By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Also, the performance tires on the C230k can be expected to wear out about 50% faster than those on the C240, depending on which OEM tires are on each car.
Here are my random thoughts for 2004 C class changes, what are yours?
o Rationalisation of 3.5L V6 across line, replacing 3.2L
o Deletion of "sport" versions of wagons
o Deletion of 240 model entirely, being replace by a "non sport" version with 230K engine/5 spd autobox standard
o Minor Trim and Exterior Restyling with styling cues taken from new E class - to include more rakish rump (can you say that on Edmunds?), redo headlight treatment to be more like new E, to yield an overall more coupe-like effect a la Alfa Romeo 155
o Replacement of "roundy corner" standard wheel treatment with something with more "bite" to it
o Replacement of current somewhat OTT sports wheel treatment with a more retro AMG monobloc look (or more like current C32 double spoke)
o HID headlights to be installed across entire C class model line
o Rain sensing wipers standard
o Factory standard Optional CD or Cassette player stereo radio with upgraded stereo effects as standard
o New C35 AMG with even more grunt!
Opinions are my own, I am not an employee of DCX, your mileage may vary, etc
In addition to a C350, there could be a C430 or a C500 as these already already exist in the CLK-Class and people buy them.
In the past, there was a C43. I do not know anything about them--sounds good but it would be a niche car like the C32. The C320 already provides incredible power in all normal driving situations so it doesn't seem like the numbers involved for specialty C's would be very high.
I think a diesel "C" would be the most likely addition to the fleet, to join the 45-state E-Class diesel that is due out by the end of this year.
Making HIDs standard across the line will only increase the base price which they do not want to do. Keep 'em optional. Ditto with Rain sensing wipers. (Truth be told, if you want a car with more power and zero options check out an Acura TL Type S).
C35 AMG: OVERKILL. The C32 (So cool, I saw a black one today...ultimate stealth mobile) is doing just fine. I still say they need to offer it with either a 6 speed manual or some type of SMG Transmission (like on the M3, Ferrari 360, Aston Martin Vanquish, & Maserati).
I don't think they need to drop the 3.7L V6 in the car. The 3.2 is a great engine. I'd rather them spend money on better quality interior materials and handling/suspension upgrades.
A V8 would make the C class way too nose heavy. The C32 is eons ahead of the old C43 in terms of performance.
The next big change you will see across the entire MB lineup will be the new 4 valve/cylinder DOHC heads as opposed to the current 3 valve SOHC Head.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm going to ignore all of those "rumors" since my car just arrived in the states today and jump back to the sedan comparison question.
The C230 Kompressor definitely gives the driver more feedback; in other words, the ride is more harsh and the road noise (due to the 17inch, low profile tires) is more prevalent within the cabin. However, I find the C240 to be too plush; lacking in a little feel and feedback that I crave. The C240 is also a little bit sluggish verses the 1.8L Kompressor engine in C230. Yet, taking into account what your post said, the C240 will give you that ride comfort you are looking for. It also comes standard with wood trim & 8 way power seats verses the aluminum trim and 4 way power seats in the sport sedan. The C230 also has bigger tires (as previously mentioned), additional body molding & front fascia treatment, and different door handles (no chrome trim). I lean, of course, towards the new sport sedan (which I ordered back at the end of January), but know that you will probably love a C240 and most likely get a better deal on one.
Happy shopping!
ohh driving the car in parkway that same night another silver one came close and a nice brunet was smiling (i did feel like the guy in that commercial )heheheh
on and all no problems at all.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
player as standard equipment.
I cannot understand the rationale for keeping outside air shut off, except for brief periods for rapid cooling or heating, or noxious odors/fumes. In any case, MB believes this is a dangerous practice, and thus designs the system to make it impossible to do easily.
No insults intended. Just trying to get some information to make my C320 more enjoyable.
I've got to say however, that is one road trip I would not want to be on.
No problems at all.
JR
Fwiw, in Mass. driver's ed (1977), we were taught that one should always leave a car window open slightly when the car's heater is on to offset the accidental introduction of Co2 into the cabin. While I do not subscribe to that practice, I do feel better not leaving the recirc on for extended periods for the same reason.
That said, I do find the relativey short length of the timer values annoying, especially when driving the length of the northern NJ Turnpike and other places & I need to keep the smells out of the car for 1+ hours. C'est la vie.
- Paul
I've been buying their cars [14 in all] for 35 years, and their stance on this has been consistent: the [admittedly slim] chance of buildup of carbon monoxide in the cabin of a completely closed car means they will not allow fresh air to be completely closed out of the car indefinitely.
I'm still mystified as to why doing so is desireable - I use recirc only when trying to get temp changes to occur quickly, or when somebody's crappy exhaust is blowing in my face at a stoplight. And I live in a climate that makes Florida look benign - our temps in the summer can be truly breathtaking. I respect your different opinion, but take it on faith that Mercedes does not. The original question was "how can it be done on an MB?" and the answer is "not at all without modifying the system".
Best regards,
Also yesterday while I was at the dealership I happen to walk around out back and someone's new S600 V12 arrived. Now that is a luxury car with room to spare, the only problem is that things that cost that much usually come attached with a mortgage.
As to the performance of the transmission, the learning feature in the software, if it works properly, pretty much assures that what you want, you get, at least after an appropriate amount of time in the car. There will be some turbo lag in the C230, but I think this has been blown out of proportion. Certainly, we are more than happy with the performance of our C240, and it is easily shaded by the turbo 1.8. Of course, coming out of a V8 like the SC, your expectations may be different than mine...
Without the hesitation, I may have gone with the C230k (with certain add-ons) over the C320. For the price though, the C230K is a great deal.
I drive a turbo charged car right now (WRX) and I will say that at first I found the lag a bit frustrating and bothersome, but I got over it. I'm not interested in drag racing, and once you learn how to use it the turbo (or supercharger, though that's not really even an issue) is just fine for spirited driving. With turbo you MUST have manual transmission, however, IMO, to keep the revs in the proper range.
Tony - Did you get your car yet? I went down to our dealership here in Central Fl and found *not a single* C230K!!! They had 10 or 12 each of C320 and C240 "regular", and 1 (one!) C320 sport with an autobox. I guess it tells you how popular the sport package is (or how unpopular the "regular" package is:) in this area anyways...all the best
C240A - 8.7s
C240M - 8.2s
C230KA - 7.8s
C230KM - 7.6s
C320A - 6.9s
C320M - 6.8S
All times for 4D sedan...
I've gotta say, for the money, this is one awesome deal on a rear drive German sports sedan. My dealership had only 1 C230 sport sedan as well, and of course, mine was ordered, so I think the problem with finding them is universal. . .at least on the east coast.
Lastly, I got my latest Automobile magazine in today and there is an article on the C230 sport sedan, and I quote:
". . .the C230 is the most entertaining, most agile C-class model. The suspension gives much better body control with seemingly no diminution of ride quality, and the car feels better balanced than the heavier V-6-powered cars. The C230 sedan finally reveals the inherent goodness of the C-class chassis: It feels like a real competitor to the BMW 325i."
My sentiments exactly!!:)
Later,
Your Blissfully Happy (First time) Benz Owner
Re: front foglights..some use them all the time, some never use them ---- it's your car, use them whenever you want.
Keep us informed as to when you car arrives. I look forward to hearing your first impressions.
And as for you, nedzel, "do us all a favor" and don't be a buzzkill. If the little fog light on the rear of the car (which I don't leave on because a single red fog light looks silly) bothers you, you need to relax a little and learn to enjoy the little things, because face it, the front fogs on the new sport sedan just look AWESOME!:)
Happy motoring and if I see you on the road, I will be sure to switch to high beams.
The front foglights also add to the glare for other drivers at night. Turn them off and use them as they were designed to be used: during fog.
Have some courtesy for other drivers on the road and turn off your foglights when not needed.
And my courtesy to other drivers is to allow them to see just how cool my car looks when it is all lit up. Again, refer to my prior post, and stop being a buzzkill!! I love this car, I love the way it drives, I love the way it looks and I have never been bothered or annoyed by someone else having their fog lights on. Lightin' up man! Live a little!
Thanks.
My wife ordered all of the Mercedes Benz (manufactured by Meguires) car shampoo, wheel cleaner, interior cleaner, etc. and I look forward to cleaning it up this weekend when the sun comes back out.
I'm really enjoying the car (I even don't mind the flimsy cup holder because it stays out of the way of my shifting) and I look forward to hearing your first impressions. When I get over the 1K mark and I really get to open it up, I will let you know of how I feel about the overall performance. . .for now, I'm just cruisin'.:)
Later,
Tony
PS Just wanted to say "my bad" to the host, you're right, there is no need for it.
Thanks,
Tony
This model was in medium blue, with 5 sp autobox, in the "Classic" trim line available in the UK (and obviously was right hand drive:). It had just over 8,000 miles on it.
Exterior styling was different than in those cars available in the states, in that the wheels were unlike anything I've seen so far here where I am (Central Fla). They were 15", with 7 spokes, but had an "edgier" side to them that made them look a lot better than the more round wheels standard on the C240/C320 non-sport versions. I liked these wheels a lot more than the Sport US wheels which I find a little intense. If I could figure out how to post a picture I'll put it in a message. Otherwise exterior was as in US.
One dissapointing note that the petrol cap flap had been bent "inward" slightly when closed such that it would not meet flush with the car. Presumeably this was caused by a previous renter, but I did recall thinking the metal that the flap was made of, was not as thick as on my current car...
Interior styling appeared to be a de-contented version of the US model, viz: Cloth seats, plastic trim (although of a high quality) vs. wood, vinyl on shift lever and steering wheel. I ended up on the motorway a lot and enjoyed using the steering wheel remote controls a lot more than I thought I would.
The heating/AC seemed particularly touchy, there was a narrow band of comfort in the rotaty settings, so I learned to just move the dial a small amount in order to get hotter or colder.
I thought the sun visors were of a cheaper variety of plastic as well over the US version.
Interestingly the car I drove had an in-dash CD player in addition to the glove box changer. As far as I know it was an '03 model. (which was a pain because I'd brought my tapes to listen to -- not CDs!)
In terms of driving the car, I think the steering, handling and roadholding was much improved over the last generation of C (we have a '99 C280.) In particular the steering allowed very good placement of the car going through roundabouts and turns. Roadholding could have been improved as it appeared to me the car had more of an understeer tendency than most (but lets face it most all cars on the road will understeer to some degree - much safer for the average driver like me who is not Kimi Raikkonen). In particular I recall loading up the brakes on a sharp left turn on a country B road and having the ABS engage -- possibly handling but also possibly the gravel and cow stuff on the road:) Anyway in normal service the brakes were great if a little touchy. Also perhaps this was due to the tyres fitted (some sort of Goodyear version) in 195 width.
Acceleration seemed oddly both strong and weak. I detected a slight hesitation in some gear/speed situations when the box was left alone which surprised me. Shifting the box manually I never did quite get to work well; it appeared to me that the "touch shift" was not terribly helpful in 1) engine breaking 2) maximizine acceleration or 3) downshifting in order to overtake. On the other hand where I did not touch the lever the car was very responsive in normal driving situations in terms of throttle response. I did not notice the hesitation too many times and would chalk this up to the particular situations. So not surprisingly the auto box is not a manual (duh) and I still would need to test drive a stick at some point.
The engine rattled a bit when cold but smoothed out when warm. This was not noticeable inside the car.
I think part of the accelartion improvement for me must be in the firmware which links the position of the throttle sensor and the intake manifold (or whatever passes for a carburettor butterfly on these modern cars). The car's RPM responded MUCH fast than on my car and contributed to a more "on its toes" feeling, everything else being equal. I would place the straightline acceleration faster than my C280, noting this car with the K engine has more torque over mine.
Overall a very favourable impression. Am still leaning to a C230K/6 Speed in Brilliant Silver, but reasons why I am not running hotly down to my dealer to place an order include:
1) Its Sunday:)
2) I am still leery of these "sport" wheels
3) I still like my C280 (a lot)
4) She-who-must-be-obeyed says the next MB I need to have for 10 years...so I need to be sure.
Take care all, stay safe.
rich
message for Tony - Great news re: your car. Let us know how it goes. I saw you were in Richmond, if you ever get north, we used to live in Culpeper and could see the Blue Ridge out my living room window...I miss Va a lot...cu...rj
Only $2.5K off (MSRP?) a used one-year old "C" would not be a big enough discount for me: we got $3,500 off when we bought a new '02 C320 with leather last year.
The new 1.8 litre engine is a drastic improvement over the old 2.3 litre engine and is much smoother, quieter and provides better fuel economy.
As you indicated leather looks better but you will also find a difference in the seating "feel." The cloth seats seem to be firmer and the leather are softer. Also, it is easier to slip in and out with leather since the cloth material is somewhat rough.