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Comments
I guess MB had to cut corners somewhere. Didn't mind the cloth interior. Never liked leather/vinyl.
May go for a test drive. Have only seen on on the road here in San Antonio area.
Hope MB isn't cheapening down now that it has a partnership w/ Jeep, and this is the first car w/ Jeep quality and workmanship. I guess time will tell.
On another note, I went for the rubber floor mats today, from the dealer; $84 OTD. A perfect fit and blends in perfectly with ash cloth interior. Nice addition to the overall protection package as winter looms ahead.
Sufficient customers demanded some of these options enough times such that it was more cost effective for the manufacturer to make them standard equipment on the production line. The same thing happened with spare tires and air conditioning.
The other thing to remember is that the cost of adding Traction Control and Stability Control (by any name) is extremely low once you've invested in an ABS system, as both are almost literally 99% software code. Throwing them in allows another competitive 'checkmark' against their competitors.
FWIW, the C230 includes a "Homelink" a standard. How much do you think this is really worth? Hint: Audi bundles it with a $99 autodimming mirror and makes it a $300+ option.
-hh
jjpeter
It was fairly fun to drive. I couldn't get a manual, but it seemed to have plenty of punch. It's got about 25HP on my '97 VR6. The ride certainly wasn't too stiff (I put Neuspeed Sport springs and Bilsteins on my Jetta, so I know what a stiff ride is). The only thing that I found annoying was the instrument cluster - in all honesty I would probably prefer the regular C-Class instrumentation.
But doing on-line research, I am a bit concerned by how none of the enthusiasts and reviewers seem to like this car. I bet if I asked any of them in person, they would suggest that I would be better off spending my money on a 325 (which would cost about 3K more equipped the way I want) than this car. All the reviews rave about the handling and such. And I must admit, I am a HUGE fan of the M3 - if I could afford one I would buy it.
But here's why I'm not dying over a smaller 3-series. For one, I found the space afforded to the drive in the 3 series to be quite cramped. I am a very large guy (width, not length) and the steering wheel in the 3-series rubbed me, at least in the first model year of the E46. Secondly, I live in the SF Bay Area, and it seems like EVERYONE and their mother has a 3-series. One the one hand that could be a testament to it's handing and performance. On the other, it just feels to me like too much of a yuppie-mobile.
Also, isn't it generally a truism that MBs hold their value more than a BMW?
I suppose I am conflicted. Last time I bought a car it was simple - the Jetta VR6 was the only thing in my price range that did what I wanted. Now I've got basically two choices (maybe - I haven't sat in a 3-series recently) and my hear and gonads are telling me that the Coupe is dead sexy. Then I see it not getting rave reviews in the press and I start to wonder....
(Anyone in the Bay Area wanting to help me make up my mind is welcome to drop me a note at john@hypergeek.net :-)
Secondly, where are the jacking points on the C230 other than the four points along the rocker panels. Can a floor jack be placed under the rear differential and the vehicle raised safely without damage?
I've owned this car for about a month after owning Toyota and Honda/Acura cars since early 80's. I'm not used to fluid leaks on a new car. Overall, the C230 is a nice ride and a very solid vehicle. Six speed shifting action is not as smooth as the Acura GSR I traded in on the C230. But, every vehicle has its tradeoffs one way or another. The C230's features are quite impressive.
On the W202 C, and our W210 E, there were four rubber dimples at each corner of the chassis, more or less in the same general latitude of the jacking access points, which are designed to contact the racks used at the dealerships. I used floor jacks with the jack saddles covered in disposable rags on those rubber thingies to jack the car. Don't know if these exist on the W203 C, including the Coupe. I would not advise jacking at the differential or under the engine cradle...too much potential for expensive damage.
Sounds like an early trip to your dealer is in order; leaks are not a common thing with these cars, but they do happen. Our '94 C220's only delivery defect [beside the off-center steering wheel that was corrected on the alignment rack] was a leaking wheel bearing that the dealer fixed with no trouble.
To everyone- For future reference, look for a direct link to this discussion in the additional resources on the left side of the page.
Revka
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Revka
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-hh
My car already had 66 Miles on it, when I got it and the salesperson said that all new MB cars have that many miles as they go thru inspection at the dealership - is that true? Never was the case in my other new cars (none MB)...
Regardless of my insignificant opinion, I hope that the car does well for you. I saw one at a gas station a couple of days ago (first one I've seen) - it looked quite good.
Revka
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Revka
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Fit & build is supposedly better on the Coupe than the saloon.
Anyway, my order is now in (eventually!), my car will be with me in March next year.
Since I'm buying in the UK we don't get option packs, but a list of individual options (which invariably costs more than in the US).
I've ordered a C230K Sequentronic (sequential manual gearbox) in Jasper Blue (called Orion Blue in the States), grey leather, Bose, COMAND, parking sensors, panoramic roof and a whole host of other toys.
I can't wait!
Regards & thanks to all the regular posters on here who have kept me informed & amused while I've pondered over the (now very dog-eared) options booklet.
Regards, JohnB.
PS. The major reason I've gone for this over a BMW 3 series is rarity. Our motorways are awash with BMW's, in the time since the C-Coupe was released, I haven't seen more than a dozen (and I spend a LOT of time driving).
Just curious - what does a C230K like the one you are buying cost in the UK? I lived in Chiswick & was working near London from January through June of this year, and it was interesting to see the different MB models there. Was able to rent an A140 "mini-minivan" from Easy Rentacar in Chelsea for a month, which I found to be a compact and very nice machine. Enjoyed driving it to Dover and Deal one weekend in April.
Unfortunately, I went blind in my left eye (retinal detachment) while I was in the UK, but the folks at Moorfield's Eye Hospital at Old Street performed an operation which allowed me to see again. They are awesome! I have all the respect in the wold for those fine people.
I hope you have fun driving when your new "baby" arrives. Cheers!
-Paul P., Atlanta, GA
Tarik
However, I personally will avoid new inventory cars with 200+ miles on them, as many are used as demo's. We all know how we test drive a new car. After all, we want to know how they perform. I tend to baby my new car for the break-in, and I like knowing how those miles are put on.
The dealer says >$200.00 installed.
Thanks for straightening me up on that - when the C-Coupe was reviewed in this country, general consensus was that the build quality was better than the standard saloon (which, as you pointed out for RHD, is built in South Africa).
Paul_P.
Yes, the A-Class is a nice car - even better now with the long-wheel base version - I wonder how it would be received in the States?
Glad to hear Moorfields sorted you out - they are a fine bunch of people down there - I wouldn't trust anyone else to sort out vision problems.
Laser eye surgery has been available for years now, and it's interesting to note that doctors haven't really gone for the proceedure. Last year there was an item on one of the UK science programmes that Moorfields have a revolutionary new laser system which has doctor's queueing up for it - read into that what you will...
Anyway, here's the UK pricing. I've worked on the basis of £1=$1.42
Description..........UK Price.......Dollars
C230K..............£23,250.00....$33,015.00
Automatic...........£1,450.00.....$2,059.00
Sequentronic..........£650.00.......$923.00
Leather.............£1,220.00.....$1,732.40
COMAND..............£1,890.00.....$2,683.80
Nokia 6210............£590.00.......$837.80
6 CD Changer..........£330.00.......$468.60
Bose Sound............£440.00.......$624.80
EVO Panorama kit....£1,750.00.....$2,485.00
Sun Visors.............£80.00.......$113.60
Elec Seats (D)........£650.00.......$923.00
Elec Seats (P)........£370.00.......$525.40
Heated seats..........£310.00.......$440.20
Parktronic............£630.00.......$894.60
Elec. mirrors.........£220.00.......$312.40
Luxury air con........£390.00.......$553.80
Metallic paint........£590.00.......$837.80
Dipping mirrors.......£220.00.......$312.40
Headlamp wash.........£310.00.......$440.20
Rain sens. wipers.....£110.00.......$156.20
Sequentronic is MB's name for a sequential manual gearbox. Luxury air-con is the one with a digital display (as in the saloon). EVO Panorama kit is the UK name for the sunroof and wheel package.
Looking at the above, I think the only thing we get cheaper than you is the CD changer.
Discount? Nope, we don't get any of that either.. :-(
I won't get much change out of $50,000
Regards, John
Apologies for the above mess, but Edmunds system seems to go out of it's way to make it difficult to put information in tables.
Tarik
And for those interested- Here's a direct link the Edmunds' UK website new vehicle information on the Mercedes C-Class 230 Kompressor Sports Coupe. Happy Motoring!
Revka
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I found my Continental tires that come with the C7 package have "225/45 R 17 91W" printed on the tire walls. According to Mercedes' printed brochure and on-line specs the C7 package should gets 225/45ZR17 rated tires. I believe these two ratings are different in terms of maximum speeds. Could they install these R-rated tires by mistake or .... ? Any thought?
The reason I didn't list is because it's free.
Perhaps another way around your problems is to go direct to a European Merc stockist and ask for the "MB Audio 10 radio/single CD player" (option 756 on the UK pricelist).
Also, if you squint really hard at the gear-lever in the interior picture on the Edmunds UK website, you'll see the car's fitted with the Sequentronic box.
My final order went in today, my car's due to be built in Feb 2002. :-)
Regards, John
I will be shopping for a car in February and while C-Coupe was on my list, it is now on top of the list. However, it will stretch my budget beyond where it should be. For the same money, I can have a 2002 GTI V6 with every possible option and still a few thousand left for aftermarket parts. This will be a tough decision. I have yet to drive the C-Coupe, so I'm anxiously awaiting the kick of the "fun" factor. Then I will be either completely taken by it or still weighing it against the GTI. Until today, out of every car I sat in, the GTI felt the best for me. However, the C-Coupe just stole that spot.
Oh yeah, and the three-spoke star on the steering wheel adds so much more to that feeling. Now, where's that "Badge snob" discussion?!
Hope to read some more stories on how much fun it is to drive this car.
Seems simple, but you need to check whether radio stations in the UK are also (as in the US) set to odd numbers, like 93.7 or 98.9 MHz. In Germany, all frequencies operate on even decimals only, like 97.6 or 100.2 MHz. Therefore a receiver calibrated for Germany will not be able to pick up the "uneven" radio frequencies.
My final order went in today, my car's due to be built in Feb 2002. :-)
You could make time pass quicker by already getting all the goodies from MB's model-specific accessory line (for man/woman and machine...), couldn't you?
Tarik
Here's some tidbits (treadbits?) from tirerack.com ( http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/sidewall.htm )
"Today, the Z-speed rating is the only speed rating that is still branded within the tire size (as in P225/50 ZR 16). All other speed ratings are shown in the tire's service description (as in 225/45 R17 91W)."
"When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest speed rating that would ever be required. Since that time the automotive industry has found it necessary to add W- and Y-speed ratings (indicated in the tire's service description) to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high, top speed capabilities."
I'd be surprised if the UK specific model wasn't what you're after.
> You could make time pass quicker by already getting all the goodies from MB's model-specific
> accessory line (for man/woman and machine...), couldn't you?
Sorry, what, C-Coupe socks, coats, umbrellas etc? Thanks for the thought, but no thanks!
Regards, John
I am about to put down my order and I am strongly considering the ALARM option (600$CDN).
Can someone please shed some light on this option, how it works, if its worth it, etc.
I really appreciate your insight.
On July 24th I ordered my car. It arrives at the dealer this evening, gets prepped tomorrow and I am scheduled to finish the paperwork and take delivery wednesday at 10 AM. I cannot believe it is finally here (well it is on a truck on its way to the dealer from LA). It was a long wait for leather, I hope it was worth it. Now, lets see how badly they screw me on my trade :-)
http://photos.yahoo.com/jay07_1996
thanks! other than spitting in 'her' face, is there any other option? - sure i can spit in that survey that they send out - but IMHO that survey just ends up in the garbage can... I had thought MB dealers/salesperson are less slimy than other salespeople - maybe i am too naive and was too excited to see a stick with the right color/package combo in stock... anyway, a warning for others dealing with Autobahn Mercedes in the Bay Area...
a note on car salespeople - why do they have to try so hard to live upto their reputation of the lowest creatures in society? Before buying the c230 coupe, I testdrove Audis, BMWs, subaru wrx, Acuras, saabs and each and every salesperson was a creep in some way!!! They completely ruin the car buying experience...They should learn a lesson or two from REI salespeople!!!
- sucker!!!