2 bulbs on the dashboard in 1999 and 1 stop bulb in 2001.
The wiper almost blocked in 2001 due to lack of lube. Repaired in 10 minutes free of charge.
Radio aerial has to be lubed frequently during winters (avoid oil).
There is a small problem (when the weather is hot) with the front door windows, that makes the windows to make a noise when they move up/down. The glass is scratched by this.
It is a very comfortable car that inspires in the driver a high level of security. I had a trip of 600 km under heavy rain and wind and inside the car I felt at home!
Incredible - my driver's side window also makes a noise and the window is scratched!
Farhad (London) - C180 Elegance owner.
Have recently bought a C-Class Elegance C180 and think for the way it's built, the performance is OK. When you buy a C-Class C180 you're not looking for high bhp, my previous car was an Alfa 145 twin spark and had 150 bhp night and day. With Mercedes and Alfa, you know when you're driving a Mercedes-Benz.
I have also just bought a 95 c180 Elegance and have discovered that the drivers side screen is also scored and the window also makes a screechy noise when winding up.
I also saw the other comment saying the same thing, this obviously must be a common problem.
I own a Mercedes C180 Elegance which is a great car, but!!!
The windows are forever fogging up so you have to cook yourself with the heater to get them cleared.
The headlights are so bad that I often have to hit the Dim/Headlight switch to see if they are actually on main beams. And this is with 130 Watt bulbs fitted to the main beams. Does anyone else have this problem or know if its possible to get spotlights to fit in the bottom grille or indeed any other suggestions?
I have just purchased a 1994 C180 auto. When the car is cold everything is fine, but once it reaches operating temperature there is a distinct drop in power. In addition the auxiliary fans in front of the radiator don't appear to be operating at all. I checked and found the fuse totally missing and also the fuse for the secondary air pump (whatever that is). I have replaced both, but there seems to be no difference. Also the motor is reluctant to start when hot. Has anyone else experienced similar problems? The care has only traveled a genuine 85,000 kilometers.
I just bought a C180 elegance '94 and also have the same problem with the radio antenna. Anti-rust solution seemed to work. Starting the car in the cold can be difficult as well. Overall I still think its great, smooth and solid on the road.
J. Anz
Amman, Jordan.
Everyboby mentioning starting problems loss of power etc, have to replace thier air filters. this will greatly improve things as on cold and hot engines a clogged air filter almost is sufficating the engine and holding it back.
P.s only use genuine merc ones available from any parts dealer.
I just bought a 1995 C180 Euro version manual. The engine has conked out on me a couple of times after a long drive. Had to use a jumper cable to get it running. Could it be the battery? Someone please help. Email me please at deputy_tom@yahoo.com.
I bought a C180 1994 last year 2002 and it also has scratches on the driver's window glass. Is this a common problem and if so why isn't there a recall for replacement as toughened glass can explode into million bits if damaged. This will pose a serious driver's risk. Any comments? The engine is a lot noisier than many 1800cc cars especially the Jap ones. Maybe its the steel timing chain that's noisy? Response is pretty bad from normal speed unless you kick down. Going uphill also requires a kickdown to lower gears, isn't this "funny"? Other cars only change down when you have stepped hard enough without actual kickdown for the gears to change. Going round corners you have to really slow down due to the roll?
I have a mercedes C180, 1998 model. When I start it in the morning it starts, but immediately goes off again. I have to press the accelerator down to start it and have to keep it pressed down until the car is warmed up. once warmed up it seems OK, although it seems to lack power. I have changed the air filter, fuel filter and the spark plugs, and its made no difference. If you have any suggestions please email me at altaf56@hotmail.com.
Speedometer and Rev counter do not always work, but the mileage ticks over OK, Also a grating sound from front wheels when turning! Its not mud flaps as I do not have any fitted and the car has not been lowered. Any ideas?
The gating noise is the front wheel bearings, the need replacement. or it could also be the brake disks, although this is highly unlikely a visual inspection will confirm any warping etc.
The rev counter sensor will simply need a wipe as crud is obviously upseting it. this is located on the front of the engine itself beside the very bottom large belt pulley. identifiable by a wire going to a very small cylinder mouted on a braket attachted to the block.
The speedometer must be okay at the gearbox as the mileage still registers, so I would recoment that you see advice from a mb dealer and buy any deafective sensors regulators etc and fit to the speedo inside the dash. (first check all fuses!!!)
good luck post any progress, also buy a hanyes manual from the mb owners assoc they are brilliant and will tell you exactly how to fix those problems.
I purchased a C180 Elegance about three years ago. No trouble whatsoever mechanically. However, bodywork starting to corrode.
Aerial sticking problem resolved by cleaning and lubrication.
As with all Mercedes I have had - condensation is a problem.
A few days ago I started the engine up - perfectly smooth response - went about 100 yards and the engine just stopped dead. Turned over OK without firing.
Petrol getting through, plugs sparking OK.
Any ideas here guys?
Wespaul@liverpoolhome.com.
I bought a 1994 C180 Elegance auto from the shiftiest car trader you can find here. I was in a great hurry to buy a Benz for a special occasion and made the fatal mistake of not getting it tested by a licensed tester. After I bought the car I found a long list of crap which shouldn't be there. The sun/moonroof was jammed, wouldn't open or tilt (now fixed), the front bonnet/hood had 5 golf ball dents and many stonechips I didn't see (now fixed), the left door RV mirror assembly was damaged, but cleverly glued back (now replaced), the vacuum box in the rear boot was making buzzing noises I didn't know was due to leaks (now fixed), the rear headrests couldn't drop (now fixed), the driver's door trim panel (backing board) was damaged by heavy elbowing (not fixed yet), the car was leaning on the driver's side on the right (now fixed), the roof had a few stonechips rusting under the paint like crows feet (DIY fix not pretty), the rear boot locking mechanism damaged (not fixed yet, but working), the dashboard center airflow roller jammed open (can't fix), the driver's door window scratched (like other owners too). Some dollars were spent fixing the stuff back to normal including other things like servicing, oil change, tuning,front bushes, fan belt, tensioner, water pump, sparks, filter, fuel pump and filter and so on. This is my horror story, but the car is now very good and it runs very well, thanks to my techie here.
I've a C180 classic that has just had the timing chain tensioner replaced due to an oil leak.
But now I've got the car back there is a distinct tapping noise coming from the engine, starts at 1000rpm and seems to fade after 3000rpm.
Any ideas?
Neil