Probably true, ha ha...

Then again, I've never been an early adoptor, and the thought of getting into a first year situation with the '06 V6 engine vs. the tried and tested '05 I4 Supercharged also helped to sway my opinion.

NLPAMG...
I got my '05 C230k for $30.5K it has the sunroof package, 6-disk, heated powered seats/steering and 5 speed automatic.

The only options it's missing are the headlights, the DVD Navigation and the upgraded audio, but none of those features really had that much of an influence on what I was looking for in the car.

I'm very happy with the price I got, but understand that there in So. California they are/were practically giving away 2005 C-Classes.

In fact, some of the prices I've seen posted here have to be the lowest in the nation!

 

i got mine for $750 below invoice in january! seems like they've been low balling them since year start.

 

Hey, got mine for $30.6K with 6MT, HK radio, Power seats, heated seats, sun roof, bix. I believe I got total of $2200 below invoice, not bad for a car that needed to be ordered and in 6 speed which is a hard sell here in NYC area.

 

I'd still choose the C280.

Faster,
Better sounding engine
Better sounding exhaust
Better economy than previous C180
Better gearbox than the 5 speed in previous C180

 

wow this thread really makes me feel good for not waiting for the 06. i got mine on august during clearance. ss w/ bi-xenon, leather, power seats and sunroof for 28.7K. happy motoring

 

2006 C230 has 201 hp and 181 lbs of torque... has less torque than the 2005 C230 Kompressor model, yet it has 12 more hp. but keep in mind that the 2006 C230 is heavier by nearly 200 lbs. bigger engine=heavier car

all in all, i prefer to stick with the 2005 C230 Kompressor simply because of gas. but if the C350 came out earlier, that'd be an entire different story.

for those who wants to modify the engine, they would probably prefer the 2006 C230 2.5 V6 simply because it has more potential, where as the 2005 C230 Kompressor is basically maxed out.

 

Well As one owning an 06 C230 I will speak up. What you say about the the 06 automatic having trouble finding gears might be true, however the 06 stick shift has no such problems. I don't have problems finding the gear, because I shift into gear myself. I think that my 06 is faster than the 05 and when they come out with the superchargers for the 06, I know it will be faster.

 

i got my 2006 C230 SS for just under 30k... check the sig to see what i have... and also was given 2,500 towards services... only reason was bc my dad knows the dealer, and has gotten him over 70+ cars of business... so the dealer hooked my dad up...

 

My 05 230KSS is in right now for its first "B" service. Picking it up tonight.

My loaner is a brand new C230 with the V6. Comments...

Drives really nice. Very smooth ride, but the auto trans shifts pretty hard, which may be due to the newness of it. (My car is a 6 speed.)

Power is definitely not there compared to my I4-K. Nor is the louder "growl" of the Kompressor with 6-speed.

Can't comment on gas mileage. But on my car, the mileage computer tells me I am getting 36mpg for non-stop highway driving at 70mph.

If you want a really nice ride and a quiet engine, the new 06 may be for you.