RWD for RWD fun, don't get something that weighs two tons and has self levelling suspension.

My general mercedes driving experience is that they're powerful, effortless and grippy. Point the star where you want to go, and the car will go here. They aren't involving or exciting, manual gearboxes are rare because a manual box on a mercedes is pointless.

[RhynoCZ]

It's not like I want to go sideways in every corner. I just like the way a RWD car feels + the novelty of it, since the was majority of cars today are FWD only, some with the Haldex thing that makes it 4x4 under certain circumstances.

Thanks for the info Robby, I'll scratch the W210 off my list, since it's a rust magnet. The W202 petrol seems to be the cheapest to keep alive. The C class was entry level car after all.

I'm gonna look at some other cars as well, I've got about 3 weeks to decide. I always get this problem, a pocket full of money and nothing I'd like to buy.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[UncleFester]

W124 Pillarless Coupe if you can find a nice one and don't mind the fuel bills - nice way to waft about.

Shame you don't care for BMW .... E34 525TD is nice as are the 535i that are booting around now for peanuts.
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2017 Z1000SX

[ferrisio]

I had a W202 C240 for a while, didn't have any major problems other than a cam sensor dying that was quite expensive. It was the period of rotting Merc bodywork though, the whole car was dissolving in front of my eyes - amazing how Merc got away with that one.

Economy was 30mpg, didn't really get much higher.

I'm enjoying my current E60 530D a lot more - really lively, and 50mpg on a run!
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BMW R1100R

[RhynoCZ]

Is there a marked up period of when the MB's had rotting bodyworks?

@ UncleBFester: I've never heard one good review on a BMW diesel. The post 2001 E46 320d is claimed to be alright if the fan is taken care of. They tend to overheat, when the fan is faulty (not spinning fast enough or just damaged), which results in the engine eating its head gasket. It is kind of interesting, that they designed the air intakes on the bonnet so it would need constant fan spinning so the head wouldn't go bang.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[ferrisio]

94-2002 would be my guess, was when they changed to water-based paint I think.

The 3-litre BMW diesel engine is excellent, though I have removed the swirl flaps as they are known to be a risk. Only other engine issues I have had are glow plugs (although still starts fine), exhaust manifold (poor design, replaced with older cast part), and crank pulley (dual mass) breaking up.

I found the 2-litre one to be underpowered and uneconomical compared to other similar ones (my Saab 9-3 was noticeably quicker and more economical).
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BMW R1100R

[UncleFester]

There is one E34 525TD that has the Vauxhall Omega diesel IIRC and is a lot better but it's a LONG time since i did my research.
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2017 Z1000SX

[mentalboy]

I drove a CLK200 convertible once...it might have been fun if it had a manual gearbox

[RhynoCZ]

The best economy car I've ever driven was my father's '02 Seat (VW) Toledo 1.9TDi, I could do 55+mpg and my father, as he drives the car every day, does 60+mpg.

But, I kind of want something rather extraordinaire, as always. I'm a fan of MB since I was watching the DTM as a kid in the 90's. That's also when I saw ZX7R in the WSBK, and 17 years later I got one.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Jack the Lad]

My 2000 W210 E320 was a rustbucket by 2010 when I sold it losing £5k in 2 years. Some got away with it or have been fixed on warranty. Fabulous to drive, every journey was an event. 30 mpg was reasonable. Parts and srrvice costs werent too bad except some bits could be disastrous like ECUs at 1500 squids, but there will be loads in breakers by now and the forums are good for help. In winter it needed paving slabs in the boot or it would only move sideways.

I would sell my children for a good CLK convertible from that era, perhaps when I retire and don't have to put 30k. miles a year on it.

Jack.

[stickybackbob]

I have a 98 W202 C200 petrol. Bought it 4 years ago for £450 and apart from a few little jobs (boot locks seize, front flexi hoses cracked) it's been very easy to own. Parts aren't too expensive and they do tend to last.

It's not a fun car but it will get you long distances in comfort. MPG is similar to any other 2 litre car.

If buying, body condition is important but a good service history is a must.

[.Chris.]

I've got a '92 190E (W201) 2.6 - the model before the W202 you're considering. Personally I love it. It's a bit of a sofa on wheels - not sporty but comfy and has been reliable in the 2 1/2 years I've had it.

As for the models you've mentioned, you need to be aware that they're from the era (mid-90s to mid-00s) in which Mercedes quality went down the flusher somewhat. Both the W202 and W210 are known for their ability to go seriously rusty. Some say that RHD cars are more badly affected than LHD ones, but I'm not sure how much proof of that there is. Definitely give any prospective purchase a thorough checking over for rust.

One other thing to watch out for is issues with the M104 straight-six engine - fitted to 2.8 and 3.2 litre W202 and W210s before about 1997. This engine can develop a leaky head gasket and can also have problems with the wiring loom in the engine bay degrading due to heat, which causes rough running and can fry the ECU. Both issues can be expensive to fix.

On Mercedes in general, personally I think this sort of car is best suited to a large petrol engine, preferably with 6 cylinders. Obviously you pay for it at the pumps, but the extra consumption over the 4 cylinder cars is often not as great as you might imagine. None of them are all that economical.

As you've found out parts costs can either be strangely cheap or hideously expensive. Aftermarket parts are available but as ever, quality varies. It's a good idea to ask around on forums before choosing to go with aftermarket or genuine. On plenty of things it's fine to go aftermarket, but on some key parts it's better to pony up and go for the genuine article.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Robby]

If I was in the market for big RWD saloon that was 15-20 years old, I would probably be looking for Vauxhall Omega. This runs counter to my deep seated mistrust of Vauxhall.

Mercs from that era rust. They few good ones have a premium attached as a non-rusty example. Cheap BMWs have been owned by the kind of people that buy cheap BMWs. The Ford offering from the time was the Scorpio. I owned one, it was nice to drive but not nice to look at, nor very reliable. The only other option I can think of is a Jag. I also owned one of them, not cheap to own.

This is why I wouldn't focus on RWD for a big car - you lose out on most of the fun side once the weight edges towards two tons. If I wanted something big I would be after a Volvo.

[RhynoCZ]

So far I'm going to closely look at, some W202 C180 and 200 petrol with manual gearboxes. As I understand the situation, if the bodywork is not rusty, then it should be alright (just like any other petrol car). I'm not planning on keeping it more than a year or two. If I won't be able to find a nice one, for reasonable money, I'll pass on that idea for another 5 to 10 years.

The Omega was also on my list, but there are none in at least alright condition on the market. It's also not very cheap, I must say. The money people ask for a not so rusty Omega's is ridiculous (the same money a nice clean W202 with full tank and spare tyres would be for).
I even looked at Vectra C at some point, only to find out its reliability was questionable. I don't mind changing head gaskets, hoses and pipes etc., but I won't ever do electric switches, onboard computers, self opening/closing windows and so on. A friend of mine had Vectra B, we did tons of work on it in our garage, so I thought a bit more advanced Vectra C would be alright, but nah, electrics is not my thing.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[bikertomm]

Worth investigating BMW?

Should get a pre-facelift 330d 6 speed manual for 3k.

I've got the e46 330cd m sport, manual, just did over 700 miles on a tank, being pretty well behaved, (long runs) which worked out to a real world 52.6MPG From a 6 cyclinder 10 year old turbo diesel. Stick that up your prius's arse.

Normally closer to 45MPG with normal driving though.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[MaybeGuy]

I've got a 2000 C180 sitting in my mothers driveway... I'll never be back long enough to put it through an MOT etc, but you can have it for not much money.

Last MOT was an advisory for "surface corrosion on brake lines", and that's about it. It's been sat for 3 years mind. Last time I was home it fired up within 2 seconds with a charged battery.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[RhynoCZ]

Not that I wouldn't go and have a look at your C180, but the problem is, I live 1000 miles away and want something with the wheel on the left side of the car.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[uberkron]

Have had a couple of 210. One was 210053 other 310063. Werent bad for old shitters.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[Vincent]

What sort of era are you talking about? I used to borrow an old estate of my boss and really enjoyed it. I think that was an early '80s one but not sure. Built like a tank but no corrosion probs.
I noticed it was missing in the car park one day and it turned out he'd scrapped it cos the key had broke Or so he said. I find German cars grow on you, they sort of change shape after you've done some mileage........ if that makes sense
What about the big Beemer....7 series is it?
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Space Is Deep

[Vincent]

[WD Forte]

One of my lads has a 2001 E320 Avante Garde estate and loves it
It has some corrosion issues here and there but not too bad really.
the worst is the rear wells where the spare wheel and stuff goes
the headlamp grounding points were corroded so I move them but it was an easy fix.
The straight 6 3.2 deisel is great, can give around 40 mpg if you take it easy.( =<70-80 mph cruising)
Only snags so far is when the crank position sensor started to break down when hot, we couldn't get the fucker out so it had to go to the garage and even they struggled.
The polycarbonate headlight lenses can go milky too like many cars with them.
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bikers smell of wee

[Shaft]

I've been a Merc man for the last 15 years, in fact, we've all got them at my garage.

Personally, I wouldn't go for a W202, they aren't very well made and they don't drive like a Merc should, not even the AMG versions; if you want a small one, go looking for a nice W201, which is much more like a Mercedes should be, especially with the 2.6 engine.

As for W210s, I've got an E240 estate now, which replaced my E320 saloon.

They do rot, but there are still plenty of good ones around; the most important place to check is the front upper spring mount, which can pull away from the inner wing and cause the spring to pop out, with potentially disasterous consequences.

Mercedes do a repair panel that costs about 20 quid and it's an hour to fix, if you're handy with an angle grinder and a mig set.

If you're going for a diesel, in my opinion the best engine is the last version of the straight six, with the 24 valve head; relatively economical and mountains of torque, you'll really surprise people at the traffic light GP.

Beware of cars that flash the glow plug warning light - if you need to replace them, the glow plugs rarely come out easily and frequently snap in the head, which is a major ball ache to fix, unless you have a friendly specialist to hand.

Another common fault on late 210s is the dashboard LCD displays break down - stupid money from Merc, there's a bloke on Ebay that does a repair kit for about 30E.

If there's anything else you need to know, PM me, there's not much we haven't done on Mercs since the 70s.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[mgh0]

I used to own a W124 E300 with the OM606 3l Diesel engine, I really really miss that car.

Totally over-engineered and built like a tank.

Wafting along like driving a sofa.
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"Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall, it is defined by those who fell and rose to fight again." Adrienne Rich.

[RhynoCZ]