TylerMkD

Hey guys, I am new here but your forums are a godsend to me!

I plan on buying a w203, more specifically C200 or C220 CDI before the face-lift, meaning pre-2004.
Now, I have been researching everything there is to know about these models, but I am still not quite there yet. The aesthetics and interior parts I got pretty much examined and quite well understood - it is the mechanical part that confuses and scares me.

I live in Macedonia, so I am pretty limited on service and choice here. My main question is whether I can check the odometer precisely, because there is strong talks of rolling back the kilometers...I have an authorized dealer and service here, so I plan on going there with my choice.

I would like to post some cars that have gotten my attention and some of the I have checked more thoroughly. I don't know what the exact policy of this forum about posting links - so I am sorry if I am breaking any rules guys...I just need some help from you.

This was the main choice for me, but after starting it, 8 errors appeared, more or less serious.

http://www.pazar3.mk/mk/Listing/Deta...0795727&Idx=11

Now, I know the text is in Macedonian, but you can look at the pictures and figure out the equipment and etc...


This is another favourite:
http://www.pazar3.mk/mk/Listing/Deta...1056357&Idx=16

And this is my third choice for now...
http://reklama5.mk/Details.aspx?ad=613842

I have only seen and examined the first one, the other two are solely from picture examination.

Also, I have spotted a fourth Merc, C220 Elegance with white leather, but upon starting it an "ESP Malfunction - Visit Workshop" appeared. I assume this is serious, although the battery was dead and we had to jump-start it...

Thanks in advance for all your input!

TylerMkD

No responses for now

I have a new favorite, a 12 years old Elegance with full equipment.
I just want to ask whether the carbon dashboard may be an indicator of water damage - because there were floods in Germany, so it's bound to happen.

What do you think?

http://www.pazar3.mk/mk/Listing/Deta...1056357&Idx=2#

Akhafeez

You have to be careful with these cars especially since the ones your looking at are 10+ years old they are going to have issues

tommy

Honestly, at this point, I wouldn't trust any pre-facelift W203 that I didn't have full detail of. Too many variables - horrible paint leading to rust everywhere, bad electronics issues in the 01-03 models, the fading MFD that will happen if it hasn't already, the TSBs, etc.

No, the carbon fiber dash is just tape that a lot of people do. I wouldn't assume any damage underneath it, but I would certainly check it out as best as I could.

TylerMkD

I want to ask you for an opinion on this specific car.



The problem for now is that the air conditioning elements are a different color from the overall dashboard. Does this mean that the car was in some sort of accident?

Here is the overall car:
http://reklama5.mk/Details.aspx?ad=713026

Thanks.

Drummajorc

Looks like the entire upper dash is the part that's out of place in that car, the rest of the interior is grey and the dash is the anthracite black. That would mean that the upper dash had at some point been replaced, perhaps it had been in an accident and the passenger airbag deployed and they could only get a black replacement dash?

Javvy

sesiously my advise is buy 06/07 w203.......if you want to save yourself from headachs later...seriously put in the money in an 06/ or 07.....more so on an 07.......all issues and problesm were resolved by 07 and the w203 was a complete car by then and they stopped making em and came out with the w204 series.....

javvy

mac911

One issue that *could* pop up with the 06 & 07 when they have the 2.5 V6, 3.0 V6, and 3.5 V6 is the balance shaft and socket issue. It's a shame too because these cars really did great nicely sorted by that time.