I've got a 1993 C250 D with over 600k km. The 5 cylinder engine sounds great. OEM parts are easy to find, cheap and most repairs are DIY friendly. A great car that dies hard. Mirrors, door locks, windows, adjustable head lights etc are all electric. And, yes, it has a sun roof :)

in a different perspective, I've own the 96 BMW 318i. it was superb, but then I switched to a 96 C180. from my own experience, the Merc can't outrun the BMW, but you'll arrive to your destination with less sweat on your back. on the traffic, the BMW makes me feels like I'm sitting on a bucket seat, ready to tackle the nurburgring. on the Merc, I felt like I'm cruising to my gf house for an evening out. it is fine to want a fast car, but in the long run, fast enough but comfortable, is my choice.

@ozhoneybadger

3 жыл бұрын

Spot on

I'm own Mercedes C43 W202 and still think that's one of the best cars build in that time.

@ghettomist1575

9 жыл бұрын

W124 is better

@dimitrisloukataris7813

6 жыл бұрын

starxidia mas den se rotisame

@gedaman

3 жыл бұрын

I still like the ‘90s era Benzes the best, especially the C43 and E55 AMG.

@Krezo200

3 жыл бұрын

@@gedaman nah, there began the (huge) decline

@mishalchotai4721

3 жыл бұрын

I want to own one ... its been a life long dream... how is it to drive ?

I have a '98 C230 currently with a little over 230K miles on it. Bought it with a little rusting near the trunk release/license plate. My neighbor does body work and can fix that no problem. Still drives like brand new and corners like a champ. Seat adjuster relay went bad in the year I've had the car, but...best vehicle I've ever owned. No matter how old the car is, Mercedes is an eye catcher.

Had a 1998 2.5 TD for 13 years... absolutely incredible... nothing else to say :)

My MB Class C 250 TD, 1997 it is great. Near 300.000 km and never gives me any problem. It's a great machine. I love it.

I've got a c280 1997 model it's the best car ive had and i love it ...

I actually remember this..... I love old top gear

The way Clarkson says Mercedes-Benz at 5:05 is hilarious.

It's unbelievable how fast this thing rots away...

@w20294

9 жыл бұрын

GruszkuEntertainment my '93 C200D still has minimal rust after 4 years of ownership. Planning to do some bodywork on it this summer. If maintained properly, they can last a long time, especially if it's a diesel (OM601). It's amazing how everything still works after more than 20 years.

@worldhello1234

9 жыл бұрын

GruszkuEntertainment Yeah, better? Except for durability. :D

@petelattimer6808

8 жыл бұрын

+Jens DC the OM601 was a good engine but the injector pumps are prone to failure on them. thats the weak link on that engine. i had one. never had an issue but heard about them.

@palebeachbum

8 жыл бұрын

The wiring is faulty too.

@FelixO

7 жыл бұрын

My familys main car is a '96 c220 and although it only started rusting two years ago, by now its pretty much ready to be scrapped. We have a 190e standing around without being driven in the last 5 years, and it still is completely rust-free.

C180 Esprit - 1995, 22 years old now, minimal rost due to a bad painting job once, the rest... runs like a charm.. even today. - 2017

I have an estate model from 1998 in really good shape. I really love it

Roll-up windows? In a Merc? Ha!

@georgethezebra7496

8 жыл бұрын

He's driving the base.... and it is 1993. Still a little weird though I agree

@christiann7320

7 жыл бұрын

nowadays its acually more convenient cause the roll up windows don't break after many uses . And because if they're manual you dont use them as much

@karlsloan3655

3 жыл бұрын

@@christiann7320 twatbox

@AlfaRomeoQ

3 жыл бұрын

There were even s classes with roll up windows in the 80s

@manart3954

2 жыл бұрын

why not ? are better than eletric - problematic - windows after 5 years in use ... 😅

I have a c220 from '94. I bought it 2 months ago, i had to repair some stuff on it, but it works like a charm :)

I love my W202!

I just bought a c180 1997 model a month ago and i really enjoy riding in it. It efficiency is on point and always up to the task ; This video doesn't mean it's for old people but it means that they can use it without stress .

Finally something on TG I've actually owned :D

I got a c180 1999 model as my first car and til now atleast, my only car, extremely happy with it, i had to replace the idler arm bushing, but it had been going strong for over 20 years! I bought it when it had gone 111km, i'm hoping to keep it til it's reached around 300km. Naturally i wish it had a stronger engine, but in my limited market in Northern Norway it was basically impossible to get a similar car without paying a significantly higher price.

And mine is STILL going, over 24 years later ! ;o)

Oaktrees grow faster than that 😂 We had a 98 model c220 and we loved it. Used for 15 years without a single failure.

We had this Car over 10 Years droving sometimes to Turkey from Germany, and it has never an engine Problem only brakes Oil and normal Service. It was an simple Diesel Engine but very longlasting and comfortable :)

I have a last production year of this shape in estate variant (year 2000) and I have to say they did improve things a fair chunk towards the end after the facelift Mine has the 2.0 163BHP supercharged 4 cylinder with a 6 speed box, Got lots of nice features like cruise control, air con with dual zone climate, electric windows all round, ESP +ABS (because safety bro!) keyless central locking and alarm and more than enough power for safe overtaking and not having to rev the balls of it for it to move. I will admit that that coming from an E46 I was disappointed with the way it drove and handled as everything just feels a bit more vague BUT the big trade off is the ride is excellent, The steering while lacking some feel due to having a recirculating ball rather than rack and pinion set up is fairly precise and light! The whole car is very easy to drive and exceedingly comfortable and very predictable, I always feel relaxed in it as compared to my BMW I was always driving far too aggressively so if anything owning this Mercedes has been a good thing for me.

@lillian3037

8 жыл бұрын

+WillThePlank yep i used to fly around in my e28 in quite an unsafe manner, now with my 560sel i have plenty of power but no desire to do anything but cruise and relax

I have the c230 Kompressor model from -96 love it :) 193 horses is nice

Just drove a 1995 C 220 Elegance. After 18 years everything looks and feels premium, the car drives beautifully and with 150hp and decent amounts of torque it is even fun to drive. No black plastic, since the wood trims cover those parts. Excellent dual-zone air conditioning and an engine you that you can put a coin on sideways and it won't fall on idle. These cost nothing to buy and I think the value is astonishing. The trouble is that W203 is getting ridiculously cheap as well...

@manart3954

2 жыл бұрын

202...

@tuukkamard446

2 жыл бұрын

@@manart3954 yes the chassis code is W202 but the car model is C 220.

I had one put massive exhaust and rims,looked and sounded fast did the job when your 19 😎

I've had this and the 190e and the 190 is far superior in every way..I now have another 190 .26 years old..almost mint and runs like a dream..says it all really!.

@w20294

7 жыл бұрын

I don't think so. i have a w124 and c class and i can say that this c class offers better value for money. more comfortable, more options. C class is more prone to rust if not well maintained though.

I can't imagine how different this review would have been if they'd put him in a proper w202 with an M104 under the hood. My 1994 C280 was a rocket from the time it was bought new until I sold it with 265,000 miles on it. I still miss that car.

I bought one of these on 23 December 1993 from Watford (UK) dealer. It was a base model c180 Esprit. It had front window electric as standard but rear with wind up handle. It was automatic but had no radio, no alarm, no alloy wheels, no passenger airbag, no leather seats, no air-conditioning, no heated seats, no central locking, but cost me £20000 (had only a sunroof + auto gearbox as options). I put an alarm and radio-cassette in it for a further £1500 £21500 in December 1993 is currently (2021) £45000. If you realise that current base mercedes c-class cars are fully loaded compared to 1993, safer, with much more powerful engines that are much more fuel efficient, you realise that prices have actually dropped to less than half.

just bought one no noticeable rust though it does have a squeek that I hope is just bushings that said its one of the nicest cars i have owned and i have owned many new cars this one is my winter beater this season

'these strange windy things in the door, than the window comes down' OMG SOOOOO awesomee

I have a W205 C250 0-100 in 6.4 and the C300 is 5.9 what a difference 25 years make..Loaded with technology now too

Miss you jezza

George Benson Earl Klugh in the background. "Dreamin'"

@64bakes

3 жыл бұрын

I was going to ask who that was. I was going to guess on Lee Ritenour. Thanks :-)

@sbonzadarocka4713

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mate, 👌 soundtrack

Got a 1993 E220 - Still going strong after well over 370.000km / 230.000mi - first engine, first gearbox, two passive accidents (both not my fault).. Still runs better than my neighbour's 2005 5 series BMW.

I got one from 1998 and it still works. 280k driven and only problem so far is that it leaks coolant.

Really came into it's own with the c230 Kompressor. Make sure you watch the entire video.

The music rights for TG shows must have cost more that the rest of the production.

Like the background music

And mine is STILL going, over 16 years later :o)

my car, C220 with almost 260km on it,,,,still rolling like champ

he said that everything looks like it's gonna last for a 100 years, ok it did last for almost 30 years and still looking like new even better that the new Mercedes Benz's interiors

Im currently the proud owner of a 1994 c180 elegance and i gotta say its some motor only trouble is with it is that its to good for me

This is exactly what I recognized when I went from a W204 C class to a Landcruiser Prado. The Toyota has so many more features, for around the same price, and for all its mechanical reliability, theres no car that has trim pieces quite so solidly built and well fastened as a mercedes. Bland, boring and frankly lacking in features but my god, what is there is amazing quality.

Nice and reliable car

we had a 1997 c200 top of the range and after it was protected from rust it was great

According to the DVLA vehicle inquiry the w201 at 2:30 is a 190D. First registered 08 10 1992 and was on the road until 01 06 2004. 12 years seems short for a 190D. I'd take the 190D over the c180. Proud owner of a w123 300D euro model.

what music is this from minute 2.20? I like that 90's vibe

I have a 1996 c180 with manual gearbox its a Very nice car.

My father had a '93 red C180 Esprit with AT. I even made her drift in an hairpin because she had LSD. The sound system was great (8 speakers on the doors + 2 subwoofers on the back), coupled with a Becker cassette player with no RDS ability, just frequencies. She was crushed on a mountain road, quite badly. I believe she's still alive while crippled in some country like Albania or Pakistan.

As a "younger buyer" I actually think this car is really cool, I'd kill for a C280.

i'm 22 and next week I have my very own Mercedes C180 E2. With electric windows and remote door control. Young people may love fast Volwagens, Peugeots, Honda's, etc. But for a real classy car you have to drive a beautifull sedan shaped Mercedes Benz!

I always thought that the rear styling of the C-Class was understated and handsome, not ugly. I like these 3-box designs from the 1990s, they just have better proportions than the wind-tunnel obsessed designs of the late 00s.

@manart3954

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with you, it is a shame but Jeremy is not the right Person to talk about cars produced outside of Uk . Im sorry about this comment , I think Jeremy not sincere with Foreiner cars ... Uk it is a country with a fantastic tradition in cars , probably they made the best cars in the World in mid XX century .... but the rest of the World have an evolution ... Particulary German , French and Japanese cars . Top gear was a great serie Very Funny too , but far from reality when cars ate in discussion ... Mercedes Benz are a top class cars .... and from A to Z any Mercedes are fantastic well designed and well constructed ... even if this W 202 are not a Masterpiece of Design ... Because it changes the typical language of Bruno Sacco Design ( 190 , W 126 etc. )

I have second car S202 (Estate) C220 CDI, ODO 646.000km and still running fine. Haven't even rust than little spot on trunks door.

hey i own a c180 mercedes benz in australia..1995 model..i got a question, how to adjust the backrest such that it comes up? mine is just stuck downwards!

2:28 This is the A41 Berkhamsted Bypass; I recognise that bridge.

@paianis

3 жыл бұрын

@Pete You cared enough to reply I guess.

I drive a 1996 C280, it looks and drives like a new car. In fact it drives better than most new cars. Bonus is I paid cash upfront, so no more monthly payments. I feel like driving it right now, so that's what I'm going to do...see ya :D

How many times have you had to replace the electrical system?

yes.

I got a -96 c200 and i love it! I will upgrade to a w210 e430 soon tough ; (

@seddam

4 жыл бұрын

Did you?

My 1995 w202 c200 still got it. The last good mercedes

@Flying_GC

3 жыл бұрын

The last good Mercedes is something people who can't afford a newer one say. It's an absolute nonsense saying. From someone with a W124 and a current model.

@anibalnikov47

3 жыл бұрын

@@Flying_GC Well, i must agree that the ones that are made on this current era must be better 2015-2021. In my family we have owned multiple w201, w202 and w203, (all made in Germany) and have friends with w204 and even w205 that actually agree with me in saying that the last good non electronic based mercedes models, where those made in the mid 90's. Cheers.

after 3 years its lost 45% of its steel due to rust!!!!

@petelattimer6808

8 жыл бұрын

+Carl Grenfell only on the post facelift models. i had 2 pre facelift ones like the one in the video and not a speck of rust on them at 10 years old in the UK. unlike the later w203 c class!

@FelixMustermann

8 жыл бұрын

+Peter Lattimer The one my family owns is also nothing but rust

@petelattimer6808

8 жыл бұрын

+Felix Mustermann like i said, later cars do. early cars are 20 years old now.

@kristijonaassa

8 жыл бұрын

+Carl Grenfell weight reduction brooo

@CeeStyleDj

6 жыл бұрын

I don't know. I have a facelift 1999 C230 Kompressor and I only have one tiny bit of rust near the sunroof. Car is in great shape. I don't really see rust any other places

or the C43 AMG! ;) I love my 99 C280!!!

George Benson Earl Klugh in the background " Dreamin"

Did they review the c class W203?

Now, we are in 2019 my w202 still runs like new with 789000 km, mr. Klarkson

@ilikelampshades6

3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Impressive

Das ist ein tolles auto !! THE BEST OR NOTHING

He called it "sort of bad" in the interior quality and features, however he loved the mechanical quality and the amazing comfort.

1996 c220 power everything with sun roof and wood trim. 2.2l

@aliabdallah102

7 жыл бұрын

kchilz32 2000 c280 with a 2.8. v6 and heated seats

Under £20k... today that sounds cheap, affordable.

@perlante123

3 жыл бұрын

Lol yup! Today that’s the equivalence of $36,051 (£32,534) in regards to purchasing power. Inflation. Crazy stuff.

Jeremy’s comment about choosing the C Class to have an accident in was ironic, as it did not perform well in crash tests.

i ve just bought a c280 to compliment my c220 which is utterly bullet proof ( moreso than the 190's i ve had too FYI ) and NOT rusting like an alfa at the seaside...

I have a 1993 220D Elegance automatic with 420 000kms and the only thing thats worn on the inside is the face of the front electric window switches, it does not have a sunroof or ac which is unfortunate, however everything still works and the car rides smoothly but it is very rusty.

i drive ca like that one but form 1997 c200 :D i think its so good car...

Clarkson's American accents are hilarious "Murcedes Benz"

Just noticed that the grill is smaller on the new car unlike today:p

The Mercedes, never fails....

WOW no electric/power windows in a 1993 Mercedes. My 1993 Mitsubishi lancer came standard with electric windows/power windows for a fraction of the price.

@1992Tuomas

7 жыл бұрын

Same thing in my -90 Camry and -91 Lancer. Electric mirrors and windows.

19 years later my W140 is still running Mercedes ist gut!

@GigaChad-hn2xu

2 ай бұрын

I know 11 years have passed but is ur w140 still running ???

0:46 I agree with Jeremy

Wheel trims are cool

My 190E had wind up windows but an expensive optional power sunroof. power mirrors - only the passenger mirror had power, cos hey you didn't need the drivers to be electric!

personal preference I think.!

whats the music from 2:27

I had a new 1994 C220 Elegance. It cost 27K which was a fortune back then.

i'm old enough to remember janis joplin and i'm a year younger than this review

20 years later... rust everywhere...

I had two w202 Extremely good, reliable cars Rust is the worst enemy Or sporty driving

Idk what kind of w202 treatment Europeans got, but there was never a w202 that was this striped in the U.S.

@MegaWayneD

8 жыл бұрын

+OrlandoMagicFan1011 My wife has a really basic 1994 W202 and even that has electric windows and a sunroof. I've never seen one as basic as the one in this video, I'm guessing it was a very early press release model. You'd think that they'd want to put as many optional extras as possible in a press release model though!

@subrosaBalumNL

8 жыл бұрын

+OrlandoMagicFan1011 well over here in the netherlands you could get it as a real basemodel so it was just a normal car, not a luxury car (i think it was like that for lease drivers)

@nate2611

8 жыл бұрын

+OrlandoMagicFan1011 striped or stripped?

@OrlandoMagicFan1011

8 жыл бұрын

+Nathan S stripped

@jefdamen2977

8 жыл бұрын

+OrlandoMagicFan1011 The most basic model were called Esprit line i believe. Around 1997 they facelifted the c with other bumpers, sideskirts, and interiour rework. USA might have gotten other bumpers all along because of the laws there.

Super auto ist C180 b.j. 1993 sehr gutte auto originál Dutsc ist noch

''You get an airbag and anti-lock brakes'' LMAO XD

@Candisa

8 жыл бұрын

Remember this was 1993, those were optional extras on most cars back then. I used to have a 1992 Volvo 940, a Volvo, the safety brand... Guess what? It didn't have ABS or airbags, and it had manual windows as well, although it was meant to compete with the E class... Mercedes used to be over engineered with a price tag that supported that. Nowadays Mercedes's are just as unreliable and expensive to run as VW's, while still being as basic as a Lada and well overpriced.

@juaneer

8 жыл бұрын

+Candisa Basic as a Lada?! Are you human

@Candisa

8 жыл бұрын

+juaneer The last Lada's sold in EU already came with electric windows and central locking. You can still buy a Mercedes today with no climate control and window winders in the back, so yeah, I stand by my statement, Mercedes's are still expensive, still as basic as a Lada, but nowadays you get nothing but badge-image in return for your money, pretty much like those upsold Skoda's with 4 rings in the grille...

@losmeets98

8 жыл бұрын

Candisa I'm pretty sure all mercedes cars come with central locking and electric windows in the front. It's mostly the quality of the interior and general feel while driving (steering, pedals, handling) which makes these cars more expensive.

@Candisa

8 жыл бұрын

+louis smeets So did the last Lada's that were offered in the west... And that quality feel of Mercedes is long gone, as is their reliability and durability. All you get for your money with Mercedes nowadays is a badge and confidence, confidence based on older Merc's quality and very very soon will be shamed. My parents bought a Merc when they retired, like Clarkson says in the video, trusting they wouldn't have to bother with break downs and negotiating for a car anymore... Well, it's junk, no other way of putting it, they will buy an other car soon and it certainly won't be anything german...

3:09 he likes the interior quality as well but not the lack of features.

Does this remind anyone of any tv shows? Like Citizen Khan

Someone have the video of Clarkson SL65

My bright red 1995 C220 has 218k miles on it and still runs smooth! Driving it until it costs more than $500 to fix in the shop on a single visit. Jeremy, I am afraid a few of the buttons fell 80 years short of 100 years.

@kchilz32

7 жыл бұрын

still have it?

@eshea5050

7 жыл бұрын

+kchilz32 Sure do. Just rolled 222k miles. Putting on a new grill at the moment.

@kchilz32

7 жыл бұрын

+Eric Shea nice I have a 1996 c220 167,000 miles on it. I need to purchase snow tires for this coming winter.

@eshea5050

7 жыл бұрын

+kchilz32 Nice. Ya this baby stays in my garage when it snows. Thats when the E53 X5 comes out to play!

@kchilz32

7 жыл бұрын

+Eric Shea awesome I'm in looking at a few ml320 but for now I have to take out my C220 to play in the snow. I was a Florida car. black with tan interior. Did you replace the engine wire harness? these cars will keep running.

a lot of comments say that the w202 is a greate car, i didn't own one, but i own a w210 of this period a e280 from 1997, i liked the car, but it had a lot of problems, so i had to get rid of it, greate engine and transmission, but the electronics and rust on the spring dome mad it not worth it, don't get a cheap one!

It's the elegance model

Cheap as a bag of apple in this time. But sadly most of them are currently rusting away. I had one as my last winter car and i loved it. I lucked out to get one with no single rust spot on it. But the head gasket went away, with just 160 K km on it (nearly 100k miles) far too soon in my opinion. I had VW Polos and Golfs with double milage which ran like new.

Oh yes :o)

no power steering, I think :) and that's a family car class. only 10 years later nissan micra appeared with keyless entry, auto air-con, volume controls on the steering and not to mention abs, power s, trip computer, outside temperature etc. all of that in a small car not that expensive :)

I have a c 200 it has 141000 miles on it and in one word it perfact..o did i tell you its a 95 model i bought it second hand with full service history. it had 96000 miles on it when i bought it .