CME4BENZ

Torque figures are over 180 ftlb. from 2,000 - 5,500, not bad.
I drove a 2003 C coupe last night with C7 and 6-speed. Very smooth and free reving compared to the 2.3 liter. Car felt a little more nimble and better balanced (60 lbs. lighter than an '02, aluminum engine vs. the iron block 2.3). Sounds better, no more "John Deere" sound.

edvpt

I drove a 03 1.8L C230 Auto C7 today at lunch and had the same reaction. It felt just as strong (Torque wise) but seems to be more responsive, like the 1.8LTurbo's in the VW GTI's I have driven. And yes the exhaust sound is better, not great but better.

Not a bad ride, I think the 1.8L will not be an issue for most people. From the butt-dyno it feels similar and sounds better.

linh

Why don't you get a real dyno chart. There's no way this 1.8 liters engine can make those kindna torques at 1500 rpm !!!

slcvr6

Ed, does your dealer have the 2003s in stock? I was at mine yesterday and didn't see anything other than a G500 that I want my dad to buy.

edvpt

Crown in Dublin, Ohio has a White (Great Color) 03 C230 C7 C4 C2 auto that just came in. They wouldn't let me take it far or for long as I think it is already spoken for. Alot of their folks are out today doing Tech Training on the new E's and SL's.

CME4BENZ

Hi linh,

the only chart I have (this post) is from the new '03 brochure. I am just sharing the info that I have. I would be glad to sell you an '02 and an '03 model, then you can take them over to your personal dynomometer and give us some "real charts".



- slcvr6, We got our first truckload of '03 coupes and '03 C240s yesterday, so they are releasing them from the VPC and your dealer should have some soon.

Buellwinkle

Aha, you're a salesman, no wonder you believe the photoshop version of a dyno marketing came up with. Do they have a picture of the Maisto model on a Lego block dyno to prove it?

If the dyno was correct then why doesn't HP = Torque at 5,252 RPM? That's how I usually spot the fake dynos because HP is computed from Torque so it has to match at that RPM.

OK, take Linh and I on demo rides to the drag strip. We need to do that to decide on which one to buy.

KJ-TypeR

HP DOES EQUAL Torque at 5252 rpm.

Read the chart closely.

The Torque scale is on the LEFT!!!

Both have around 185 hp/torque at 5252rpm.

kompress

DOH!!

I think the '03s SUCK! I'm definitely not getting one. I mean, look at the... and the... shut up. In all seriousness, I kinda like the tractor engine now that I know it's supposed to sound like that.

Good luck to all of you who decide to buy the '03. I bought my '02 just over 4 months ago and I love it.

Now if they could only fix my f#$%ing window! It works now, but still clicks. It has only been in 3 times!!!

Buellwinkle

I see HP at 180.3 at 5,252 and Torque at 186.6

TimmyC230boy

WOW if that was a real dyno chart that motor would be as smooth as an electric motor. I will believe the 1.8 dyno when i see it.

CME4BENZ

You guys are cracking me up. I am just putting the information out there for you as I get it. Of course you can take it as you choose. This chart is in the '03 brochure, the cars are here, I drove one and it IS very smooth compared to the 2.3.

Hey guys, it not the gospel, it's just info.

Buellwinkle

If it wasn't for all the rude comments the board would be boring. You want boring, go to the Mazda boards, real sleepers. Keep up the good work and sell lots of '03s.

Is there an external clue that it's an '03? I've heard the headlights are different but that may be only for the Xenon cars.

vyse

I saw a C-coupe in Desert Silver. I am quite sure that the brochure didn't have that colour for the C-coupe in 2002, is it a new 2003 colour?

zimmer26

Yes, they did, no its not.

CME4BENZ

Actually Buellwinkle, I am thinking about putting a blower on the Miata and forgetting about getting a C coupe. I'll go over to the Mazda board and see if I can wake them up with a Jackson racing supercharged MX-5.

Seriously, I have had a lot of interest in the new 1.8 coupe because I intended to get one. I am still not sure if I am going to do an'03 or try to find an '02 before they are all gone. My friend has a '02 6-speed. I may try to get him to come down so we can have race, I mean a side by side road test.

I just went out to check again, we have a '02 and a '03 in the lot next to eachother. I can see absolutely no external OR internal difference. The standard lights are the same. We don't have any yet with the xenons. I think if a car has the xenons that will be only way to tell them apart.

Buellwinkle

For me it wouldn't be the power of the 1.8 as much as the fear of the unknown and the availability of aftermarket parts that are still trickling in for the 2.3L even though it's been out a few years. If you are going to keep it stock for at least a year the 1.8 may be the way to go. Also who knows how modifyable it is. Look at the C32, they can only get a 13% larger crank pulley to fit it (vs. about 20% for the 2.3) and even that involves changing 3 pulleys instead of one. On the other hand it may go the other way and there may be more options but not for a while.

If you are going to side by side road test (sic) uses automatics, that way driver skills are less of an issue.

young

anyone that rides a duc has got at least 1 good quality! (too bad you're a salesguy ) jk

thanks for the info. i've been meaning to go pick up a new brochure to check it out but i want to wait until august - after the e and clks come out. might as well grab the SL (brochure) too