Hi im new.

[Maz]

Hello,

Im new here <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> i have a healthy interest in Mercedes cars, my parents own 2 of them

W reg A140
N reg C180

I think the C180 will be passed onto me soon - Dad wants a Jag X type &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wallbash.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bash:'>

I currently drive a Suzuki Baleno sport

Looks a bit boy racerish but im only young so dont misjudge me <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> im 18 years old and have a fair knowledge of Mercedes,

Love driving the C Class however my Suzuki excites me more than the A Class does.

 

[Maff]

Welcome aboard! You’ll have to try and persuade your dad to get a new C-class or an E-Class instead of the Jag! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[BaldGuy]

Welcome Maz....

Get that C lowered and some decent rims on it!!!!

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>

 

[GrahamC230K]

Welcome Maz.

You had better speak with Koolvin, to see what you can do with your C180  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Maz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Wheelie @ Dec. 03 2002,17:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Welcome Maz....

Get that C lowered and some decent rims on it!!!!

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
That ermm C Class is lowered &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/slayer.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Well factory lowered <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

If/When it becomes mine first thing im gonna do is get new wheels <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> and MB Bodykit for it

 

[GrahamC230K]

What trim is the C180?

I guess &quot;Esprit&quot; from the looks and you say it's lowered from the factory, so that has to be the only option.


Notice you have mud flaps - any other options?

 

[Maz]

Ermm other options, dont think it has any others, its a pretty basic model really but the car is solid and it aint really that slow.

Just you have to thrash it for it to feel quick with it being 16v.

Yeah its an Esprit with 80k on the clock,

 

[fuzzer]

Hi , welcome ...

Another young person ... im 20 &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>


There are three lowerings. Esprit lowered and sport lowered and AMG lowered ...

And snowplow lowered &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>

The 180 looks good. Is it manual or auto?

 

[Maz]

Its a 5 spd Manual,

How much are AMG Front + Rear Lower spoliers along with side skirts?

Looks like too much of an old mans car to me <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[fuzzer]

Quite a lot.

Im sure the front and rear bumpers are about £600 each.

and the side skirts are £400 or so each. Plus painting.


i think .... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

 

[GrahamC230K]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Maz @ Dec. 03 2002,18:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Its a 5 spd Manual,</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Join the club.


So far that's you, me and Black180.

Any other manuals?

 

[Maz]

Whats so special about the manuals except for having more control of the car?

And being slightly quicker

 

[GrahamC230K]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Maz @ Dec. 03 2002,19:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Whats so special about the manuals except for having more control of the car?

And being slightly quicker</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Nothing is &quot;special&quot; about the manual's apart from the fact that they are not very common amoungst MB's.


You find them more on the diesels and the lesser engined cars more, but generally the Auotmatic box is preferred.

I personally like a manual transmission, even if the MB (5-Speed) is not as good feel wise, as say a BMW one (the only other make I can personally compare properly).

I think you may get alternative arguments from others here that the Auto is quicker too.
I think it depends on circumstance myself though and you can't argue that both have their own benefits.

 

[fuzzer]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Maz @ Dec. 03 2002,19:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Whats so special about the manuals except for having more control of the car?

And being slightly quicker</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Lets see who has more control of the car on a hill start ..... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[GrahamC230K]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Dec. 03 2002,20:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lets see who has more control of the car on a hill start ..... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Interesting point.

Without the hand(foot!?)brake, hill starts in the manual are a fine art.

The grandad slow throttle response on the accellerator means, initially FULL throttle is required to prevent rolling backwards from releasing the brake pedal. Obviously you have to back off the gas unless you want to drive into the person in front.

In any other car, which a normal throttle response, this heavy handed tactic would result in melted tyres.

 

[Maz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (GrahamC230K @ Dec. 03 2002,20:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (fuzzer @ Dec. 03 2002,20:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lets see who has more control of the car on a hill start ..... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Interesting point.

Without the hand(foot!?)brake, hill starts in the manual are a fine art.

The grandad slow throttle response on the accellerator means, initially FULL throttle is required to prevent rolling backwards from releasing the brake pedal. Obviously you have to back off the gas unless you want to drive into the person in front.

In any other car, which a normal throttle response, this heavy handed tactic would result in melted tyres.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Thats VERY true, i hate coming to hills in the Merc because of having no hand brake, however in my Suzuki its easy as 123 <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

One niggle with the Mercedes and the floor mounted accelerator - Is it normal for it not to react until its pressed about 20 - 30 mm?

 

[GrahamC230K]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Maz @ Dec. 03 2002,23:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">One niggle with the Mercedes and the floor mounted accelerator - Is it normal for it not to react until its pressed about 20 - 30 mm?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
It's not really the pedal design. BMW and others use the floor hinged &quot;truck type pedal&quot;.

The real problem is that Mercedes have chosen to design with a very slow throttle response. It has been discussed elsewhere and I recall throttle &quot;cams&quot; being mentioned. basically it is a trait of Mercedes.

I honestly think the throttle was designed to aid the smoothness of driving the auto 'box.  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

 

[Maz]

Ah right, this type is slow pedal responce does make it easier to drive more smoothly but it also makes it easier to stall it when pulling away &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dontgetit.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':dontgetit:'>

 

[Shude]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Maz @ Dec. 04 2002,11:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ah right, this type is slow pedal responce does make it easier to drive more smoothly but it also makes it easier to stall it when pulling away  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dontgetit.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':dontgetit:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
One of the other little benefits of having an automatic? <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I find the electronic adaptive auto on my c230k excellent anyway. &nbsp;I really don't think you have &quot;less control&quot; compared to a manual, it changes gear right when you want it to, leaving you to have full control of the steering wheel etc! &nbsp;If you really feel the need to downshift then you can knock the lever into 4th, 3rd, 2nd or 1st (although it won't shift unless it's safe to do so).

Graham you will have to try it out sometime, to see how it compares to your manual, our cars are basically the same except for that option so it'd be a reasonably fair comparison.

 

[fuzzer]

The auto is really sweet , it really does change its style depending on who is driving and how that person is driving.