dozier08

I am shopping for a new C230. I am curious which options and option packages are worth the money. I have listed them below, rank them, tell me which ones you think are a "gotta have", better aftermarket options...what ever.

- Sunroof package (1,790)
- 6 disc and harman/kardon (970)
- just 6 disc (420)
- 7 Speed Automatic (1390)
- Lighting package (790)
- Nav (can't say I would need this) (2210)
- Heated Seats (680)
- Folding Seats (290)
- Side Air Bags (385)
- siruis (500)
- hands free (765)
- power seat and steering column (600)
- tele aid (820)
- ipod integration (radio just keeps going down hill) (? anyone know)

AMGizZLe

I would get everything if I could afford it. For me I drive alot so I want every gizmos just to be entertained

Heated seat? must not have in Az where i live.\

get everything man!.. you can get the money back for resale value, I guess.

jedcred

Just IMO, but...

Sunroof package: personal preference (I didn't like the coupe's, but the sedan's is nice). However, since it comes with lots of little cool things (rear sunshade, autodimming mirrors, garage door opener), so I'd get it. Also expensive aftermarket.

Lighting package: You'll want BIX after getting the car, more than likely. I know I did. However, getting them aftermarket means no warranty, no auto-level, and you have to go through the dealer (or Steve) to get it activated. Get it. Now.

Side Air Bags: It's a safety feature. Need I say more?

Power Seat: One doesn't move the seat often in a car when one is the only driver, but I still find that I like power seats vs manual. Get these, since it's very difficult to retrofit.

Heated Seats: We have these in one of our MLs (just came with the car when we got it) and we never use it. Unless you live in some very cold climate, skip it.

Nav: Nav is a pain to retrofit (at least, aftermarket is). You'll say you don't need it now but it is a great feature. I'd get it.

7 Speed Auto: I'm guessing this is in opposition to the 6 speed manual. Personal preference, again, but I'd get the stick, if you're up to it. Also depends on the traffic patterns in your area (stick in LA traffic = not good).

Sirius: Depends if you like the programming. I listen to MP3 cds all day and never listen to the radio or sports shows, but it really depends on what you like. If you like music, you probably want to listen to something from your collection. If you like sports, satallite radio has some great channels. And there's always Howard. Easy to add later tho.

6 disc or 6 disc w/HK: I can't say, since I haven't heard the new standard or the new HK stereo. However, if you are a music buff, and don't get the Nav, I'd get the standard kit, so as to make it easier (and cheaper) to aftermarket later.

Folding seats: I'd get them, just because there will be that one item that's too long to fit any way you put it in the trunk, and the folding seat will help immensely. So very useful in my coupe, and more so in the sedan, I would think.

Hands-free: Don't bother. Unless you are willing to go with older Motorola phones licenced by MB, then this isn't the option for you. Plus, it's pretty expensive considering some universal bluetooth kits out there for about $300.

Tele-aid: Cool feature, but just costs you in usage. If you get the Nav then this becomes somewhat redundant. Plus, costs you monthly AFAIK. I wouldn't get it.

Ipod Integration: This really depends if you want to go aftermarket radio (which I would do if I didn't get Nav) or just go Nav with the Ipod. The only complaints to be aware of are that the 5th gen video causes some buzzing on some Ipod kits, and the volume is set pretty low. It's a nice alternative to the CD changer if you keep all your music on an Ipod.

I hope that helps. It's a lot of opinion, but much of it will always be anyway.

diamondblak05

If I got the money, I'd get every possible option. But my list of must get is as stated above.

drexappeal

Okay, so I've bolded the ones that are must have's. The only one that is 50/50 is the hands free option. That will depend on whether you use your cell phone a lot or not that much, while you're driving. If you have a provider that this is compatible with, it will be well worth it.

Harmon Kardon system - much like the Bose before it, is overrated. Only reason this would be something to get for sure is if you don't plan on doing audio upgrades yourself or through a store. Same for the 6 disc w/ or w/o Harmon Kardon.

7 Speed Auto - I've heard not so great things about the 7 speed auto. I've heard that it shifts so much that it almost feels slower than the 230 K SS auto or manual. If you know how to drive stick, you don't plan on selling the car anytime soon, and you don't have anybody else that will be driving the car, get the manual.

Sirius radio - I heard it's cool, but again, this is much like the Harmon Kardon system. I'm not a big fan of the local radio stations currently (with exception to a couple), but if you don't plan on doing upgrades yourself, not really worth it. IPOD integration would be better anyway, just cuz you could have all the songs you want to listen to.

Ipod Integration - It's not that expensive to do this afterwards, but more convenient to have in the car already. MP3 players are the wave of the future and this will just help you stay on the cutting edge.

TA-9FF

I got all of them, just for the hell of it.

rlee02135

Get These:

Sunroof package (1,790)
6 disc and harman/kardon (970)
Lighting package (790)
Nav (can't say I would need this) (2210)
Heated Seats (680)
Folding Seats (290)
Side Air Bags (385)
power seat and steering column (600)

i heard the 7 speed makes the car feel slower.
the heated seats are a big help in winter.

alboogiee

i second this, if i could do it again that is how i would get my car!

as for the 6spd or 7spd...that is another story, i personaly (if i could do it again) would get the manual 6spd, as i am bored as hell with my 5 speed auto.

drho2004

Out of personal experience, my car came with sunroof, 6 disc + H/K , tele aid, folding seats, 5 speed auto.

i havent heard the non-h/k sound system so im just going by what i have. to me it sounds pretty good, not enough bass, but the highs are clean, mids are pretty good too. i love the sunroof package, i would have got it. tele aid-bleh...its there...i dont know how to drive a stick very well (dont flame) so i would go for the auto. folding seats-hell yes, i snowboard and it makes a world of a diff. to me.

what i would really go for is: bi-xenons for sure! like it was mentioned b4 me, hard to add afterwards
NAV, i get lost a lot, plus much more expensive to get aftermarket

Jeffy

I just traded up to an '06 after only having my '05 for a year and we only added one thing to the new car we didn't have in the '05: Sirius Sat Radio.

I say must have are:
-Sunroof package
-split rear fold-down seats
-Sirius sat radio
-6CD Changer and H/K system
-Power seat/steering column

I think $2200 for Nav is just ridiculus. I didn't get it on our '05 and didn't want it on the '06 either. Also, 6spd manual is way more fun than 7G but it WILL hurt your eventual re-sale or trade-in more than you think.

-Jeff

patrick_y

I have the following options which I consider are my must have options:

Automatic Transmission
Sunroof Package (gotta have it for the dimming rear mirror)
Lighting Package (looks better, better headlamp design)
Entertainment Package (awesome audio system especially if you listen to classical and jazz music)

I would like to have:
split folding rear seats

I live in Northern CA so I don't need:
Heated seats

I also recommend that you get the:
Side impact airbags (especially if you carry people in the rear, however not if you have a baby seat in the back)

Don't bother with:
Tele Aid, have an E320 in the family, never used it.

dozier08

I put a deposit on my first C230 and first Mercedes, Black on Black. Here are the options I got (I had to pick from a list of cars, this was closest to what I wanted)

- Sunroof package (1,790)
- 6 disc and harman/kardon (970) (not sure if the extra sound will be worth it)
- just 6 disc (420)
- 7 Speed Automatic (1390) (living in downtown Atlanta, rolling hills, tons of traffic, and a traffic light every 50 yards. made the auto the way to go)
- Lighting package (790)
- Nav(2210)
- Heated Seats (680)
- Folding Seats (290)
- Side Air Bags (385)
- siruis (500)
- hands free (765)
- power seat and steering column (600)
- tele aid (820)
- ipod integration (done at dealership)

I haven't been this excited about a car in a long time. It should be in around mid May.

drexappeal

What Color? Congrats! You chose very good options. Another thing you might want to have them put on is the Illuminated door sills. Saves the hassle of having to D.I.Y., but that's really up to you.

dozier08

Thank you.

I love the door sills. Are they good for anything besides looks?

drexappeal

Nope (looks only), but this is one of the few things the dealer can install if it's not already on the vehicle. There are aftermarket ones out there, but from the stories I've seen, if you don't get the right ones, they don't look anywhere near as good as the OEM ones.

SimplySLB

I ordered my C230 on March 13 and just found out today it should be here a whole month earlier then expected! (Should know for sure next week exact date of delivery.) I am SO excited.

I got:
-Sunroof package (1,790)
- 6 disc and harman/kardon (970)
- 7 Speed Automatic (1390)
- Lighting package (790)
- Heated Seats (680)
- Side Air Bags (385)-I honestly cannot remember if I got this option or not.
- power seat and steering column (600)
-illuminated door sills.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!