What do you think?

[envymgf]

Parents are looking at buying a 2001 C200 Kompressor with 81,000 miles on the clock. Having no idea about Mercedes (I'm an MG nut), can anyone give me any pointers on this model? Is it any good? What kind of mileage can it comfortably do? BTW it has a full main dealer service history, 1 owner who was a rep (mainly motorway driving).

Thanks

[Parrot of Doom]

Rust.

Check very carefully for rust. If it has FMBSH then you'll be able to get any repaired under warranty.

[iluvmercs]

Also, if it was owned by a rep, chances are its been thrashed to high heaven. (Unless you know the rep, I'd give it a miss purely on those grounds)

C200 Komp engine should be a good runner though, and of course frugal

Darren

[niva441]

Manual or automatic?

If it's a manual it will affect its value, as well as being more awkward to drive as the parking brake is applied by a foot pedal (hillstarts require fast footwork).

81k in 6 years doesn't sound an excessive mileage, but worth having a warranty as that wasn't the best years for Mercedes. Although the C class wasn't as blighted as the E class.

[elster]

Any vehicle that says motorway miles I would avoid, as its generally been hammered

[SprintV8]

iluvmercs said:

C200 Komp engine should be a good runner though, and of course frugal

C200K Engine isn't that from Mitsubshi.

Edited by SprintV8 on Sunday 19th November 17:09

[envymgf]

Thanks for the replys guys. Forgot to mention it's an Automatic - wouldn't this mean that, technically, you can't thrash the living daylights out of it in the same way you can a manual?

[iluvmercs]

SprintV8....i'm not sure on your point. I've not heard its a Mitsu engine. I believe it's Mercedes own
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

envymgf said:

Thanks for the replys guys. Forgot to mention it's an Automatic - wouldn't this mean that, technically, you can't thrash the living daylights out of it in the same way you can a manual?

Not in the same way as a manual.....But you can certainly thrash the crap outta the car no matter what transmission. And remember....if a clutch goes in the auto 'box, the whole gearbox is replaced - ie. expensive. The 4-speed gearbox on a W124 E-Class is around the £2,000 mark. I'm not sure abut the difference in price for the electronic 5-speed in the C200 you've been considering.

Another point is "motorway miles" will mean many stone chips up front. If any paintwork has been done to car, make sure its a good job. The previous owner of my car had srayed the front bumper and the bodyshop was less than professional, leaving run marks in the final finish.

Even though its only 81k miles, do check for oil leaks, especially on the corners of the engine block - It could point to a head gasket (this is about a £600-£1000, again, on a W124)

Regards,

Darren

[niva441]

envymgf said:

Thanks for the replys guys. Forgot to mention it's an Automatic - wouldn't this mean that, technically, you can't thrash the living daylights out of it in the same way you can a manual?

The auto will change up automatically on overrun so the engine isn't holding higher revs unnecessarily. The torque convertor softens gear changes giving the drivetrain an easier life and it is less easy for a driver to abuse the gearbox and no clutch to damage.

Plus the automatic encorages more relaxed driving.