C180K - Good or Bad choice?

[Stone0311]

Could do with little advice if anybody could spare some...
Have test driven and fallen in love with an '04 C180K, looks very clean and has clearly been well loved throughout its 73k miles including a full house of Merc stamps in the service book.
Is there anything i should know?... like don't buy one?

Reading reviews etc on the net there don't seem to be that many complaints regarding Mercedes except the dealers; have seen some reports of electrical issues and rust - any ideas on how common these are?

Any input welcome

 

[markjay]

I have one, great car. 2004 would be the facelift model with galvanized body panels.

Only things that went wrong on mine was the Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor, and a leaky diff. Not bad for otherwise trouble-free motoring.

Cons:

C-class are slightly cramped in the back, rear seat not very comfy for 3 adults.

143bhp M271 Engine feels powerful and willing when revved, but can sound a bit boomy in the cabin.

Also engine can suffer from oil leak from camshaft position sensor in the the ECU loom. Google 'M271 Starter Line' for more info.

Classic is very softly sprung (I like it this way), so not a great choice for enthusiastic drivers.

Otherwise - great car, love it.

 

[malluboy77]

I have a 2004 facelift one and am quite happy with what it gives me. Here is a thread about the car.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/79054-what-will-fail-my-m271-w203.html

 

[R2D2]

A lovely car. I did 117,000 miles in mine without incident or breakdown.

 

[malluboy77]

Thanks for that post R2D2. I was scratching my head whether I should get someone to visually inspect the timing chain as I was getting paranoid (My car is now sitting at 94k). I have to say that it was quite reassuring to hear what Olly had to say on the issue and now decided to leave it for the moment. At least I cannot hear anything unusual on a cold start up.

 

[Stone0311]

Thanks for the advise folks, always nice to hear good things when you are about to throw your hard earned into the unknown

 

[paulC180]

I have one too, great car, on a 04 plate

 

[R2D2]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sale/135651-r2-sale.html

My old car

 

[Stone0311]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sale/135651-r2-sale.html

My old car

Love those wheels, going to be in the market for some as the ones on the ar im looking at are awful 15"s

 

[Adam230K]

You can get much more powerful variants of this car which will be more realiable and return exactly the same petrol consumption figures, ie. C200K, C230K. But if you aren't bothered about power and you really like the example you've seen then go for it.

 

[markjay]

You can get much more powerful variants of this car which will be more realiable and return exactly the same petrol consumption figures, ie. C200K, C230K. But if you aren't bothered about power and you really like the example you've seen then go for it.

I am all for the 200K and 230K , but why would they be 'more reliable' than a 180K?

 

[Loza143]

I had a 2007 c180k and had 1 problem/ breakdown when the fuel pump went, that was 4 yrs ago and have just sold it with full MB history and 75'000 on the clock to a very happy buyer. I now have a new c180 and very happy with this! I would buy just check for oil leakes!

 

[bigmacplease]

I think this is a good buy if post facelift. Had a C230 myself and it was lovely. Shouldn't have sold it and got a Z4!

 

[j20rdan]

Great car IMO, i have a 55 plate facelift model and very pleased with it and the engine pulls surprisingly strong when needed to. Will be my first winter with it though... and my first rwd car so I have put 4 winter's on it but up in scotland cant see that being much help but yes definitley reccomend one!

 

[Loza143]

The first sign of snow and your backside will be twitching like a rabbits nose! I'm not joking one minute everything is fine next minute the boot wants to overtake you on the M6! Take this from experience driving to Blairgowrie once a month!

Ps have fun!

 

[R2D2]

Yup winter tyres are all must!

 

[st4]

Yup winter tyres are all must!

I'm not so sure unless the weather is really rubbish. I've just fitted them and all I seem to have is an excessively noisy car.

Even with adverse weather you can get about on summer tyres but I inherited a half set and hope I see the benefits of them as right now I am not happy.

 

[R2D2]

I'm not so sure unless the weather is really rubbish. I've just fitted them and all I seem to have is an excessively noisy car.

Even with adverse weather you can get about on summer tyres but I inherited a half set and hope I see the benefits of them as right now I am not happy.

We'll I can honestly say that my c180k couldn't make forward progress on 5mm of snow without my winter tyres!

 

[bigmacplease]

They're not in the southwest we never get the snow like everyone else!

 

[st4]

We'll I can honestly say that my c180k couldn't make forward progress on 5mm of snow without my winter tyres!

I was fine even with budgets on my old E class. Black ice gave me a scare but winter tyres won't save me from that.

I do hope it feels more sure footed and better in icey uphills. I did have to take a long way round as I wasn't getting up a hill one time.