c180 with 2 probs

[The Layabout]

hi i am new here and as most new members i have a problem with my 2000 c180 elegance (actually i have 2 probs)
The first is the most annoying which is that the engine occasionally drops a cylinder when driving. I can be driving ok and then i feel a drop in power i pull over and the car is shaking.When i turn the ignition off and back on again,everything is fine.......until the next time.

my second problem is not as annoying but concerning just the same,its the gearbox.sometimes when i accelerate the gearbox makes a thudding noise only happens now and again but i hope its not a sign its on its way out.
I do a lot of stop start driving and the car has done 117k miles.Its the first mb i have has and apart from there 2 annoyances i think its a great car for its age.
I hope somebody can help me solve or identify why these occur.Thank you.

 

[NW_Merc]

Hi and welcome.

With regards to your problem:
1. Get the car to a garage and the fault codes read
2. The shaking could relate to either the MAF sensor failing causing a misfire, it could also be the spark plug leads.
3. The gearbox problem could be fixed by a fluid change

I hope this helps

 

[The Layabout]

wow what a quick reply. hi ho hi ho its off to a garage i go

thank you

 

[tdh-syorks]

your first problem sounds similar to what mine was doing, read my thread to see if its similar, http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/112669-w203-c180-non-kompressor-running-issues.html