Seen a C200K for sale..info please

[matt747]

I've spotted a local garage selling the following car which I may be interested in..
2001 X C200Kompressor Avantgarde, auto, silver, 56K, fsh..£10595

I've always liked this shape of C-Class(W2??) but have some questions that I hope someone could answer:

Do these models have a cambelt or chain? How does build quality compare with older C-Class and W124 E-class? Are they all built in South Africa? What is the realistic fuel econ; I've heard that these engines are quite thirsty for their size? How do they drive compared with other Mercs? Any help is much appreciated..

 

[W210 Fan]

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm is always worth a look as he gives honest guides and known recalls etc on all models by all manufactures. I believe all merc engines of late have been duplex chain, like two bicycle chains together, Newer Merc build quality is not up to that of things like the W124 as after the release of the A-Class Chrysler got involved and told Merc to make things cheaper, unfortunately build quality suffered. http://www.carsurvey.org/manufacturer_Mercedes-Benz.html could tell you some things as these are reviews written by owners and not people who have had them a week aka top gear types. hope this helps.