1995 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C-180 Esprit review from Australia and New Zealand

My Wiper Arm Died. I bought a second hand one at half the cost of a new one $800 (aud). This plays up every so often, I'm convinced these only have a 10-12 year life span.

My alternator died. This cost about $650 (aud) as this is a French brand not Bosch. Unfortunate, but these are heavy duty and a half.

My fan dies out when it's on 5 for length of time. I'm told this is the fan seizing up. Don't know how much, don't really think I want to either.

My dash clock can't be read. Just a globe, no big deal, there's a clock on the radio.

My hazard light switch doesn't work.

My rear demister switch doesn't work.

I have a headlight and a brake light that constantly go out, this is wiring related. Also have an indicator that go's, but only when I have been driving extremely fast - don't ask me why.

My seat belt adjuster won't "click" into any position, it just moves up and down at will.

The gearbox linkages wore out, leaving me with the car stuck in reverse. The orriginal quote was for a rebuilt gearbox @ $8000 (aud), thank god I found a very honest person on line who directed me to the problem. I also found a new mechanic.

The engine is very noisy, so noisy It can be embarrassing to drive. Friends ask me if the "rattly engine" was an optional extra, others ask if the car is diesel.

Great car, takes alittle while to understand, just a different way of thinking. Drive one for a while, then drive something else, then you will begin to understand the Mercedes.

Sluggish take off, embarrassing with the air conditioner on, speaking of the air conditioner, I question if the recycle button actually achieves anything?

The airconditioner is very weak, but then again, so is the heater.

Despite all the bad I speak of, this car is very reliable. Never does this car make you feel unsafe or unsure.

Very much a highway car, at 100 km/h, drop the car back into third and nail it, not many cars will keep up. The faster you go, the easier it gets there.

I frequently have this car up around 195-200 km/h mark and it feels like your doing about 115km/h...that feeling that you can accelerate another 40 odd kay relatively quick and hassle free.

Lack of road noise, yes even at 200 is incredible, with the music on, the passengers would never know.

Mine has the sports suspension and I find it hard to fault the handling of this car, you would have to drive one to understand. No other car provides sports car like handling with out compromising on the ride quality quite like these. Mine does have a tendency to understeer initially, though I put this down to cheap tyres.

The best brakes I have ever come across. They won't let you down, and you NEVER ever feel like you can't stop, even when these brakes are worn right out.

Although mine is no S600, It is one of the best engineered entry model cars I have ever seen.

Mercedes-Benz is a lifestyle, not a car.