W202 @ ~2k - Am I a fool?

[SloppyClock]

Hi all,

Selling my 454 shortly and am looking at buying something a bit bigger and automatic. Was thinking of being sensible and getting a Jazz (yawns) but the heart is lusting after a bargey merc. Caveat: budget is limited to £2k.

What I really want is a W202 C200. Elegance is preferred. Could possibly go for a W203, but would much prefer a 202. I think a W124 at this price point would be a bit of a dog, rather than the dogs doo dads.

Any thoughts on this price point and car choice? Seems engines and gearboxes are solid.

[ZX10R NIN]

No you're not a fool but the W203 is the one to go for & you'll get a good one for your budget, the 270 is the pick of the engines but they're hard to find the 220 is still a good option & you'll land a nice one.

270 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

220 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you can live with two doors then the CLK is a good shout & they're a bit more practical too as they have rear folding seats.

270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the hatchback C Class

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want a petrol there are still some good options:

CLK200 Avantgarde Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

320 Avantgarde this means you don't get the Orthopedic Seats like you do in the car above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C230 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C200 Coupe Sport Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Dicky Knee]

I had a C200 (petrol) I bought new in 1997. It was a 5 speed Auto and 97 was the first year they had twin airbags (in Australia). I did 150 000 fault free kilometres in it before being rear ended by a truck which wrote it off but the family got out with only a couple of scratches from the broken rear window.

Rust isn't an issue in Oz so I cant comment on that but electrically and mechanically it was great.I have one again as a shed.

Coincidentally I was in a cab on the autobahn in Germany yesterday and overtook one which was still looking pretty good.

The only slightly disconcerting thing I found was the delay between planting the accelerator and the car deciding to it wanted to move. Not sure if that was unique to that engine/auto.

[kurt535]

funny enough ive just bought a w201; im not sure you'll get the reliability of a w202 at a 2k price point.

[Mr Tidy]

I bought a 1989 2 litre 190e in 1998, but wanted the next bigger and better model - as you tend to do!

So in 2000 I replaced it with a 1994 C280 Sport - which really wasn't nearly as good a car.

If I was looking for an older Merc in your budget I'd be looking for a W201 or W124.