MERCEDES C200 ELEGANCE AUTO
ENGINE 1998cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 136bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 140lb ft@4000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 126mph 0-60MPH 10.4sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 28-41mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed auto MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 56,205 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This modern classic starts without fuss and selects Drive smoothly. Changes are seamless through to fifth gear with the gearbox in ‘standard’ mode. Acceleration is brisk and the suspension firmer than expected, offering plenty of road feedback. Precise steering means that exuberant cornering can be enjoyed with impressive stability. It excelled both in town and on a fast dual carriageway and is very refined.
BODYWORK CHECK
Listed as Smoke Silver Metallic, the paintwork is free from blemishes and the perfect door gaps, spotless rubbers and arrow-straight panels confirm that this car has never visited a body shop. There are one or two marks – a small scratch on the offside front edge of the front bumper, a small stone chip on the leading edge of the bonnet and a light mark on the nearside rear wheel trim. Tyres are recent Pirelli P6s all round. Underneath appears showroom-fresh with its original light protection still in place having been
EXTERIOR
Pale finish Factory-fresh panels
INTERIOR
Mushroom and beige Perfectly preserved
MECHANICALS
Good performance, Smooth drivetrain
Ziebarted from new with topup treatments noted in the service pack.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
A prime example of quality fit and finish. Single family owned from new, the cabin shows the upmost care taken in preservation, including factory pre-delivery covers still protecting the front seats. The Mushroom cloth interior features beige carpeting with factory overmats, while the centre console veneer is perfect and contains a Sony CD player in place of the original radio/cassette player. Original factory spec includes air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows and door mirrors, alarm and central locking, all of which operates
correctly. There are no warning lights lit on the dash.
UNDER THE BONNET
The bay area is showroom ready with an original and undisturbed front panel, bright plastics, metalwork and liquid containers with no leaks evident. The rocker cover clear coat is peeling and slightly yellowed, but this could be removed and the silver finish beneath revived easily enough. The full service history includes the original order form, plus a hand-written log from the first owner listing every item, including additional oil changes between official servicing. The owner’s son took custody in 2012 since when it has had limited use, with fewer than 5k miles travelled; MoT history also confirms the low mileage and that it has never failed or had any advisories issued.
THE CCW VIEW
Any new owner of this car will get a daily driver with show-winning potential. The history file shows almost obsessive attention to detail – impressive, given the asking price.
PROS Build quality, history, superbly preserved CONS Occasional blemish, due a service
BUY IT FROM Milestone Classics, Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0AZ. 01798 874884, milestoneclassics.co.uk
MILEAGE
72,000 £3995 (SOMERSET)
V reg, 4 speed, pale Sky Blue, wooden dash, black hood, HPI clear, twin carbs, alloy wheels, 12 months MoT, original showroom brochure, call anytime. (SC 3010)