Motivation

ok so I just recently moved to College Station to go to A&M and get my Degree

but my V8 CLK 430 just isn't practical right now, so i'm looking to trade it in on a used C230 or C240 ( i really want a white one with tan leather and a NAV unit )

i was wondering....... how hard would it be to change out the '02 headlights to the bi-xenons from '05 ? ( i like the look much better)

& are there any other easy ?facelift? tricks?
and is there much if a difference between a C230 and C240 ?

and what are the MUST HAVE options?

Thanks guys,
Chris

FrankW

C230k (2003-05) 1.8L supercharged inline-4. 192hp. sport package only. 03-04 looks the same as the early sport pkg with 7 spoke wheels 17" non-staggered, 2004.5 came with the 5 spoke 17" staggered wheels, sport exhaust, lowered ride, BBK, 2005 is the facelifted cars with new interior and AMG kit, other stuff carried over from 04.5.

C230 (2006-2007) 2.5L V6 200hp, carried over from 2005 as far as looks and options. 2007 added new interior trims, AMG exhaust that was used on C32 and AMG trunk spoiler.
C240 (2001-2005) 2.6L V6. 160hp. luxury or sport package. sport pkg C240 is hard to find. 2005 has the facelift.

if you want any kind of power from a C I would suggest looking for a used C32. If not, the C230k will be a better daily driver with better gas mileage.

changing the headlight require taking off the bumper. it's stragith forward.

have fun shopping

yeuchau

very well said
what's ur budget like??

b3d_sage

Well, for a college student a CLK430 should be not only practical but a much better poon magnet than a C-class. I guess it's probably different there, but at my school every sorority girl's dog has it's own C230, 325i, or IS250. Something more sleek and sexy that is a lot less common (especially if it makes a big V8 rumble) will make you stand out. I strongly recommend keeping the CLK430 and perhaps putting on an aftermarket quad-tip exhaust that makes a nice loud noise as you drive past the sorority houses.

Although, from what I hear about college station (never been there myself), you might need to get a big pickup truck to fit in better.

Motivation

amazing response, thank you for the plethora of info

Motivation

well I don't mind going for a cheaper model (C230 instead of the C32) as long as I can change out the front and rear facias, side skirts, and upgrade the headlights to a newer model ( crome ones.


like the body kit new C55's come with, but in white.


i'd like to keep it under $25k to have the money for the facelift. i don't mind going back as far as '03 or even '02

yeuchau

you can get 02 C320 with low miles in very good condition around 20k
and have the rest 5k put into mods

Motivation

Well after moving down here i can assure you your assumption about the pick up trucks is pretty damn accurate. i could probbably attract more 'poon' with a jacked up Harley Davidson F350 then any Benz including the SL65, which is beyond me, but it is what it is.

i have had nothing but 2-door V-8 sports cars and i get a new vehicle about every 12 months, so i'm looking to jump into a sporty 4-door to change it up a little and i really like the lines of the C-class, plus it isn't too big. i really like the body kit of the '05 and the headlights, but as long as i can swap that stuff to an earlier year i'll probably go that route to save some dinero.

Motivation

very good thank you

now you say C320, are there any differences ( besides drivetrain) between that and the C-230 or even C-240?

b3d_sage

Definitely get the C320 if you can afford it. There's a pretty good difference in power, but also sound. Of course, then there's the fact that the C320 get's all of the toys while the 230 is left in the dust. C230's don't even come standard with full power seats, digital climatronic, or 6 CD changer!

Hey, want to trade cars? I've been thinking lately about getting a CLK similar to yours. The underside of my front bumper is a bit messed up but you're replacing it anyhow. Also, my car has a quad-tip exhaust which should look great under an AMG bumper. It already looks sweet under the stock one. Other than that, my car just needs the '05 headlights and a good tint thrown on the windows. Perhaps some larger wheels, too. Of course, there is one caveat- it's purple. Some people don't like that about it. I think it's glorious!

hss0p

have fun puttin in those biX's. Theyre d@mn expensive

everycredit

Yes. At a flip of the button, the back seat head rests will flop down.

Woot!

Actually, I do love my car. Had it for only two weeks and finding something new every day!

b3d_sage

only two weeks!? and you're already getting rid of her!? What a shame!

Does it have a rear sunshade, too? Those things are so cool! I have discovered that it can be VERY amusing to flip down the rear headrests when you have rear passengers

Motivation

Thanks for the offer and if it were white i probably would. i'm going to be picky this time and get a white one with tan interior

yeuchau

C320 has more lux interior than C240 or C230.

full power and memory seats on both sides.
digital climate control, rear air condition which has separate motor, and also cooling center glove box.
power and memory steering wheels.

there is more, but this is what i remember

good luck

yeuchau

wanna post a picture of ur quad exhaust???

Motivation

do the C-320's come with the sunshade and fliping headrests? i know my 430 has every option except for electronic lumbar and i was hoping to get a vehicle with similar options

yeuchau

fliping rear haadrests are standard
however sunshade is an option, but most c320 has it
i've only seen like 2 c320 without sunshade.
i never use mine, maybe cause my car is dark enough, so i don't really need it..haha

slammedcclass

cool

Motivation

yea I normally don't use mine either, i just like to have most of ( if not all) the goodies

b3d_sage

Get a C320 then.

yeuchau

i think c320 and clk has similar interior features

white_w203

there is no c class that is a v8 other than the c55 so pretty much all c class' get pretty good gas mileage. the downside is that the car is slow as *****.

yeuchau

i don't think c320 is slow
i know it's not fast, but it's quick enough

speaking of gas mileage, I think MB gas mileage sucks, as compare to bimmers
at least compare 330 to C320, 330 has way better gas mileage than C320

b3d_sage

C320 is a hell of a lot faster than most vehicles on the road. And, if you're buying a Benz you really shouldn't be that worried about gas mileage...