C180 Elegance

[TheRunningMan]

HI folks new to the Mercedes world so go easy

I have seen a late 1990's C180 Elegance petrol with 98000 on the clock and FMDSH for £1200, I would love to get this car but am wary of the high milage, are these good reliable cars to get or are they riddled with problems i should know about.

Thanks in advance

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, the late ones are very nice cars, just check closely for any rusting around the rear wheel arches ans front wings. the mileage is nothing to worry about we have some on here with 3 times that

 

[jpbp200]

HI folks new to the Mercedes world so go easy

I have seen a late 1990's C180 Elegance petrol with 98000 on the clock and FMDSH for £1200, I would love to get this car but am wary of the high milage, are these good reliable cars to get or are they riddled with problems i should know about.

Thanks in advance

Bought mine for £1800 12 months ago with 98000 on just like yours. Been running pretty faultless ever since. Check everything works including all locks doors and boot (using the key), if it's 1998 like mine then it has infrared window close, check the blower on all speeds etc etc. all the usual stuff. Rust is the big issue and mine is going rusty now at an alarming rate which is a damn shame as everything is working well mechanically. I can supply a ful list of other stuff to check if you need it and far more knowledgeable souls than I will be able to guide you around the engine side of things..... Good luck.

 

[Jay Gee]

Mine(ok it's a 200) has 150,000 on the clock now,and apart from one non-starting saga which turned out to be a dead key-I only had the one with the car-has given no major problems.Oh,dear,now I've said it...........!!

 

[doversole]

HI folks new to the Mercedes world so go easy ................

Hi Running Man and welcome.

Interesting that new members are wary of perceived harsh treatment.
I think I speak for the majority of members in that we are a friendly bunch here!

I have run the very car you mention for about 2 1/2 years. Admittedly, I take the point regarding rust,
although providing attention is paid at the appropriate time, there's no reason to suggest it will spoil your enjoyment.

I bought my car with 64k on the clock, one owner from new and in top class condition.
Given the car you are interested in has been fully serviced, it goes without saying it shouldn't 'swap ends' or 'fly apart'
without giving you some sort of warning.

I wouldn't worry unduly about the mileage either, the car is still a teenager.
Lower front suspension control arms can rust through. They are made of layers of stamped sheetmetal rather than solid steel.
They have a 3 inch large hole on top and the salt and water goes in the hole and soaks down to the lower ball joint area,
and rusts from the inside out because they are hollow.

Kick down problems on automatics (which is most C Class) can be caused by a failing mass airflow sensor.

Having said this, with 122BHP you won't be burning rubber or setting light to the tarmac.
Better to regard this car as a comfortable, economical, dependable cruising machine.
There is much to be grateful for in my case, just hit 79k with no major hiccups at all.

Buy with confidence, treasure, look after and above all enjoy your three-pointed experience!

Good luck, DoverSole

 

[Hertfordshire Merx]

Nice cars in my opinion. The 4 cylinder 111 engine is proven and practically bullet proof as is the 5 speed 722.6 automatic gearbox as long as the oil and filter changes have been performed on both the engine and box. Built very well, rear shocks can be a leaky issue, nothing to worry about though!

I wouldnt worry about the mileage as long as the engine has been looked after and serviced properly.

 

[TheRunningMan]

Thanks for replies folks i will go for it
cheers again

 

[doversole]

Thanks for replies folks i will go for it
cheers again

Let's see some pictures on here when you get it, RM!

DoverSole

 

[Rob 180]

Hi I am new to the forum and so happy that I bought a mercedes.

I bought a 2001 c180 avantgarde estate two years ago, it had a spots of rust on it and so I used the 30 year warranty - even though I was the third owner and serviced it at the local indie - all panels resprayed with no worries. Love the car, we have just notched up 100,000k. Only long term worry is when am i likely to be looking at auto gear box issues? I have noticed small patches of fluid on the carport under the engine and am starting to worry. By the way, fuel consumption is great, up to 37mpg cruising on the motorway and 30 about town. well impressed.

 

[television]

Hello Rob and welcome to the forum, it was a shame with the rust issues, but they are slipping into the past now.

Slide some paper under the car after a run, and that will help in finding if the leak is engine or gearbox