ledaml

I'm in the market for a C240 2001. I've never owned a car that I might compare a 168 HP engine to. So I'm thowing the question out to the owners. Is your vehicle sufficent, satisfying, or kicks ***.....Remember this is stock....no mods...

SoCal240/6

With the 6 speed, we find it to be very adequate. More than quick enough for picking up Jr. from pre-school or getting groceries. With the 6 speed, the engine never struggles and the car picks up speed quite nicely.

The automatic was another story. We didn't like the 240 automatic very much - the trans hunted around too much and we did feel like the engine struggled somewhat, esp. going up slight hills with a couple of passengers.

That being said, we would have bought a C320 if it came with the 6 speed.

But, I think a lot depends on what you want/expect from the car. It certainly is not a rocket. We test drove the 325i, and that car felt a lot quicker and "sportier." If you are leaning towards speed, try out a manual transmission 330i, that car is a rocket.

MBSang

I drove c240 as a loaner. I disappointed (well~~ compare to my coupe ). It was a bit too slow from the dead stop. Don't get me wrong. It has enough power to pass almost anyone in the driving speed. If you are not driving crazy like me, it should be fine. BTW, It was so quite.

revstriker

I test drove the C240 (auto) and was not happy with it's acceleration. I'm in no way a "racer", but I do like to have a car that responds nicely when I need it. I'm sure the 6 speed would be much better, but still below what I was looking for. The C230 is much more "peppier", and the C320 even more so.

I guess it all comes down to your priorities. There are many issues including money involved here. You should test drive them all and compare.

Side note -- You will see a lot of posters commenting negatively about the automatic transmission. I have not had any problems with it "finding gears", or any other problems at all, and I prefer an automatic in a 4 door sedan. However, for the "fun" aspect, if I were to buy a coupe, I would probably opt for the manny.

Jim Banville

My wife and I didn't like the way the C240 was sluggish when "flooring it" from a dead stop, but we've gotten used to it. Besides, the Passat and A4 (both V6's) we test-drove weren't any better. Once it does get going and are you are doing about 15- 20mph you really feel a rush of power, and it just keeps on coming until you're going way too fast And the power is smooooooooth, baby! Smoooooooooooth

Boo2

One thing you have to remember is that you really can't compare it to other cars with similar engine power. At 168hp it would seem like alot when comparing to a civic or VW. That 168hp is trying to move a fairly heavy car. The weight in a Mercedes is what makes it a safe car with all the reinforcements. What you may give up in performance you make up in safety.

shtatc

I am very happy with my C240 6spd. I did not test the auto...I knew I wanted the manual trans. I think it has enough pep to get me where I am going. I guess everyone on this forum is always looking for extra HP, but if you buy a MB...that is what you are going to get. There are other cars with better handling/power/features/etc/etc, but it is ultimately your choice on what to get. The only thing that I would complain about is that it did not come with the Cd changer standard. Otherwise, it is a great car.

MarkL

I guess I agree w/ most of the posters here. I've got a C240 6-spd and I feel the power is good, though not blistering. It moves quickly off the line and revs freely. I did test drive an auto one time and it wasn't as bad as I had expected, but definitely not as punchy as the 6-spd. The BMW 325i is definitely quicker. I really wanted the MB, but I was somewhat obsessed about the power level. I test drove the 6-spd about 4-5 times to be sure. I think the total "package" made the decision for me over the BMW. No comparison in the interior and I thought the Benz was more refined.

Mercedes101

I have a C240 w/Auto and think its great. I have never once felt that it "hunted" for gears - it does move up the gears pretty quickly as its a 5 speed but all modern automatics do. When pushed especially over 3K RPM the engine responds very well. The Autostick is a nice addition allowing you to hold gears and shift up or down when you want to. I think it makes more sense than the C320 as i couldnt justify a C Class in the 40K range - i would rather save up and go for an E class at that point.

TXTiger

I have a 2002 C240 6 spd, and as many of the other posts indicate - it's not as peppy off the line, but around 15-20 mph power really picks up and is smooth and linear. It is a very comfortable touring car, not a sporting car. It is the quietest car I've ever driven or ridden in. I imagine a freer flowing air filter and exhaust would help throttle response and add a little bit of power.

zpeed

I got my 2001 C240 6Sp and I like it. The power is there in the mid range = easy to drive. But can't compare to my old car Eagle Talon w/ almost 300 HP. I miss that turbo rush.

I did test drive the Lexus IS300 auto. I like the power and package for the stick shift (17" sport suspension, spoiler, HID or Xenon headlight). But it's not luxury as MB. I feel plasticky

To modify the MB cost arm and leg. For example, just muffler cost $600, I can have a whole Turbo back (down pipe and cat back + muffler) for my old car for less than that. Plus the HP gain is much less muffler about 10 HP compare to atleast 30 HP on my old car.

Bemmer is luxury and can go fast too. Many company make aftermarket part for it. But I'm looking for luxury so that why I choose Megma Red C240 6 Sp.

I can still drive my old Talon if I want to go fast.

revstriker

The C320 is only 6,400 more than the C240. The E320 is 11,500 more than the C320.

I'm not arguing your point, for only you can decide what's right for you, and how much money to spend. But I argue your philosophy. The C320 isn't even the half way point between the C240 and the E320.

JustinTRW

OMG, where should I hide.

604_kpEscoba

iono it aint bad even though i voted not enuff"
i still am a lil pissed it can get smoked by alotta other cars
and somtimes i feel like i have to push the car up a hill kinda..
but i dun regret buying the MB infact i couldof bought the G35 which is 260HP but i luved the look and feel of the benz since imnot that much a speed fan as much as Quality and Looks
but i dun think u regret yer choice for the c its a car which turns heads and quality feels like a vault....^__^

604_kpEscoba

yah and what that other guy said SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH!

ledaml

Well,
What can I say...The reason I ask it that i'm deciding between C240 2001 and A6 2.7T 2000. They are both around the same price and with thr Audi Assured Extension in 2003 to 2005 the warranties are so simlar it sick. I like the power of the audi and I like the styling of the benz....I have no idea what to do......Help?????

xc240x

how often are you pedal to the medal? and how often are you going out on a real nice date? these answers can easily determine your decision... i have a c240 auto 2001... i agree 1st gear is garbage, tremendous garbage... the rest of the car i think is fine... i don't remember how mine felt stock, but anyways, about 1st being sluggish... i take care of that by how much i press the gas, not easy to explain, i guess i know my car very well since it has 25,000miles already... good luck choosing!

Boo2

Don't worry, you'll be okay!!!

Accord

You must have never test driven a C32 AMG.

BrabusCClass

I'm surprised at how fast my C240 is. I have raced a lot of cars, with around the same amount of hp, mostly on the fwy from 70-120mph and I beat a lot of them. Even the BMW 325 is slower than my car. My friend tells me its my gears. The 6speed really helps. People who have driven with me in a caravan can vouch my car is not that slow. It has good power and im happy with it. It doesnt compare to a C32 but within the cars in my class its good enough for me. I just had a auto C240 as a rental. It was also pretty good. When I bought my car I test drove the auto C240 and it was SLOW. But the 2002 felt a lot better and was pretty quick. I dunno what the difference is but maybe as they break in it frees up and can go faster. Hmm I think I will look for a C320 to race on the fwy and try it out.

604_kpEscoba

u know what im 21 so Audi and benz i would much rather get the benz the lines are jus so damn sexy and the "MB" factor i like too
Audi just to family and boring compared to the benz even though audi might have a lil more power im willing to go for the benz without a doubt im in luv with my MB but i cant say cuz i never owned a Audi....hope that helps

BrabusCClass

I know exactly what you mean about the lines. Gotta love the "MB" factor. I dunno about the family and boring though for Audis, ever been in a S4? Hehe. Anyways, Audi service dept is not that great. People have a lot of complaints and its hard to get loaner rentals and such. I post on the Audi forums so i know. Hehe. My GF has a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T 6spd tiptronic. Pretty nice car but I love my MB more.

ledaml

What forum do you post to?

BrabusCClass

www.socalaudi.com www.audiworld.com mostly socalaudi

xc240x

i have never test driven a c32... and why do you ask? because i can't damn afford it, b/c if i could i would have bought it the second it was released... besides, mine in a 2001, they didn't have c32's back then... if they did i probably wouldn't have bought a c class, b/c i don't like buying from the bottom of the basket... catch my drift?