denim

I never venture into this section, but now I mind myslef in need of a 4 door for the wifey. I have always been an E-class'er, but she has fallen in love with the c-230/280 sport.

Now my question is, real world experience, which motor is the better choice for reliabilty and fuel mileage?

I know the I-6 motors well, but have little experience with the post 97 V-6's. I would prefer to put her into a 97 E320 but she is used to a smaller car and the c-class is a better fit.

Thanks ahead of time for suggestions and help.

VIP_MBZ

From my '00 C230 Kompressor experience, I get about 350 miles to the tank regardless of a/c usage and throttle stomping, and 116k miles later, it's still pretty bulletproof. Only thing that has gone bad is the MAF sensor, which I've replaced about 10k miles ago. Power is plenty for a daily driver, provided you don't mind winding up the M111 to the upper RPM range, which is fairly painless with the 5-speed touch shift. On paper, the C230 Kompressor accelerates faster than the C280 or even the W203 C320, but that's only when you're willing to get into the aforementioned powerband.

-Ray

davis449

As far as the engine goes, I don't think you can go wrong with either the I6 or the V6. I've had both and they have been VERY reliable. The only thing with the V6 I've encountered was the typical MAS problem and a coil pack. The only engine issue I had with the I6 was the MAS, but there is potential for the wiring harness to become an issue on some of the ($$$$) and head gasket blwoing issues ($$$$). My M106 was made AFTER they fixed the wiring harness issue so I didn't have a problem with it. As for the the transmission, well, you can read in here and make a judgement for yourself. Some say yay and others say nay.

denim

I cannot remember off the top of my head but were any c-class wagons brought over to the US with a manual?

Once I get a sedan for my girl, I need a 4 door daily driver because the baby seat does not fit in the back of the 300ce

benzo23

hey...thats great u want to your wife a c-class...might i suggest a 1998-2000 c230...if you go with a 1998 its a non kompressor...not very quick...but hey its your wife so you dont want her to be hauling *** in a car anyways...and it gets almost 400 to a tank...thats about what i average...i love it...very reliable...and safe...just a suggestion...G

denim

yeah I think the 2000 c230 is the best for her,

I would love a 6 speed that I could mod myself for daily purposes. But with my car audio addiction, I probably need to find a wagon that is manual. I fear that is going to be a near impossible task and I don't want to be forced to shift to Audi.

denim

anyone have a burning passion for the V6 over the I-4?

davis449

I absolutely REFUSE to have a 4cyl. car. I will make an exception for a beater car that I will get eventually, but outside of that, I WILL NOT own a 4cyl. Hence the reason I have the C 280.

K_Sport Driver

the I4 in the 230k is only 10 hp weaker and I think 5 ft/lbs of torque stronger than the I6. no reason to go for the increased fuel consumption of the 6 cyl when the 4 puts out nearly the same performance. sport package is nice as well.

NdnMbLova

Get her a 2000 v6. Those v6 engines were absolutly bulletproof and their transmission issues were dealt with by the 98 model year.

davis449

I think I could make the same argument for the 230K's engine. I see way more complaint threads on 280's of all years than I do on 230k's and regular 230's.

denim

I really like the look and set up of the sport package. In my life I have only owned one 4 cylinder car (Merkur XR4ti) all of the rest have been 6 cylinders. I test drove a 2005 C230 Sport and I wished it had a little more low end thrust. But if the c280 is doing nearly the same performance, I am wondering should I lean towards lesser cost and better gas milage, or more low end and run a 6.....?

Thanks for the opinions guys.

K_Sport Driver

just be sure it was a 230 kompressor. the normal c230 was something like 145 hp, which is pretty weak, but being a 2005 model, i kinda doubt it wasn't boosted. remember that it'll probably have different performance than the 202. They're heavier, I think.

davis449

The 2005 C 230's are Kompressors. They drive almost exactly like the w202 230K's, actually a bit slower on on the low end, but better handling. They're a 1.8 L supercharged 4 cyl. as opposed to the actual 2.3L supercharged 4 cyl. in the w202 version. Not a bad car overall though. The 2006 models are the 230's and have a 2.5L V6 in them with almost the exact same horsepower and tourque rating as the '05 Kompressors. However, driving them both I'd have to say I'd rather have the Kompressor than the V6. It just feels more powerful. But if it were up to me, I would look harder for a C 320 with Sport package for the '03-'05 models. Or better yet, a C 350!