Faults:

Mostly wear and tear. I do not remember any major issues.

General Comments:

In the mid 1990's Mercedes was still Mercedes. I bought this C-Class, had it for many years and loved every minute.

Esprit model was sporty, but in trim level only! Sharper suspension, nicer alloy wheels, and a smart look and feel. The 1.8 with the auto box was anything but sporty however. Not fast, nor economical, but acceptable performance and economy for its time.

I loved driving it and it felt very solid. Cars at this time (especially Mercedes) had a focus on reliability and longevity, and I wish manufacturers would go back to this!

Silver saloon model, very good looking car, practical as well, huge boot and space inside for all luggage, also seated four adults comfortably. I do miss cars like this. I sold it it in 2006 and it was still going strong at over a decade old with higher mileage. I got a good return from it, held its value well. I needed a newer car for work and could not keep it, otherwise I would have. It will probably be long gone now. But they are essentially classics now, and expensive to buy for a nice one in 2026.

Faults:

Diff went at 70,000 miles.

Water pump at 73,000 miles.

General Comments:

Take all clichés about old Mercs (excellent build quality, "clunky" doors etc) as read, they certainly apply here.

It was the best C180 (W202) I could find but unfortunately it came with a nasty, dealer fit rear spoiler which was attached to the boot lid with 3 screws (I am not kidding here). I've removed the offending article and filled in the holes as best I can, but may have to get a new boot lid.

The interior will outlive me. The seats are comfortable and supportive (more so in the back than the front, strangely) and there is plenty of room. The dash is the dash of an old Merc, which you either like or you don't. The windscreen demister is asthmatic and I find I have to wipe the thing with a cloth in winter the way my father had to with his Hillman Hunter. Americanised foot operated parking break and dash mounted light switches are just things that you have to adapt to. The lack of a folding rear seat is irritating.

The 1.8 litre engine is enough, it's not a huge car. Fiddle about with the gears enough and you'll get as much forward momentum as you need. Any kind of meaningful overtaking needs to be done in third. This you will find to be a raucous experience that tends to unsettle the car's otherwise dignified approach to things.

Handling is in keeping with the over all theme of the car. I tend to average late twenties MPG in town and mid thirties otherwise. It will happily cruise all day at 150km/h (90mph).

If you are buying one (and I recommend you do), go for the Elegance spec for the alloys, metallic paint and classier interior. Get one with automatic transmission, and if the car also has air conditioning, the gods have smiled upon you indeed.

Faults:

Nothing has ever gone wrong with my car.

From day one everybody said they are slow and an old man's car, but mine as never let me down.

The C Class 220 diesel is the best car in the world. It has passed every MOT with no problem, and it's a 1995 car.

All I ever done to it was put tyres and a couple of bulbs in it, and it still can do 125 miles per hour and 55 mpg if driven right.

General Comments:

Best car out there.