Is this really how its meant to be?

[Glenn]

hello all,

after dreaming of getting a Merc for a few years the reality came in a gorgeous C180 Elegance in August 2002. However, I'm yet to have a month of trouble-free motoring!!

It's a 95 N, with 78k and FMBSH.

Yet despite this the radiator failed, apparently due to a faulty fan which cooked the temp and blew the top barrel of the radiator.

Then the electric antenna was caught whilst reversing on a low branch, and a nice bill of £152 for a new one...and then to add total insult, a rattle was confirmed as being a failed catalytic converter. The main dealer price is £1000, which is ridiculous, so a pattern part was fitted. The emissions were fine on the original but the rattle was bad, and the main dealer did say that if the inner of the cat broke and blocked the exhaust the engine could be blown!

The pattern part cost a more reasonable(!) £400, but this failed after two months. Another replacement was fitted on 18 Dec 2002, and surprise surprise after 3 weeks this has failed! What is going on??

Has anyone else had cat trouble?

Am I just unlucky, or should I get rid of the car?

Thanks for your comments,

Glenn :x [/b]

 

[GrahamC230K]

Have heard of CAT troubles on cars with less miles than yours.


I believe it was common on C180's and C200's.

 

[kid-jensen]

Is this really haow it's meant to be?

Glenn,

Sorry to hear so many problems, In my experience these things tend to settle down after a few months of ownership............

Have to say thay you were screwed for that electric ariel (bet you didn't even get flowers the morning after :wink: ). Only the mast needs to be replaced when they're bent.

Even from the dealer, you could get the mast and a spanner to undo the old one for £20.

The installation takes a maximum of 30 seconds.

 

[Glenn]

Antenna

Thanks for the reply,

I did try Andy Gayle who suggested a new mast/stem, but he reckoned the whole lot needed to be done!! I'm no mechanic so I can't argue.

But yes the difference in price is about £120

Glenn

 

[kid-jensen]

Is this really haow it's meant to be?

If Andy Says it all needs to be replaced, then I guess that's good enough for us lot..........