Looking for a w202 - What to look out for?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
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From: Columbia, SC
E300
Looking for a w202 - What to look out for?
Hey Guys,
I'm starting to look for a w202 for my girlfriend. When purchasing a used one, what things stand out as problematic or things that need to be checked before purchasing. I was looking into the 1997-1998 C230 sedans with the I-4 2.3 liter engine.
I'm familiar with the w210 E-Class since I own an E300 diesel. I know on the E320 I-6 engines the harmonic balancer is a concern both other than that the engine is built to last? Is the 2.3 I-4 similar to the I-6 in construction?
Are the C-Class problematic or reliable vehicles? What major maintainence needs to be performed at what mileage intervals?
Thanks In Advance Guys!
I'm starting to look for a w202 for my girlfriend. When purchasing a used one, what things stand out as problematic or things that need to be checked before purchasing. I was looking into the 1997-1998 C230 sedans with the I-4 2.3 liter engine.
I'm familiar with the w210 E-Class since I own an E300 diesel. I know on the E320 I-6 engines the harmonic balancer is a concern both other than that the engine is built to last? Is the 2.3 I-4 similar to the I-6 in construction?
Are the C-Class problematic or reliable vehicles? What major maintainence needs to be performed at what mileage intervals?
Thanks In Advance Guys!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
The I4's are pretty reliable mechanically wise. They could go on and on. Headgasket problem and wiring harness was fixed by 97.
The 2.3 is pretty similar to the 2.2...the 2.3 has a little more torque to it, same HP rating.
My I4 on my '94 c220, the headgasket went (common on early w202's) and o2 sensors are common as well.
'97...that's the first year they went to the electronic tranny, which had a few problems with it.
IMO, if you were going to go for a earlier w202, get a '96 C220 or '96 C280. Both are pretty much bulletproof designed, engine built to last and tranny as well. Not many problems with the '96 model at all!
The 2.3 is pretty similar to the 2.2...the 2.3 has a little more torque to it, same HP rating.
My I4 on my '94 c220, the headgasket went (common on early w202's) and o2 sensors are common as well.
'97...that's the first year they went to the electronic tranny, which had a few problems with it.
IMO, if you were going to go for a earlier w202, get a '96 C220 or '96 C280. Both are pretty much bulletproof designed, engine built to last and tranny as well. Not many problems with the '96 model at all!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
Originally posted by GDawgC220
IMO, if you were going to go for a earlier w202, get a '96 C220 or '96 C280. Both are pretty much bulletproof designed, engine built to last and tranny as well. Not many problems with the '96 model at all!
IMO, if you were going to go for a earlier w202, get a '96 C220 or '96 C280. Both are pretty much bulletproof designed, engine built to last and tranny as well. Not many problems with the '96 model at all!
As far as the engine oil, if one were to find a C280 with mileage near 100K, is it wise to switch to Mobil 1 or as such a synthetic if the engine hasn't already been on?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally posted by michakaveli
As far as the engine oil, if one were to find a C280 with mileage near 100K, is it wise to switch to Mobil 1 or as such a synthetic if the engine hasn't already been on?
As far as the engine oil, if one were to find a C280 with mileage near 100K, is it wise to switch to Mobil 1 or as such a synthetic if the engine hasn't already been on?
If it's a 99+ c280, those use synthetic. It's not wise to switch an older engine from DINO oil to SYN oil because SYN is much thinner than the conventional oil and can seep through cracks and such in an older engine where the DINO oil wouldn't. I'm not saying that you can't switch, definately are able to, but you may see leaks where you didn't before.
I believe Mobile 1 makes regular dino oil as well, so you can go for that, I personally wouldn't go for SYN on an older engine with higher mileage.
