Jones' next car?

[mrjones]

I've been thinking about splashing out for another car recently, so I'd appreciate it if you could help me decide between the following options:

Option 1::
Keep my 1996 C280 and buy a "second car".
If you'd go for this option, please post your choice from my shortlist of cars (in order of importance):
W201 190E 2,3-16V (very rare over here... just missed one... :( )
W124 300E
VW Jetta MkII (+-1990) CLi Exec (88kW 2L-8V or 102kW 2L-16V)
E30 BMW 325i (or 325is)
VW Jetta MkIII CLi or VR6 (VR6's are usually riced-out or tired much like the abovementioned 325is)
Land-Rover Defender 90 pickup Tdi (+-1988)
Feel free to give your opinion and suggest more cars if you like! :) Keep in mind that I'm not into major modding and would keep the car near-stock (perhaps a cosmetic upgrade/addition and some ICE).

Option 2::
Trade my C280 in for a 1999 or 2000 model C280. (Under 100000km, with motorplan/warranty, high-spec / full house)

Option 3::
Trade my C280 for a 1999-2000 model C230Kompressor. (as above, manual)

I've also looked at '95, '96 model E280's and E320's (W210) as they're in the same price-range, but without a warranty I'd rather not risk it.

[mrjones]

So yesterday I went on an all-Benz-Cruis, looked at 4 Benz dealership's used car lots...

Example of Option 2::
2000 W202 C280 Tiptronic.
97000km, one owner,
no sunroof, climate control (:)),
CD shuttle. R189900.
Motorplan warranty until 120000km or 2005.
Only "problem" I saw was that the driver's side Elegance doorhandle chrome is starting to chip and peel off.
Very friendly salesguy who gave me coffee and insisted on getting me a price for an aftermarket sunroof.
http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9664_00C280.jpg
http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9665_00C280.jpg

Example of Option 3::
1999 W202 C230 Kompressor.
Manual, 67000km,
one owner, sunroof, no climate control,
CD shuttle. R175000.
Motorplan/warranty until 120000km or 2004 (not long enough...).
Only other problem I have with the car: the sound of the engine isn't as lovely as a C280.
Screaming-gay salesguy who was snobbish and not very enthusiastic.
Got a bit friendlier when he learnt that my C280 had been payed off last year.
http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9673_99C230K.jpg
http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9671_99C230K.jpg

Option 1 hasn't yielded much yet, but I don't know what I was thinking when I test-drove this one:
a 1990 W126 500SE.
Sunroof, El.Windows, El.Seats,
336000km. R59900 or something like that.
Drives o.k. but lots of problems.
Guzzles petrol like crazy (as is evident from the second pic... :D)
Also smokes blue when cold. :confused:
http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9662_500SE.jpg http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/9659_500SE.jpg

[redline]

hum......... I'd go for another benz... but which one?? Probably the C280 in bordeux red.

[HdS500]

What about a used W203?

[Statsdreven]

i'd get the 500 SE offcourse.......:P the blue smoke is prolly just bad valve seals...it should use about 17 L of gas per 100 km ..

but thats just me i hate the W202 and W124 and W203 and W220 and W210 and W208.....:confused: :D :stupid:

[Rocky]

I'd get an E30 M3.

[krk230]

Originally posted by Statsdreven
but thats just me i hate the W202 and W124 and W203 and W220 and W210 and W208.....:confused: :D :stupid:

so you're cool with 201s and 140s right? hehe...

anyway...back on topic...

Option 3 looks beautiful...I'd go with that if it was my choice! :)
btw is that color offered in the States? *rare*

or go with a 190E as a 2nd car! :D

[HdS500]

Originally posted by Statsdreven
but thats just me i hate the W202 and W124 and W203 and W220 and W210 and W208.....:confused: :D :stupid:
That's cause you're ghey and that newer models ownZ jo0.
Old school was cool......




....back in the days, not anymore.

BTW I love any Benz that is in good condition, new or old.

[holson]

climate control sucks... I am not that lazy that I wouldnt know when I'm too cold...

I'd go for the red 280 if I wanted the 202. I'd much rather have a six than a supercharged 4.
besides that bordeaux red or something looks really classy.

The 500SE caught my attention though! It looks awesome w/ the Euro headlights and bumpers...!@# those DOT bumpers ruin the look!

plus... a V-8.. is a V-8 :D

[mrjones]

Thanks everyone for your comments! :)
It'll probably be another 2-3 months before I've got all the finances in order, so I'll probably miss out on all these cars...
But I appreciate your opinions and would like to hear more suggestions!

Originally posted by HdS500
What about a used W203? The only W203's I'm interested in are the C240, C320 and C32///AMG. Needless to say, I'll have to wait a few more years before I can afford one of those.
I posted some pics of a pre-owned blue C32 about a month ago, I somehow thought that I could afford it. The monthly payments were 1.5 times my salary (and that included my C280 as a deposit). :confused: :(

Originally posted by Statsdreven
...it should use about 17 L of gas per 100 km... When driving NORMALLY. :rolleyes: :D Not such a wise choice as an everyday-car...

Originally posted by Rocky
I'd get an E30 M3. We didn't get those over here. The closest thing was the 325is, a 2-door E30 with a tweaked 2,7 litre straight six worth 140kW. Some lightweight versions were also produced, and those Beemers are still crazy-fast by today's standards. :eek:

Originally posted by holson
...I'd much rather have a six than a supercharged 4... My thoughts exactly, although the milaege on that C230K is more appealing.

[MrSpace]

I'd go with the C280.

but I am also in he look for a MB (but in november) and will probably buy a C230K because insurances are way lower. And probably the I4 consumes less gas than the V6.

Etienne

[Ozzie Bob]

As you guys have RHD cars, just buy a HSV Clubsport R8 from Australia :D You'll absolutely LOVE IT! :D :cool: 260kW, 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds :D My next car! I've had it with Benzes!

[C280 JR]

id take the sport package, but in that cherry red color....cool

Elvir

[stoked]

Originally posted by mrjones
Option 1 hasn't yielded much yet, but I don't know what I was thinking when I test-drove this one:
a 1990 W126 500SE.


i know what you were thinking.... WALD!!!

[mrjones]

Originally posted by MrSpace
...will probably buy a C230K because insurances are way lower. And probably the I4 consumes less gas than the V6...I think you're right about the consumption, but I hadn't really checked on insurances yet...
Unfortunately for the C230K, it looses points with me on exhaust/engine note. I've driven one before, and my boss occasionally takes me along in his C230K Sports Coupe.
They just sound terrible. And the harder you drive them, the worse it gets. :( Sorry to all 230K owners, but that's just how I feel.

Originally posted by Ozzie Bob
... :D :cool: 260kW, 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds :D Ozzie, are you trying to get rid of Jones? :confused:
I'm already scared of my folks' E430... :P

Originally posted by C280 JR
...id take the sport package, but in that cherry red color... Unfortunately we didn't get the sports option on the C280 over here, or did you mean the C230K in that color?

Originally posted by stoked
...i know what you were thinking.... WALD!!!... :D Not quite, but Wald would be nice - getting it here poses a bit of a problem!

[Statsdreven]

Originally posted by HdS500
That's cause you're ghey and that newer models ownZ jo0.
Old school was cool......




....back in the days, not anymore.

BTW I love any Benz that is in good condition, new or old.


oh i forgott to mention the W163( or what ever they call that crappy little SUV):P

[Luwin1026]

Originally posted by mrjones

Unfortunately for the C230K, it looses points with me on exhaust/engine note. I've driven one before, and my boss occasionally takes me along in his C230K Sports Coupe.
They just sound terrible. And the harder you drive them, the worse it gets. :( Sorry to all 230K owners, but that's just how I feel.





Honestly, that's one gripe that people have had with the 230k, but in my experience and opinion, that's nothing a good exhaust and pulley kit can't remedy. Trust me - if you've ever heard a pulley'd/exhaust'd 230k come screaming down the road, you would swear that it sounds like a jet plane. :D

I like that blue on that 230k with the sport package.

But in the end, you are making a good choice in staying with the 202s. :D

[mrjones]

Originally posted by Luwin1026
Honestly, that's one gripe that people have had with the 230k, but in my experience and opinion, that's nothing a good exhaust and pulley kit can't remedy. Trust me - if you've ever heard a pulley'd/exhaust'd 230k come screaming down the road, you would swear that it sounds like a jet plane. :D

I like that blue on that 230k with the sport package.

But in the end, you are making a good choice in staying with the 202s. :D How much did you pay for your kit, and what's the best place to go? My boss doesn't like the sound of his C230K SC, and he's already thinking about getting a different exhaust. :)

[Luwin1026]

A quality exhaust would run you around $500-600. I have a Remus muffler with custom 2.5" piping and the resonators removed.

A pulley kit would run anywhere from $600-2000+, depending on the brand. There are a good number of them out there, including (in no order of preference), Kleemann, Renntech, Vaeth, ASP, etc. -

A good source to talk to on this board regarding a pulley kit on a C-coupe would be Mark Cummins.

[CoryU]

Here's a suggestion:

Keep the car you have now, and look for an Audi 5000CS. Quattro, Turbo, Need I say more? They can be found for cheap, and made to be faster than any Benz you are looking at for pennies. Bullet proof engine and drivetrain, heated power seats, sunroof, etc. everything it sounds like your looking for. I don't think you'll find one which has a warranty though.

[mrjones]

Originally posted by CoryU
...look for an Audi 5000CS... Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately I don't know that model. Over here got the old 500 series, and there was a "Quattro" version. I actually had a scrap with one about 2 years ago - from 120-200km/h my C280 couldn't shake it. :eek: :confused:
Rare as hen's teeth though.

[mrjones]

Look what I just found in the local Autotrader!!! :D :D :D

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_16v.jpg
These cars are also very rare down here, my uncle used to own one many years ago and told me they only imported a few of them each year. I never got to drive in his before he sold it, but a friend of my brothers took us for a ride in his 16V in Brighton (UK). That was the first time I went sideways through a roundabout (US: traffic circle)... at 50mph. :eek: :D :eek:

Anyway, I just phoned this place up - and unfortunately the car doesn't seem to be in such a good condition.
It's had 3 owners, the last one selling it to buy a pickup.
The radio was stolen and the thieves apparently broke part of the dashboard.
Otherwise, the interior is spotless.
It's got 225000km on the clock, and the engine and gearbox are perfect.
The paintwork isn't too great, with a few scratches and dents on the car. 2 panels would probably have to be redone.
This is what the salesguy told me over the phone, and I plan to drive through to Cape Town tomorrow to go look at the car and possibly test-drive it. The guy also said that he drove it on the freeway and one of the rear shocks seemed to be broken or something.

Considering that these are very rare in South Africa (I've only seen two other in 8 years), would it be worth it to fix this one up?

[J Irwan]

Mr Jones..


Why don't you get "that" supercharged C280 :D:D:D:D..?
Wouldn't that be great...


Anyway here is my take on this one.
I we had the discussion of choosing C280 vs C230K in benzsport ;)


If you are looking for a smooth engine, and drive and not planning to do any performance upgrade in the future then go with C280 (no offense to C280 owner, I'll explain later)

If you want another W202 and planning to have performance modification you'll be better off with C230K.

The 6 cylinder (I6 or V6) no matter what will feel and sound smoother than 4 cylinder C230K

However since the C230K is a forced induction system, it is a lot easier to get more additional HP compared to normally aspirated C280 engine..


For example:
with Upsolute chip for $400 you will feel significant different compare to stock (I forgot the hp and tq number)
then you have Kleeman and Evosport puller upgrade etc..


So at the end, you gotta rethink what are you looking for ...


Both are great cars... SOLID......




Regardz,


J Irwan

[mrjones]

Originally posted by J Irwan
...Why don't you get "that" supercharged C280 :D:D:D:D..?
Wouldn't that be great... :confused: I've had countless sleepless nights over this! I've decided it's not worth it to trade my pampered '96 C280 for a 250kW '95 C280 on the other side of the country (can't even test-drive it...).
I'm not convinced enough to fly over and look at it - and the agents who performed the conversion are also on that side of the continent. :bored:
I'll report back when I've test-driven the 16V tomorrow... :)

[Rocky]

E30 M3 hehehe I love that car sorry. If I had a chance to buy one brand new. I would buy it in an instant. No questions asked.

[mrjones]

:(
Woke up early this morning, excited like a little kid on Christmas morning. The 25-minute drive to Cape Town seemed to take forever, and when I finally found the shady-looking used carlot, nobody pitched for about 15 minutes.
The 16V is in a worse condition than I though, and my enthusiasm is somewhat dampened - it's just not worth the money.
What didn't help was a good friend of mine confessing that the car used to belong to a collegue of his who sold it to the last "owner" for half the price in a top condition. :mad: :confused: :mad:

I researched a bit in Mercedes Enthusiast, but they merely said the engine & cylinder head are the most important thing. The engine should idle smoothly and not misfire or stutter.
This example did idle reasonably smoothly, but every few seconds it would drop a few revs - granted, it was cold this morning.

I obviously took her for a drive, and although the car drives fine, the overall condition is appalling. Switches are loose or broken, and some instruments (as well as most headlights/foglights) mist up.
Once she was up to temp (+80 oil), I started giving her the spurs. The 16V doesn't take off immediately, at first choking and stuttering a bit, and then letting rip with a beeee-autiful exhaust note. The choking-part is what worries me, otherwise she goes like a bat out of hell and would probably run circles around my C280, once back to health and driven properly.

I'm gonna try and somehow get this car checked-out by my MB technician (who incidentally has a busted 2,3-16V in his garage).
Then I guess I'll throw them a complete lowball offer and see if they bite.

What a pity though. :(

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9682.jpg
Front bumper's skew, scraped on the left, and the grill is missing a chrome insert. All other inserts are dent or scratched. Hoodlatch doesn't come out all the way.

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9683.jpg
My MB technician warned me of aftermarket exhausts & manifolds, but this just turned out to be a tailpiece. Isn't there supposed to be a stripe between the "2,3" and "16"?

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9684.jpg
Ugh... the wheels are probably the worst. One looks OK-ish, but the rest are scratched up and missing vital parts. Tires are wrong size and cheap shiznit.

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9695.jpg
Motor looks o.k., couldn't see any fault in the engine bay.
Trained eyes, PLEASE HELP!!!

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9698.jpg
Milaege is high, but if the engine's 100%, it wouldn't be much of a worry to me.

http://www.stierado.com/pics/benzsport/190e_9705.jpg
Interior is dirty and buggered up. Switches are falling out, or pressed in. Rear left door doesn't even open from the outside.

BTW, I've got more pics if anyone's interested - although they are shocking...

I hope whoever did this to this Benz wakes up with itchy genitals and fishhooks as fingernails. :mad:

[Rocky]

Looks like a fun prject car. Nothing like taking your time restoring a classic. There's a crap load of performace parts for the car like a stroker kit for the engin, evo kit etc.

If you can lowball for a real good price, maybe you can grab it as a fixer upper restoration project?

[mrjones]

Originally posted by Rocky
...If you can lowball for a real good price, maybe you can grab it as a fixer upper restoration project? My thoughts exactly... :P Problem is, there are only a handful of these cars in South Africa, so I'd have to import most 16V parts.
As for performance upgrades, my trusty technician has strongly advised against it - the engine doesn't cope with headers and ff exhausts, much like the 16V at his workshop which has a busted cylinderhead which nobody has parts for.

"Standard" 190E parts shouldn't be so much trouble, we did get the W201 for a few years. Most switches and lights are fixable, as is most of the bodywork. A new paintjob would be a wise idea in the not-too-distant future.

Other than that, she'd just need some ICE and those horribly-expensive but oh-so-devine EVO mags. :D

BTW - has anyone ever seen this type of front bumper? First time I've seen it... is it OEM?

[Rocky]

http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/merchant....de=mperformance (http://www.bekkers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BI&Category_Code=mperformance)