Mason00

The 2006 C230 C280 C350 V6 are coming soon

Jim Banville

I'm clicking on the "delete thread" button, but nothing is happening

mick1

i like the new speedometer and tachometer design. don't know about the wheels. they look nice, no doubt, but i don't know if they look better than the ones in the 2005 cars.

Battery!

Those wheels look like a fancy version of what was on the sport coupes and '03 C230 SS. I wouldn't mind taking a C350 6MT for a spin.

pokerFACE

I thought the instrumentation is still the same? Or are those white tick marks in the gauges new?

Those big rims look like upsized versions of the 16" Elegance rims we get here.

mikefl52

I may be mistaken, but the front brake rotors look smaller and not drilled.

xxbenzc230kxx

man i love those 6 spokers... yum... i love it

pokerFACE

I still kinda prefer the fat 5 spoke one on the current model. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind when I see these in person.

mikefl52 that pic may be from a European sport model, so the equipment might be differnt.

mick1

see the attached images

the bottom one is the one in 2005 cars.

delbomber

Diggin' the new instrument cluster. The 05 is classy, but a bit dull. May have to switch it out for one of these...

Of course, a nice instrument cluster can not compensate for lousy performance and worse gas mileage. The c230 may crack the 200-hp mark, but takes a dip performance-wise. There is some debate as to whether or not MB will tweak the engine to make the car faster, but I doubt it. I think the specs we see, are the specs we'll get.

FossilFuel

I'm not being sarcastic, honestly, but have they printed performance numbers and mileage estimates yet, Del? I would think that with the improved torque range and better gearing of the 7G, that the new 230-v6 would have 0-60 numbers quoted near or better than my 05 230wz, regardless of the 10 less lb-ft. (although, i havent seen the new weights) I'd prefer the on-the-go push of a v6 at times, but I wont be trading in my SS for the new model.

Also, my 230 I4 gets pretty crap mileage, for a 4 cylinder, as it is. Again, with the 7G's taller cruise gears and direct injection, it shouldn't be as bad as you're thinking - at least I hope not. Who would want a little v6 with the mileage of the c55? hehe

All in all, the info should all be out be next week - doesnt production start on Tuesday the 31st?

mikefl52

Unless I am making a mistake the numbers below convert to 201 bhp and 181 pd-ft which is better on HP and lower on torque, though the torque is available over a wider range as you pointed out. About 24-25mpg on a combined driving basis.

delbomber

The numbers are above, I was saying there's a possibility they'll tweak them for the US. If not, 0-62 in 8.9 for the auto is disgusting.

I've driven my 4-banger about 500 miles so far...averaging 28 mpg...including city driving. Mostly highway to this point, including traffic through three boroughs of NYC. I don't expect this to keep up once I start driving in rush-hour everyday, but 24-26 wouldn't be too far off...better than the 14-16 I would get with the G35, so no complaints here!!

FossilFuel

14-16 with a G35? Good god, no wonder you went for the kompressor! Also, thanks Mike for posting those numbers. The mileage is actually better than I expected, but the performance figures are far worse. Granted, after conversion and U.S. testing (1 driver, no luggage, etc) I'm guessing MB will probably quote the car at 8.0, maybe 7.9.

What I find strange after seeing that info is why MB decided to make a change like this so late in the model cycle only to offer a car that seems 'worse' than the successful car it is replacing. Stiff, or at least newer, competition? Marketing? Refinement?

Whatever their reasons, the current 240 has 177lb ft of torque WAY up at 4,700 rpm, hits 60 in 8.7 and still walks on my 230k so I'm guessing the new 230 will just do the same....only slightly quicker.

I still love my car.

delbomber

Ha, yeah, city mileage was horrible. Guaging mileage by the odometer and gas pump, 20 on the highway was good. Of course, the thing had so much relative power at every range, it was hard to lay off it.

I think MB, understanding most buyers know nothing about torque, upped to a V6 and increased HP for the cache those two terms have in the mind of the average, ignorant American buyer.

Outland

I don't think MBUSA has a clue what its buyers want.

BTW, why would you buy one of the smaller 6's now? The performance still sucks, and the mileage is dreadful. If I were to buy new, the only one that would interest me is the C350...sure the mileage is bad, but its probably no worse than the other V6's.

KnowalotaboutMB

delbomber

Are asking a rhetorical question? 'Cause I'm with you 100% on this.

mikefl52

Actually, according the www.mercedes-benz.de website the fuel consumption of the new C350 is about the same as the new C230. Little worse on highway driving, but overall about the same, go figure!

Outland

Kinda backs up what I just said. Go for the C350. With the little motors youre not really gaining anything in exchange for the slower accelleration.

FossilFuel

Hmm, I noticed that the new 230 V6 also gets better mileage than the I4 Komp it is replacing. If I'm doing the conversion correctly it looks like an 11% improvement? Damn. That direct injection stuff actually does work. If the car actually performed as well as my mine, it would really seem like a good move for MB.

amdeutsch

I just looked at the German website and for the C230 V6 it shows at best approx 18 mpg in town, 34.5 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Remember that these numbers are based on the German measurement cycle and may not be representative of EPA.
Now looking at my old MY03 broshure it shows at best 23 mpg in town with 32 mpg on highway for the 1.8 I4.

Ccoupe2006

Not sure if this is a repost, sorry if it is. I found an official quote from MBUSA that the 2006 model will boast the new V6's. Here's the link:

http://www.mbusa.com/media/downloads.../March2005.pdf

FossilFuel

Thanks for the post CC - hadnt seen that before. It says the next issue will have the US specs, but i couldnt find it on the media site. If you come across it, please post em up.