Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor
Long-term Test

Update I : TAKING DELIVERY

Long-term Test: Introduction

Update II:  Living with a Silver Star
Update III: Still no service

CarPoint's Mercedes-Benz C180 K long-term test car came direct from the good folk at the company's headquarters in Mulgrave (Vic).

Bypassing the dealer showroom delivery experience was, in hindsight, a mistake. Going through the full retail experience would have given us a more realistic introduction.

Thus we asked Mercedes-Benz's Manager of Corporate Communications Peter Fadeyev to run us through the typical delivery experience and to detail what a Benz buyer could expect on picking up their new wheels.

Peter explained that by the completion of the purchase process most owners have 'swatted' up on their car and know all about its features and any added accessories and options. That said, the Benz 'manual' dictates a process via which each new owner drives away well acquainted with the workings of their car.

"The process differs a little from car to car," Peter told CarPoint. "Obviously with an S-Class, there's a whole lot more to run through just because of the number of extra features on the car. That said, we try and make sure every buyer gets the same attention to detail and enjoys the experience," he explained.

Peter details the typical process:

"From the start, generally, the client would have already been taken on a demonstration drive of the car prior to purchasing. Upon delivery -- which might take place at the dealership or the client's home or workplace -- the sales consultant would kick-off by finalising any remaining paperwork with the order form or finance.

"Next he or she would take the client through the Owner Protection Plan. This is the car's warranty, which is for three years/unlimited km from the date of first registration. Unless it's a rental car or taxi, when Mercedes offers three years/120,000km.

"Now, it's time to take the client through the workings and format of the car's owners manual, which is an, errr... substantial document in most models in the Mercedes-Benz range.

"From here we explain the Mercedes-Benz 24-hour Roadside Assistance Plan. This is provided free of charge for three years from the date of first registration.

"It gets a little more hands-on, now. The consultant will move to the car itself with the client and explain the operation of all of the controls inside the car; followed by the outside of the car; followed by the boot -- where we cover things such as how the jack operates, how to retrieve the spare wheel and operate the warning triangle.
     
"We always suggest we cover the under-bonnet area too, even though some owners will never open the hood. Here it's simple stuff --like how to top up the washer fluid -- but it is also an opportunity to explain the warranty again and the schedule of servicing. [Ed: more on that later]

"If the delivery is taking place at the dealership, we visit the dealership's service department and introduce the owner to the Service Manager along with one or two of the service technicians.

"This is done so the client can meet the people who will be working on his or her car when it is serviced in the future and they can see what actually occurs in the workshop.

"We carry a philosophy of transparency in the workshop, meaning clients should be able to see their cars being worked on. This is a key part of the design of our latest dealerships like Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne as well as our Airport Express service centres.

"And that's pretty much it. The process takes about an hour or so depending on the model. And hopefully the owner departs excited about there new purchase but also informed about how everything works and ready to enjoy..."

WHAT WE MISSED
As noted above, the delivery process as detailed by Mr Fadeyev won't make or break the experience of a first time C-Class customer, but it means that you can drive away firm in the knowledge of how everything works.

Of course we 'expert' car reviewers need none of this molly-coddling and told Peter so... And then drove away fumbling with a stereo we weren't sure how to use, aircon blowing out of control and wipers wiping frantically every time we tried to turn a corner.

Seriously, it wasn't quite that bad. Unlike the more heavily-equipped models, the C-Class' basic controls are logically laid out and given prior experience with the car (we've driven Cs on and off since 2000) within a short period we were well acquainted with the basic stuff.

It did, however, take a trip into the owner's manual to suss out the audio system's more elaborate functions. The trip computer system also took some familiarization -- though once the steering wheel mounted 'page' and menu controls were sorted it proved easy to understand and moreover use.

FIRST IMPRESSSIONS
First impression on driving the car with barely 50km on the odometer was that it was less than eager to be let off the leash.

We're told it will take the better part of 2000-3000km before the supercharged four cylinder frees up and delivers anywhere near its best. We've certainly found this to be the case with, for example, BMW products in the past. Even in racing conditions Team CarPoint's supercharged Cooper S took a good 2500-3000km before it started to spin free and easy. Our long-term 530i Touring didn't show its best until it had a solid 3000-4000km on it either.

Our C180's five-speed autobox has been left in the Comfort setting for the familiarization period, with only the occasional foray into Manual or Sport mode. Even in Comfort, initial impressions are that the changes are more noticeable than we'd like.

This is especially the case in slow and stop-start traffic, where the C can be caught out in too high a gear and kick down with very un-Benz-like jerk. We're guessing that as the miles build up and the engine delivers a little more of its midrange, milder throttle openings will translate to smoother progress and less 'surprise' downshifts.

We've been surprised too by the firmness of the ride of the little Benz. Perhaps it's the adoption of the 'Sport' suspension settings as standard offer -- something we've noted to be checked with Benz's backroom boys.

With only city and suburban work in its first two fills, the C180 is registering an average fuel figure of 10.8lt/100km. This compares to Mercedes' claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 8.5lt/100km. [Ed: we won't spoil the surprise, but we can vouch for the fact that the C180 K will easily better that mark on the open road. More in future updates].

There's little debate, however, about the change the sports kit, wheels and lowered stance has lent to the baby C. In the past the base model C-Class has been a pretty clinical piece of work -- attractive but hardly blood-boiling with its stilt-like suspension and old-school wheel trims. Such is the look of the car that we're having trouble convincing more informed car fanciers that it is a 'base' model.

The general verdict is the latest C-Class is a much smarter looking piece of work.

For our money, the five-spoke alloys lend the car enough of a sporting look without pushing it beyond the 'parameters' placed by the humble engine spec. The drilled brakes and sand-finished logoed front calipers also lend an air that's more purposeful than the base Benzs of old and the subtle body changes are highlighted by the sportier stance of the new car.
 
Indeed, unlike base Cs of old it passes the most important test of a 'new' car -- the backward glance index. You know, the second and third look an owner takes as he or she is walking away after parking...

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