C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

2006 C-230 vs C-280

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 10:35 PM
  #1  
see240wag's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Southeast Florida
2012 GLK 350
2006 C-230 vs C-280

What are the opinions on these 2 models for 2006 as far as power, comfort, etc. We saw them at the auto show but did not have time to make any meaningful comparisions.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 10:54 PM
  #2  
Outland's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1
From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by see240wag
What are the opinions on these 2 models for 2006 as far as power, comfort, etc. We saw them at the auto show but did not have time to make any meaningful comparisions.
Get the 2005 C230, or the 2006 C350...new c230 is too much of a compromise.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 11:33 PM
  #3  
mkaresh's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 9
The Sport's wheel make the appearance of the car. I find it an odd twist of marketing that the 3.0-liter isn't available in Sport form. As if people who want the luxury model would find the 2.5 insufficient, but those who want the Sport will find the 2.5 sufficient. Meanwhile, 3.5 will be overkill for many people (if still not enough for a few others).

But, yeah, I'd personally want the Sport for the wheels, trim, and suspension. Shame the 2.5 isn't especially torquey. So as the previous post says, the 2005 might be a better bet unless you get the manual (2.5 might do okay with it--no chance for me to test) or find middling thrust sufficient.

Did I mention that I vastly prefer the wheels on the Sport?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 11:49 PM
  #4  
e1000's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
Sport versions (230/350) are also lower and stiffer than the luxury models (280/350)
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 12:33 AM
  #5  
SteveL1's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
I personaly can not stand the wood grain trim in the luxo versions.....but that's just me. Now if they offered the black birds eye maple as an option!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once I finally get a car, I will figure out some way to put that in place of the aluminum trim! Plus, the AMG body package make a huge differnce in the looks! Can you tell that I'm shopping for a sport package car?
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 06:32 AM
  #6  
C-Dub's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
C230 WZ - Six Speed
Get the sport sedan... don't forget the manual trans.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 09:28 AM
  #7  
PC Valkyrie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
It really depends on what you want in a car. Do you want a more comfortable ride and more "luxurious" wood trimmed interior? If so, you should get the C280. In addition to the more comfortable/luxurious ride, you get faster straightline acceleration than the 2006 C230.

If your priority is "all show" and "not much go", then get the 2006 C230 sport sedan. It LOOKS more sporty inside and out and it probably handles better because of more stiff and lowered suspension, but the cost is a more bumpy ride. The interior has aluminum trim with a 3 spoke sports steering wheel. The C230 sport sedan also offers a 6 speed manual transmission, while the C280 does not. The C230 sport sedan also offers larger 17" alloy rims and upgraded brakes with larger rotors and calipers. In essence, all this adds to the "show" factor and mimimally to the "performance" factor.

Frankly speaking, if you are into performance, I would get the C280. It is far easier to exploit the power advantage of the C280 over the C230 on everyday roads (starting from traffic lights or passing people on the highway). Unless you live in an area with many twisty roads, you will unlikley benefit from the sport suspension on the C230 sports sedan to any significant degree over the C280.

Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Feb 1, 2006 at 09:35 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 01:13 PM
  #8  
anonymouse's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Dia Blk '06 C230 w/3 pedals
Call it a premonition but it appears that not many of you have actually driven a 230 6 speed...
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 06:51 PM
  #9  
mkaresh's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by anonymouse
Call it a premonition but it appears that not many of you have actually driven a 230 6 speed...
And if we did what would we think about it?
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 07:45 PM
  #10  
DreamCast's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Both good

so either or you cant make a bad choice.

If you got the money get the 280

if you dont got the money get the c230

no lose they are both good in my book so you cant really make a bad choice they both handle well it call comes down to money.

so get which is more affordable for you.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 08:29 PM
  #11  
anonymouse's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Dia Blk '06 C230 w/3 pedals
Originally Posted by mkaresh
And if we did what would we think about it?
YOu might thnk "This lil two anda half has some pep" Granted you're not gonna break any landspeed records but don't make it out to be a porker. That xtra pedal makes a world of difference.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 10:07 PM
  #12  
e1000's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by anonymouse
YOu might thnk "This lil two anda half has some pep" Granted you're not gonna break any landspeed records but don't make it out to be a porker. That xtra pedal makes a world of difference.
I've driven the C230 SS (1.8K and 2.5L V6), manual and auto, C350 SS and Luxury both 7G.

The C230 SS is not a "slow" car. Yes, compared to the other cars in the Mercedes linup it is definitely towards the slow end of the spectrum. You must also remember that we're talking about a lineup of cars that is increasingly more powerfull and completely pummeling everyone in the HP wars. The C230 SS w/ manual is a very capable car and is a boatload of fun to drive, while still retaining Mercedes luxury and class.

Both the C350 and C280 luxury are very nice cars. The suspension and setup of these models (brakes, wheels, etc etc) are very different from thier Sport counterparts and they truly feel like luxury sedans. Yes, I think a C280 Sport would be a very good compromise but unfortunately, the option isn't available.

If I were given the choice of a C280 and a C230 SS, I would personally go with the C230 SS.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 01:38 AM
  #13  
DreamCast's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by e1000
I've driven the C230 SS (1.8K and 2.5L V6), manual and auto, C350 SS and Luxury both 7G.

The C230 SS is not a "slow" car. Yes, compared to the other cars in the Mercedes linup it is definitely towards the slow end of the spectrum. You must also remember that we're talking about a lineup of cars that is increasingly more powerfull and completely pummeling everyone in the HP wars. The C230 SS w/ manual is a very capable car and is a boatload of fun to drive, while still retaining Mercedes luxury and class.

Both the C350 and C280 luxury are very nice cars. The suspension and setup of these models (brakes, wheels, etc etc) are very different from thier Sport counterparts and they truly feel like luxury sedans. Yes, I think a C280 Sport would be a very good compromise but unfortunately, the option isn't available.

If I were given the choice of a C280 and a C230 SS, I would personally go with the C230 SS.

^I agree with you!

I would love my 06 c230 ss its not manual but its still powerful! I have the 7 speed auto.

I love the handling and the comfort and sporty styling.

It handles in my opinion better then alot of other cars in its class, the lexus is 250 was slow as hell! now that is a slow car! and it supposedly has what 210 hp? The acura rsx felt plastic but it was decent but didnt feel the same as the benz, the bmw 325i was decent but I didnt like the feel it felt like a typical german car like a vw passat and volvo...simple looking.

The benz looks so sporty and its lowered in the front and the back end sticks up a bit it looks and feels so fun! I never was this happy driving to school lol.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:24 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE