Early W202 C180 Classic

[mercboiuk]

Ok, so it's only a curtesy car, and does the job of ferrying me around while my car's in the garage, but sheesh! The build quality appears to be appauling! It has nearly 138,000 miles on the clock, and it certainly looks it! Loose trim parts with the air vents, centre console trims and dash all able to shift about, given slight pressure. Certainly not a patch on the W124's build quality.

Could it just be a poorly maintained example, or is this typical of early 202's?
Should I be put off by this? (Always fancied owning a C36 or C43 at some point in the future)

Darren

 

[cjab98]

If it's been a courtesy car its whole life, it has probably done 137,000 of the 138,000 miles bouncing off the rev limiter, and being ragged from cold. I wouldn't judge any car if it has been a rental or a courtesy car.

My C43 doesn't have any bits of trim missing, no squeeks or rattles, and seems solidly put together after 83,000 miles. It probably doesn't have the build quality and the over-engineering of the merc's of old, and suffers from the usual W202 problems (a few minor spots of rust bubbling up), but is still very well screwed together.

 

[gaz_l]

I'd agree with the above.. mine still looks and feels like new inside and it's 8 years old. I think your courtesy car has probably just led a hard life .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[calmond]

Ok, so it's only a curtesy car, and does the job of ferrying me around while my car's in the garage, but sheesh! The build quality appears to be appauling! It has nearly 138,000 miles on the clock, and it certainly looks it! Loose trim parts with the air vents, centre console trims and dash all able to shift about, given slight pressure. Certainly not a patch on the W124's build quality.

Could it just be a poorly maintained example, or is this typical of early 202's?
Should I be put off by this? (Always fancied owning a C36 or C43 at some point in the future)

Darren

dont take this car as rule i have the oposite view from mine i am used to driving new cars and cars of upto 6 months old ,and apart from the new car smell and the advance in driver pleasure which you get in new cars a good c class w202 fully serviced up should drive about as good as it did when it was 6 months old ,i dont think the paintwork/rust prevention is a strong point on the car though
i think some others would agree

 

[mercboiuk]

Fair points, so my AMG W202 dream can still live on

After a "working week" with the car, it certainly seems I won't be buying THIS manual C180 Classic!
It hasn't been a curtesy car all it's life, as my Merc Specialist takes on older cars every now and again.
This thing is covered in dents and scratches, though, so me thinks it's had a hard life. Such a shame!
The other day I put the car in reverse and the gear knob, leather surround, and centre console trim all came off in my hand

Darren

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Lets be honest, after 8 years even a Maybach courtesy car would look in a terrible shape.

1 thing Ive noticed after owning an early W202 and a late one, early cars had better exteriors, late better interiors.

 

[Shude]

1 thing Ive noticed after owning an early W202 and a late one, early cars had better exteriors, late better interiors.

The early leather interiors looked better though, the doors had leather on them for a start!

 

[scousetechie]

I have a 10 year old C200 sport estate (W202) and it's as good today as when I got it 7 years ago. It now has 150,000 miles on the clock and is still a joy to drive, the only squeak I get from it is if I don't put the rear seats up properly after I have been lugging a big load. BTW mine is an auto.

 

[big x]

No rattles in mine even on the roughest roads.

adam

 

[Gucci]

I had a 1997 C180 Classic Auto (facelift) and loved it. The engine was of course a bit under powered, but the build was great. I had a bit of bubbling around the boot keyhole...made MB fix it

 

[Dave_c180]

I have a 96 c180 elegance auto. Im lucky as i got a minter, and i cant fault the build quality at all. Had it 8 months now and done 20,000 in it, Cant fault it at all

Dave

 

[NW_Merc]

Mine is a '94 W202 classic, yes it does have a few rattles and squeeks which are being dealt with but probably nothing compared to the one you have. It is in the midst of being modded to having a leather electric interior and rear headrests.