cpages

I am very new to the MB scene, so please be easy on me..


I am getting a new car soon (just payed off my Volkswagen GTI) and I was goign to get an Subaru Impreza WRX, but the other day I went and took a drive in a 02' C230 Sport Coupe (the hatch back). I was very impressed by teh ride and am considreing getting one, I just have some questions.


1) Whats the difference between the standard C230 and C230 Kompressor? I ask because the dealer I went to Had both versions but the Kompressor was 3,000 more and had less HP (the standard has 192HP versus the Kompressor with 178HP), Smaller engine (the standard had a 2.3L and the Kompressor had a 1.8). I thought the Kompressor was supercharged but both Window Stickers said 4Cy Supercharged.

2) Is the C230 Sport Coupe a good car? I mean will I be disapointed in it? I cant seem to find to much information on the Hatch Back version of the C230..

3) also where would be some good sites to get information on teh C230 Sport Coupe.


Thank you,

Mike

amdeutsch

Welcome to the forum

For more info you can search this site as there are many that have the coupe and have posted lots of info.

cpages

I have sdoen quite a bit of searching, but it seems that everyone has the Sedan C230... I cant find anythign about the Hatchback except for the same old tired car reviews.

- Mike

drexappeal

If you're in the US, these are the only choices as far as 230's are concerned. ALL are SUPERCHARGED:

MY (MODEL YEAR) '01-'02 is the M111 engine with the supercharger. Base horsepower (to the crank) is 192.

MY (MODEL YEAR) '03-present is the M271 engine with the supercharger. Base horsepower (to the crank) is 189.

Chassis code for ALL C-Class models '01- present is (w203-sedan and cl203-coupe).

Where you got the 178hp #'s are beyond me, if you're in the US because the power to the wheels is less than that, I believe. If you're in another part of the world, they do have other models, however I believe the other models are for the sedans, which as far as I understand, are more recent.

Only other models are the 240 (168 bhp to the crank?) and 320 (210 bhp to the crank?). Other than that, for the MY'02 that you mentioned (in a coupe), that would be the M111 engine supercharged, period. Anything that says it's a 1.8L supercharged engine, it's the M271 engine period and if it says "supercharged", the bhp is 189, not 178. That's a mis-print if it did say this and also, it would have to be MY'03 and up. No way it could be an '02.

Welcome to the boards. Here are some search criteria that might have worked:

ENGINE (seaching specifically in the w203 forum)
HORSEPOWER (searching specifically in the w203 forum)

cpages

Thank you very much for the imput...

You were right... The 02' standard had 192 and the 03' Kompressor has 189HP... Im sorry I was tired...

I do live in the US.

ok so when I goto buy one, which is better??? The 02' standard with a 2.3L and 192HP or the 03' Kompressor with a 1.8L and 189HP?

What is with the Kompressor? Why does it cost more when the engine is smaller and it has less HP?? What is Kompressor in general mean on a Mercedes?


Thank you,

Mike

C320 UK

Mike

Kompressor is what Mercedes call a supercharger. Many of the current 4 Cylinder Mercedes engines are Kompressors.

Mercedes also fit a Kompressor to some of their 6 cynlider cars such as the C32 AMG.

Traditionally Mercedes use the first two numbers of the model to show the engine size, i.e. 320 - 3.2 litre, 430 = 4.3 litre etc. In the same way BMW usually use the last two numbers i.e. 325i = 2.5 litre etc...

In Europe you find that they offer a C180, C200 and C230 they are all actually 1.8 Litre engines with Kompressors. However the different type of supercharger (Kompressor) and tuning makes a difference to the overall power output. This is why Mercedes decide to call some of them C200 or C230 as they have the power output of an equivalent 2 litre or 2.3 litre.

Confusing eh?

Hope this helps...

cpages

I was almways under the impression that the Kompressor was the supercharged version of the car...


But the dealership I was just at had an 02' (NON KOMPRESSOR) for 18,000 and it had a 2.3L 192 HP engine that was SUPERCHARGED

and a 03' Kompressor 1.8L 189HP Supercharged Engine... for 22,000.....


What im trying to understand is what makes the Kompressor cost more and "much better car" as the sales guy said if it really doesnt have anythign teh standard doesnt....

JohnCL

Why do you say it is NON-KOMPRESSOR? Did they tell you that?? If it is an '02 coupe it is the 2.3L supercharged (KOMPRESSOR) engine. If the dealer does not know that the coupe is supercharged I would move on to another one.

Like drexappeal said, there are not any non-supercharged C230's in the year range that you are speaking of.

C320 UK

Is this a Mercedes dealer telling you this??? If it is I'd be worried as they don't know what they're trying to sell you. Both of the cars you have described would be Kompressors for this age.

You say that the dealer has told you that it was supercharged that means that it IS a Kompressor.

cpages

One has a KOMPRESSOR badge on the back and the dealer sticker says 2003 Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor

The other just has the C230 badge on the back. And the dealer windows sticker says 2002 Mercedes Benz C230.


Thats what I mean by one says Kompressor and one doesnt.

JohnCL

Badging is removed alot, but rest assured that they are both KOMPRESSORS or supercharged vehicles.

cpages

ok thank you for clearing that up....

one last question... In choosing between the 02' 2.3L and 03' 1.8L


what would be my best bet? I know that the 03' model has a sticker price around 3,000 more then the 02'

JohnCL

There are more engine mods available right now for the '02, but there are things in the works for the 1.8L. You can get pulley kits, headers, etc. for the '02 now if that is what you are looking for. I am totally happy with my '02 and have not had any major problems to speak of. I have had things here and there, but that is expected in any vehicle. It all depends on your budget on whether or not the $3000 will make the decision for you. The '02 has a noisier engine and more torque than the '03+ MY. I have driven the 1.8L as well and it is also a great car. There are threads on the forum talking about the differences, so if you do a search you might find some more details. I endorse my '02 100%!! Let us know what you decide.

Saprissa

actually, C320 2001-03: 218 bhp / 2004-05: 215 bhp

Outland

If you go with one of the fours, get the 2.3L M111. The small 3HP difference might as well be 30 given the difference in performance. Ironically, the M271 1.8L feels fasters because it goes thru the gears quicker, and revs more freely. In reality, the M111 is nearly a full second quicker to 60.

columbus

I just came out of a 39 month lease of a 2002 C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe and I was very happy with it; would have considered buying it but needed 4 doors and, frankly, the sports wheels / suspension on our streets in the NYC area can spoil the fun so I got 4matic. Still carring the C-Class banner!

On a trip to Bear Mountain on one of the first spring days with the pana roof all the way open, it's just what the doctor ordered.

I didn't mind the roughness of the engine and loved the torque. There are aftermarket exhaust kits that make this thing purr like the real thing!

Drive 'em both, that should make things much clearer. One thing I hear (besides the new engine being quieter) is that the shifter got a much needed workover and now clicks right into place.

Hope to see you come on board these days!

drexappeal

Thanks for the update, Saprissa. Couldn't remember and was too lazy to look on mbusa...lol.