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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The C230 will have a V6 with 200hp, the C240 will become the C280 with a 227hp V6 and the C320 as you know will become the C350 with 268hp. All will go on sale sometime this summer. Naturally the dealers play dumb about this because they want to clear out existing stock.
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050223.006
"Engine initiative: new six-cylinder units in the C-Class, E-Class and SLK-Class
From spring 2005 the newly developed, powerful six-cylinder engines will also be available for the C-Class, E-Class and SLK-Class. These new power units better their predecessors by up to 32 percent in output and up to 27 percent in torque. With four completely new V6 engines, the C-Class takes a clear lead in its market segment where output and torque are concerned. Of the new engines, three are V6 petrol units with 150 kW/204 hp (C 230), 170 kW/231 hp (C 280) and 200 kW/272 hp (C 350). The C 320 CDI with the state-of-the-art V6 diesel engine (165 kW/224 hp) also joins the line-up.
In addition to the new E 350 (200 kW/272 hp) Mercedes-Benz is offering the new model E 280 in the E-Class from spring 2005. This is powered by a 170 kW/231 hp six-cylinder engine developing a torque of 300 Newton metres. The new V6 thus betters the previous E 240 by more than 30% in output and 25% in torque.
With the new models E 280 CDI (140 kW/190 hp) and E 320 CDI (165 kW/224 hp), the diesel range in the E-Class is set to be even more attractive and dynamic.
The new SLK 280 will be launched in the SLK-Class in spring 2005. Equipped with the 170 kW/231 hp V6 engine, this two-seater accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. The combined fuel consumption of the SLK 280 is 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
M
C350 - yes, nice car/engine but will there be that many sales? The C320 is already overpriced.
After putting a mere 100 miles on my C240, I can tell you I have NO regrets about getting it instead of the C320.
I had so many electronic glitches, all fixed courtesy of MB; nonetheless, when i asked if the issues were common, they would say no. But then i found that MB was sending special parts to correct issues with the headlights burning out frequently and other electric stuff. The one that sent me over the edge was the power seat modules drawing the battery down, costing me 2 batteries ($300) and then the modules ($900+). MBUSA was kind enough to reimburse half after I complained to their VP of QA in Montvale NJ ( highly reccomended approach).
No longer a german car fan ( for now)
I'm back after not reading or posting much for about 18 months. Sorry for my absence, but I took a part-time job teaching college courses online, which took lots of time.
My Y2K C230 is running well at only 18,000 miles: I love the car, no major problems so far. Stored for winters to keep the salt off of it. My best defense against rust on the C230 is using a '93 Toyota pickup now with 208,000 miles as a daily driver in the winter.
I have 3+ years left on the extended warranty, so will probably keep the MB until at least early 2008.
Our very basic '02 C240 Automatic [with just the C2 pkg - as "stripped" as I could get it] went into service in Sept of '02, after being produced in the Bremen plant in January [it was delivered to the dealer in March, and just got moved around from one lot to another for 5 months].
We currently have 15,000 miles, and no new problems to report. The only issues surfaced in the first couple of months, and were quickly resolved - wheel alignment, which was noticeable on the acceptance drive and fixed within the first week, and a minor differential leak that was traced to a plugged vent tube and corrected on the first try. So far, knock on wood, this is all we have to report.
I am in love with the way the car behaves on the road, especially on extended trips, which occur infrequently with us. Our last real road trip was on October, and the car was just wonderful - plenty of passing power, smooth, quiet, 27-29 mpg at ridiculous speeds in the desert, great all-day seats. We have another long trip coming up next month....otherwise, the car gets used on the average of once a week for 20 miles or so. We can walk to just about everything from our condo in Vancouver WA, so we are now averaging only 5k-6k miles a year, even with long trips factored in..
Our warranty runs to Sept of '09, and at the moment, I can think of no reason why we might make a change before then. I would like a diesel, so we periodically flirt with the idea of a VW Passat or the new Jetta, but the real world cost of making a change, and the likelihood that nothing we could buy would equal the C's comfort on long trips, has dissuaded me. I was very interested in the MB B-Class, but their decision to pull the car from our market quashed that idea. We'd like a little more trunk space and a little more rear legroom, in a package not significantly larger than the C, which of course is what the B is all about - anyway, we are happy with the car [our 14th MB], and plan to keep it at least as long as the warranty runs - with our low annual usage, the car will probably has less than 40k miles on it when the extended warranty expires.
I wanted to ask you what you think about upcoming C280, C350 and the V6 replacement for the C230? I think the C280 will have about 227hp if the standard minus 4 applies like it does on the C350 (272hp/268hp here).
Finally if you were to buy another Mercedes besides a C or B (if they decide to bring it here someday) which one would it be?
M
The E diesel is the only thing in the line that would appeal to me besides what we already have, and that's $50k and up - and we are all done with $50k cars. I just wish we could have the full line of models, and equally, the full line of engines, in the NA market - a B with the turbo-diesel is what I really want, but....
At the NY Auto show, MB had an entry level SLK280 that was powered by I believe (not sure of the displacement here) a 3.0 Liter 24 valve V6 that produced somewhere in the neighborhood of 225hp. Will this be the new "base" engine in the C-Class for the US? Do you think MB will offer a C"280" Sport version?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Thanks for the reply. You might get a chance to get a B-Class diesel if the dollar/Euro situation swings back the opposite way. When the U.S. diesel fuel is cleaned up I'm sure Mercedes, BMW and Audi will all import some of their best diesels. They will be a nice alternative to hybrids, imo.
nyccarguy,
Nope, there won't be a C280 Sport. The C280 will offered as a wagon and sedan in luxury guise just like the current C240. Yes there will be a SLK280 with 227hp. Here is an piece of the article from GCF about Mercedes debuting these new models at Geneva this past March.
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050223.006/mercedes/1.html
". With four completely new V6 engines, the C-Class takes a clear lead in its market segment where output and torque are concerned. Of the new engines, three are V6 petrol units with 150 kW/204 hp (C 230), 170 kW/231 hp (C 280) and 200 kW/272 hp (C 350). The C 320 CDI with the state-of-the-art V6 diesel engine (165 kW/224 hp) also joins the line-up."
Just subtract 4hp for the U.S. versions.
M
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Any ideas???
Thanks,
Greg
"C230" = 2.5 V6, approx 200 hp
"C280" = 3.0 V6, approx 225hp
"C350" = 3.5 V6, approx 265hp
All hp estimates give or take a couple depending on emissions control decisions and exhaust tuning. HP up, emissions down, fuel consumption down, prices steady, win-win....
To my knowledge, MB still does not plan to offer a manual transmission with AWD. In fact, for now, if you order AWD, you get the older 5-spd automatic, not the newer 7 spd.
If you can find a dependable third-party warranty company to cover what matters in the car at a reasonable price [go online or start with the F&I mgr at a local MB store], then maybe....otherwise, I would pass....
MB had been the only manufacturer to make the full airbag complement standard in all of its vehicles. Starting with the 2006 M-class and now the 2006 C-class, they're now making these safety features optional.
On the positive side, MB will make its new front active head restraints standard in all C-class models.
In an era of endless lawsuits, this is still another example where the corporation is doing the math and deciding what leaves them with the least potential for grief.
I'm afraid that theory really doesn't hold water, since the rear side airbags were standard equipment before in the C-class. They didn't suddenly become unsafe for children, and lawyers didn't suddenly wise up to the lawsuit potential.
MB has long insisted that their rear side airbags are safe for children. NHTSA's testing has demonstrated that rear side airbags in general are safe when children are seated properly. It's laughable what NHTSA had to do to "cause injury" to the dummies. They positioned the dummy with its back against the door, across the seat, and obviously unbelted.
AFAIK, NHTSA has never logged one valid incident where a child was hurt by rear side airbags.
The E-class still includes rear side airbags as standard. Obviously there's no safety issue there, and E-class owners can probably afford better lawyers ;-).
It's obvious that the omission in the 2006's is a subtle price increase. For the 2005's, they dropped the free maintenance program to get the same effect.
If you're that concerned, you should let them know how you feel, and get a corporate response,
But BMW has never offered them as standard equipment, so it's no surprise that a brand new 3-series doesn't have them standard either.
My main point is that it's not a safety issue, since other MB's continue to have them as standard equipment.. And the ones that now don't have them standard, had them as standard equipment for years.
BTW, the rear side airbags will continue to be standard on 2006 C-class models in Canada.
Actually, rather than complain to MB USA, I've emailed them asking why someone WOULDN'T want to order the rear side airbags, now that they're an option. It'll be interesting to see what they say.
Thanks.
Greg
Not only does BMW make this feature an option, it ships any cars so equipped with the airbags deactivated. If you buy one of these cars, you must then make a trip back to the dealership after you've taken delivery of the car to have the bags activated. Before this is done, you must sign a waiver. At least this was the procedure in 2001 when I bought my 330i.
Sadly, MB USA hasn't responded to my question on it. I sent it last Thursday.
In any case, the C240 is replaced for the '06 model year by the C280, with a new 4-valve head and 3.0 liter displacement, making over 220 hp. Better fuel consumption, too. Same price and equipment.
I've never been "desperate to impress" anybody, and certainly not you.
I think the new IS250, C280, 325, and G35 are all worthy cars with good points and not-so-good. None is perfect, and in each case, there are tradeoffs. And the C is not intended to compete against the BMW 5er, for a variety of reasons.
The ES' main weakness is its FWD bias - never liked the feel of it compared with our C240, which has been a superb long-distance tourer. It could use more space in the back seat and trunk, but that is true of all of the RWD alternatives under $35k. The ES solves that problem, but so does a Camry for a whole lot less money.
This is the second time today I've felt it necessary to respond to one person or another who is absolutely sure they know why everyone buys a particular car - and is willing to tell us that we should do. I say, vive la difference - pay your money and take your choice. No one has to be put down because of that choice.
Does MB normally refresh or redesign models every couple of years? It seems odd to me that they would make fairly major changes so close together. Does it make sense to wait for the redesigned C for 2008?
And yes, it is common for them to do both mid-cycle facelifts [in this case, from the '04s on with the new interiors and wheels] and complete drivetrain swapouts [yes, the '06s get three new drivetrains, all V6s - 2.5 badged C230, 3.0 badged as C280, and 3.5 badged as 350]. Both the engines and transmissions [only on rwd cars - the 4-matics stick with the old transmission] are indeed new, though the "newness" in the case of the engines is not that radical. Basically, they took the old block and added new heads [4 valves per cylinder] and new intake manifolds with continuously variable valve timing.
No reason for them to wait for the new body to put in the new drivetrains. The new ones don't cost significantly more to produce, have more power AND lower emissions AND lower fuel consumption, and the engine mounting points are the same. Win-win.
ES and 5 series would be more close to E class.
Second, I do not think anyone would drive a car to impress someone unless they are teenager trying to get a date. Anyone who drives C, E, S, or what ever never impressed me one bit. So, I drive C class and I do not expect anyone to be impressed. I drive C because I like the car and the feel of it.
I found a comfy 1999 C280 through my credit union at $16,300 with 61k miles.
the car runs good and feels solid...is this year and car a good buy....? or a good-bye?
I've gotta get a car this week so your experience suggestions are appreciated.
BTW: I'm comparing it to:
2001 Saturn SC2 Coupe 3D - 40k miles
1999 Honda Civic LX Sedan 4D - 61k miles
2000 Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible 2D - 24k miles
which one is the better car for the buck vs repair costs?
For these reasons, yes, I recommend the official MBUSA extended warranty. How much it costs depends on what you buy - we got the full-boat 3 yr extension to 100k [7/100 total] for less than $1700 in 2003 for a 2002 C240. The least expensive source appears to be the dealer in Chico, CA - use the MB website to get a contact.
Prices have no doubt gone up, but there are a few of things to keep in mind:
-The most complicated and trouble-prone of the electronic doo-dads are specifically not covered under the extended warranty [from year 5 on]. These include the notoriously awful COMAND system and the sound system [radio, CD, etc.]. Everything else that matters is covered.
-You can buy the extended warranty from ANY dealer at ANY time within the first year of ownership; at day 366, that opportunity goes away. Thus, you have time to shop around for the best price, as long as you don't exceed the first year.
-Dealers will like to tell you there is one price for the warranty. Nonsense. There is an "MSRP" just like the car itself, but any dealer is free to discount it as much as they desire to build business. My selling dealer agreed to match the lowest price I could find anywhere, and they stuck to that bargain at the 11th month. Shop around. Start with your local dealer, then give the folks at Chico a try - that will give you the basis for a comparison. Site rules seem to prohibit my telling you the name of the F&I lady at the Chico dealership, but you'll figure it out.
Right now, I drive a 2004 Volvo S60 T5. I'm trying to decide whether I want to purchase one of the new 2006 C-class vehicles to replace it. The new engine/transmission combo for the 2006 C-class line is making me give it serious consideration. I'm trying to find out if there's enough benefit to make the move. I'd welcome all opinions!
The tough part is that the Volvo S60 T5 is perfectly fine. For some quick comparisons (the first number is the Volvo figure, the second is the 2006 MB C280):
Cylinders: 5 vs. 6
HP: 208 vs. 228 (2.5L vs. 3.0L)
Torque: 236 ft lbs 1500 RPM vs. 221 ft lbs 2700 RPM (the Volvo is turbocharged...)
I like the Volvo's ride, power, and smoothness. What I don't like is that the S60 is not quite as compact. The turning radius for the S60 is 38.7" (the C280 touts 35.3" - which would be better for me in the area I live). The width of the S60 is 71.4" vs. the C280's 68.0".
Yet these are minor points - given my car is only 2 years old.
Thoughts? Opinions? Other facts?
TIA.
The C280 is the value in the W203 line; in my opinion, the C350 is way too expensive for what you get - will be a great used car 4 years from now, but too pricey new.
It also means a firmer ride, very low profile summer z-rated tires that will be gone in less than 20k miles, and staggered tire sizes [different sizes for the front and rear tires] that can't be rotated. Everyone's tastes are different, but I think this is silly. The C280 makes more sense to me, for not much more money if you exercise some restraint with the options.
Anyway, the short answer to your question is that you can have any color interior you want, as long as it's.......black...
Anyway... thanks for the update on the new C230. The new C280 doesn't have a sport edition; only the luxury edition (which is fine for me). To go the next rung up, the new C350 has both - but you're getting up in the $40,000 range.
I've researched the C280 - as it would most likely be the next car for me - from what I know so far. There are quite a few choices in options, styles, colors etc.
Overall... I'd guess the whole C-class is a better value in 2006 with the new engine and transmission. Its pushing into the E-class territory a little more, but with much lower prices.
If the C230 were offered in our market without the sports package, it would be a very attractiive buy; as it stands, I wouldn't be interested.
All of the Germans, but especially BMW and MB, force things on you with their "sports packages" that I find unacceptable, the most obvious of which is staggered tire sizes, often with unidirectional tread designs and tire compounds that will be gone in 15k miles. Lexus is about to do the same thing with the new IS350. This makes the car great on the track, and seems to impress the people who write for the car magazines [I read them all], but doesn't do much for real people driving in the real world. I avoid them like the plague.
I can get a C280 with just met paint and the fold-down seats [no sunroof and no other useless junk] on EU delivery for $31.5k. Right now, unless something changes between today and next spring, that is the default plan.
Ross