My C180 Is Slow & Broken - Engine/Trans swap, any ideas ? Hey guys,

[Skip a few paragraphs down if you don't want my life-story ]

I have a ruined 1997 w202 C180, which i bought for $2500AUD with accident damage, February last year. It needed a lot of bodywork and interior work but mechanically it seemed to be in perfect working order.

So, now March 2012, I've replaced the interior healing which has sagged down as the foam had degraded, dealer quoted over $1000 to replace, i did it over a weekend for $40 + $20 glue
I've also restored the paintwork which took about 8 months of constant waxing, only the n/s rear quarter needs re-spray, and finally got the 'grey' bodywork trim back to its original black!

I've invested a lot of hours and what i consider a lot of money (i am a poor university student) but now, it seems to me the gearbox and possibly the engine are on their last legs, i don't want to sell my car before any i get any big mechanic bill... Even though i could profit over $3000, which seems appealing, i love my w202.

I'll give an example of how I think the transmission is ruined; First of all, the previous owner, in his infinite wisdom appears to have swapped out the original 4speed auto for a 5speed auto from a later model w202, and as i confirmed this with a friend from a MB Garage in the city, this is not good.

- So this is the story when i set off from stationary.

Select 'D' set off at a reasonable pace, reach 40km/h in about 2 seconds, 3500RPM then the transmission freezes, I'm unable to get anymore power from the engine and i sit on 'Marminion avenue' (for our WA friends) with its 80km/h limit, desperately trying to not get rear-ended by a road-train. Then, after backing off the gas several times, and subsequently reaching my 3500RPM cap, it 'lurches' into 3rd - (i was told my gearbox will start in 2nd rather than 1st) - and i can continue on with driving.

- I have a feeling this could also be down to a faulty Mass Airflow Sensor.

And to top this off, when the transmission does decide to work, i can easily get beaten away from the lights by Hyundai Getz - OH THE SHAME!

So to me, the 1.8L engine seems insanely underpowered, felt OK when i first purchased the car, but speed has deteriorated over the past year. And my ridiculous 5-speed 'box just doesn't seem to be able to put any power down at all, or; most of the time, be capable of even functioning.

[Actual Question]

So what are my options;

Can i swap out my crappy 1.8L engine and its incorrect transmission, to a c230K or a c280 from a wrecked doner-car
- (probably can't budget for a c32 or c43 AMG )

What engine/transmission combinations will fit into my chassis type, as much as i'd like the idea of a straight 6 or a v8, i don't think the current setup, being intended a tiny 4cyl, could take the power or the weight of the bigger displacement and i REALLY don't want to start doing extensive chassis, brake & suspension mods.



So; my question is; Would a c230Kompressor engine offer a better experience than my crap c180 and wrong transmission, or should i just man up and sell the w202 and buy a Getz.


I look forward to reading your answers!

 

c180 aint that slow, just get it fixed, you can always swap the c230k engine in it, 230k engine+ ecu and you should be good to go. no further mods

 

What about the transmission?