W203 C200K - buying advice?
#1
W203 C200K - buying advice?
I have first option to buy a 2003 C200 Kompressor sedan manual at dealer price from a friend of mine. (He plans to trade it for an SUV) This would be my first MB.
Car is in excellent condition @ 180,000kms, fuel pump replaced a while ago among a few other things. Only problem is fuel ratio sensor no longer works, which is expensive to replace and not essential either. Was driven ~50kms total commute daily, generally not for short trips.
I'm 24 and always wanted to drive a MB, even if it's not the sportiest model and for a short time before I resell.
1. What (town&highway) fuel consumption can I realistically expect? I don't use aircon, climate is mild in South Africa.
2. I've been in one and it flies on the highways. But how is handling and acceleration @ 40-100km/h? Is it *reasonably* sharp?
3. I've been told by mechanics that from ~160,000kms+ seals start slowly leaking among other maintenance nightmares. Am I buying a Benz in a high maintenance mileage range? What kind of expenses can I typically expect?
Any other general considerations I should think about? Thanks
Car is in excellent condition @ 180,000kms, fuel pump replaced a while ago among a few other things. Only problem is fuel ratio sensor no longer works, which is expensive to replace and not essential either. Was driven ~50kms total commute daily, generally not for short trips.
I'm 24 and always wanted to drive a MB, even if it's not the sportiest model and for a short time before I resell.
1. What (town&highway) fuel consumption can I realistically expect? I don't use aircon, climate is mild in South Africa.
2. I've been in one and it flies on the highways. But how is handling and acceleration @ 40-100km/h? Is it *reasonably* sharp?
3. I've been told by mechanics that from ~160,000kms+ seals start slowly leaking among other maintenance nightmares. Am I buying a Benz in a high maintenance mileage range? What kind of expenses can I typically expect?
Any other general considerations I should think about? Thanks
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
This is a first year M271 car, I wouldn't buy it. They are prone to extremely expensive head issues.
If you do decide to get it..
1. The fuel economy should be very good, it is on the C230K here in the USA.
2. The C200K will not be a fast car by any stretch of the imagination.
3. I wouldn't buy this particular Benz period.
If you do decide to get it..
1. The fuel economy should be very good, it is on the C230K here in the USA.
2. The C200K will not be a fast car by any stretch of the imagination.
3. I wouldn't buy this particular Benz period.