004308

Okay, so we know that the C250 costs $10,000 more than the C180 (for Australian market here). The main difference is that the C250 has an extra 35kw and 60Nm BUT from the exact same engine. So would it be right to say that all MB has done for the C250 is boost up the pressure of the turbo to increase the power?

IMO it's a big ask for me to pay that premium for such a simple tweak considering the air intake and the exhaust are identical. Okay, you do get a 2 inch bigger screen on the dash and sports mode and probaly 2 or 3 more minor extras.

Wouldn't I be better if I bought the C180 and boosted the turbo pressure from an aftermarket workshop? Your thoughts??

Marzwest

The C250 comes standard with a few other things; off the top of my head:

Dynamic Handling
Folding Mirrors
Privacy Glass
Dimming Mirrors
+ some extra interior lighting stuff

tharsis

No no you get a bigger difference than that:

More power (yes just a tweek)
Note you also pay LCT on the 180 vs none on the c250 CDI)
Bigger wheels (18" on the 250, 17 on 180)
Chrome trim on rear on 250
Ventilated disk brakes front & rear
Gearshift paddles
Illuminated lamps in the side mirrors
Hard drive in the radio/command system
Leather seats standard
Metallic finish inserts / surrounds (exterior)
Navigation
Folding power door mirrors
Rear-view mirror electric - anti-glare
Lowered suspension
Factory tinted windows (extra dark)
Voice Recognition (bit of a gimmick)

So the 250 has a number of differences, the 180 has a 6-cd stacker however, compared to the command system with hard-drive.

004308

Oh wow, thanks tharsis...I had no idea of all the other extras.
Have to clarify with the dealership then!

Marzwest

well there you go, knew there was more, but just couldn't remember!

tharsis

Ah just so you don't have to take my word on it found the comparison between models.
Linkey link
One i missed, that i consider a MUST in AU is dynamic handling package, doesn't seem to be in the 180. GO to page 6 of the document there....

Note all the above only in the Australian market, seems there's vast differences between countries.

I get mine either one week before or after chrissy, lands on the 20'th so I'll know for sure soon!

004308

Thanks again, link was very good. Definitely changed my mind between the two models.

Perfect time for Christmas haha. I'll be able to put an order for it around mid January next since I'm overseas for Christmas. How long have you been waiting for your coupe to arrive?

Sorry if this is a bit intrusive, but how much did you pay for the 250CDI?

tharsis

Take it for a drive. Great cruiser with just a bit of sports...
I got the 250cdi plus vision pack. 3 months so far as i want black with red leather. Now that it has the car of the year awards x 2 itll be sold out again.

75k is what it came to. If I had my time over id get it through the choice car buyers service and save a bit more and not deal wth pushy sales types.

Not that upset tho, still a good deal and itll be an awesome car.

Marzwest

75k! that's a good price. Im assuming you got the free on roads and free servicing for 3 yrs deal?

tharsis

Nope just hard negotiation and i wasn't prepared to look at the 180... Tho i became aware of the 3 year deal afterward, should have gone for that too....

Doesn't matter as I said

190Benz

So the only difference between the 180cgi and 250cgi is the tune?
Turbo, intercooler, clutch and flywheel,... are the same?

I am just talking about the engine and drivetrain, not the options on the car.

190Benz

Intercooler seems to be the same. I checked the sizes of both cars.
I checked the sedan gearbox for the 180cgi and 250cgi.

Flywheel is the same for the manuals. And i am guessing that the automatic gearbox is the same for all the models up to the c63. I checked the gasket and that seems to be the same.

The diff gasket also seems to be the same until the C350, so i am guessing the diff is the same too.

I'm just trying to search what's the same. My digital catalogue doesn't have all the parts for the new mercedes models...

skat004

RaceChip offers a chip that seems to get the C180 HP and Tq numbers up to the C250 level.

http://www.racechip.de/racechip-chip...17&language=en

AV1

If you research all the differences and break it down as is mentioned by others above, you'll find that the extra 10k for the petrol C250 over the C180 is definitely worth it !!! (ie. for Aust. market)

You can also have the piece of mind that if your happy with the higher output of the petrol C250 from factory you won't have the bother, worry or expense to worry about compared to modifying the C180

If it's extra power your really concerned with, then just go for the C250-CDI (same price as the C250 petrol) and enjoy the added benefits of even more power than the C250 petrol and far superior efficiency than even the C180 petrol as well

skat004

Here's an argument in favour of the C180.

If you add the following (only applies to the Australian market)
- AMG sport package (18" wheels, bodykit, upgraded brakes etc.)
- Vision package (Intelli Lights, Panoramic Sunroof, Harmon Kardon)
- Confort Package (Nav, memory seats etc).

You end up with a fully loaded coupe for less than the price of the base C250 (base C250 comes without the AMG kit, lights, panoramic roof, sounds and all other goodies).

It is still a worthwhile option especially if someone comes up with a chip that can reliably raise the engine output to the same level as the C250.

190Benz

But still not the same numbers as a tuned C250.

If you compare a W203 C200 cdi and W203 C220 cdi they are exactly the same except for the ecu and the clutch and flywheel. So i bought a C200 cdi (lower tax and insurance class as the C220 cdi). I fitted it with a ML270cdi clutch and flywheel, bosio nozzles and k&n filter. So even without a chiptune i am faster then a C220 cdi.

I am trying to figure out if i can do the same with the C204 C180 Cgi. As long as i don't have to take the head apart i'm up for tuning a C180cgi.

190Benz

I saw that the compression ratio also is different. So i am guessing the pistons and/or camshaft are different.

AV1

Are you sure about that pricing above

AFAIK here in Aust. those 3 packages above will add up to more than 10k which then also puts you over the LCT thresh hold as well which means a much higher drive away price than a base C250.

Either that or you scored some great pricing, if that's the case take advantage of it and get the fully loaded C180 if your totally happy with that variant

skat004

Sorry I am in New Zealand and there is no LCT here.
I got myself a C180 with all those packages and got the Command APS and the big nav screen and all the other goodies.

All up it was just a little cheaper than a base C250 which I thought was great.
The prices are all comparable when switching from NZD to AUD.

AV1

Ah I see it's N.Z pricing, that's certainly not the case here in Aust. the Vision and AMG packages alone are over 10k extra here.

In your case that's awesome you got all those options for that price - well done and a good buy

skat004

Yes.

The difference between a C180 and C250 is $16k NZD.
The total for Vision package, AMG sports package and Comfort Package is about $16,500. Which means for an extra $500 you get a fully optioned car.

However, no LCT and therefore it probably works out cheaper in comparison to Aus.

AV1

Wish we had both similar pricing and no LCT here in Aust. I would've still chosen a fully loaded C250-CDI variant, but damn it would've saved me alot of money

StuttgartUSA

Wow, those cars are like 30k less in the states, if I remember correctly the Aussie dollar and the US dollar exchange rate is virtually 1 for 1

jkyriakou

its called Australia Tax .....manufacturers ripping us off...

if the coupe was sold at US prices, Toyota would be out of business here!

AV1

Yes this has been mentioned before here and elsewhere, not only for Australia but many other Countries have pricing on their vehicles many times more than what they sell for in the U.S and it's always been that way unfortunately even despite the current climate of the USD falling through the floor, it hasn't changed anything for others.

That's the main one, we're slugged with 30-35% luxury car tax on Euro imported vehicles, otherwise our local car industry (GM Holden and Ford Aust.) would've been extinct long ago.