W202 time to buy?
Discussion
The really early cars (glovebox rather than passenger airbag) are as solid as the late 201s.
Build quality dropped off as the production run progressed though. I don't suppose they'll ever be worth much - even the standard 190s are not gaining much ground, but I really like them, and hope there are people around who will retain some enthusiasm.
Build quality dropped off as the production run progressed though. I don't suppose they'll ever be worth much - even the standard 190s are not gaining much ground, but I really like them, and hope there are people around who will retain some enthusiasm.
KillerHERTZ said:
Ive own 3, Build quality didnt drop later on, however the bodywork/paint did. and rusts terribly.
I'd call that build quality! In my experience of them, the later cars (97 model year) were not as robust as the first ones, but we're certainly as mechanically reliable.
I'd like a 230k / 280 estate if anyone's selling a mint one.
Look at this, a 280 V6 with saddle leather and 73,000km. Fabulous.
Edited by mickyveloce on Tuesday 14th March 14:22
Brilliant cars, and I can see that they will appreciate at some point.
Bought one in Jan. It's an early pre-traction control C280 Sport manual with an S320 bottom end. Those M104 engines are a delight.
OK, mines stripped out, low with AMG brakes and a welded diff, but I bloody love it, and am currently favouring the commute in that rather than the E63.
Not a spot of rust, and mechanically feels far more solid than anything else I've owned for a long while.
This one will certainly never go up in value, but at £850, I just had to have it...
Bought one in Jan. It's an early pre-traction control C280 Sport manual with an S320 bottom end. Those M104 engines are a delight.
OK, mines stripped out, low with AMG brakes and a welded diff, but I bloody love it, and am currently favouring the commute in that rather than the E63.
Not a spot of rust, and mechanically feels far more solid than anything else I've owned for a long while.
This one will certainly never go up in value, but at £850, I just had to have it...
Utterpiffle said:
Brilliant cars, and I can see that they will appreciate at some point.
Bought one in Jan. It's an early pre-traction control C280 Sport manual with an S320 bottom end. Those M104 engines are a delight.
OK, mines stripped out, low with AMG brakes and a welded diff, but I bloody love it, and am currently favouring the commute in that rather than the E63.
Not a spot of rust, and mechanically feels far more solid than anything else I've owned for a long while.
This one will certainly never go up in value, but at £850, I just had to have it...
That's great. Bought one in Jan. It's an early pre-traction control C280 Sport manual with an S320 bottom end. Those M104 engines are a delight.
OK, mines stripped out, low with AMG brakes and a welded diff, but I bloody love it, and am currently favouring the commute in that rather than the E63.
Not a spot of rust, and mechanically feels far more solid than anything else I've owned for a long while.
This one will certainly never go up in value, but at £850, I just had to have it...
I've a recurring thought to fit a manual 'box to my C36, but probably won't.
The traction control fitted to these was awful, but mercifully an optional extra not fitted to my car.
I love them, but in the same breath, they can be a bit rubbish.
In my experience the later ones rust more than the early ones, and they can have the usual dodgy Merc electrics.
I've had a few, some good, some bad.
I've got the manual box, clutch, flywheel, pedal box, ready to convert my C36, just can't bite the bullet on doing the conversion.
I've also got a manual 230K with welded diff, and it is hilarious, but the electrics are falling to bits on it.
I bought a cheap 240 to eventually break for spares, it was suprisingly rust free, but tatty.
Went to it one day and the electronic ignition key decided to stop working, so it is now getting broken for spares.
In my experience the later ones rust more than the early ones, and they can have the usual dodgy Merc electrics.
I've had a few, some good, some bad.
I've got the manual box, clutch, flywheel, pedal box, ready to convert my C36, just can't bite the bullet on doing the conversion.
I've also got a manual 230K with welded diff, and it is hilarious, but the electrics are falling to bits on it.
I bought a cheap 240 to eventually break for spares, it was suprisingly rust free, but tatty.
Went to it one day and the electronic ignition key decided to stop working, so it is now getting broken for spares.
A nice w201, especially an early car with the 2.8litre m104 six cylinder, is a very tempting proposition. Small, elegantly styled inside and out, good to drive, well-thought out, significantly more modern than the w201.
The problem is that they don't exist. First off, they came to market in the middle of a the early-nineties recession. Very few C280s were registered relative to the numbers of C180s and C200s and the like. Second, they were never really loved, and so were not preserved and cared for. Third, the early-nineties seems to be when Britain ceased to look after its cars generally, tossing them away after a couple of years. Fourth, very few cars in Britain were special ordered: most were dealer orders in boring colours, upholsteries and specifications. To be desirable, the w202 needs to be Elegance with medium red cloth, zebrano wood and a load of options like electric heated seats and climate. And it really should have one of those natty Becker 2000 wireless sets.
The launch cars in Elegance spec were Rosewood Metallic over Medium Red cloth. Now you're talking.
The problem is that they don't exist. First off, they came to market in the middle of a the early-nineties recession. Very few C280s were registered relative to the numbers of C180s and C200s and the like. Second, they were never really loved, and so were not preserved and cared for. Third, the early-nineties seems to be when Britain ceased to look after its cars generally, tossing them away after a couple of years. Fourth, very few cars in Britain were special ordered: most were dealer orders in boring colours, upholsteries and specifications. To be desirable, the w202 needs to be Elegance with medium red cloth, zebrano wood and a load of options like electric heated seats and climate. And it really should have one of those natty Becker 2000 wireless sets.
The launch cars in Elegance spec were Rosewood Metallic over Medium Red cloth. Now you're talking.
Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 14th March 19:58
r129sl said:
...
What a horrendous colour combination! I would be proud to own such a thing. I didn't realise the c280 was particularly rare until reading your comment. Just looked it up on that how many left website. Apparently, there are 12 C280 Sports left on the road. Possibly should have looked after mine then!
sim16v said:
You just like the unusual colour combinations! 
For the highest spec possible, i'd suggest an early C36.
They are comfortable, have most options and just a bit more oomph than the 280
The Rosewood is fabulous, as was the patrician dark grey metallic on offer at the time. For the highest spec possible, i'd suggest an early C36.
They are comfortable, have most options and just a bit more oomph than the 280
My C36 is pretty basic. One electric seat, air con, not climate, no seat heating, no sunroof and no traction control. All of which are a massive bonus now that it's 21 years old.
mickyveloce said:
My C36 is pretty basic. One electric seat, air con, not climate, no seat heating, no sunroof and no traction control. All of which are a massive bonus now that it's 21 years old.
As Michael knows, my C36 is equally basic, perhaps even poverty spec not even having Leather.
r129sl said:
A nice w201, especially an early car with the 2.8litre m104 six cylinder, is a very tempting proposition. Small, elegantly styled inside and out, good to drive, well-thought out, significantly more modern than the w201.
The problem is that they don't exist. First off, they came to market in the middle of a the early-nineties recession. Very few C280s were registered relative to the numbers of C180s and C200s and the like. Second, they were never really loved, and so were not preserved and cared for. Third, the early-nineties seems to be when Britain ceased to look after its cars generally, tossing them away after a couple of years. Fourth, very few cars in Britain were special ordered: most were dealer orders in boring colours, upholsteries and specifications. To be desirable, the w202 needs to be Elegance with medium red cloth, zebrano wood and a load of options like electric heated seats and climate. And it really should have one of those natty Becker 2000 wireless sets.
The launch cars in Elegance spec were Rosewood Metallic over Medium Red cloth. Now you're talking.
Interesting - a trader mate of mine had a metallic blue 1995 C280 Elegance with grey leather IIRC. But the really unusual bit was it was a manual! Anyway we took it to the FOS and he let me drive it home - I loved it! The problem is that they don't exist. First off, they came to market in the middle of a the early-nineties recession. Very few C280s were registered relative to the numbers of C180s and C200s and the like. Second, they were never really loved, and so were not preserved and cared for. Third, the early-nineties seems to be when Britain ceased to look after its cars generally, tossing them away after a couple of years. Fourth, very few cars in Britain were special ordered: most were dealer orders in boring colours, upholsteries and specifications. To be desirable, the w202 needs to be Elegance with medium red cloth, zebrano wood and a load of options like electric heated seats and climate. And it really should have one of those natty Becker 2000 wireless sets.
The launch cars in Elegance spec were Rosewood Metallic over Medium Red cloth. Now you're talking.
Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 14th March 19:58
Then in 2000 he got a 1994 C280 Sport Auto in Tourmaline Green with black leather, sunroof and climate control - so I bought it to replace my manual 190E!
To be honest it was disappointing after the W201 - it didn't feel as well-built, ride was poor yet handling was nothing special either. The engine was good, but the slushbox was just slushy and I've had as good straight 6s in BMWs. After 3 years I got a good deal on a Leon Cupra ex-company car at work so the C280 was sold.
But from what you have said if I had kept it, I would have a rare car now!
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