Differences - w202 - w124

[DITTRICH]

My apologies if this is all obvious, but...

I put my C230K back on the road this weekend. Nothing unusual in that, but then I started noticing the little differences from my W124...

1) I used to think the switches - lights, centre console - on my C230K were good - I just realised they are ALL cr@p compared to the W124 switches
2) In my C230K , the indicator stalk is on the left and you start the wipers by twisting the upper surface away from you. On the W124 its all different - stalk on right, twist upper surface towards you.
3) Even though my C230K has sports suspension and feels solid, it now feels solid in a tinny kind of way, whereas the W124 had ordinary suspension ,but still felt **really** solid - like a rock.
4) Cannot fault the C230K engine, response and cornering though compared to the W124 but that's horses for courses - I expected that.

It's strange but I used to feel the C230K was the Bees Knees, and whilst in some ways it still is, the old W124 feels the better car of the two.

I feel kind of disappointed, but, I suspect have just reached the first level of enlightenment on some sort of benz-like spiritual journey.

I am beginning to think of ditching the C230K for a W124 E320 Coupe.

Les

 

[grober]

Ah-so Grasshopper you have done well!

 

[MangoMan]

Not that I'm a Mercedes 'eficionado', and I know I will most probably upset a few, so appologies in advance, but my first experience of a w202 was way back when I still owned the w123, I have to say it was the top 'Spec' one I think because it had the passenger side wing mirror, electric windows, even in the rear!!! And it was the 1985 model, the last I think?

But anyway a friend of mine bought a new w202, I think the 220, not too sure. But I have to say I wasn't too impressed with it, felt very hard and confined, not helped by the seats, again seemed hard. Another thing, which I know is a bit silly really, I couldn't see the 3 pointed star very easily. I must admit it felt a lot more taught than the w123, but not as 'Solid'. The easiest way I felt I could sum it up at the time was that it felt 'Expensively Japenese' if you know what I mean, which is not intended as an insult by the way, quite the opposite.

Albeit to say I didn't voice my opinions to my friend....lol....

But I did feel quite good getting back into my 'Old' 200.

Cheers.

 

[PJH]

You're comparing a C class with an E class. Isn't THAT the problem?
How does the C230K compare with a W210 (E280 or E320) ?

 

[DITTRICH]

Well, maybe I was just one of those people who was expecting / hoping that the quality of construction of any MB ought to be the same and the difference in the price should be down to specification - and size.
Les

 

[PJH]

Ah, the good olde days....
I suspect the two models were built for a different market, hence the differences.

 

[MangoMan]

I Agree.......

You're comparing a C class with an E class. Isn't THAT the problem?
How does the C230K compare with a W210 (E280 or E320) ?

......in principal.

It's just that I was surprised that a car that was +- 12 years older, albeit an 'E' Class just had the feel of a better made car.

 

[frog1520]

2) In my C230K , the indicator stalk is on the left and you start the wipers by twisting the upper surface away from you. On the W124 its all different - stalk on right, twist upper surface towards you.

Ha, I thought it was always on the left! My W202 and W140 both have it on the left, otherwise it would drive me crazy!!!!

So the W124 has it on the right - any others??? Why do manufacturers do this??!

 

[COUPE FREAK]

I am beginning to think of ditching the C230K for a W124 E320 Coupe.

Les

seen the coupe,, er i mean the light,,

 

[MangoMan]

Theory....

Ha, I thought it was always on the left! My W202 and W140 both have it on the left, otherwise it would drive me crazy!!!!

So the W124 has it on the right - any others??? Why do manufacturers do this??!

I believe up until 1990, or thereabouts, all right hand drive cars hand the indicator stalk on the right, except french cars I believe. This was so you could operate the stalk with your right hand and change gear with your left more or less at the same time, if required. Left hand drive cars had the opposite for the same reason.

Now, because there are more cars in europe than here, it is more cost efficient to put the stalk on the left side only, as per LHD's and 'bugger' the Brits basically.....

Well that's my theory anyway......and I'm sticking to it..

 

[Howard]

Sounds about right ... my old CRX has a stalk on the right as well ... but Japan is RHD anyway isn't it ?