Oh god - there's one of these that lives down the road from me. It's a diesel R plate. The arches are made of duct tape. Part of the front wing has been replaced with a riveted on piece of stainless steel that I think came from an oven. The road is stained from its various oil leaks. It's hideous and just wants to return to the earth but the owner won't seem to let it!
Oh yes, we know all about the oil leaks and the rusty front wings! We shall avoid discussing the forbidden fuel engine, as we don't talk about them on this channel... I don't think Simon will be interested in buying it somehow! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.
Great video. I noticed the supply of water in the 5 litre bottle in the passenger footwell. Reminded me of my days many moons ago with a 1990 3.6 xjs. That just gobbled water on a journey.
Oh yes! We put in about two litres before my brief test drive to the location where the static shots were filmed and then another couple for the journey back as it had a serious leak... Needless to say, it isn't destined for Simon's website. I haven't had that problem in a Jaguar yet! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting, more No Budget Reviews, this time without the "Caveat Emptor Edition" label.
A good way to look at it is that you did make it back to your destination. Maybe in a lesser car than a C Class you would be walking a bit. A friend of my Father's ordered a new E Class in 1995 from Agnew's and had to pay extra to get a manual gearbox. It suited the hilly area where he lived better than an auto. Ask Simon if you can have the spare wheel, Jack and wheel brace for your Mother's Car before he sends her for scrap.
I don't actually know if the spare wheel, jack and wheel brace would fit my mother's W205. Do you happen to know if they are compatible? Funny how the dealer plate on the back is from a dealership that you know so well! Yes, an E Class manual would have been special order by 1995, I imagine... I didn't walk back, praise the Lord!
Yes, the bodywork on this one is actually pretty good compared with most, which is why I think Simon bought it in the first place. However, it does have its problems! I still see a fair few 190Es around so you may well be right, would love to try one. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!
Pre-1995 Esprit line had front-and-rear keep-fit door glazing too! (:oD). How the mighty have fallen! When the W202 was current, I didn't think their used prices would ever fall, and now this example has ended up just another £100 car. Yet, when new, this particular car actually had a lot going for it. The only thing that let it down from the outset was the manual gearbox. It's certainly a nice colour. And at least the ashtray still opens nicely. The seat/door card upholstery pattern on this car! I recently spotted an immaculate K-plate 190E in mint green with a dark pink interior! In much of the '90s, Mercedes-Benz certainly did go through this hilarious phase of offering some odd interior colour choices and combinations, to entice the younger audience into their showrooms, without a doubt. It has to be said that the stereo looks like an afterthought, a bit out-of-place on this car. It doesn't match any of the switchgear. Parked around the back of my work used to be a very early amber-indicatored C220d Classic in that non-metallic dull pinky-red with a yellowy-beige interior (M230VEB). And that example had a slab of shiny wood where an optional stereo would have been fitted, and no steering wheel airbag either, even though the steering wheel looked the same as this one without the SRS-labelling. My ex-colleague left it there when it broke down in 2003 with failed injector seals, and it did not move until 2018 when it was finally scrapped! AND OBVIOUSLY, one could only imagine the thrilling acceleration on offer from its 94bhp normally-aspirated forbidden-fuelled power unit!!! (:oD)
Yes, despite the excellent bodywork on this car for its age, it wasn't expensive for Simon to buy and it is going to be uneconomical to repair unless someone wants to actually replace the engine. I didn't like the manual gearbox and foot operated parking brake combination, although the gearbox itself had a nice change action. The upholstery was not very good compared with a lot of 190Es I have seen, not sure what Mercedes-Benz were thinking with that... I am not even sure you got a stereo as standard with one of these at the time if what you say is true, so not surprised this one looks like an afterthought. I thought that a driver's airbag was standard, even on the early cars, but clearly not if the old car you knew did not have one. Yes, best we don't talk any more about it on this channel if it had a forbidden fuel engine.
Yes, the M111 engine in this one had let go in spectacular style before I drove it. I did make it back thanks to the massive container of distilled water Simon gave me.... I think a six cylinder Elegance with an automatic gearbox would be a better bet, perhaps!
I wouldn't even be very interested in a nice example of these to be frank. The car the C class replaced on the hand - the old 190E - are lovely old things and proper 'built to last' era mercs.
Yes, this is what a lot of people seem to be saying! Would love to try a 190E to compare the two. I would prefer an automatic one, though, as I really wasn't a fan of the foot operated parking brake and manual gearbox combination...
It definitely was a step up from the ageing 190 it replaced. My father had an P reg C220 Elegance, it was the last car he owned until he stopped driving in 2008.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting funny you should ask, but NO!.......................he gave it to his mechanic when it was uneconomical to repair (gearbox 140k) , it was still worth £600-£700, but i am in ealing as you know and he is in yorkshire so i didnt find out about it till way after!
Another car used in season 5 of keeping up appearances Bruce’s Mercedes. My uncle owned one of these cars in the 90’s his model was called elegance and Was an automatic transmission or something lovely motors ( maybe not this one)nice review 👍🏾
Yes, most of these were automatics, as they are today. I am probably going to have to cover the Cars of Keeping Up Appearances at some point, aren't I? Glad you enjoyed this Caveat Emptor Edition!
How strange that a number of people have already mentioned the dealer in Northern Ireland where this car was sold secondhand! I only decided to review this one at very short notice, I am glad that I did....
I love the w202 I have a 1999 1.8 elegance auto in silver runs great rust is a problem though im having the front wings changed and theres rust on the doors and rear wheel arch i only payd £500 for it with 107000 miles 10 month mot 4 brand new tyres and fully refurbished alloys it has been in the same family 17 years well worth restoring and keeping.
Yes, Simon bought this car specifically because the bodywork on it was so good, and I can't argue with that. Definitely No Budget Reviews money for most four cylinder W202s these days! Maybe if you combined the engine in your car with the body shell of this car, it would be perfect, I would definitely have preferred to drive an automatic.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I agree merc autos are best .mine will be great though once it goes to the body Shop after my morris ital is finished and ready to show at gaydon museum in July for the morris marina 50th.
@@Victor-DOOM , that sounds wonderful! I absolutely love Morris Itals for some reason, I saw some great ones last year at the BMC and Leyland Show and the British Leyland Autumn Rally. The ones at the BL Autumn Rally in particular seemed to be in better condition than new!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes ive allways liked them I've had Marinas too there's some people that have a collection of them love or hate them with some people lol
Oh dear Mr Lloyd, a rather sickly Merc, but I wouldn’t bin it off as easily as that, I’m sure somebody with a bit of know how could give that engine some attention, maybe not financially viable for a garage to repair and try and sell of course. It loooks in nice condition inside and out, and for a mid 90’s Merc not much rust. Great review again Sir!
Yes, it probably needs a new engine, this one has had it. Given the cost of putting one in and the value of the car, it is absolutely not worth doing for someone in Simon 's position. The bodywork is actually really good, the car has probably been garaged for at least some of its life. That headlining, though...
I would love to save this poor car. It is a big shame that its expensive to import to Russia. I did drive a C180 years ago, and it didn't handle that nice, but then again I was driving a E36 before and after, so I was used to a completely different kind of ride. :D cheers
Yes, this one really wouldn't go fast enough to see how it handled due to the engine problems... Its value is too low to be economical to repair, I think. An E36 would drive a bit better, you are right.
Seen better days! Isaac Agnew Ltd was where I bought my first brand new car in 1976 a VW Golf poverty N! Now part of Sytner/Penske the Agnew group was locally owned until around 2012. Plate is a Co Tyrone plate though dealer branch is Coleraine which suggests they traded it in at some point. I do love those Mercs though, luckily I managed to pick up a top of range estate in Wilmslow some years back, selling for similar money 2yrs later.
Thank you, David! Very interesting, don't know much about Northern Irish numberplates at all. Funny how these used to hold their value back in the day as well.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I was offered £350 for EDZ many years ago by a reg co including replacement number, the replacement was a Belfast DAZ plate, some time later they offered me £350 for that too!
Ah this takes me back to my C180, Myrtle she was far from standard too, full e class leather, CLK wheels, ran well for a bit, no where near W124 standard sadly.
Yes, haven't seen an Esprit for a very long time. Most of the surviving ones seem to be in Elegance trim. They do look like a W124 from the back, don't they?
My uncle had a 94 w202 with the 2.5 forbidden fuel engine great car but only had it for a short time due to the Irish road tax system on old cars being too expensive
If we gloss over the prestige car with poverty spec, droopy headlining, mechanical issues and the fact you need to left feet or to put the car in neutral before applying the park brake.... It doesn't look too bad. Interior for the most part looks to wear its age very well. A previous neighbour actually bought one if the new (from the factory in Germany) in 96/97 and I know they still had the car only a few years ago.
Yes, the bodywork is really good on this car, which is why Simon bought it. However, it may look nice on the outside, but I think that the head gasket has blown, so not really worth repairing, sadly. If someone wanted to take it on and swap the engine, it wouldn't be too bad, though. Funny how these aren't exactly rare either...
Strange you would think the mercedes was much further in luxury and materials than the “normal” cars from that time. Like mazda 626. Honda accord. Toyota carina. Vw passat. Ford mondeo. Because.. it’s a mercedes! That was the fancy class. But it’s really not..
Yes, in this Classic specification really was not very luxurious at all. The 19982 Mazda 626 2.0 GSi I used to drive had much, much more equipment for this at a far lower price.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting i think all the 90s mazda’s looked better than this mercedes. 1991 626 1994 626 and the one that you had all just looked nicer from the out and the inside
another great video shame it was a poorly example in terms of engine health. But I think that's the spec to have. It would be the badge that would please Hyacinth, although would of likely to have had about the same toys as Richard's Rover!
Yes, the M111 in this car is a little bit sickly, I think. One needs a six cylinder car in Elegance trim with an automatic gearbox, really.... Not many extra toys from an SD3 at all!
In the early 90’s I worked for a Mercedes main dealer in east London. The most common model through the doors seemed to be the C180 Classic with automatic transmission. The dealer fit aftermarket air conditioning system was popular. I also recall that the cars were subject to recalls to fit “sacrificial anodes” somewhere in front suspension, I presume to stop the rot that Mercedes models suffered from later that decade. Never liked the cars, much preferred the stylish and better built 190s.
Thank you, Mr Baxter! You certainly have had an interesting car history, haven't you? Funny how the most common model was the Classic with an automatic gearbox, it proves what I imagined that most buyers would have been of the more mature variety... Was there not a factory air conditioning option? Oh gosh, the rust on those front wings, sir!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes well it seems that way! And many customers took up on the dealer fit Salmon Diavia air con kit as it was considerably cheaper than the optional MB system and it looked just as professional. I think all in it was £1000, we had to send the wood trim away to have a switch hole cut 😝
@@calumbaxter9946 , oh, I see! Gosh, the standard Mercedes-Benz air conditioning must have been extremely expensive. The person who specified this one clearly didn't want it, though, I think the electric sunroof would have been an option.
Yes, it's also a cautionary tale of buying blind without having checked the car over first, especially at an auction, as it hasn't turned out the way Simon expected.
Early Classics were disgraceful spec wise. Only electric controlled item was for the driver side door mirror, that was your lot and the armrest centre console was an option too. The Esprit model was a touch more sporty was very bare bones. Having said that a well maintained example in Elegance spec with the bigger engines in both varieties and automatic transmission is a pleasure to own.
Yes, I think I need to think more about the Elegance specification than the Classic when considering one of these. Definitely a six cylinder with an automatic gearbox would be a much better idea, wouldn't it?
O man this mercedes. You saw them allot. but mostly the stationwagon same with the model next to this one. Mostly owned by farmers and most of the time towing something. If you drove in the polders here ( area with allot of flat farming land’s and barn’s and small roads to separate the businesses ) ( don’t know the English word) the change that you saw this mercedes in stationwagon passing you was big.. because most farm land owners choose this one. If it was the logo or they were just good i don’t know the reason why
Gosh, I don't know the word for that in English! I looked it up on the Internet, and it is just called polders apparently... The estate version was not particularly spacious as far as these go. The W124s were the ones I would associate more with the farming community.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting the w124 was the taxi here. Like all the e classes all taxi’s. But the 90s and the 00’s C classes wagon those were the farmers cars.
Not a fan of these sir. The era where Merc lost their way a bit in the quality stakes but were still happy to charge a pretty penny due to the badge on the front.
I have been offered a 190E for review now, so I will let you know how they compare if I happen to be to drive one. These Classics do seem a bit stripped out for my liking.
Oh god - there's one of these that lives down the road from me. It's a diesel R plate. The arches are made of duct tape. Part of the front wing has been replaced with a riveted on piece of stainless steel that I think came from an oven. The road is stained from its various oil leaks. It's hideous and just wants to return to the earth but the owner won't seem to let it!
Oh yes, we know all about the oil leaks and the rusty front wings! We shall avoid discussing the forbidden fuel engine, as we don't talk about them on this channel... I don't think Simon will be interested in buying it somehow! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.
Very interesting Joseph and another lovely review. Glad you made it back!!!
Thank you ever so much indeed, sir! Yes, it was a relief, a cautionary tale for all about the joys of when an auction purchase goes wrong.
Great video. I noticed the supply of water in the 5 litre bottle in the passenger footwell. Reminded me of my days many moons ago with a 1990 3.6 xjs. That just gobbled water on a journey.
Oh yes! We put in about two litres before my brief test drive to the location where the static shots were filmed and then another couple for the journey back as it had a serious leak... Needless to say, it isn't destined for Simon's website. I haven't had that problem in a Jaguar yet! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting, more No Budget Reviews, this time without the "Caveat Emptor Edition" label.
A good way to look at it is that you did make it back to your destination. Maybe in a lesser car than a C Class you would be walking a bit.
A friend of my Father's ordered a new E Class in 1995 from Agnew's and had to pay extra to get a manual gearbox. It suited the hilly area where he lived better than an auto.
Ask Simon if you can have the spare wheel, Jack and wheel brace for your Mother's Car before he sends her for scrap.
I don't actually know if the spare wheel, jack and wheel brace would fit my mother's W205. Do you happen to know if they are compatible? Funny how the dealer plate on the back is from a dealership that you know so well! Yes, an E Class manual would have been special order by 1995, I imagine... I didn't walk back, praise the Lord!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting don't know if they are compatible but I'm sure they would make a better attempt than that can of sealant ever will.
@@seancooke4127 , you are correct, sir!
Massive step back from a W201, most W202s have rusted away and W201s out survive them..
Yes, the bodywork on this one is actually pretty good compared with most, which is why I think Simon bought it in the first place. However, it does have its problems! I still see a fair few 190Es around so you may well be right, would love to try one. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I'll drop you a note you can try my 1990 190E Auto
@@lloydvehicleconsulting th-cam.com/video/DLUwojVSwFY/w-d-xo.html
Thank you, that would be wonderful! The e-mail address to use is shown less than a minute into the video...
I saw your car on your channel just now, looks lovely!
Pre-1995 Esprit line had front-and-rear keep-fit door glazing too! (:oD). How the mighty have fallen! When the W202 was current, I didn't think their used prices would ever fall, and now this example has ended up just another £100 car. Yet, when new, this particular car actually had a lot going for it. The only thing that let it down from the outset was the manual gearbox. It's certainly a nice colour. And at least the ashtray still opens nicely.
The seat/door card upholstery pattern on this car! I recently spotted an immaculate K-plate 190E in mint green with a dark pink interior! In much of the '90s, Mercedes-Benz certainly did go through this hilarious phase of offering some odd interior colour choices and combinations, to entice the younger audience into their showrooms, without a doubt.
It has to be said that the stereo looks like an afterthought, a bit out-of-place on this car. It doesn't match any of the switchgear. Parked around the back of my work used to be a very early amber-indicatored C220d Classic in that non-metallic dull pinky-red with a yellowy-beige interior (M230VEB). And that example had a slab of shiny wood where an optional stereo would have been fitted, and no steering wheel airbag either, even though the steering wheel looked the same as this one without the SRS-labelling. My ex-colleague left it there when it broke down in 2003 with failed injector seals, and it did not move until 2018 when it was finally scrapped! AND OBVIOUSLY, one could only imagine the thrilling acceleration on offer from its 94bhp normally-aspirated forbidden-fuelled power unit!!! (:oD)
Yes, despite the excellent bodywork on this car for its age, it wasn't expensive for Simon to buy and it is going to be uneconomical to repair unless someone wants to actually replace the engine. I didn't like the manual gearbox and foot operated parking brake combination, although the gearbox itself had a nice change action.
The upholstery was not very good compared with a lot of 190Es I have seen, not sure what Mercedes-Benz were thinking with that...
I am not even sure you got a stereo as standard with one of these at the time if what you say is true, so not surprised this one looks like an afterthought. I thought that a driver's airbag was standard, even on the early cars, but clearly not if the old car you knew did not have one. Yes, best we don't talk any more about it on this channel if it had a forbidden fuel engine.
I'm disappointed now I always like that generation of c class . You live and learn .
Glad you made it back
Yes, the M111 engine in this one had let go in spectacular style before I drove it. I did make it back thanks to the massive container of distilled water Simon gave me.... I think a six cylinder Elegance with an automatic gearbox would be a better bet, perhaps!
I wouldn't even be very interested in a nice example of these to be frank. The car the C class replaced on the hand - the old 190E - are lovely old things and proper 'built to last' era mercs.
Yes, this is what a lot of people seem to be saying! Would love to try a 190E to compare the two. I would prefer an automatic one, though, as I really wasn't a fan of the foot operated parking brake and manual gearbox combination...
It definitely was a step up from the ageing 190 it replaced. My father had an P reg C220 Elegance, it was the last car he owned until he stopped driving in 2008.
Yes, I think the average W202 owner may well have been of the more mature variety unlike the average E36 owner. Did the car stay in the family, sir?
@@lloydvehicleconsulting funny you should ask, but NO!.......................he gave it to his mechanic when it was uneconomical to repair (gearbox 140k) , it was still worth £600-£700, but i am in ealing as you know and he is in yorkshire so i didnt find out about it till way after!
@@trabali5168 , I see, sir! Yes, gearbox troubles can be quite expensive to fix. It may well have expired now if it was on 140,000 miles 13 years ago.
Another car used in season 5 of keeping up appearances Bruce’s Mercedes. My uncle owned one of these cars in the 90’s his model was called elegance and Was an automatic transmission or something lovely motors ( maybe not this one)nice review 👍🏾
Yes, most of these were automatics, as they are today. I am probably going to have to cover the Cars of Keeping Up Appearances at some point, aren't I? Glad you enjoyed this Caveat Emptor Edition!
Nice to see a Northern Ireland car again. My neighbour has one of these and it’s still going. He’s a mechanic for Agnews.
How strange that a number of people have already mentioned the dealer in Northern Ireland where this car was sold secondhand! I only decided to review this one at very short notice, I am glad that I did....
Great spec on the Merc , about the only thing it lacks is manual front windows.
Ah, excellent, sir! You would have been well served by one of the very early W202s, then. Wonder if Simon already has a buyer....
I love the w202 I have a 1999 1.8 elegance auto in silver runs great rust is a problem though im having the front wings changed and theres rust on the doors and rear wheel arch i only payd £500 for it with 107000 miles 10 month mot 4 brand new tyres and fully refurbished alloys it has been in the same family 17 years well worth restoring and keeping.
Yes, Simon bought this car specifically because the bodywork on it was so good, and I can't argue with that. Definitely No Budget Reviews money for most four cylinder W202s these days! Maybe if you combined the engine in your car with the body shell of this car, it would be perfect, I would definitely have preferred to drive an automatic.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I agree merc autos are best .mine will be great though once it goes to the body Shop after my morris ital is finished and ready to show at gaydon museum in July for the morris marina 50th.
@@Victor-DOOM , that sounds wonderful! I absolutely love Morris Itals for some reason, I saw some great ones last year at the BMC and Leyland Show and the British Leyland Autumn Rally. The ones at the BL Autumn Rally in particular seemed to be in better condition than new!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes ive allways liked them I've had Marinas too there's some people that have a collection of them love or hate them with some people lol
@@Victor-DOOM , I prefer the Itals personally, but most people think I am strange in that opinion.
Oh dear Mr Lloyd, a rather sickly Merc, but I wouldn’t bin it off as easily as that, I’m sure somebody with a bit of know how could give that engine some attention, maybe not financially viable for a garage to repair and try and sell of course.
It loooks in nice condition inside and out, and for a mid 90’s Merc not much rust.
Great review again Sir!
Yes, it probably needs a new engine, this one has had it. Given the cost of putting one in and the value of the car, it is absolutely not worth doing for someone in Simon 's position. The bodywork is actually really good, the car has probably been garaged for at least some of its life. That headlining, though...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes I know what you mean.
Thank you, sir!
I would love to save this poor car. It is a big shame that its expensive to import to Russia. I did drive a C180 years ago, and it didn't handle that nice, but then again I was driving a E36 before and after, so I was used to a completely different kind of ride. :D cheers
Yes, this one really wouldn't go fast enough to see how it handled due to the engine problems... Its value is too low to be economical to repair, I think. An E36 would drive a bit better, you are right.
Seen better days! Isaac Agnew Ltd was where I bought my first brand new car in 1976 a VW Golf poverty N! Now part of Sytner/Penske the Agnew group was locally owned until around 2012.
Plate is a Co Tyrone plate though dealer branch is Coleraine which suggests they traded it in at some point.
I do love those Mercs though, luckily I managed to pick up a top of range estate in Wilmslow some years back, selling for similar money 2yrs later.
Thank you, David! Very interesting, don't know much about Northern Irish numberplates at all. Funny how these used to hold their value back in the day as well.
I wonder if Simon will sell the plate...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I was offered £350 for EDZ many years ago by a reg co including replacement number, the replacement was a Belfast DAZ plate, some time later they offered me £350 for that too!
@@DavidJohnston58 , I wonder if Simon will sell the plate?
Ah this takes me back to my C180, Myrtle she was far from standard too, full e class leather, CLK wheels, ran well for a bit, no where near W124 standard sadly.
Yes, not as reliable as a W124 or a W201, but certainly this one has excellent bodywork. Would have loved a nice full leather interior.
I think these look great in 'Esprit' trim (one up from the classic) and red paint. Note how the rear tail lights resemble those on the W124.
Yes, haven't seen an Esprit for a very long time. Most of the surviving ones seem to be in Elegance trim. They do look like a W124 from the back, don't they?
My uncle had a 94 w202 with the 2.5 forbidden fuel engine great car but only had it for a short time due to the Irish road tax system on old cars being too expensive
Oh, the good old Irish road tax system! Yes, best we don't talk about it if it had a forbidden fuel engine....
If we gloss over the prestige car with poverty spec, droopy headlining, mechanical issues and the fact you need to left feet or to put the car in neutral before applying the park brake.... It doesn't look too bad. Interior for the most part looks to wear its age very well.
A previous neighbour actually bought one if the new (from the factory in Germany) in 96/97 and I know they still had the car only a few years ago.
Yes, the bodywork is really good on this car, which is why Simon bought it. However, it may look nice on the outside, but I think that the head gasket has blown, so not really worth repairing, sadly. If someone wanted to take it on and swap the engine, it wouldn't be too bad, though. Funny how these aren't exactly rare either...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting I expect some of those interior parts like the dash board would recoup the investment at least.
@@markonmotoring , it's more like the catalytic converter, actually, if it is an original Mercedes one.
Strange you would think the mercedes was much further in luxury and materials than the “normal” cars from that time. Like mazda 626. Honda accord. Toyota carina. Vw passat. Ford mondeo. Because.. it’s a mercedes! That was the fancy class. But it’s really not..
Yes, in this Classic specification really was not very luxurious at all. The 19982 Mazda 626 2.0 GSi I used to drive had much, much more equipment for this at a far lower price.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting i think all the 90s mazda’s looked better than this mercedes. 1991 626 1994 626 and the one that you had all just looked nicer from the out and the inside
@@jdnrotterdam2150 , I think they went for traditional styling for the W202, which meant that it certainly did look quite dated by the late 1990s.
Remember these when these came out, did not think these were so poverty spec! Still a good looking car through.
Yes, the Classic specification ones which were around at launch in 1993 were even more stripped out! This one actually has very good bodywork.
another great video shame it was a poorly example in terms of engine health. But I think that's the spec to have. It would be the badge that would please Hyacinth, although would of likely to have had about the same toys as Richard's Rover!
Yes, the M111 in this car is a little bit sickly, I think. One needs a six cylinder car in Elegance trim with an automatic gearbox, really.... Not many extra toys from an SD3 at all!
That old girl should not be scrapped it is a rare sight to see one with that good bodywork and scrapping it for the sake of an engine is criminal
The bodywork is really good, but unfortunately it's just not economical to repair.
In the early 90’s I worked for a Mercedes main dealer in east London. The most common model through the doors seemed to be the C180 Classic with automatic transmission. The dealer fit aftermarket air conditioning system was popular. I also recall that the cars were subject to recalls to fit “sacrificial anodes” somewhere in front suspension, I presume to stop the rot that Mercedes models suffered from later that decade. Never liked the cars, much preferred the stylish and better built 190s.
Thank you, Mr Baxter! You certainly have had an interesting car history, haven't you? Funny how the most common model was the Classic with an automatic gearbox, it proves what I imagined that most buyers would have been of the more mature variety... Was there not a factory air conditioning option? Oh gosh, the rust on those front wings, sir!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes well it seems that way! And many customers took up on the dealer fit Salmon Diavia air con kit as it was considerably cheaper than the optional MB system and it looked just as professional. I think all in it was £1000, we had to send the wood trim away to have a switch hole cut 😝
@@calumbaxter9946 , oh, I see! Gosh, the standard Mercedes-Benz air conditioning must have been extremely expensive. The person who specified this one clearly didn't want it, though, I think the electric sunroof would have been an option.
Caveat Emptor Edition
Is this a sneaky way of saying it's rubbish?
Edit: Yes it is.
Yes, it's also a cautionary tale of buying blind without having checked the car over first, especially at an auction, as it hasn't turned out the way Simon expected.
Early Classics were disgraceful spec wise. Only electric controlled item was for the driver side door mirror, that was your lot and the armrest centre console was an option too. The Esprit model was a touch more sporty was very bare bones.
Having said that a well maintained example in Elegance spec with the bigger engines in both varieties and automatic transmission is a pleasure to own.
Yes, I think I need to think more about the Elegance specification than the Classic when considering one of these. Definitely a six cylinder with an automatic gearbox would be a much better idea, wouldn't it?
Also remember J Clarksons review of a white one ... radio 2 on the motorway
You are absolutely right! I only watched that after I filmed the review as I did the preparation at relatively short notice.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting both good reviews in their own right. Not sure wafting to the tones of radio 2 is your style though.
@@ST-ur7oh , no, it probably isn't! I remember seeing Clarkson's review when the car came out in 1993.
O man this mercedes. You saw them allot. but mostly the stationwagon same with the model next to this one. Mostly owned by farmers and most of the time towing something. If you drove in the polders here ( area with allot of flat farming land’s and barn’s and small roads to separate the businesses ) ( don’t know the English word) the change that you saw this mercedes in stationwagon passing you was big.. because most farm land owners choose this one. If it was the logo or they were just good i don’t know the reason why
Gosh, I don't know the word for that in English! I looked it up on the Internet, and it is just called polders apparently... The estate version was not particularly spacious as far as these go. The W124s were the ones I would associate more with the farming community.
@@lloydvehicleconsulting the w124 was the taxi here. Like all the e classes all taxi’s. But the 90s and the 00’s C classes wagon those were the farmers cars.
@@jdnrotterdam2150 , yes when I lived in Germany, E Class taxis were absolutely everywhere as well.
Not a fan of these sir. The era where Merc lost their way a bit in the quality stakes but were still happy to charge a pretty penny due to the badge on the front.
I have been offered a 190E for review now, so I will let you know how they compare if I happen to be to drive one. These Classics do seem a bit stripped out for my liking.
Given how much these rust, that looks in good condition. Someone might want to save it and do an engine transplant. Saggy headlining and all.
It definitely needs a new engine and something doing about that headlining, sir. The bodywork is in really good condition, though!
What was its mileage ?
I think it was around 98,000...
@@lloydvehicleconsulting that's nothing for a merc of that age. I reckon been wound back lol
We think it may not been serviced for a very, very long time, hence the scrap engine.
Oh dear...Oh my....My goodness...Oh my goodness gracious...What on Earth?
It had a valid MOT, sir... No wonder we call it the "Caveat Emptor Edition"!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Lol! We have Judge Rinder over here...😂
@@alaricbragg7843 , Judge Rinder, sir?
@@lloydvehicleconsulting That's where I heard 'Caveat Emptor' before lol.
@@alaricbragg7843 , you certainly did, sir!
It would be good raw material for a drifter, Sir. Just add NASCAR V8...
It definitely needed a new engine, that is for sure, sir!
@@lloydvehicleconsulting Looks like the type of car that would be used in a kidnap. 😂🤣
@@alaricbragg7843 , the interior has seen better days...