eplants02

Hey all,
My dad asked me what car I would like to keep, '03 C230 coupe or '98 SLK 230. My response is that I would like to stay with my c coupe. Just curious, what would you have chosen?

advans

I might be more interested if the SLK was a bit newer atleast 2000. but 98 is a bit old

98 SLK230 vs 03 C320, I'd chouse the C320 =]

drexappeal

How old are you?

If you're in the 16-22 demographic (i.e. student), I would've chosen the SLK 230 because it's more mod friendly, still a nice car (regardless of the year) and it's an excuse to spend on mods.

If you're 23+, the C 230 is a wise investment because it may have more value to upgrade (once your career is on the right track) to a higher model (simply because of the year).

Obviously, mileage plays a factor as well, but that's just my .02 on the limited info you provided.

advans

ahahah drex what u trying to say! i'm 20 and i have a c320 coupe!

but yeah I dont have an SLK lol

Buellwinkle

I've have/had both, currently a C230 SS and 98 SLK230 and had an 2002 Coupe. Get the SLK, it's more reliable than the C230, not as electronically complex. But nothing turns more heads than a nicely done SLK, it's a sharp car, classy, understated and is a blast to drive.

powa

keep in mind tho, that SLK is very underpower, i drives a C320 so i donno how bad the C230K is, but i believe it has more potential to mod faster than a C320

Tangerine

the slk will get more ladies =)

nothing like going from a coupe to a convertible in secs

eplants02

Hey Drex,
I'm 22.

Exactly, when I drove both, I could feel a HUGE difference between them. The C230 feels it has a lot more power than the SLK.

advans

eplants02, If your modding crazy. what I would do if I were you, find out what kinda mods (whichis more economical) you can do to both the cars.


since ur 22, I think a nicely done SLK would turn more heads.

you can check FMM for SLK parts, they seem to have a lot.

Buellwinkle

SLK230 is about the same performance as C230, about zero to sixty in about 7.2 seconds BUT, with a pulley kit on the SLK, you can get to about mid sixes. Also the SLK is much plusher riding than the C230. But with that aside, a 98 SLK is in about the 12-14K price range whilst the 03 C230 is about $16-18K. To be comperable, consider the 2000 SLK230 that is post face lift as it has the higher hp motor and body style that most closely resembles the last R170, the 2004. Or a 99 C230 Sport that has the body kit that makes it look like a 2000-2004.

eplants02

What's their website?

ctC230K

SLK!!! forget the coupe!

drexappeal

What I was tryin' to say is that, if I were 22 (like eplants02) and I had a choice between a 1998 SLK 230 vs. a 2003 C Coupe, No Question I choose the SLK. With a few aftermarket add-ons and some power upgrades, that car would be tight to have at 22! Much better than having a C Coupe in my opinion, especially if it's a 2003 C Coupe because of the m271 engine (limited power mods and majority of them very pricey).

The 1998 SLK 230 had the m111 engine, which proved to be a long lasting engine with a good reputation. Only major complaint about it was the engine noise, but at 22, who cares!...LOL.

Buellwinkle

Here's my 16 year old's 98 SLK and she's luvin every minute of it... We added a touch of C-Coupe by using the C-Coupe's C7 wheels.

drexappeal

You gave your daughter this car, Buellwinkle?...Oh, wow, that's dangerous...LOL...just teasin'. Very nice car! Lucky 16 year old.

advans

arrr! lol when I was 16 my dad gave me that crappy 98 5speed maxima. but when I was 18, I got a benzy

but lucky 16 year old

Buellwinkle

That's the O.C. for ya. The blue mustang convertible in the background is my other daughter's car she got at 16. What's sad is when she got that car, she was the only one of her friends that didn't get a brand new car. There's brand new SLK and CLK's that H.S. juniors (mostly 16) drive and we are not in a wealthy area.

advans

wow thats nuts, brand new slks and clks 16 year olds...wow lol

Buellwinkle

That's just the cars, you should see the fashion, you can get hurt for not having $250 jeans and they aren't even good looking jean, have you seen True Religion jeans, wouldn't pay $25 for them let alone $250, Sevens on the otherhand are OK.

advans

wow diesel jeans are 190ish, never bought a pair of seven or true religion, but my aunts go crazy for them....nuts....


why would u pay $250+ for a pair of DENIM that the style will prolly "expire" next season.

save the money...invest it in the "advans front brabus lip" funds

Cigalert

Buellwinkle, I grew up in Nellie Gail....which is and was a pretty nice neighborhood (turned 16 in 92, moved out of there in 93). Neighborhood kids my age at the time and their cars- Lotus Esprit, Hummer (OG non of this plastic Tahoe crap), Supera Turbo and some kid even had a driver because he had too many tickets before even turning 16...limo and all. Even though my parents could afford a brand new whatever, I was still appreciative they got me something nice and used (1990 Toyota Pick Up with a really nice system). I still got to drive the M5, Porsche and Suburban on the weekends but as long as they weren't my daily drivers I was comfortable. My dad asked if I wanted to drive the 930 Slant Nose to school and I just laughed and chose not to just so people wouldn't talk trash. That SLK is perfect for your daughter's current needs.

And back on topic, I would get the SLK over the C just on appearance alone.

Buellwinkle

Sure, it's not the rich kids that have the cool cars & clothes, they don't have to show off, they already have money. It's the poor saps, peer pressure and stuff. My kid works in dry cleaner (probably the closest to Nellie Gail on the south end) to earn money for that stuff, including part of that SLK. Also I think Aliso Niguel H.S. is the worst, ironically Dana Hills H.S. which has way more rich kids isn't as bad and neither is Laguna Hills H.S.

drexappeal

Now that's a responsible parent for you! Good job, Buellwinkle!

ScottW911

Wow, agreed! Every time I have dropped my 15 year old freshman off at ANHS, I am blown away by that parking lot. Right toward the end of the year I saw the owner of the black SL55 AMG (a little 16ish brunette) and her pals sitting on the hood! AAARRRGGGG! What is this kid going to expect for a graduation gift? That same day there were 2 black M3's parked one space apart, both with dealer paper plates. This is High School?

To add to your point, I went to Newport Harbor HS and even that school was not as out-of-control as ANHS. Must be all the Laguna Niguel snobs, no offense.

I am having a tough time convincing my kid that he does not need a new, expensive car. He is getting an '89 Bronco. He can save for his first MB.

Cigalert

Well Laguna Hills was pretty bad when I was there. When I was 15 I walked down to a shop off of Cabot and learned how to detail. I owned my own mobile auto detailing business about 6 months after I turned 16. I ended up transfering to Trabuco (Coto Kids) and everyone was great. There is nothing better than earning your own way while in school. It's extremely taxing working full-time, going to school and playing sports. But the good thing is I really never had time to get into trouble and it definitely shaped my current business and work ethics (at work at 4:30 everyday).

My parents used to go to the dry cleaner down off of Greenfield....sounds like might be the same one.

ScottW911, I don't think it's up to discussion trying to put your son in competition with other kids. There were times my car broke and I would get a little cranky towards my parents (I was 16) about not helping me out. I worked it out, had to give up doing some of the "fun" things in High School but I appreciate now, 14 years later, the way my parents handled it. But that's just my $.02.