Im thinking of buying a 2002-2005 c-class and was looking at a lot of c-class models. A friend of mine told me the c240 would be more dependable than the c320. Is this true?? I want the extra hp, but don't want the extra problems

 

It would do you good to research this forum. It will help you understand the differences between both models, their engines, their option levels, etc. It will also be faster than waiting on answers that may or may not give you the exact info you are expecting.

 

Whoever told you this? Both models use the exact same engine block and bores... the only difference between the 240 and the 320 is the length of stroke, and the various feature packages, which came optional on the C240 but standard on the C320. For instance... the seat memory package was standard on the C320, but was often added to the C240 to give dealers more mark-up. You will find some C240s fully optioned that cost as much or more than a C320 with everything built in standard.

If nothing else, here is something to consider. All C320s were built in Sindelfingen, Germany, along with 80%-85% of the C240s. You might find the occasional C240 built in Brazil... Check the driver's door placard. Opinions vary on whether you should run away from these Brazilian-built 240s. But you won't have any concerns if you shop for a C320.

My C320 has been totally reliable for 4.5 years and counting... By reliable, I mean I've never been stranded without transportation. Search around here and you'll find that most issues involve electrical items. Now, some people consider the outage of an electric window memory module to be a "reliability" issue, but I do not. An inconvenience? Sure, because it means a trip to the dealer when you have accumulated enough of a list of niggly problems to warrant taking the car out of service. But unreliable? Absolutely not. Furthermore, once fixed, I have not had an electrical fault recur from the same part. So if you find a car that has been purged of gremlins throughout it's warranty period, it's not too likely that they will return. Knock on wood.

By virtue of the fact that the C320s come with more electronic gizmos, it's possible they could show more electronic faults over time, and again, this means the convenience features of the car. Accordingly, if you find a bone stock C240 with NO options on it, it could exhibit fewer electrical glitches, because the convenience features are not there. It stands to reason with ANY car... the more electronic gadgets, the more chance that they can fail eventually. But that's where the argument ends for me.

Compare similarly optioned cars, and the C240 and C320 are virtually identical cars... except that the former is slow as a slug, and the latter is faster than any other C-Class, save the AMG models.

 

The way C240 trannys hunt so much, I would imagine that their life is shorter than the C320. Also, because the C240 is underpowered, it has to work harder than the C320 motor to not only accelerate but even just cruising. Then take into consideration your chances of ending up with a car made in Brazil vs. Germany (don't know which is worse) and if risk was my only criteria, I would percieve the C320 as a lower risk. If you ordered these car brand new and equipped the same exact way, the price difference when new was about $3K but potentially, because you can get a stripped C240, there was a potential of a $6k diff because the C320 came with the better power seats, Bose, auto trans, fancier climate control that would have cost about $3k to get on the C240. Personaly, I would not use reliability as a criteria whem choosing any MB, these are not the most realiable cars and without a warranty, little items breaking can add up. With your concern for reliability, get an American or Japanese car. The American car may not be 100% as reliable as the Japanese but the repair costs are much cheaper making them equal in my eyes. With euro cars you get the worst of both worlds, higher unreliability and higher repair costs.

 

I have not found the C240s having any problems cruising on the interstates, but I agree the C240 automatic tranny does hunt for gears more often than the C320.

 

darn it. If I had known I would have bought a c240

 

Mbbob I love it when things work and i also love when forum members ask questions ,they get answers!

 

ROFL at the topic....

 

Im also considering a 2004 C230 Kompressor into the equation, what are remarks are about this particular model versus the others?

 

I drove a 2004 C230 sedan and was amazed. I thought it would be more underpowered than the c240, infact i found the c230 much more powerful. Its power is inbetween the c240 and the c320. The advantage with the c230 1.8 litre engine is it doesn't burn as much fuel as the c320. The c230 doesn't come with the same standard features as the c230 though, for example sunroof, digital climate control, power seats, etc. This particular c230 model i looked at had alloy rims, wood trim, 6-disc cd changer, etc. The sunroof and power seats i would miss, but overall pretty well equipped automobile. tomorrow I am going to go look at 2002 c320, same price as the 2004 c230. Which model should i buy??????? One side i want to have a top of the line model with every possible thats about 3-4 years old, and the other a newer entry level model with fewer options. I really do need the help from the forum, through my very confusing buying process.

 

Is the 2004 c230 a 2004.5? If it is the newer style interior than I say go with it

Other wise go with the c320

 

Between the '04 230 vs the '02 320 - another thing to consider is that the '04 should have some warranty left (unless it has a lot of miles).

 

a 2004 C230 interior is no different from a 2004.5 C230 interior.

C-Class interior did not change until MY 2005.

 

if your just crusin...the 240 would be enuff...but if ur into power and speed...230k or 320 would be the best...

The 240 and 320 would be a bit more reliable than 230k...kuz the 230k, your always steppin on it...so the supercharge would kick in...and the 240/320's V6 would drag you up into higher speed... but thats my suggestion, totally up to you

 

On anything other than the flats of say, Indianna or Iowa, the hunting will drive you nuts. In the hills and twisties you have to use the manumatic to keep the gear changing from becoming irritating.

 

supercharger eh, same thing as turbo??? I don't mind the interior in the car. However i would prefer the 2005 style. In my personal opinion the best looking car in & out was the E46 BMW 3 series. Esp sports model with those beautiful 17" sport alloy rims.