Review: Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class sedan (1994-00)

Review: Mercedes-Benz W202.I C-Class sedan (1994-97)

Overview

Released in November 1994, the Mercedes-Benz W202 Series I (W202.I) C-Class was a compact executive sedan. Manufactured in Germany, the rear-wheel drive W202.I C-Class range initially consisted of C 180, C 220, C 250 D and C 280 variants which were offered with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. The C 200 was released in early 1996 and, in November 1996, the C 230 and five-speed automatic transmissions were introduced. Beyond the models, the W202.I C-Class was available in Classic, Esprit, Elegance and Sport variants; the full range is given in the table below.

Please note that the Mercedes W202 C 36 and C 43 AMG have been reviewed separately.

Dimensions and suspension

The W202 C-Class sedan was 4487 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1414 mm tall and had a 2690 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the W202 C-Class had double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W202.I C-Class consisted of a driver’s airbag, ABS and front seatbelt pre-tensioners; Elegance variants were further equipped with a front passenger airbag. In February 1997, standard features were extended to include a front passenger airbag.

Features: Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class Classic included a six speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, cloth seat trim, central locking, power mirrors and power front windows.

Visually, the Classic variants could be identified by their orange indicator lenses, yellow/red tail-lights and dark gray bumpers. Inside, the Classic variants had matt black plastic trim and black door fabrics.

Compared to the Classic variants,

• the Esprit variants had 25 mm lower suspension and ‘Esprit’ fender shields. Inside, the Esprit variants featured bright red or blue seat and door fabrics;
• the Sport variants could be identified by their 15-inch five-hole alloy wheels, 25 mm lower suspension, white indicator lenses, body-coloured bumpers, patterned B-pillar trim and ‘Sport’ fender shields. Inside, the Sport variants had black ribbed plastic trim, front sports seats with patterned cloth and a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and gearshift lever; and,
• the Elegance variants could be identified by their 15-inch alloy wheels, white indicator lenses, red/grey tail-lights, contrasting colour bumpers with chrome inserts, door handles with chrome inserts, black gloss painted B-pillar trim and window bars and ‘Elegance’ fender shields. Inside, Elegance variants were further equipped with a CD player, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear windows, rear centre armrest, front centre armrest with storage compartment, Zebrano wood trim and ruffled seatback pockets.

September 1995: C-Class sedan update

In September 1995, the W202.I C-Class range was updated with the following changes:

• Classic variants received white indicator lenses, white/red tail-lights and ‘Classic’ fender shields. Inside, Zebrano wood trim panels were applied to the centre console and a new fabric pattern for the seats;
• Esprit variants received white indicator lenses, grey/red tail-lights and, inside, faux aluminium trim;
• Sport variants received carbon-look interior trim, a new seat fabric pattern and ‘Sport’ lettering for the gear lever plaque; and,
• Elegance variants received walnut interior trim, a new seat fabric pattern and ‘Elegance’ lettering for the gear lever plaque.

Review: Mercedes-Benz W202.II C-Class sedan (1997-00)

Overview

Released in September 1997, the Mercedes-Benz W202 Series II (W202.II) C-Class sedan introduced a revised range with new all-alloy M112 V6 petrol engines for the C 240 and C 280 models.

Visually, the W202.II C-Class could be identified by its new front and rear bumpers with integrated spoilers, revised radiator grille and body-coloured side-skirt panels; the radio aerial was also integrated into the rear window.

Other changes for the W202.II C-Class sedan included:

• The introduction of CAN-bus wiring;
• A new driver authorisation system (ELCODE) with an infrared radio remote control; and,
• The introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s ASSYST service computer which calculated service intervals as required.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W202.II C-Class included dual front airbags, ABS, brake assist and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Initially, all models other than the C 180 were fitted also with front seat-mounted side airbags while the C 240 and C 280 were also fitted with traction control (Mercedes-Benz’s Acceleration Skid Control, or ASR).

From October 1998, front side airbags and traction control (ASR) were fitted as standard.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1997 Mercedes-Benz C 180 Classic that was equipped with dual front airbags and front side airbags received a two star adult occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, there was excessive intrusion into the footwell area and stiff structures came into contact with the driver’s right knee, presenting serious injury risks to the knee, thigh and pelvis; chest protection was also rated as weak. In the side impact test, chest protection for the driver was weak, while abdominal protection was rated as marginal.

Features

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W202.II C-Class included 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65 R15 91H tyres, an eight speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cruise control, remote central locking, power mirrors, power front windows and an immobiliser.

For models other than the C180, standard features also included a front armrest with stowage compartment and a rear cupholder. From October 1998, standard features were extended to include a front armrest and power rear windows.

The C 240 and C 280 models were further equipped alloy wheels, leather upholstery and Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Speedtronic’ cruise control with a variable speed limiter.

Variants: Classic, Elegance and Sport

Compared to the Classic variants, the Elegance and Sport variants were further equipped with a ten-stack CD player, a leather-covered steering wheel and gearshift lever, seatback pockets and sunvisors with illuminated mirrors.

Inside, Classic variants had ‘Alameda’ wood trim for the centre console. The Elegance variants, however, were distinguished by their burr walnut wood trim, ten-hole alloy wheels and metallic paint. Relative to the Classic variants, Sport variants were fitted with six-hole alloy wheels with wider tyres and a rear armrest with cup holder.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class