20 years ago, the compact executive car market was booming. Car buyers couldn’t get enough of their BMW 3-Series, Audi A4s, Jaguar X-TYPEs and Mercedes-Benz C-Classes, each of which was an upwardly mobile symbol of success in the compact car park.
Two decades on, the best examples of these aspirational saloons are suddenly becoming extremely cherished. After all, these were cars designed to thrash up and down motorways every day and often covered huge mileages.
Not this one. This C180 – the very epitome of a mid-spec early 2000s compact exec – was bought new by a relative of the vendor and has covered an average of just over 3,000 miles per year. It has been a faithful companion and has never let him down, but he has given up driving with advancing years. As a result, you now have a chance to buy a genuine low-mileage 20-year-old C-Class. It’s a chance that doesn’t arise very often. IMG_0314.JPG4.79 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Only 64k from new
Service history to 59,900 miles in 2019
One owner example
UK V5
MOT October 2022
Book pack and manuals
The previous owner of the C180 bought it new from Mercedes-Benz of Brentford in 2002 and had it maintained at main dealerships all the way through to 2019. The first two services were carried out by the supplying dealer, and later maintenance was carried out by Mercedes-Benz Solihull in the West Midlands, or Mercedes-Benz Brentford, as the owner moved between London and Birmingham.
The MOT runs until October this year and was passed with no advisories. There’s a UK V5 and a selection of books and manuals. IMG_0424.JPG5.87 MB
THE INTERIOR
Grey leather
Integrated sat nav
Dual zone climate control
Super Rare Extra of Colour Satellite Navigation screen which was initially installed in the more luxurious models such as the S-Class range
The C-Class’s interior is subtly luxurious, with charcoal leather trim and matching carpets. A set of Mercedes-Benz dealer mats is also supplied.
The leather itself would have been optional on a mid-spec Elegance, as would the integrated sat nav in the Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system and the polished wood interior highlights, so the original owner wasn’t shy of spending money on the car he’d own for the next 20 years. It’s all in fine order and everything works. IMG_0369.JPG4.01 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Super-rare colour
No evident corrosion
Excellent alloys
Upgraded AMG Headlights from factory
The C180 is finished in one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz colours of its era, Green-Black Metallic, which is (unsurprisingly) somewhere between green and black.
It’s a fabulous, elegant shade that really sets the C-Class off nicely, and is overall in good order.
There are a couple of minor things to sort. The rear bumper has a couple of scuffs, one to each side, and there’s also a small mark on the nearside front bumper. The fuel filler cap is also misaligned, which you may want to sort out.
Critically, there is no visible rust and there have never been any corrosion advisories on the MOT. IMG_0340.JPG4.16 MB
THE MECHANICS
1.8-litre inline four
Five-speed auto
No known faults
Power comes from a 1.8-litre four-pot engine that debuted in the W203 in 2001. It’s a surprisingly lively unit given the fact it was the company’s entry-level petrol engine and its modest 129bhp power output.
The vendor reports that it drives faultlessly, the gearbox works well and there are no known faults or defects. IMG_0405.JPG4.16 MB
SUMMARY
This is a very smart and likeable example of the W203 C-Class, in good, honest and unmolested order. The fact it’s a low-mileage example with just one-owner is a big selling point. It’s a genuine and charming example of a usable modern classic.
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