2006 C-230 vs C-280
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?

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?
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.
Trending Topics
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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.
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.
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.




