Slow Acceleration

[easyco]

Hi

Can someone tell me if this is normal? Car is C200 Elegance 2.0 Model 1998 Auto. When moving off you the car moves very slowly and the accelerator pedal has a long range of movement. At speeds of 50 plus its fine. This slow start might be normal I just want an opinion.

The dealer said it was normal and I have read other areas where these cars are slow to move off but fine when up to speed.

Thanks

Gary

 

[Morzine]

Hi,

That sounds wrong to me, out of interest does your gearbox have a switch for summer/winter, if it does check it's not in winter.

How slow exactly is slow, does it do a 0 - 60 in the suggested time still?

See if the dealer has a similar car with the same engine and ask for a test drive.

Good luck.

 

[jberks]

Speed is relative, but if you are listing it here, I presume you mean very slow.
The 200 isn't a racer, but it will hold its own against mondeos etc. If it's fine at speed, It sounds to me like a gearbox problem (I assume its an auto) and its not starting in a low enough gear. Don't be too ready to believe the dealer - they told me my misfiring 240 was "normal" too. If you think something is up - it usually is. 0-60 should be around 10 secs or less - how does yours compare?
Best advice would be Morzine's though - go drive another one.

 

[pascal]

It is possible that there's an electronics fault with your gearbox, but:

Is it a 5sp auto. Think they became standard in the C around that time.

First
Press the standard (s) button. Put your foot right down to the floor.

60 should be reached in 11.1 secs according to MBs figures.

Another way to find out if its taking off the wrong gear as sugested, watch the rev counter. Take off gently in w mode (second gear) and count..3..4..5
Try in S' mode boot down 2..3...4...5. Turn radio off to hear gears better

Having said that I think I heard of the S/W button not working properly.
You can do a thread search. It was quiet recent.

My dad has a 99 180elg 5sp. I found it sluggish enough; but when I floored it, it was quiet satisfactory for the engine.

Pascal

 

[easyco]

Hello Again

Thank you for those that offered advice. I think I might have been testing the car in W mode and hence the slower moving off. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow to discuss. I haven't picked the car up yet and the gears all seemed to switch over smoothly, so I think it was a setting for the autobox.

It did have a sports mode which I didn't try. Also, I don't usually floor a car in a test drive as I'm not used to it (woose I know). When I did on the motorway it reached 80 easily enough and I just thought the pedal movement was quite far. I don't think the model was a 5 speed and the steering is not adjustable. I think that came out in the same year just after this model, June 98 I think.

Gary

 

[pascal]

Test Drive

It did have a sports mode which I didn't try. Also, I don't usually floor a car in a test drive as I'm not used to it

This 'S' mode is not 'sports mode', it's 'standard mode', The 'W' is 'winter mode'.

ROAD TEST
If i was test driving a car, I would test all aspects of its ability, including full acceleration from a standing start.

Last car I bought, I tested the acceleration, full braking from about 35, ESP (traction) on a safe tight corner. Before doing any of these manuuveres, I told the salesman first. I did not do any of these manuveres excessively. I mostly drove it at low speed to see if I could pick up any fault. I did the test drive over a good distance, stereo off. If the seller is confident about the quality of the car, and confident that you are not going to take any risks, he will gladly oblige.

Most salesmen will encourage you to take the car up to say 80 or more, but this alone will not put the engine near its limited revs. These cars have computers that set limits below which should damage the engine.

Give it a good varried drive over varried roads. Do so safely. You are the one parting with your hard earned money, so your entitled to check it thouroughly but safely.

Also, if you find any faults, good dealers will happely right them, when you have agreed to buy.
Pascal

 

[SLinKyjoe]

it occurs to me that the excessive travel of the throttle pedal refered to in this thread is normal for a merc. they do have long travel on them. makes you ease off corectly when driving instead of charging headlong into the lampost. Thats why we are all such good drivers and go around tutting at the fools.

i noticed this when i bought the first merc. but i never thought it was a problem.

I think our guy here needs to shove a bit harder. dont be scared.

Pascal...am not sure you really test everything? I mean, do your airbags work??? and what about the roof bar rollover protection. if you do i am coming over the next time you test a car to make sure..this i have got to see.
(Light hearted for our dear old flat cappers)

 

[easyco]

Hi

The pedal had a loose throttle cable. It was fixed and the car drives much better now. Since we have started this thread, how do you find the car handles in the wind on a motorway? Kind of wants to wander off the road maybe? Steering is a tad too light as well I think. Nice comfy drive though. Dealer prepared the car well, and already called to see if things were ok.

Not a mark on it for a 1998 model. People think its a new car. I test dove another one to compare. Luckliy it was the same model. Anyone else find the car light in windy conditions?

Thanks in advance

easyco

 

[easyco]

This is for Pascal.

I will start booting it once I'm more confident honest. Your right about being sure before you pass on the cash.

Thanks

 

[W77]

Hi

Steering is a tad too light as well I think.

easyco

Is the Sport model of the W202 suppose to have a heavier steering than the other models. Mine feels heavy or does it mean that theres something wrong with the power steering.

Easyco

what's your dealer's asking price for 98 C200?