Mercedes-Benz C180 Problems

The Mercedes recommended fuel for the E280 is 91-octane regular unleaded, while the recommended fuel for the C180 Kompressor is 95- octane premium. While you can safely run the E280 on regular unleaded, and I suspect you could run the Kompressor on 91-ocatane, you will get better performance and economy by running them on the higher-octane fuel. Mercedes-Benz also approves the use of E10 ethanol blend fuel in both of your models, which might help you save a few pennies.

IF YOU start it at least every week and run it for long enough to properly warm the engine, gearbox and diff, I would say you could follow the dealer's instructions.

LIKE you, I prefer rear-wheel-drive cars for the way they drive and feel on the road. I'm also in favour of buying used BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes because you get to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford, but they can be expensive to service and repair. For that reason I am loathe to recommend them. But I also agree that some of the cars coming from Japan look good, and I particularly like the new Lancer. I wouldn't be concerned about front-wheel drive at all, there's nothing wrong with the way they drive, handle, steer or brake.

NOT really. The CLK430 is a great car and should give you years of motoring pleasure. The only thing to be aware of is that it is a couple of years older than your C-Class, but Benz quality is good enough and you shouldn't have any specific problems. The key is to keep up the servicing.