delbomber

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum. What an amazing resource!!


About to close on a 2005 Brilliant Silver w/black 6-speed...
Few questions....Paying 500 over invoice...good deal? Or considering the imminent release of the V6, should this thing be at or below invoice? I personally want the I4, no need to pay 2k extra for the marketing ploy...

I'm coming from a G35, so will miss the power...this thing is right quick, however I'm interested in boosting the output through a combination of chip, pulley, filter. Do any or all of these void bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranty? Do they cause problems during routine service? Regardless, where is the best place to buy these parts and, more importantly, which mods work best?

Last question, I promise....I'm in Philadelphia, anyone in the area who can recomment a good place to make these mods?

Thanks, any help is appreciated! Cheers everyone.

Buellwinkle

Don't waste your time on an '05, the new C350 will be great, as fast or faster than your G35. I think you will be dissapointed with the C230/C320, they're nowhere near as fast as what you are used to and all the mods available won't make it C350 fast and will cost thousands to do and while they may not 100% void your warranty, there's always the risk. Also that C350 motor has a nice sound to it, you'll love it. As for $500 over invoice, that depends on your market, in So Cal, we pay thousands below invoice, get free car washes and cookies for life. Also consider the new 330i, lots of power and new body style or the new 325i which gets this year's 330i motor. The C gets it's new body for 2007.

mick1

the C350 is faster than the C320 but you made it sound like it's way, way faster like the C55 AMG. According to MBUSA, it takes 6.9 secs for the C320 to reach 60 mph. Edmunds.com says the '06 C350 can reach 100 km/h (62 miles/h) in 6.4 seconds. That's only a half of a second difference, such a difference a good driver can make up over an average one.

However, I agree that the C350 is a better buy.

delbomber

Thanks for the feedback....I've test-driven the C230 several times...the 6-speed seems to have enough spunk to keep me satisfied, even stock....some mods would make it even nicer.

The C350 would be nice but will be outside the range I'm wishing to spend for a car that is slower than my current one, especially considering the insurance here in Philly. C230 is 50% that of my G35...I'm imagining the same size engine in a Benz will garner around the same as the G.

Checked Carsdirect...I'm paying 400 more than they recommend, but then I've negotiated my trade-in to 700 more than market, so I guess it more than evens out =)

Any freebies I should ask for that I'm certain to get? Wheel locks, cargo nets, etc??

Cheers!!

mick1

yeah the insurance premium for a mercedes-benz really surprised me. it costs me less to insure the '05 C320 than the old '99 BMW 328i that I traded in. Can you believe that ? (same coverage plan)

delbomber

Insurance agent told me it's due to safety mostly, as he quoted "people don't tend to get killed as often in MB as in other cars" and, specifically for the C230, the 4-banger.

I haven't even bought yet and I'm already hooked on this site.

mick1

I didn't pay for them and didn't ask for them but my car came with the mb flootmats. according to mbusa.com, they are worth $79

I got those floormats, a mb business card holder, and a mb silver cup. that's all I got.

Kenzmbz

Welcome to the board. Get the car. I had it for 1 month and i love it. Insurance is very good too. I was paying 300 a month for my insuance with the bmw 325ci. Im only payong 160 for the benz now. I cant complain there. I also get way more attention from the benz. Not that im an attention *****. Its just something i noticed. I love my 05 i m sure you will too.

delbomber

Sold out from under me!! Have the option to build an '06 with the new V6 and have it here by end of June....but I'm very hesitant to order the new one considering I, and no one else, has driven it. With the new 7-speed auto tranny it might completely reverse my decision to go with the stick. Plus I'm imagining mods will be few and far between for a long time.

Anyone seen any 0-60, 1/4 mile, 40-60, and 60-100 times for the new 2.5 V6 C230s? I'm very concerned about the drop in torque just for a few extra ponies. Googling is just not turning up much...

Kenzmbz

I still cant understand why they would drop the tq for a few extra ponies. Is it for marketing purpose?

delbomber

Has to be the 4-cyl stigma, so yes I think the V6 is a ploy...either that, or the US models will be tuned differently than what's showing on the German site. If they can't locate a different 05 with my color and options then I might have no choice.