2000 C220 CDi saloon vs. 2001 C220 CDi coupe

[420SE]

Hello folks

I haven't been on here for a while as I no longer have a MB.

However, my folks wish to buy an auto, diesel MB. The budget is £6,000 max.

With that in mind, we have narrowed it down to the following two MBs.

2000 reg, 53,000 miles, 220 CDi saloon

or...

2001 reg, 49,000 miles, 220 CDi coupe

I know nothing about either of these, both are local and I will be going to seem them both tomorrow morning 1st thing.

I would like advice on the following please:

1. Both are 220CDi engines, are both equally as economical, or does one of the two choices have the upper hand?

2. Is one any more reliable than the other? Reliability is key - our W126 S class has lasted 15 years of ownership and is one hell of a battleship! Are the new MBs like that?

3. What should I look for when examining the cars (aside from the obvious)?

4. Are either of the models prone to specific faults that I should be aware of / budget for?

5. Servicing costs - about the same for the two?

6. If you had to pick one of the two, which would you go for and why?

Any other info most welcome!

 

[wemorgan]

For £6k I'd look for a W203 rather than a W202.
My father sold his 2001 S203 220CDi with 60k miles for £5.5k last summer, so they are out there.

On long journeys he'd get ~50mpg, but mid 40's was more typical.

As far as I can remember the only failure was the mass air flow sensor, DIY fix for ~£80.

For some reason I recall that front suspension bushes wear quickly, but could be mistaken.

 

[420SE]

Hi Will

The saloon is priced at a reasonable £4.5k, while the coupe is £6k.

I think £4.5k is a decent deal for the W202, no?

 

[wemorgan]

Hi Will

The saloon is priced at a reasonable £4.5k, while the coupe is £6k.

I think £4.5k is a decent deal for the W202, no?

Sorry, I didn't follow the link and just assummed both were £6k.

Yes, £4.5k for that low mileage sounds OK. But for £5k+ I'd rather have a higher mileage W203 still. But just my opinion.

 

[harveymoo]

id go for the w203 less tin worm

 

[mykulmerc]

I seem to be in a minority here, but I'd go for the W202 C220 saloon. It is at the end of the model range so gremlins would have been ironed out, whereas the Coupe is an early example of its type.

The early W203's had a bit of reputation of Alfa style electrics (ie rubbish) and the Coupe in general is seen as a bit of a cut-price job.

Tin worm can be a problem. I have a W202 C22CDi Estate, which does have rust so check very carefully. If there's so sign of rust by now either you've found a good one, or its been covered up really well.

On a regular 30 mile dual carriageway run I get about 44mpg down to about 42 in the winter.

I don't follow prices, but £4.5k does sound a bit steep -although they are both low mileage.



Hope this helps..

 

[AMGeed]

I'd take the 4 door saloon any day over that coupe. Far better looking for a start. At £4.5k still seems a little pricey for a 2000 model to me although I appreciate it is low mileage.

 

[BenzedUP]

The colour of the w203 lets it down abit but never the less i'd still go for the w203 coupe.

 

[420SE]

Thank chaps. £4.5k isn't cheap I know, but the mileage is low and the idea is to keep this car for quite a while.

I am sure both can be knocked down in price too £x.xk is the asking price, what will be offered on the day is a different kettle of fish

 

[flango]

No brainer, saloon all the way, better handling, better ride, more passenger room, no climbing in and out of the back and the most important better handling. Drive them both and you'll know instantly which is best. When it comes to handling and composure the coupe is a dog of a car its very nervous on cornering, fidgetty on motorways runs.

Just MHO of course and even though I have a CLK the C coupe is not in the same class.

 

[420SE]

Tin worm can be a problem. I have a W202 C22CDi Estate, which does have rust so check very carefully. If there's so sign of rust by now either you've found a good one, or its been covered up really well.

Very helpful post, many thanks.

Can I ask where I should be checking for rust, aside from the obvious ie. rusty arches?

 

[mykulmerc]

Wheel arches, door panels and possibly boot lid. Good luck. Hope you don't regret asking for opinions - we seem to split down the middle on this one.

 

[420SE]

POTENTIAL PROBLEM: is it just me, or the C220CDi wasn't made as a Sport model?

Wasn't the model range Classic, A v a n t g u a r d and Elegance? Did they ever do a Sport?

The one I am referring to is advertised as a Sport and had 'Sport' badges on the side where the indicators are...

Alarm bells?

???

 

[paulrstaylor]

W202 came in Classic, Elegance and Sport, the latter was re-badged with the W203 as Avantgarde

 

[vincenz]

I think they did a sport didn't they?

I'm sure my w202 '98 was a sport.

 

[vincenz]

Yeah, initially it was an esprit

 

[paulrstaylor]

Yeah, initially it was an esprit

I forgot about the esprit, that was essentially a cut down sport model, without alloys. Similar spec to the Classic but with sports suspension.

 

[flango]

definitely did a sport I've driven loads of them

 

[420SE]

definitely did a sport I've driven loads of them

In that case I am talking nonsense

I just assumed that there's the Classic, A v a n t g u a r d (I gotta type it like that as otherwise the swear filter shows the word as *****) and Elegance.

Does anybody know if Xenon lights was an option on the Sport, if not it was added by the owner.

The advert is here:

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C220 CDi Sport

Thanks for everybody's help by the way

 

[flango]

In that case I am talking nonsense

I just assumed that there's the Classic, A v a n t g u a r d (I gotta type it like that as otherwise the swear filter shows the word as *****) and Elegance.

Does anybody know if Xenon lights was an option on the Sport, if not it was added by the owner.

The advert is here:

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C220 CDi Sport

Thanks for everybody's help by the way

mmmm although I have driven quite a few of them I have never seen one with Xenons. Think xenons of this year were an option on AMG cars but not really sure about the sport. I'm sure someone on here will know for sure. If they are after market xenons then its a good negotiating point as they would be illegal in the UK. Easy way to tell non genuine is if the ballast unit is mounted separately usually on the inner wing and not e marked.