Tell me about W202/3 Class estates

[JimmyJam]

Much to my dismay, following the recent write off of our beloved W124 estate, my wife is beginning to talk about getting something smaller/ newer. In advance of me losing this battle I am looking at other ideas for her and the W202/3 estate has come up. The late 90's early 2000's era on a budget £1500-£2k maybe. I don't know anything about them and just wanted to see the general opinion and what to look out for etc.
As an Alfa nut then the only alternative is a 156 Sportwagon but I think I need at least 1 bit of vaguely reliable German metal in the fleet!

[C36 Nico]

The 202s rust pretty badly but are otherwise cracking cars.
The 203s are far more prone to faults, electronic/electric or otherwise.

Both are good cars principally but the W203`s in particular can be quite ruinous to run if you get a lemon.

[mickyveloce]

I'd be tempted to look for a very late 2001 w202 200 kompressor estate.
I tried to find one for a winter runabout , but nothing near enough to where I live I'm afraid .

[sawman]

I had a 2001 W203 200k estate. it was a compete lemon, When it worked it was a very nice place to be, but was riddled with electrical glitches, all the road springs broke, one at a time! the ducting for the supercharger came apart, one of the fog lamps fell off. I bought it in a hurry and sold it on 3 months later, which is a pity cos I had solved most of the problems by then.....

[JimmyJam]

Thanks, so looks like 202 may be preferable. Assume all rectangle lamps are 202 and double rounded lamps are all 203

[C36 Nico]

Trust me you cant really mistake one for the other. W202 is boxy, W203 a piece of soap in comparison.

[bolide]

You'll find a 202/203 very cramped inside after a W124. Load space is about 50% smaller and, at least in the W202, the cabin feels tight and I tend to hit my elbow on the side window

I went from a W124 to a BMW E39. The cabin layout is incredibly similar is many ways - reach out a hand and everything seems to be in the same place. Load space is about 20% less than a W124. They don't ride as well as a W124, unsurprisingly, but what does? On the upside, the diesel engines & gearboxes are light-years ahead of those on the Mercedes

You'll get a petrol E39 Touring in your budget

Nick Froome

[C36 Nico]

bolide said:

You'll find a 202/203 very cramped inside after a W124. Load space is about 50% smaller and, at least in the W202, the cabin feels tight and I tend to hit my elbow on the side window

I went from a W124 to a BMW E39. The cabin layout is incredibly similar is many ways - reach out a hand and everything seems to be in the same place. Load space is about 20% less than a W124. They don't ride as well as a W124, unsurprisingly, but what does? On the upside, the diesel engines & gearboxes are light-years ahead of those on the Mercedes

You'll get a petrol E39 Touring in your budget

Nick Froome

E39 are brilliant cars, but as a general rule older BMWs will cost you - moreso than contemporary mercs...

[va1o]

E39 probably a better bet, it's a bigger and better car than the C and was very well rated back in the day

[AC43]

I had a 202 saloon then a 202 estate.

Compared to more recent Mercs 202's are relatively simple, especially in terms of electrics.

BUT they can rust like crazy. My first one (MY2000)was fine. My second one (MY 1999) had appalling paint. All four arches went twice and I had to get one of the sills welded up for an MOT - this was on a ten year old car but even so it was a shock.

In terms of load space the 202 is much better that the contemporary BMW's and Audis. Obviously much smaller then the contemporary E. And much less legroom than an E which became an issue for me with kids in kiddie seats - their feet were against my seat back and I'm not tall.

Edited by AC43 on Friday 30th November 07:57