advans

I bought my coupe into service yesterday and I got C280 for a loaner car. Comparing that to my 320, the overall power of the 280 seems to be QUICK! but the 320 seems to "feel faster" and from 0-30 the 320 flys... heres the deal, my brother wants to get rid of his 05 230k (he said no power) lol, and since hes back here from spring bling he test drove the 280 loaner.... The 230k seems fun to drive but heres the deal...

option 1- replace the <3 C320 coupe for the 280? and I take my brothers 230k
option 2- replace the 230k for the 280?
or my wish option (hope my brother somehow spits up money to get a C350)

e1000

C230 and the C280 are VERY different cars. The C230 is a sport sedan and will handle much better than the C280 luxury.

PC Valkyrie

If you and your brother want to have a faster car, then you should trade the C230K in for the C280. Yes, the C280 will have softer, more comfortable suspension, and it won't have the cosmetic bodywork of the C230 sport sedan, but it will have the one thing which will significantly impact on the daily driving experience: a more powerful engine.

In my opinion, it is far easier to enjoy/use the straightline acceleration advantage the C280 has over the C230K on everyday roads. Yes, the C280 won't "handle" as well, but I really don't think this will make a big difference unless you corner regularly like you're on a race track.

Furthermore, things like supension, brakes, bodykits and rims can all potentially be upgraded in the aftermarket. What is not so easy is changing the heart of the car: the engine.

e1000

I'd still rather have a C230

I much prefer the sport ride and you would need new springs, shocks, sway bars, wheels, tires to make it handle like a C230, much less the bigger brakes, AMG bodykit, sport steering wheel and blue windows. Plus, I like the aluminum trim better than the wood trim.

alboogiee

the 7G sucks!

e1000

alboogiee

the 7G transmition...

it is constantly searching for a gear and is rather slow in doing so, i did not find the car more "fun" or "powerful" compared to my 230, i had the 280 for almost a week while my 230 was in for maitenance and yes the 280 has more power on paper but because of the tranny cannot put it on the pavement, even in tiptronic.

i say stick with the c230 or get a c32...

e1000

heh - I really like my 7G. It takes a bit of getting used to but once you have it figured out it can be very rewarding.

alboogiee

i heard it helps with gas mileage but other then that how well does it put the power down on the 350? i have read the R class forum and saw complaints with downshifts 3-2 and 2-1

i think they should have just up'd it to a 6 spd auto for MY06 rather then adding 2 gears, or atleast save the 7G for the higher output engines which could use the extra gear...

e1000

2-1 can be a bit harsh sometimes. upshifts are barely noticable, very very smooth. even in "S" mode, the car feels like it's always trying to save gas and tries to stay in the 1,500-2,500rpm range. Using the "shift left for 2 seconds" the car will downshift from 6th or 7th all the way down to 2nd or 3rd and will give you TONS of power and acceleration. I admit, without the 2-second shift option this tranny would be pretty boring.

e1000

and btw, from a dig, leave the 7G in manual (one click left) and floor it, it will shift at redline.

alboogiee

i tried that (as suggested by enterprise!) along with brake tourqing the 280, i must have taken 2mm from the rear pads

what part of chicago you from? im originaly am from there (logan square) and moved to the bay about 3 years ago. o how miss the windy city!!

e1000

NICE! that's what loaners are for!

I moved here from ATL just over a year ago. I actually live near Schaumburg but I go into the city quite often. There's definitely always something going on here!

mctwin2kman

First I would not trade. For one the C230K SS or SC supposedly did 0-60 in 7.2-7.5 seconds. The new C230 SS does it in 8.2 and the C280 supposedly in 7.2. So technically even though the C280 has more HP it in fact is the same speed basically as the older C230K's were. So he would gain nothing really and be instead getting more of a car payment. Now if he wanted to trade because he likes the newer model than that is a diferent story, but I think in the long run he will be dissapointed with the power of the C280 or the C230. If I was going to bump up I would go straight to the C350.

advans

I just spoke to him and he said he wants C350 4matic LS but the price is ehhh
I personally dont like the C280 because it doesnt have that "performance" kinda feel like my 320, I kinda want the 230k but kinda want to coupe my coupe...really its up to my brother, see what he wants to do

alboogiee

C350 SS 6 SPD if he can afford it! thats what i would have gotten if i had the $ at the time i bought by 05 c230 SS (automatic )

sorry to go OT and hijack your thread earlier

PC Valkyrie

It's hard to find actual independent road tests of the lower end C-class models like the C230K, C230, and C280. Most magazines tend to test the higher models like the C320, C350, C32, and C55. Motortrend did test the 2003 C230K sports sedan, but the Motortrend website doesn't list test numbers.

According to MB-USA's website, these are the 0-60mph times for the sedan(all with automatic transmission so you can compare fairly)

2005 C230K 7.5 seconds
2006 C230 8.5 seconds
2006 C280 6.9 seconds
2006 C350 6.1 seconds

Therefore, I think it is likely that a stock 2006 C280 can out accelerate a stock 2005 C230K, unless MB is deliberately trying to mislead us.

Outland

1. The more torque an engine has, the fewer gears it needs.
2. The seven ratios were more about leapfrogging BMW and Audi, then they were an actual performance benefit.


Yeah, I don't care for the 7 speed...its just constantly rowing for a gear. Then again, I don't like automatics in general.

Back on topic...the C280 felt just like the old C320 to me. Soft ride, same power.

advans

I was fuc*ing around with the tiptronic thing, and the 280 doesnt have the 7G? it said 1-2-3-4-D so im guessing this is 5 speed? and also, my brother said oh yeah def the c280 for now, on the way home, this guy with a 05? 230k with bix and a 55lip "thinks" hes screwing with a C240 so he has this smirk on his face, but he was like "wtf" when we passed him...so my brother said, C280 set for now, he just gota go "test drive" the C350, i havnt test drive that yet (his way of getting a C350- "hey bro can u spot me like $200 a month?")

I agree with Outland, I think the C280 is like the C320 just a lil quieter, softer ride, no diff if u compare that to the C320 LS, C280= very light and relaxing ride

PC Valkyrie

If the C280 is a 4matic, it is the old 5 speed automatic transmission. If not, it should come with the 7G-tronic.

FrankW

e90 330i...........












oh wait...different forum...LOL

I'd trade the C320 coupe for the C280 and you take over the C230k.

about the handling, nothing some mods can't fix.

GMW

I have one friend with the C230K and another with the C230 and the C280 is much fast than both of those. The C280 has a quieter engine, better fuel consumption (possibly also due to the 7G), and a far better engine sound/exhaust note. Suspension is quick to fix and some nice wide tyres do the rest. Oh yes, It is also noticeably faster than a C320. It keeps pulling even at high speeds. Excellant stuff!! 7G is on the ball when in the more aggressive driving shift pattern. A few kickdowns and the gearbox is eager to please your need for speed! And the C280 that shows only 1,2,3,4, then D must be a C280 4matic, as they retain the old 5 speed auto.

advans

the c280 is def faster on high speeds, i finally test drove the C350 ss today, one word, maybe two words... fu*kin quick!! I got my coupe back from service today, i actually am satisfied with the service this time check my new thread, some updates done!

e1000

I love my C350 Sport

seahunter

I just gave back my 2003 C230K and picked up my new C280 4 matic. It’s now been 2 weeks and IM LOVIN IT! Its much more powerful, luxurious and IMHO handles just as well, Although I really have not put it to the real test yet. Soon very soon. The 4matic does come with a 5 speed transmission.

IMHO the 280 is a MUCH better all around car.