Used W202 C250 TD: what to look out for?

[2226cc]

Firstly: hi everyone! I've just signed up here as it looks like a good place to get some good Mercedes advice.

I'm currently looking for a "spare" car. The main aim is to get a temporary so I can pull my daily into the garage for some much needed work. Yet at the same time if I found something good I'd like to perhaps keep it. I think my wife, my 3-year old son and myself can do with some comfy spoil-age for a bit after all the goings on of the last couple of years.

A W202 C250 turbodiesel (OM605 non-CDI) manual popped up in the local classifieds today that fell into my price range. In fact, it was a little too cheap compared to some other C250TD. Seeing a Mercedes for Fiat Uno money scares me. However, I think it's the mileage that has set the price. It's listed with 332,000km.

I plan on looking at the car soon, hopefully this Sunday. I'd like to know what I should be looking out for during my inspection and what are the likely pitfalls on higher mileage W202. Effectively, if I'm going to kick the tyres, where should I kick the tyres?

Only other Mercedes I've driven was a 1979 W123 300D 4-speed manual that was in our family since '79 until selling it off in 2006/7. It had seen better days, had stood for a bit, but I believe it is still out there now and running.

Would really like some pointers on the C-class. The last thing I want is something like this dead in my driveway.

Thank you!

 

[Dieselman]

Rust is an issue int he UK, but probably not in RSA.

Does it start well from stone cold, is the gearbox OK, is there steering play or vibration around dead ahead when driving.

Other than that, W202 C250 are durable cars and can do big mileages.

 

[2226cc]

Thanks. Ah, yes, steering play. I remember that "movie style steering" from my years with the W123.

I'll have a good look over it for rust. I'm at the coast. My 2006 VW has a hole through the body already. What are the main rust zones on the W202?

 

[Dieselman]

The sills by the jacking points.

 

[2226cc]

Thanks.

Before I forget, what to look out for w.r.t the turbocharger on a high miler? My old K26 in my Audi showed no signs of dying @ 170K, no leaking seal smoke, etc. However, the turbine was pretty much chewed up by carbon by the time I pulled it out.

 

[Dieselman]

Let it idle for when hot 5-10 minutes then see if it smokes when driving off. If it doesn't, has plenty of power and no untoward noises, it's good to go.

 

[2226cc]

Will do.

 

[Steve_Perry]

... What are the main rust zones on the W202?

Check the following:
- Wheel arches, especially rear.
- Boot lid trim and around the boot lock barrel.
- Underneath the front door seal rubbers, up top around the window frames. Peel back the rubber to see underneath. No harm checking the rear doors too.
- Leading edges on the front of the car: bonnet, side wings around head lights and front indicators.
- Side sills as Dieselman has already mentioned.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/2745-rust-repair-mercedes-have-agreed-pay-work-warranty.html
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/4874-yet-another-case-warranty-rust-work-upheld-mb.html

S.