Mercedes C-CLASS W202 C18

[spike2]

I am thinking to buy a C-CLASS W202 C180 automatic , year of manufacture is 1999. I would like any comments about it please, if it worth buying it.

 

[sym]

Welcome to the forum

price ?

mileage ?

Condition ?

Colour ? (It has to be silver )

Service History ?

Tell us a bit more about it, and we'll tell you if its worth buying ! Oh - and what do you intend to use the car for ?

S.

 

[Andy W]

I have a 1998 C180 Elegance automatic in smoke silver, I absolutely love it. Some say that they are underpowered, me, I have no problems at all even with 4 adults in. There are lots of bargains about if you look, I purchased mine from the main dealer and paid a little extra for piece of mind with it being my first Merc and because it had 12 months warranty, just been serviced and had new brakes thriugh out, because when things go wrong they can be expensive.

I would buy something with the lowest mileage possible and service history if you are prepared to pay for it, also decide what trim you want, mine is Elegance with wood trim and a good package of goodies. As a first Merc I would highly recommend it.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[jimmy]

My first MB was a 1999 C180, auto estate. I thought it was a lovely car, very comfortable but after a few months I got bored of its rather unexciting drive because of the lack of power. I was rather dissapointed partly because I have always had diesels and was used to the relaxed, low down power delivery rather than the 'thrash the n*ts off it' characteristic of the 1.8 petrol.

If you can afford it and can find one I would go for at least a C200 or higher engine, the C180 is not that economical either but then it is the cheapest in the range so it depends how and what you are used to driving.

 

[jaymanek]

if the 1999 has the same engine as the earlier models, then i agree with jimmy, it does feel like you have to thrash the car to get it to move! C200 isnt a wole lot better, but the C220 is much more refined. Depends what your used to. If you go from a 1.6 focus to a C180 then you wont notice. But even my 1980 2 litre is quicker and feels less stressed than a c180...

Great car in every other way though...

jay

 

[spike2]

Hi , Thanks for your help. I would like to know example the BHP of the car, performance, fuel consumption and relability. Also if there is some problms with this model C180 automatic

 

[jaymanek]

I think youll find that theyre pretty reliable. Check that the timing belt tensioner doesnt screech on start up, common prob with this engine. Also check the cat isnt rattling, this is expensive! Auto box should change silky smooth, esp as this will be the 5 speed...Otherwise quite reliable cars, obviously check all the buttons do what theyre supposed to!
As for BHP etc,

Engine
Cubic capacity
1799
Cylinders
4
Max power (bhp/rpm) 122/5500
Max torque (lb ft/rpm)
125/4200
Urban mpg
22.2
Extra-urban mpg
39.2
Combined mpg
30.7


Cheers

Jay

 

[pluggers]

Hi , Thanks for your help. I would like to know example the BHP of the car, performance, fuel consumption and relability. Also if there is some problms with this model C180 automatic

My dads got the 98 C180 manual which i think is about 122-126 bhp and quite good on performance,fuel is about 35-40mpg,(a lot better than mine at 30mpg) Performance wise the c-180 auto is a lot slower on take off compared to the manual version also when your driving the auto and want that extra ooomph it not there unless you use kick down.Reliability for him hasn't been a problem nothings gone wrong yet in 18 months of ownership other than needing disk brakes all round through wear and tear.

 

[lotusmark2]

Hi , Thanks for your help. I would like to know example the BHP of the car, performance, fuel consumption and relability. Also if there is some problms with this model C180 automatic

For specs on all the C Class 202 range have a look here (thanks to Steve for the link)

http://www.simpson-motors.com/automobiles/mercedes/mercedes_cclass_specs.html

For the record I run a 240 V6 which kicks out 170BHP and gives me 25-31 with 34mpg if I drive like a nun and 0-60 of 9.5 sec.
My personal feeling would be to go up to the 240 or a Kompressor as IMHO these are big chunks of metal for a sub 2L engine to push about.
To echo what has been said though, it just depends what you are used to driving. Why not nip along to your local Merc dealer and take a few C Classes out for a spin and see in the real world which engine fits your needs.

Just 2 more thoughts, For residual value you must have full leather and Aircon. If you choose to step up in engine to the 240 or Kompressors then just remember the 240 being a V6 costs more to run and more to service (worth it in my opinion)

 

[Andy W]

Why is my C180 not slow? I am amazed even back when I bought the car and every one said tooooooooo slow I thought "oh my god what have I done ?" I drive a 2 litre turbo diesel van by day which is no slouch and it is always a pleasure to drive my C180, if I wanted blistering performace I would of bought a scoobydoo. The car pulls from a standstill nice and smooth and makes good pace, I am 41 years old and do not feel the need for speed any more I even sold my eye watering fast bikes last year, comfort and refinement is all that I want granted if you want to overtake the change down on the 4 speed auto box is slow to deliver but when I have been in the need for extra power I simply move the stick from D to 3 and it goes, all in all I am one very satisfied owner of a C180 and think that they make excellent value for money and a good introduction to the marque. There thats that off my chest. No offence meant to anyone in any way.

 

[lotusmark2]

Sorry Andy I did not mean to cast any aspersions (Spelling??) on your car mate, Its horses for courses. I bet you have the last laugh when it comes to running costs (£250 to change my spark plugs)

 

[NormanB]

Sorry Andy I did not mean to cast any aspersions (Spelling??) on your car mate, Its horses for courses. I bet you have the last laugh when it comes to running costs (£250 to change my spark plugs)

I assume thats a stealer price then coz I wouldn't have thought it would cost more than £40 for the plugs and 2 hours to do. Or is it tres difficule?

NormanB

 

[Steve_Perry]

[/B]

I assume thats a stealer price then coz I wouldn't have thought it would cost more than £40 for the plugs and 2 hours to do. Or is it tres difficule?

NormanB

Norm,

The engine in the C240 has 12 spark plugs, so it's 60 quid on parts alone. Coupled with 1.5 to 2 hours labour then you get into the realms of 200 to 250 squids to change the little beggars depending upon the stealers labour rates. They have a reputation of being difficult to access on the M112.910 engine (2.4 V6) hence a pain in the posterior to change.

S.

 

[NormanB]

Norm,

The engine in the C240 has 12 spark plugs, so it's 60 quid on parts alone. Coupled with 1.5 to 2 hours labour then you get into the realms of 200 to 250 squids to change the little beggars depending upon the stealers labour rates. They have a reputation of being difficult to access on the M112.910 engine (2.4 V6) hence a pain in the posterior to change.

S.

Hi Steve

Thanks for that (but I am glad I only have 4 of the little blighters!)

However, shortly after posting the above, I was reading this on the other forum (t'other side of pond job) Changing plugs on 112 engine

Is this relevant or helpful to anyone?

NormanB

 

[Steve_Perry]

Hi Steve

Thanks for that (but I am glad I only have 4 of the little blighters!)

However, shortly after posting the above, I was reading this on the other forum (t'other side of pond job) Changing plugs on 112 engine

Is this relevant or helpful to anyone?

NormanB

Great Find!!! :bannana: Very interesting reading, hehe just confirms that I will get the stealer or specialist to do this job. Most of the opinion here is that those types of spark plug are changed approx every 60k miles.

Once again, thanks for that Norman

S.

 

[spike2]

What is the difference between sport/elegance & avangarde?

 

[lotusmark2]

What is the difference between sport/elegance & avangarde?

It is down to trim spec mainly. Sport gets a carbon finish interior and sport suspension while elegance has much softer suspension and walnut interior. Not sure on the avangarde but I'm sure someone will know.

 

[jaymanek]

avantgarde has blue tinted windows, nicer dash and a susp setup somewhere between elgance and sport. It si a very popular trim with the newer cars. Thats the one i would go for everytime. The blue tint works really well with silver or black body...

 

[kusanku]

I've had a 202 series C220 cdi estate since November. Previously had a 123, which was proving too uneconomical for everyday driving. To be honest, I don't really like the c-class. So far it's been reliable and economical, but it doesn't feel like anything special to drive, and I notice quite a lot of little creaks and rattles from the interior trim. Retrospectively, I wish that I had looked at what else was available for the money, rather than assuming another Merc would be the best bet.

 

[ollie80]

Hi,

I drive a 202 series C180 sport, I like it a lot - to be fair not an exciting drive but feels really solid. Its a firm drive being a sport. Its black so a nice looking car ( I like black or silver w202s )

O