What to worry about on an 03 C180K?

[izzi613]

Hi Guys

I love this forum and have been browsing daily since making my first plunge in to the world of Mercedes a month ago with a 53 reg C180K Avantgarde Se Estate in Silver. It is automatic with COMAND, Parktronic & Luxury climate and much else though no leather.

Now the worrying bit is that it has done 80K miles in three years though it is an ex Zenith fleet car and has been fastiduously maintained by MB Stourbridge its got 6 or 7 stamps inthe book average every 5 or 6 months using only fully synthetic oil. The car looks and drives like new and is immaculate. I took a 2 year Gold warranty by Warranty Direct which was £400 i know this exludes much and they only pay part of the parts cost but it still gives me some peace of mind. Oh and I paid less than 10 grand for it!!

Now the question to all the knowledgeable merc guys like television and omnicognate.. Bitonw etc etc... what is there to look out for mechanically and electrically? I have heard stories of fragile cats on 4 cyl cars, how can I check if mines going? Is the power steering pump on mercs a little noisier at full lock than on my old toyota? no squealing just slight belt like noise?

ANY COMMENTS & ADVICE WOULD BE VERY WELCOME.

P.s. I love the merc and would definately consider many more (they are in a class of their own), I know cos my bosses have a 740i and A8 4.2 & 3.0TDI & my company pool car is an A6 2.0TDI!!

 

[television]

Glad you like the car, I believe there is a mod for the full lock noise, that is to fit plastic caps over the full lock pins.

Re the CAT nothing much you can do, one thing you must never do is to park on long grass and when being serviced ask that the Lambda is doing its job. The milage is such that there should be enough coke deposits within the CAT to hold the ceramic intact, failure mainly effects low milage cars.

Malcolm

 

[izzi613]

Thanks Malcolm, I knew you'd be first to respond. Where would I find the full lock pins and what plastic caps would I use? Long grass? I thought that's a fire hazard how will that damage the cat? 1 more thing coz I am inordinately ignorant what exactly does a lambda sensor do, I know it's something to do with emissions. Do you think the engine and supercharger are built to last?

Thanks again.

Jacob

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Welcome to the forum. That's a remarkable price, well done. Mine's a 52 plate (C240) and cost me rather a lot more than that.

I think the main thing you're likely to have is the anti-torsion bar thingy with the front suspension (I'm sure Malcolm will give you the full technical low-down). It makes a knocking noise, a bit like something is lose in the car. You'll know if you have it because it'll drive you mad! It's easy and cheap to fix but seems to go every 25k or so.

Post us a picture of your new pride and joy.

 

[Blobcat]

anit-roll bar bushes http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...624716.633&CT=F&cat=69V&SID=32&SGR=060&SGN=02

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm, I knew you'd be first to respond. Where would I find the full lock pins and what plastic caps would I use? Long grass? I thought that's a fire hazard how will that damage the cat? 1 more thing coz I am inordinately ignorant what exactly does a lambda sensor do, I know it's something to do with emissions. Do you think the engine and supercharger are built to last?

Thanks again.

Jacob

Out of time now, but long grass cools down the outer casing before the cramic can cool down and the metal shrinking does the damage (400c) you have all heard the tinkling sounds after a long hard run, that the cat shrinking.

I was taught years ago that after a high speed run, slow down for the last couple of miles to let the whole thing cool slowly. Will answer other bits later.

Malcolm

 

[izzi613]

Thanks everyone definately one of the most friendly and helpful forums i've been on.

Pics of my new prrride and joy...my refrigerator..just kidding

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

If you ever fancy getting rid of the wheels let me know. I have the same ones but the previous owner had them balanced with the clip-on weights and it's messed up the lacquer.

Your's looks exactly the same as mine, apart from the few feet at the back (mine's a saloon) and the bullet holes in the bumper.

v-nice.

 

[izzi613]

I can never understand why the idiots put the weights on the outside!

Sorry to hear that, sometimes people upgrading to 17 & 18" alloys flog their old lot on ebay and these 16"s arn't much. The was a set on last week but they were in a bad way.

Other option is to get a mobile refurb outfit though again this will set you back about £40 - £50 per corner.

I don't know whether getting AMG IV alloys would look a bit boy racery on my car (i'm 25 by the way) the genuine ones are 17" but they are a fortune and replicas are available as 18" (just watch the tyre prices.. and lower profile + avantgarde suspension = crashy ride) what do you think?

If I do change them.. you'll be the first I contact.

Thanks Neil

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

how on Earth do you afford the insurance at 25?!!

mines got the option sports suspension in addition to be an avantgarde so it's a pretty crashy ride anyway

 

[izzi613]

Oh and by the way I like the 'bulletholes' though I assume you are not a fan?!

Is that the opinion of Mercedes purists or simply a personal one?

 

[Blobcat]

Is that an audi & a vw your parked behind in the last photo? Can't see too clearly.
Omni can you tell?

 

[izzi613]

Ok here goes with my insurance saga... seeing as you asked!

First car - Fiat Ins gp 3 age 18 no NCB = £2026
age 19 1 yr NCB = £1250
age 20 2 yr NCB = £1030 Married that year wife (19) on policy
2nd car Toyota Ins gp 9 age 21 3 yr NCB = £1300
age 22 4 yr NCB = £930 Wife (honest) had accident
age 23 2 yr NCB = £870
age 24 3 yr NCB = £718

Just turned 25 a few days back though the insurance bods only quoted me £30 extra for the group 12 merc for the 3 months to year end so coupled with (fingers crossed) my return to 4 yrs NCB I don't expect much increase.

Whew it's a lot of money but i'm mad about cars (subscribe to 2 weekly and 2 monthly mags) and driving them keeps me sane!!

I only got married to add the wife to the policy....just kidding but it does help.

 

[izzi613]

Shame on you blobcat....

It's a Fiat Stilo

 

[Blobcat]

Shame on you blobcat....

It's a Fiat Stilo

They cannot possible be fiats, the bodywork is too thick and the steel content is too high. :twisted:

 

[izzi613]

Blobcat

Here's proof

I like the car mania ness though... nice one

 

[Blobcat]

I was thinking of the Grey & Blue ones that you are parked behind. Not what is behind you. I couldn't see that until you posted that last picture.

 

[izzi613]

Yeah blobcat and I should know... the stilo is a bit of a dog esp in 5dr though the punto 1999 - 03 before they ruined the look with those gd awful headlights really drove well and had loads of character....though it did have the following replaced under warranty in my 2 years of ownership from new: -

clutch
gearbox
wheel hub - it had rusted and seized
steering column
power steering motor (was electric with a city button that lightened it further for parking - brilliant)
electric window motor

and a few other bits that I can't remember... a part of me still lives on in that car

 

[izzi613]

very funny... sorry i'm a bit slow.. not used to your humour (good as it is)

I take it there is a healthy rivalry among the german marques or is your angst just directed towards VAG?

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Oh and by the way I like the 'bulletholes' though I assume you are not a fan?!

Is that the opinion of Mercedes purists or simply a personal one?

completely personal. I think the work really well and are a great idea, they just seem a little "obvious". I've had this discussion elsewhere on the forum recently. Like I say, it a completely personal opinion. I'm not having a go, your car looks great.