Mercedes Benz C180 2000-2006 used car review
The Mercedes-Benz C180 Estate offers space and luxury in an affordable package.
The Mercedes-Benz C180 Estate offers space and luxury in an affordable package. Issues are now beginning to show as the model ages.
The C180 was the entry-level version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range in New Zealand and the countries we source used cars from. While less powerful than the rest of the range, it still offers the same solidly built body, a high level of features and as many safety options as the others. Sedan, coupe and station wagon - also known as an estate - shapes are available.
Inside and out
The C180 has a premium, sporty look, and takes after the high-end S-Class model. The front features a large chrome grille, a Mercedes-Benz emblem on a stalk and headlights that look like twin round lamps blended together. This model features projector-style lamps for a more modern look. Chrome rubbing strips surround the vehicle and offer some paint protection. The sloped rear hatch gives the car its sporty stance. Roof rails are fitted and alloy wheels are standard.
The interior styling is soft and rounded. Dark plastics and part synthetic-leather, part fabric seats give it a sporty feel. Early model cars feature a centre speedometer, while this late model version gets two large, separate gauges with a digital screen in the centre for vehicle information. The centre console is trimmed in wood, with a CD player and the controls for the climate control system set below. The steering wheel features controls for the stereo, Bluetooth phone system and information screen.
The front seats are manually adjustable. They're soft and comfortable yet supportive. Rear leg and headroom feels superior to that of the sedan. While the centre section is flat, we think three adults might find the space a bit of a squeeze.
Boot space is excellent at 470 litres, enough for four large or six medium suitcases. The space is well lined and has tie-down points to secure loads and net pouches on the sides for small items. The rear seat can split and fold nearly flat, which expands the available space to nearly 1,400 litres.
On the road
You can buy C-Class models with a range of engines up to 5.4 litres. Our review vehicle features a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a supercharger - or Kompressor in German, as the car says across the back. The supercharger gives the engine only a modest boost in power, to 105kW and 220Nm over the normal version.
This is similar in output to normal 2-litre engines of the time. It does make the engine very responsive to the throttle, which has a long-range of movement. The five-speed transmission is relatively smooth, with the changes quite obvious. It can be shifted manually by tapping the gear stick left or right.
The handling of the C180 is very comfortable and most bumps are soaked up by the suspension. The grip is plentiful and the way the car drives will make it easy to take open road trips. Around town, the steering can feel quite heavy and could become tiring.
It is easy to see out in all directions, even in the station wagon/estate version of the C-Class. Backseat headrests lower at the touch of a button which helps when looking rearward. Reversing cameras were not fitted from the factory and we don’t think they are a must-have for this car. Parking sensors would be useful though.
We could not find an official tow rating for the C180. Aftermarket tow bars are available with a rating for unbraked trailers of 725kg (a medium-size garden trailer) to 1,700kg braked (a small-to-medium trailer boat). That’s excellent for this size of vehicle.
Safety
RightCar shows the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range (2002-2006) as having a five-star ANCAP rating or three-star Used Car Safety Rating. Standard safety equipment includes front and side airbags, anti-lock braking and electronic stability control. Curtain airbags are an option.
Our review vehicle features ISOFIX child seat points in the rear window positions. All three rear seats feature full shoulder-style belts, which offer more protection than lap-only belts.
We liked the inclusion of a cargo barrier that pulls up from behind the seats and clips into the roof. Even in minor accidents, items in the boot - or the family pet - can be thrown forward and injure passengers. A feature like this is a great safety bonus.
Reliability
Partly because of the high level of technology when new, this generation C-Class can now experience expensive issues across all of the vehicle’s major systems – engine, transmission and electronics.
The supercharged engine uses a timing chain which does not need regular replacement. However, many are now suffering from “stretch” caused by the failure of the camshaft adjuster. The first signs of trouble include a persistent misfire, the engine check-light coming on, loss of power or even the car dropping into “limp-home” mode. Although replacement chains are available, it is a big job and the labour content can cost thousands of dollars.
The engine can suffer from an electrical issue that is tricky to diagnose and repair. It’s caused by oil contaminating the wiring harness that triggers a check engine light. It can develop significant carbon build-up within the exhaust valve seats as well as around the valve guides and the springs.
The five-speed automatic transmission does not have a great reputation for longevity. Any potential purchase should be test-driven both cold and hot since a slipping gearbox might not be noticeable until the car warms up and the fluid itself gets hot. A harsh thump when engaging drive or reverse is usually a sign of trouble, as is the engine revving when changing gear.
A common trick used to determine gearbox health is to reverse the car, especially up a slope, to see if the drive unit slips or the car fails to make progress despite climbing engine revolutions. Transmission issues will require a rebuild or a used replacement transmission at prices starting from $3,000.
Cases are beginning to appear of headliner fabric separating from the ceiling. Replacing it costs from a few hundred dollars, although that can rise if the area affected interferes with the curtain airbags. That’s particularly the case with used import cars from Singapore because the glue is degraded more by the hot and humid climate. That can also cause issues with the plastic trim, rubber seals and electronics. Our review car’s centre console pocket was showing this degradation.
The only known corrosion spots to watch out for are under the doors, along the seam that connects the inner and outer skins, and in the metal panel that sits directly behind the licence plate. It is worth removing the plate to check.
Cost of ownership
Our local Mercedes-Benz dealer recommends servicing the C180 every year or 15,000km. Service costs vary between $300 to $400 dollars, depending on what needs doing. The water pump should be replaced at 100,000km and the timing chain needs tightening at 300,000km.
RightCar does not list fuel consumption for the C180. Mercedes-Benz claims the car will use 8.7 litres per 100km, which means 14,000km will cost $2,436 to fuel. The 62-litre fuel tank will cost $124 to fill at $2 per litre and should take you 655km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the C180 costs $76.20 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a C180 Kompressor valued at $12,200 will cost $56.78* per month. This is $4 more than a BMW 320i Touring.
Buyer's guide
The C180 is available on Trade Me from $5,000 to $16,000 for later and lower mileage vehicles. The estate and coupe versions fetch more than the sedans.
Variants
- Kompressor – Features a fabric interior, steel wheels, cruise control, CD player stereo, Bluetooth phone system, wood trim, separate climate control settings for driver and passenger, steering wheel audio controls, front, side and curtain airbags, and electronic stability control.
On top of this were three style lines that varied wheels, interior trim and body styling - Avantgarde, Classic and Elegance. A number of these cars have arrived as used imports from both Japan and Singapore, with varying levels of specification.
Timeline
- 2000 Launched globally
- 2001 Coupe and station wagon versions added
- 2002 1.8-litre supercharged engine replaces 2-litre engine
- 2004 The model is updated with changes to front and styling, with new gauges and update audio systems introduced to the interior
- 2006 Sedan and wagon replaced by new model
- 2008 Coupe replaced by updated, renamed model
Details
2006 Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor Avantgarde
$8,000 to $10,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged, 105kW and 220Nm
Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Five-star ANCAP rating
15,000km or 12 months
Space saver
8.7-litres per 100km (claimed)
Premium
4541mm
1765mm
1465mm
Unofficial: 725kg (unbraked), 1700kg (braked)
10.8m
This review covers the Mercedes-Benz C180 for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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