purchase or not

[phillj]

Never having owned a MB I’m looking to buy a 06 0r 07 reg C180K Auto avantgarde estate. I have a few questions; in your opinion is this model any good? Will it be underpowered? Is the Avantgarde the best specification? By the way my annual mileage does not justify the extra expense of a diesel, any comments will be appreciated!

 

[Rory]

I have the C270CDi version of the same car - mine is late 2004.

I think Avantgarde and Elegance spec cost the same - the difference is really trim, wood for Elegance and aluminium for Avantgarde. I never really got to the bottom of whether the suspension is different (it is on E Class) but many Avantgarde C Class's had sports suspension. Make sure you're happy with the ride - I believe mine is the standard setup, and it's only on 16" wheels, but I really wouldn't want anything stiffer. The fact that it's an estate can make the car sound a bit "crashy" on poorly surfaced roads and that can only be worse with stiffer suspension.

The other common C Class gripe is that some of them drift to the left - try the car out for this, it can be impossible to get it corrected. It seems to basically boil down to some cars being more camber sensitive than others.

Difficult to answer your power question - the car will certainly be more than adequate, whether that's enough is down to you.

 

[Iain the gadget]

Not sure, but some of the 180k's are 2.5 V6's aren't they? Not just 1797cc.

 

[100%Bitch]

Not sure, but some of the 180k's are 2.5 V6's aren't they? Not just 1797cc.

That would be the C230.

 

[moosehead]

The late 203 and new 204 C230 uses the 2.5L V6. The C180/200K is fitted with the 1.8L 4 cyl kompressor. The 2.5L V6 is a great engine and the fuel consumption is not far short of the 4 cylinder kompressor engines. I've had C/CLK200K's out whilst mines been in for servicing and was quite surprised at the 2 or 3 mpg difference. I'm always pleased to get back into the V6 as the 4 cyl motors are quite thrashy in comparison.

 

[jberks]

On paper the 180k is fine power wise. I'd find it underpowered personally but then I do a lot of motorway driving and the ability to flick almost instantly from 60 to 90 in order to change lanes on a busy motorway is very valuable - hence a 2.7 diesel is perfect. Crusing wise, a 180k will happily sit all days at licence losing speeds. Round town the power differences would be less obvious and a 180k should be perfect. I used to have a C220 (petrol) which has less power than a modern 180k found it fine 95% of the time. The only time I ever felt I needed more power was when overtaking in a tight spot. Other than that it was perfect.

Horses for courses so take one out on an extended test drive and see if you can live with it or you feel you need more grunt. These days I'm pretty sure the dealer would lend you the car for 24 hours if make it a condition of purchase. Even then if you did find you'd messed up, you aways have the 30 day swap option on all used cars.

 

[mercmadjim]

I have got an 03 plate C180K, I am very happy with the performance, it's faster than my old 2.2 Vectra (new shape) and it is really good on fuel (I can't help with exact figures, but £10 = 80 miles ish) and I drive like a hooligan and have an 18stone right foot!! and its silky smooth......I love the car.

 

[Splatt]

I find the C180 K quite adequate for my sort of driving. Even with the box in "comfort" setting a prod on the pedal will produce enough mumbo to get you out of a situation. You only need more under the bonnet if your driving style dictates the desire to be stirred rather than just moved.

 

[hawk20]

I had an 02 C180 and did 30k miles in it, including South of France and back. Loved it. Nice car. Drove well. Never felt underpowered in normal use. Like the looks too.

 

[Micman]

Never having owned a MB I’m looking to buy a 06 0r 07 reg C180K Auto avantgarde estate. I have a few questions; in your opinion is this model any good? Will it be underpowered? Is the Avantgarde the best specification? By the way my annual mileage does not justify the extra expense of a diesel, any comments will be appreciated!

Hi there.

I've got a 180K auto saloon and it's fine. Don't be fooled into thinking it's underpowered just because it's the smallest engine of the range.

I'm 34, like cars and enjoy driving - if it was underpowered I wouldn't want it!

It drives excellently under normal conditions even with 3 adult passengers and luggage. It has plenty of power for overtaking and for nipping out at junctions and roundabouts.

Obviously if you are buying the estate because you know you will be lugging a lot of stuff around a lot of the time then you may prefer to go for a bigger engine due to the extra weight you'll be carrying - test drive one and see what you reckon.

Yes the Avantguarde is considered the top of the range but note that the Avantguarde models tend to be geared more to the 'sportier' setup - they often have stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, sport brakes, lower profile tyres etc etc over the Elegance model.

The Elegance model has an almost identical specification but with more 'refined' extras. It tends to have smaller wheels, fatter tyres, normal suspension. In other words you may well find the Elegance feels more luxurious and comfortable compared to the Avantguarde.

That is my opinion anyway, and if I buy another Merc would seriously consider going down the 'Elegance' route.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

That is my opinion anyway, and if I buy another Merc would seriously consider going down the 'Elegance' route.

Full marks on all points Micman - a very balanced view.

 

[hawk20]

I agree: it's a nicer ride on England's rather rough and ready roads.