W124 or W202

[withey]

Considering purchasing a new car and looking at either a W124 or a W202. I'm not too fussed on the actual physcial size/dimensions of but the car more the reliability and running costs, I generally only cover 10k miles a year, most on short journeys.

Haven't really considered engine size etc but would welcome thoughts /opinions.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[carat 3.6]

They are both good cars, but in my opinion the w124 is better. They are better put together than a w202, and I find them easier to maintain. That said the w202 do feel more modern to drive.

 

[WDB124066]

A C43 would be nice.......

 

[withey]

The running costs wouldn't be!

 

[GP801]

Personally I would have the 124. Supremely comfortable. Stylish in an old fashioned sort of way. Very relaxing to drive and supremely comfortable. Just remember the youngest ones are pushing 15 years old. If they have been well maintained this is not an issue but history is important. They are thirsty however. Even the diesel will probably only do 35mpg. 6 cylinder petrols are great and use little more fuel than 4 cylinder ones. Saloons provide a lot of car for little money. Coupes cost more, estates more still and convertibles even more.
The 202 is also a very good car but does not have the same presence. They can also cost less to buy than a 124.
Spares for both are easily available and neither have the complicated and unreliable electrics of some of the 203s

 

[DRSL]

I like the idea of a C43 but personally I'd much rather a w124 than a w202. Its a little hard to define but the w124 just seems better. What's your budget?

 

[Stratman]

124s do suffer from the biodegradable engine wiring loom. Not a cheap repair.

 

[withey]

Looking to spend anywhere between £500 and £2,000 depending upon the car, mileage, condition etc.

Any recommendations on the engine I should be looking for (starting to edge towards the W124 now but part of me still like the shape of the W202!)

 

[horgantrevor]

as above both great cars buy i do like w202 just a bit more modern

 

[GP801]

The 6 cylinders are smooth and powerful bearing in mind their age. As a guide our 280 estate does around 26mpg overall, 34 on a motorway run. Happily cruise all day at 80mph. We comfortably cover 1000 miles in a day when going to Italy. The 4 cylinders will do perhaps 4mpg more. Look for one thats had the loom done if its a 280 or 320. It will fail at some stage if its not been replaced. Buy on condition and history.
Auto boxes very reliable. The 4 speed is said to be more robust - no fancy electronics.
Cosmetic rust is common - wings etc. Structural rust is rare but can get the subframe mounts at the rear.
Given a choice of which of our cars to take on a long journey the 124 wins every time.

 

[grober]

On balance the W124 is the better car. The W202 C class is the spiritual successor to the the W201 the 190 Mercedes first small "SPORTS" saloon designed to recapture the youth market from BMW's very successful 3 series. The idea being if young Germans drivers cut their teeth on a BMW they matured to a 5 or 7 series and Mercedes would miss out. The Mercedes 190 didn't quite turn out that way [ with the exception of the Cosworth models] being bought by " downsizing" more mature Mercedes previous owners while the younger sporty set still went for that spinning propeller badge. Accordingly Mercedes made their replacement for the 190 a more substantial vehicle aiming once more for their core market but lost a little of the sporty feel of the smaller more nimble 190. [ regained a bit in the later cars with the 230 compressor manual gearbox car and V8 AMG models] The W124 is the core MB model of its time being a mid size saloon estate and coupe. This mid size position in the Mercedes hierarchy is also reflected in its quality of construction and the huge number sold round the world. If you want a coupe version of the W202 you have to buy a CLK W208. The main disadvantage of the w124 series was that it was conceived in an era where petrol prices were rising rapidly so it was never invisaged as having more than a straight 6 as its largest power plant. This prevented Mercedes from slipping any wider V configured engines v6 or v8 under the bonnet easily----- restricting the choice of engines available. This had to be finally addressed for the American Market but only through extensive re-engineering and in LHD only with 500 and 420 models

Summing up the W202 C CLASS was Mercedes compact saloon the W124 E class was Mercedes [ earlier ] mid size saloon and ultimately that shows. That doesn't mean that good examples of either aren't damn good buys though.

 

[withey]

Thanks to everyone for your comments so far...very interesting and helpful!

 

[sarangimaster]

Thumbs up for W124 here, such a well built car and still stylish i thinks!

 

[Whitey]

You can come and buy mine before I have to renew my car insurance

I like the W124 but as said, getting a really nice one means more money.

I wouldn't mind a go in a V6 W202 - the 230K engine is great on a sprint, but I wouldn't say it was the sweetest sounding !

I have been getting ~280 to a tank with mixed driving.

HTH

 

[Tresco]

I bought a W124 estate recently, i wasted a lot of time looking at cars around £1000-£1500 but concluded that, as others have said, history and condition are all. In the end I upped my budget considerably and bought a very well cared for car from a semi specialist dealer.

I did look at a couple of W202's but preferred the 124, you're welcome to look at mine if you're around NW London.

 

[312 Sprinter]

You'll get a significantly newer 202 than you'll get a 124. I like both, but it isn't really comparing apples with apples. A 202 is a fair bit smaller than a 124. If I didn't require the space I'd probably hunt down a superb 202. It'll be better value for money and easier to find.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Remember that a W124 is an E-Class and a W202 is a C-Class, different classes of course so its not really a fair comparison.

 

[trapperjohn]

Not fussed about size or dimentions. Short jouneys. 202 - hands down.
Stay away from the 1.8. Its fne with just the driver but get a pax or two on board and its dog slow.
I have had a 1.8 202. Lovely comfy car with a fine engine and gearbox but should have gone for the 2.0 for that bit of extra ump and staying power. Also had a non turbo 2.5D 202. Again a good car but for short journeys the petrol will suit you better.
124's - Super motorway crusiers and load luggers. Can be a bit of a barge to park with modern spaces.
Good Luck what ever you pick.

 

[blondebier]

Have you considered a W201? They are superb value for money IMO and put together just as well as the W124. If you don't need the space of a W124 I'd definitely recommend considering one.

I've got a 2.5D auto and it is superb. 45-50 Mpg is a big plus.

They're quite rare but well worth a look.

 

[chriss428]

i had my w124 for around 8months before i bought another 1 and contemplating getting a 3rd lol i have a 230e and a 200te the only thing i will say is when i open the bonnets the 8v engines just make the engine bay look old ware as 16v and 24v's look o so nice the only advice i would give is go hi on the spec and engine on your new 124 lol