C180 issues

[hayth_merc]

New to the forum – so far have read some very interesting and helpful information.

I have recently bought my 2nd merc. It’s a W202 C180, W reg, 87k on the clock. My second merc..previous was the classic W123 230E. Anyway, I have only had the car for about 3 weeks now and yet seem to be finding new quirks/queries every day!

First thing I noticed was the drift left issue – seems to be a problem with C classes.
2nd – a whining noise from the engine has developed when i have stopped i.e car is in D, have my foot on the brake..noise seems to go when I accelerate.
3rd – when engine is cold, seems to stay in gear for longer and also car doesn’t creep forward sometimes. Seems fine when warm.
4th– noticed a swishing sound on passenger side when I braked..think this is the clogging up on passenger side under bonnet..i have had a look and can see a build up of leaves there.

My previous car to this was a 1998 honda accord and I have to say I had none of these issues at the start of my ownership!

I’m a novice when it comes to checking cars during a purchase but on the test drive all seemed fine and all the documentation is there and the history all checks out (only one owner) so I haven’t bought a stolen wreck or anything like that.
From my searches on the forum, it seems most of these issues have been experienced by other C class owners.
I hate to say something that has been said a million times, but the W123 didn’t seem to have any of these issues.
I do enjoy driving the C180 but can understand now when people say that the quality of Mercs is not what it used to be.

I will be taking the car for a service in Jan - to a merc specialist - so hopefully some of the issues can be sorted out!

 

[television]

Hello and welcome,, the swishing noise is water in the heater box as the drains need cleaning out,, just remove the grill in front of the screen and clear the drains, if you do not do this the heater fan regulator can soon fail

 

[mattjb]

3rd – when engine is cold, seems to stay in gear for longer and also car doesn’t creep forward sometimes. Seems fine when warm.
This is quite normal when setting off with a cold engine.when you say creep forward do you mean all the time, or just when cold ? if it is all the time it sounds like your throttle cable needs lubricating with a little oil.

as for the other issues though i would get them checked out by a mechanic.

 

[roofless]

they hold the gears a bit longer when cold but if it's realy bad it might need a atf fluid+filter service....the whining sound might be the drive belt tentioner bearing.... the drift might be a broken spring it's common for the bottom of the coil to snap off

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Welcome the forum.
Regarding the drift left issue (do remember uk cars have a natural tendency to drift left due to camber of the road). Get the tracking done but ensure that they check and adjust all 4 wheels this transformed my car and it has never driven better even when i got it at 24,500 miles its now done 133,000 (had the 4 wheel tracking done at 129,000miles).

 

[jimsinessex]

Before spending money on tracking check the drift on roads with no camber, should track straight ahead, and on roads with camber to the right, if car then drifts right all is normal.

 

[television]

Before spending money on tracking check the drift on roads with no camber, should track straight ahead, and on roads with camber to the right, if car then drifts right all is normal.

Nice to have you posting again Jim,,how is the new car

 

[hayth_merc]

thanks for the advice guys - much appreciated!

a colleague at work has also said that when the cars are cold they stay in gear for longer...plus the creep forward is fine when warm.
i will double check the drift issue - the roads i tend to use are minor A roads/b roads..lots of camber to left..i didn't notice the drift on my test drive..nor when i drove the car from the dealer on the M25 for 40 mins.

cheers
hayth

 

[jimsinessex]

Nice to have you posting again Jim,,how is the new car

Getting used to it, it's a bit like wearing a new pair of shoes. The old ones fitted perfectly, the new ones are better of course but don't feel as comfortable at first.

The mileage I do made the 320CDI the obvious choice and first impressions are of even more poke than the previous supercharged engine and the steering is much improved. I was planning to wait for next years new model CLK (or should I say E Class Coupe?) but circumstances left me no choice in the matter. Right now is not the timing I would have chosen to spend money on a new car but what is done is done!

Looking forward to the next 200,000 miles.

Jim