Owner Review: It still has its value and specialty even after a decade - My Mercedes-Benz W210 E200 Kompressor

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Basic information about my car

Model: W210 E200 Kompressor facelift UK Spec

Year: Manufactured in 2001 ( purchase on Sept 2009)

Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Price: 3999 pound ( after-tax around RM 70K+) in 2009

Current mileage: 172,000 KM

Reasons why I bought this car

• Sentimental Value

The car actually was being purchased by my late father as he dreams to own a Mercedes-Benz before his retirement. He has been driving his official cars which were Toyota Camry and Proton Perdana and wanted to find a Mercedes for his retirement. He was considering other models such as the W211 and W213 which started to debut but at the time the price was still expensive. Then he decided to go for the W210 which was known in Malaysia as ‘Mata Belalang’.

The car was being purchased at the local dealership in the UK at that time my sister was studying there. Then It was shipped to Malaysia in 2009 and my father was so in love with the car. He also put a blanker cover on his car and carefully drove the car during the weekend. He spent a lot when the car arrives as it has facing rust issues and mainly the car facing the winter season which contributed to the trust factors. But then after my father passed away, my family rarely use the car and only drive it for the long journey.

Car Selection Process

• I had a budget of RM85K

• Model(s) that I have considered include: Honda Civic FC 1.8 (Second hand)

Reasons why I chose this car:

• handling and stability when driving

• spacious interior for passenger

• size of the car

I’m currently driving a Proton Iriz and wanted to look forwards to a bigger car as I’m about to get married. The car I have in mind was the Honda Civic FC 1.8 as my sister owned it. The car quite reliable and modern looks enough as suitable for my young age.

But then in 2019, I decided to take over the W210 as I compare it with the Civic, the drive of Mercedes was better even though it was a different segment. Of course, it also has sentimental value to our family and I proceed with it. One of the factors is my friend also drives the W210 E280 V6 where he said the parts and maintenance are easy to find. The drive also superb compare to the current Japanese Car. I also make a research regarding the parts and joining the other W210 FB group community and found out that this car is actually quite impressive. People also searching for this model especially the Kompressor model as it still has value and demand.

User Experience

• I have already done 30,000 km

Since the purchase, my thoughts about the car are:

The W210 Kompressor Elegance Model is like a sleeper car as the drive feels like a brand-new car even the car already past a decade. The car has 161 bhp and 230nm of torque M111.957 which enough to drive daily as a 5-speed gearbox. The luxury of Mercedes still feels inside the car even I already stepped into the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The body feels solid and the engine is still quiet even when you drive at high speed. The Kompressor (Supercharger) also gives the extra boost when you floor down. The Kompressor really helps in the speed of the car as compared with the non-Kompressor E200 in terms of power and acceleration.

Then I decided to put some modern touch to the car where I change to 18-inch AMG wheels and decided to put a wrap on it (Satin Dark Grey). I also change the headlamp to a new projector which includes DRL and combo it with LED light to keep its modern looks. As for engine parts, I have the Kompressor oil as it required every around 70,000KM but the notice during the changes, there’s no oil left inside it but still manage to work just fine. I also change the brake pad and disc brake to normal Brembo as the price is literary the same compare with OEM. Also fitted with a new absorber from Bilstein and changing the spring Avantgarde (half cut) as its sportier drive and more lowered looks of the car. Moreover, you need to find a good workshop that actually has knowledge of the car as it will save you lots of money. Many workshops tend to ‘sembelih harga’ which means asking you to change unnecessary parts. That’s what’s make people afraid to use Mercedes due to maintenance costs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Stable ride for a long journey

• Equipped with cruise control, safety such as ESC, ABS, EBA, hill hold assist, first aid kit box, airbag (including side curtain airbag)

• Electric seat adjustment both seat

• Auto window up/down for all window

• Able to perform bit during touge drive (genting uphill)

• Still, be able to drive high speed (225km speed I achieve)

• Less back pain as the seat is comfortable enough for the driver

• The legroom also quite spacious

• Boot size also quite spacious as can load lots of luggage

• Equipped with basic modern instrumental features such as digital speed KM, fuel consumption detail (before start / after start) service reminder, notify any malfunction on the digital screen,

• Spare parts are easy to find especially half-cut option even u are outside of the KL area

• Maintenance quite reliable as a category in continental car

• Once repair the parts, it will put u to a smile as it gives u the satisfaction of driving the three-star logo.

• No rattling noise coming from dashboard/ door

• No air noise when u drive more than 110km/h

Cons

• Rust parts one of the main issues of the car as the car imports from the UK which during the snow of the main contribution towards the rust issues.

• Electronic parts start to make an issue especially wiring and vacuum technology

• Some of the parts started to wear off as the car already pass 20 years

• The roof lining collapse as factors of the age of the car. (It will be around RM 800+ TO FIX)

• Fuel consumption is slightly not reliable when driving in town and comparing to other Japanese car but it gives you satisfaction when you heavy-footed the throttle

• Heavy rims one of the factors that contribute to the fuel consumption

• Has been one time break down in Kedah due to a TCM problem but manage to fix it as they have the spare part (half cut)

• Need to changes lots of parts such as Air Mass where my car will be jerking when accelerating which annoys during crossing the road.

• Issues with engine mounting /gearbox mounting parts, air-conditioning, steering rack, ball joint, BAS system

• This model has a problem with their paint job as it started to decay even it has a rust protection layer

• The speaker radio /audio system needs to change as it already broke

• The oil inside the side mirror also started to leak and need to change to a new on

Ratings

• Total Score: 4

• Performance: 5

• Quality & Features: 4

• Space: 5

• Ride Comfort: 4

• Fuel Economy: 3

• Price & Cost: 5

Summary

This E200 Kompressor still has its value and specialty even though has passed a decade. It’s well equipped with current basic technology and still drives like a new car. It manages to give the joy of feeling driving the continental car and Mercedes has done a wonderful job developing this car.

Interesting events that happened to my car

Will be going in the same brand Mercedes for the next car to continue the fun driving it.

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