thanks for your reply john
the 180e is a low budget version of the 190e. it was released in australia only and was kind of a stripped down version to get the price below australia's luxury car import tax. while it is mechanically similar to the 190e, it had no sunroof, no abs, no power windows (although i have seen one or two with them so that would have been one of the few options), no alloy wheels, a 1.8l engine and apparently solid disc brakes. they are pretty popular over here because they are a bit of a granny's car so most aren't driven hard and many have low mileage - mine had 63,000 kms on the clock when i bought it and it was pretty much like new.

in other respects i believe it was pretty much the same as say a 2.0l 8v 190e, so i am not sure about needing different hubs and steering gear. i have read about updgrading 190e brakes using discs and calipers from a 400e without changing the hubs but i didn't want to do that because i'd have to use larger wheels, which can lead to wheel rub and other fun stuff like that.

any ideas, anyone?

thanks
mlc