I have a year 2000 C200 Classic. My Gran bought it brand new, Gave it to my mom, and when time came for to get a car, I fell in love this car. So i took ownership in 2012 and i still have it today i drive it everyday and we now sitting on 491000km. But i keep my maintenance up. Sometimes yes its expensive but doing the maths, owning this car vs modern day eco shit box with no features its cheaper to own the merc, And it drives so well.
You got company! I've owned a C180 1999 model since 2014, being the 2nd owner. If you watch the water /oil levels, keep good tires & service periodically, you have an immortal car! Apparently Merc w202's were built to run 1,000,000 miles! Top Gear said the w202 engines are Indestructible
My Grandma had one with the 2.0 petrol automic she sold it with 260k miles on the clock and it lived on a fair bit after that too. She is now in a 2013 Mercedes C class C250 CDI.
I have the C200 as my first car and still do, I've spent enough maintenance to buy it twice over (I got it used and at the bottom of depreciation), but it is a wonderful drive that gives cushy but not mushy ride comfort, confident handling, and very forgiving on its maintenance, things will break but it gives you plenty of warning ahead before it finally stops working, parts are easily available and easy to keep going. Would recommend to anyone that wants to feel a true mercedes on a budget.
I have W202 A/T as my weekend's car. The car is wonderful and reliable. I live in Indonesia and the weather is tropical. Temperature engine of my W202 still stable. The W202 runs very well without major trouble. Always happy drive my W202.
@snggarageeng Fortunately i dont have rust in my W202. I changed my transmission and engine oil regularly. For the transmission i also clean the body valve part. My car odometer is 250.000 km and run very well. The key is well maintained and don't delay to replacing damaged parts.
I'm from Manila and I'm planning to get this W202 as my daily car. I'm 60 and instead of buying a brand new Toyota I've finally decided to get a classic 202 besides the prestige is still there. Thanks for the forewarning of which spare parts I should monitor. I'm planning to find a black one.
I just got my second W202. First had a 95 red sedan, now 97 silver wagon, both with M11.920/921. The first one was trash but made me love those cars and now I found the one I was looking for - elegance, with AC and electric windows, and pre-lift interior, and of course most importantly - wagon, which is hard to get by in my area (Poland), especially with patrol engine. Wagons here were used to haul potatoes or construction materials basically. There are those “fix it yourself” books released in Poland as translations from Haynes and others, and in Poland it was released only for diesel engines 😂 so I have book for petrol one in English. Another fun fact: I also crashed one, that my father in law had (97 esprit green wagon), back in the day when I was very inexperienced driver 😢 great to see a fresh video about W202, I think they are underdogs now but they age like wine ;) also w124 is the big thing here in Poland and w202 is not so popular but there are some FB groups for W202ers so we’re staying strong ;) By the way, does anyone know more about how trims were composed back then? Like you could have automatic transmission and other great stuff but no electric windows for example. Mine puzzles me for another reason - it is 1997 but has pre-lift door trim but has the “new” dashboard - and I’m 99% sure nothing was swapped because I have full history of this car. How come? I’m very happy about it because I don’t like the later years door trim, but could someone choose it, they randomized it or what? 😂 For me, only the Elegance does it because it has wooden trim on the top of the dash and doors, and chrome on the outside, how about you guys? I think even if I would get an AMG I would swap the trim for wood 😂
I had a 2000 C43 AMG it was a beautiful car I sold it and regretted it then got a 98 C230 then soon after a 99 C230 Kompressor sold the 98 then got another 98 just like it sold it then got it back right now it’s in the shop getting everything checked out and some basic maintenance stuff done on it real quick I’m excited to have it back I’ve been around a fair bit of W202s and love them so much I want a W124 someday I’ve also had a couple W204s, a W211, a couple W221s, W220s, and a W222 had a W203 as well something about the 90s Mercedes though is something I can’t stay away from though love some of the newer ones but the classic square body Mercedes are just amazing
I have a 1998 C230 that has over 326000 miles on it. That's over 524646 kilometers. It srill runs perfect and passes California smog check like a new car. I've owned 10 Mercedes vehicles from 1970 220 diesel , 1992 190E 2.6, 1985 500SEL, 3 1998 W202, 2 1998 W163, a 2008 ML550 and 2010 ML350 . The W202 is always fun to drive. Plenty of power for modern traffic and handles great. t gets great gas mileage too. Not quite as fun as my ML550 though.
My father has a 96 C180 Esprit ATP. Clima, ABS, rear seats foldable, heated side mirrors, factory chassis lower. All what you need, an indestructible car and you can fix everything yourself!
i have the W202 180 estate, needed something to take the dogs out. had new seat covers and boot liner made as the car is in great condition. with low miles. nice car but yes, under powered but it does a good job.
Yes. I have a 97 C280 and the cooling system is what has given me the most trouble. Basically, every hose needed to be replaced. In fact, everything made of rubber or plastic should be inspected. These cars are all very old now and no matter how well designed, rubber and plastic just cannot last that many years without decay. Otherwise, my car runs like a dream. Inline 6 is soooooo smooth. 200hp is perfect: Just a bit extra power which is exactly what a Mercedes should have.
Have 1995 C180, M111.920. Replaced wiring harness. 126000 kms. Excellent car, I love it. My second car and first Mercedes (first car was 1992 E32 735iL). Regards from Australia.
People used to say that the Mercedes Benz is a strong car but not good because it is expensive in spares and in fuel consumption. Are they right?Can you help me with more information; plz?
i have a 1997 c230 and its a super good car i fixed the tranny and now ive been going good for a year and it only has 75,000 miles so it should last forever now
I was looking for a w202 but I have a question, I want an automatic gearbox. Are the automatic gearboxes 4-speed or 5-speed? If both how can I know which one is the 5-speed? I want a c180 or c200.
Drive them, 4speeds are more common in early production models. Youre more likely to find a 5speed if you are looking for newer models (if you want a 6 cylinder, go for the M104, inline 6 engine, its way smoother and more reliable, speaking of reliability, you're better of with a Diesel if youre looking for reliability, but keep the emission rules of your country in mind) good luck!
Look for years between 1998 to 2000 those are 5G.on the gear shift u will see numbers from 1 to 4 then a D gear.the D gear allows the car to shift from all gears to gear 5.i own one with 400k km no issues with engine nor gearbox.mine is a c200 1998 5G(automatic).
Pre facelifts are 4 speed , more reliable , cheaper to repair , 5 speeds are post-facelifts, more gas savings but less reliable and more expensive to repair.
In UK if youre a Mercedes guy people will always prefer 190E and C Class because they were linked with Motorsports heritage. W140 are just old shit boxes nobody cares about, too big for UK roads, drives like a cruise liner which can't turn around a corner, but if you like them this is okay. But C Class is much more appreciated here, same for BMW 3 series
@@snggarageeng i want to get a w202 as a first car because it is last of the kind, well maintained w201 will be to expensive when i will be buying my car
Many parts that were available in the 190 were also installed in the 202. Like indicator levers, light switches or various relays that fit just as well in 202. Like the indicator light relay.
@@Marvel66666 Ive owned both, while my 202 is faster and better on fuel, being a turbo diesel, the build quality is nowhere near as good as my old 2.0 petrol 201
I like the W202, currently own a '98 face lift model. However one has to be honest. Most W202 have been built in de M-B's dark years. The years M-B battled with serious quality problems. The main problem on all Benzes of these era is rust. If you drive it all day all year you have to stay on top of this. And it is not an easy task. It helps when you do as I do. It is a daily driver and does not have to look perfect. Mine is silver, almost the same shade as Hammerite high closs silver. It works well as long as you accept it is not looking perfect. But that does not impair how it drives. And the C180 is quite economical too. Yet if you can spend the money, go for a W124 and yes, they rust too. If you do not want rust, go old Volvo's... I know, been there, done that!