C220 Elegance 1994 Timing chain?

[kevwey]

Hi,
Test drove a 1994 C220 Elegance auto, FSH up to 45k in 2003, it's mileage in now 50k - 6 years later, worried about the timing chain, does it need to be replaced??
Car in great and original condition, want to buy if wife lets me!

Kind regards,
kevwey

 

[Big_Jon]

No, timing chains do not have to be changed as cambelts do.

I would do an NMR check on hpi for the car if there is no history for the last 6 years.

 

[grober]

The thing to check on a car that age is the engine wiring loom for insulation breakdown. Check the coolant and oil for signs of head gasket failure -some of these engines had a cylinder head bolt stretch problem. Auto transmission fluid should probably be a clear red colour -any signs of brown or black or a burnt smell is not good news. Check front springs for breakage or bad corrosion and rear discs for scoring and corrosion. You got to ask why a car has only done about 1000 miles a year for the least 5 years unless its been laid up. A lack of documentation MOT certs etc to verify mileage is a big drawback to your purchase and when you come to sell again.

 

[Big_Jon]

Definately check mileage, I just remembered we had a guy who wanted to p/x a E300D against a 320CDI that had 96,000 upto 2004 and then had done just 12,000 in the last 4 years.

Did a VOSA check on MOT history and the cars last MOT was at 214,000 miles.

 

[nick mercedes]

Hi,
Test drove a 1994 C220 Elegance auto, FSH up to 45k in 2003, it's mileage in now 50k - 6 years later, worried about the timing chain, does it need to be replaced??
Car in great and original condition, want to buy if wife lets me!

Kind regards,
kevwey

Is it cheap?

If it's not big money and you like it, don't be put off by the lack of history.

 

[grober]

As Nick says it depends on the price but also factor into the equation just how much you are able to DIY any repairs/servicing that may be needed. If you have to pay the labour of a MB specialist that can more than double the price of any work required.

 

[Big_Jon]

The question is how cheap?

You can buy a decent facelift model for £1000 easily and I would rather buy a car with 100,000 miles and FSH than a so-called "low mileage" car with mileage that cant be verified.

Remember, quality is remembered long after price is forgotten, I would rather pay more for a well looked-after car than buy a car without history just because it is cheap. This is false economy most of the time from my experience.

 

[nick mercedes]

The question is how cheap?

You can buy a decent facelift model for £1000 easily and I would rather buy a car with 100,000 miles and FSH than a so-called "low mileage" car with mileage that cant be verified.

Remember, quality is remembered long after price is forgotten, I would rather pay more for a well looked-after car than buy a car without history just because it is cheap. This is false economy most of the time from my experience.

I like the early W202 because they have the more reliable 4-speed transmission, but if it's a cheap car in good order the suspect milage is best ignored.

 

[kevwey]

Many thanks for the help, the C220 is for sale at £1995 with Mallock cars: www.mallockcars.co.uk, was going to offer £1500 if I can establish what has happened to it for the last few years, did a history check with mycarcheck.com for £3.95, ad it looks clean.
Kind regards,
kevwey

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Any pics? should be able to spot any faults/good bits.

 

[kevwey]

http://www.mallockcars.co.uk/136846/mallock.htm

There are photos on the garage website, but no detailed ones, are they asking too much?

Kind regards,
kevwey

 

[kevwey]

Asking £1995, thought of offering £1500? are they asking too much??

Many thanks for your time,
kevwey

 

[Big_Jon]

Sounds a little bit overpriced, but a 25% discount?

I dont have £495 in a car after my exhaustive list of overheads.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Very nice example, but waaaay over price for one of the very early W202's.

Dont be tempted by the low mileage.

If you do have a look make sure that the single wiper blade moves perfectly and settles back flat at the bottom. if it doesnt it could cost you mega bucks later.
-Check the heater works on all settings
Also, have a good look around those mudflaps for hidden rust etc.

For that price you could get a decent younger model with bette spec, but with higher mileage - not a bad thing at all!

 

[Big_Jon]

I would go for a facelift model, there are some nice ones out there.

One of the nicest 202's I have ever sold was my own 1999 C200 Elegance Auto, It had done 79,000, had full MB history with every bill and invoice, no matter how minor, was ruby red metallic with cream cloth interior, had cruise, and was 100& original down to the unopened 1st aid kit.

An absolute gem of a car and I retailed it for £2295.

I wouldnt be scared of mileage, my C230K is upto 159,000 and still goes like new.

 

[nick mercedes]

Very nice example, but waaaay over price for one of the very early W202's.

Is that MB-Tex?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

??

 

[nick mercedes]

??

Mb-tex rather than actual leather seats?

 

[nick mercedes]

I would go for a facelift model, there are some nice ones out there.

Eg:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=65214

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Mb-tex rather than actual leather seats?

Cant tell, never owned a merc with Leather