
Mercedes Benz C Class 180
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Mercedes Benz C Class 180
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

User Reviews
Legendary Longevity
My 98 C180 has 590,000km and it's still perfect except for some minor paint rash on the mirrors, normal parts replaced at minimal expense at recommended intervals. Engine smooth as silk and has never been opened.
W202 C180 - Never *****
Some people are lucky ,not me .Bought 1994 C180 at 120 000km ,
Low mileage for Benz, but it is trouble ! over two years: Noisy differential, engine oil leaks all over ,transmission leaks all over really bad ,climate control not working ,central locking not working ,steering links gone, steering box leaks ,roof liner fell down, radiator leaks ,water pump leaks ,air condition- not working ,engine still going but idling is bad due to throttle body failure ,Wow did I forget something -I'm gentle 10 000 km per year driver -so ,I know from other people that my car is typical C180-
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
My C180 Against Others
am saving to buy another. the 1999/2000 model. the fuel efficiency, the low maintenance, the gripe, the balance, the shock absorbing capacity ie the gallop absorbing ability, the stallion look and the smooth driving performance. I wont forget how the a/c was until it got bad last year ever since then 've visited up to 8 workshop for the repair to no avail. you have read what I had as a car, then imagine what I would have had as a car if the a/c is working. readers, any help or suggestion on my a/c? one other thing, can we do without the HANESSY WIRE?
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Rides Like A Dream!
My C 180 elegance, is that with the 1,8 engine, 1995 model.
The car is servicing normally by a local engineer,at relativelly low cost.
When I bough it, had 81.000 Km on the clock and now 152.000 Km.
Everything operates perfectly!
Only the right fender flash was off, and that was all!
It is not a sports car by any means, it is not fast, but it handles really better than enough sport cars I had in my life.
The luxury is on top, very quiet, and offers you a sence of safety in any speed.
It is not thirsty, and the maintenance is of low cost.
Really a perfect family car, turnig riding in pleasure, ideal for long trips.
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Mercedes C180 Classic
Bought my 1998 C180 W202 1.8 petrol auto last month from a non Mercedes dealer..1 owner from new. 67000 miles on the clock with loads of history and every MOT. This car is smooth as the day it was made. great autobox ,great brakes,quiet on the move.I don't need a racehorse I want comfort and reliability and this car has it all. Average mpg is 37 which is great for a car this size.Paintwork is original and no rust even on the wheel arches, a credit to its former owner.Is there anything I dislike about the car? ...yes...getting out of it when I get home.I look forward to many comfortable drives out in this well put together Car..Well done mercedes you did a good job with this one.
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
All Round Decent Car. Last Year I Owned A Bmw 316i
All round decent car. Last year I owned a BMW 316i and is in a similar class to the benz. The BMW handled better and felt more alive at high revs and was alot more sporty however the mercedes is very comfortable, smooth ride and very quiet inside. Good build quality, and still in good condition for a car of this age and really reliable too. Highly rated! I would recomend to anyone who wants to take it easy in comfort.
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Just Bought A 1999 Mercedes C180 A Service Cost Me
Just bought a 1999 Mercedes c180 a service cost me 155 euro next service in 10k miles it will need front brake disks. Comes with only one key so get a spare don't know how much that costs.
I have had VWs and toyota this is miles ahead. MPG is about 36 so good value for a big car. I like cruising about so acceleration is not an issue but it will do 70 mph without a problem on the motorway.
Great car
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Manual C180. Bought It From My Father When It Was
Manual c180. Bought it from my father when it was 10 years old, and only had 120000 kms on the clock. Now four years later and I've added 125000 kms to that.
Good:
The best front seats I've ever tried in any car. Period.
Great comfort, ride very refined, and its quite practical and spacious, big boot.
Reliable; besides fuel pump packing up, it's only been routine maintenance.
Parts in general not at all that expensive considering it's a luxury car.
Very gentle on the tires, they seem to last forever.
Interior cabin quality just superb, and it feels very solid. After 245000 kms cabin is barely worn, seats still perfect, and only the footwell carpets are worn down.
Fuel economy ok, town or motorway doesn't matter much, consumption always around 8-9l/100kms.
Bad:
Fuel pump died. It was a periodic problem that proved pretty hard to figure out. Bill ended on 1500EUR (but then, garages here in DK -- MB or independent -- charge around 70-100EUR per hour incl VAT, horrid me thinks), pump unit alone was about 750EUR.
New exhaust, cat back, was another 1000EUR.
Besides of that its heavily rusting around all wheel arches, and some more places. It seems to be heavy on front brakes, replaced pads quite a few times, rotors, calipers.., and the cylinder head gasket has always leaked oil. And keys fall apart over time -- the transponder in one of my two keys just died last week..
Dynamically, its really slow. And it handles like a ferry. Not involving at all.
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Bought This Estate From Main Dealer, Demo Model At
Bought this estate from main dealer, demo model at 12 months old 30000 on clock. When the car was 2yrs and 50 weeks old there appeared a "tinkling" noise from gear box on start up. Took it to main agent, result was new gear box ordered from Germany cost of which was £3640 !! Luckily for me I was just inside the three year period by two weeks !!
I have found that a good independent garage is far better than main agents who are simply a waste of space, they DO NOT service cars properly, they give you a huge check list with everything ticked but do not depend on this, you do so at your peril !! After last service by main agent took car to my independant and in my presence checked over everything main agents had "supposedly" done, all were ticked off by the way, you would not credit what had not been done by them. However car is excellent, an estate model,urban mpg is always about 32mpg. Best ever long distance mpg was 53mpg !!That was at a steady 55mph, boring but wanted to see just what it would do. Usual long distance mpg, driven at motorway speeds is always around 46mpg. One thing with automatic Mercs, gearbox fluid to be changeg every two years, regardless of milage, have friends in Germany who as a matter of course expect to get 500,000klm out of their C class PETROL engined vehicles! Mine they tell me, is nicely run in now at 102,000 miles !!
Performance
Practicality
Reliability
Value For Money
Bought My C180 1998 Esprit (facelift Model) 3 Mont
bought my c180 1998 esprit (facelift model) 3 months ago and within a day i knew it was leagues apart from anything id driven before.very smooth ride/flawless auto gear change/powerful brakes/power steering a bit light so not much feedback through the wheels.despite protests of the 1.8 being a bit slow kicking down from 2nd gear (auto) more than makes up for any time lost in 1st and will keep on pulling.once you reach your desired speed it glides along with ease.wind and road noise are none existent this car loves motorways and this is where it feels more at home yes they do have electrical gremlins but as far as im concerned thats a small price to pay for the ultimate driving experience. a five star car.
Q&A
I got a 99 model Merc C180 Espirat I just want to know if it has a chain or belt?
I own a c180/1999 classic with 115000 km mileage.There is a delay in shift of automatic gear from 1 to 2 when the engine is cold but once warm it shifts smoothly.The gear oil was replaced at 90,000 km and it's level is normal with normal color.
What could be the cause?