Gutless C180 or is it just me?

[mole]

Hi all,

My 1997 C180 Auto is so underpowered it'll soon be faster if I push it. It's got to the point where it struggles to make it up hills (and pinks/pings while under load). I've changed the MAF sensor and checked compressions (OK) but I'm running out of ideas. Engine is otherwise sweet, oil changed regularly, good starter, smooth idle etc. Am I expecting too much (I know it's only a 1.8 but how did they sell them if they were all this soft?). What should I check next?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[miro]

I read a review once that said it couldnt rip a skin off a custard. Sadly, it is not one of the great moments in Mercedes engineering.

Basically, it is best to use the higher octane fuel as that does help. At least it did for my friends car.

It is a rolling couch and a smooth city car. Nothing you do is going to make it brain numbing.

 

[GrahamC230K]

You aren't going to light up the tarmac in a 1.8 auto w202, but it should run right and it doesn't sounds like it is.

In reality it's not going to be the most sluggish car on the road either ,so it deos sound like you have an issue.

Climbing hill's I would exp[ect you to say the gearbox drops gears and the engine to have to perhaps rev high to make any progress, so perhaps not the most refined or elegant experience, but your description is something else.

I'd get the car to agrage that can read the fault codes and go from there.

Personally I think the fuel you run it on in the UK is irrelevant.

 

[Dec]

My C180 goes like a rocket, yes the are under powered for the size of body but I think it is all down to the way you drive it. Your car sounds like your gearbox is in little old lady mode, try driving it like a Boy Racer for halve an hour around quiet streets/roundabouts (with care) slowing down and speeding up rapidly, this will reprogram your gear box. See also http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=35549

 

[Dieselman]

I don't understand how it's pinking. The ECU should regulate the timing to stop this. The timing will advance as far as it can until the knock sensor just starts to detect pinking.

The only think I can think is either O2 sensor or dirty injectors. Try a strong dose of injector cleaner.

 

[rajinder_1]

I have a c180 and i think as its not the fastest car in the world it is reasonable, and does go a bit when you thrash it.
Are you sure your cat aint blocked? this will give it a underpowered feeling too, first thing i would do is to stick some forte gas treatment in it and as mentioned above take it for a good italian tune up, this shoud get rid of any blockages and crap in the exhaust and its the cheaper option at a tenner for the forte, where a read out it 90 quid at stealer...
Failing this go and get a STAR readout as graham suggested

 

[rajinder_1]

Great Minds

I don't understand how it's pinking. The ECU should regulate the timing to stop this. The timing will advance as far as it can until the knock sensor just starts to detect pinking.

The only think I can think is either O2 sensor or dirty injectors. Try a strong dose of injector cleaner.

Great minds think alike hey

Raj

 

[KNU7S]

We had a 1993 C180 auto and i was very impressed with it, it was my wifes car. A few years ago when i needed a new estate car i test drove a 1998 C180 estate and it was terrible, i put it down to the gearbox as it had an extra gear to the 1993 car.

 

[pauljbpaul]

Did you replace the MAF with an MB part or a aftermarket/recon as ive noticed before that unless you use a genuine part the car seems slower.

 

[mole]

Thanks for all the replies. I used a pattern MAF sensor so I put the old one back on and it's better but still not great. The TPS re-program also seemed to help but I think there's something wrong in there. I've got a new cat for the car as the mounting sheared off so I'll be putting that on and changing the lambda sensor as well.