1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Sport Kompressor 2.3 supercharged 4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good car, but a bad Mercedes

Faults:

Numerous dashboard creaks.

Failed electric window.

Glove compartment catch broke.

Auto box ECU replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

If this were a Ford or Vauxhall it would be acceptable. It goes well, is comfortable and quite well equipped. What it isn't is especially well built or particularly refined - the two key things which I would expect from a prestige brand like Mercedes.

The supercharged engine delivers the goods but is very rough and noisy when worked hard. It's not a pleasant noise either - just a coarse, featureless thrash, although to be fair the engine has been faultless. The auto box is the exact opposite - lovely to use but a bit temperamental, the ECU had to be replaced when it kept refusing to engage Drive.

The Sport suspension sharpens the C Class up nicely, and the car can be quite good fun to hustle along, although the traction control intrudes early on to slap you on the wrist if you're being naughty. The steering is very light, but has reasonable feel, and the brakes are strong.

The single real disappointment is the quality. You don't expect things like failed electric windows, dash creaks and broken glovebox catches on a main dealer serviced prestige car which has done only 47,000 miles.

This is a really good car which has a lot to like about it, but the bottom line is that it's not worthy of the image or the price that the Mercedes badge commands. My previous Rover 623 was just as well made, and had a more pleasant engine to boot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st September, 2001

1st Aug 2002, 12:25

My 1999 C230 has 83000 miles on it and has not experienced any problems. We have been very well pleased with performance, service, and price.

8th Sep 2002, 09:29

I have a C250TD, 1997. The metallic paintwork is appalling, it is subject to stone chip damage on all the frontal areas. Additionally, the paint is so pitifully thin that scratches are induced with ease.

The interior trim is cheap & certainly not up to past M-B standards.

The alarm system electronics are over sensitive.

Unless the key is withdrawn very slowly after ignition shutdown, the central locking does not operate.

Wheel lacquer has failed in places with onset alloy wheel corrosion.

Door lock mechanism has corroded on 3 doors.

Engineering quality on the engine & mechanical components is excellent. Diesel MPG is very good. The ride is comfortable, but soggy on the Elegance. ASR is effective & ESP is very useful in marginal conditions.

The car has completed 50k miles, the engine prognosis is good, but systems controlled by electronics are not.

Not up to 190E standard.

Herbert Smith.

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C180 Classic 1.8 16v from South Africa

Summary:

Nothing to get excited about

Faults:

Lots of rattles in the dash and roof mounted interior light console.

Rear passenger door kick plate fell off.

General Comments:

The car is underpowered. The bodyweight is very close to my previous car that was powered by a 1600 engine, but the C180 has a much bigger engine and is a lot slower.

The car drives like a bus. The steering is lifeless with very little feedback.

The driver's seat is very uncomfortable with little room between the steering wheel and your knees.

Nobody can sit behind me when I'm driving. The gap between the driver's seat and the back seat is about 15 cm. Despite the big body, this is not a tall persons car.

The glove box light would stay on even when it was closed. Eventually the dealer fixed it with brute force, but now the catch is visible from the driver's side. When I look at it I wonder what the fuss is about Mercedes Benz.

Despite the battle to get rid of the rattles in the dash, there are still lots of creaks and vibrations in the dash.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th August, 2001

16th Sep 2009, 12:43

I had the same issue with all the cracks and rattles. The interior is cheap plastic. It feels like a Ford on the inside. I got rid of some of the cracks and rattles was superglued the damn thing. Screw it I said. The car is junk and will be getting rid of it soon. I did just that and thank God I did. I had the C230K.

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 Classic 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Lacking in performance, but wow that engineering!

Faults:

Drive belt tensioner chatters on full lock.

General Comments:

Handling is mediocre.

Needed a part from Mercedes to boost the brake servo from a cold start.

Front tyres - wore the outer edge very rapidly. Now re-shod and re-tracked and watching.

A nicely engineered car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd December, 2000

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 Esprit 2.0 from Germany

Summary:

A good solid reliable car

Faults:

The horn turned itself on and wouldn't stop. Fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Execellent car. Drove for 6 months at high speed between Frankfurt and Munich every week with no problems. Slightly uncomfortable after long distances (about 400km without a stop).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd September, 2000