My Rant, getting tired of the complaining of lack of power a C230 has
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Avon, CT
07 G35 Sport 6MT, 2005 C230K SS (sold), 1998 Jeep GC 4x4 (da-heep!)
Therefore, all in all, yes the C-Class is a good car; it's got a nice design and decent performance; but by no means it is anything compared to what you could buy for $30K on the market today. Hopefully the W204 will help close that gap by offering more power to compete with the competitors, but I cannot under any means accept a Mercedes Benz getting whipped by a VW or Toyota, to me, it just makes Mercedes a '2nd best in the market', which I think Mercedes owners and the company should not accept/or easily take.
Tee_Tz.
Tee_Tz.
Want a faster car for 30k? Buy that VW or Toyota. But I wouldn't want to turn or crash it.
How about better handling for 30k? Maybe a WRX? Nah, nasty interior and rice boy looks.
Anyway, my point is I don't think there are too many overall packages better than the C-Class. The G35 comes to mind and the NEW 3 series. But when I went to look for a new car in '05 the BMW 3s were less powerful and the Gs didn't ride that well or look as nice.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 999
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
C32
There's no point in trying to defend this subject here because how fast a car is is purely subjective.
If you come from a stock Civic, the 230SS is plenty fast. If you come from a Vette, the 230SS would be dog slow.
If you come from a stock Civic, the 230SS is plenty fast. If you come from a Vette, the 230SS would be dog slow.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I'd have to agree that everything is relative. I just purchased my 05 C230 SS last month, and I came from the latest gen Toyota Celica. I had invested almost $3k in the celica for a full suspension setup (front and rear anti-swaybars, front tower strut, front under brace, rear 3-point bar, springs, shocks). In terms of styling, horsepower and torque the benz wins hands down. But IMHO the handling was a little disappointing. I have no real complaints about it, as it is quite adequate. I just didn't think it was anything special. I know its not fair to compare an after market setup with a stock setup, and I also realize that a stiff suspension on the c230 would compromise the quality of the ride. but it just makes me wonder what people are comparing it to when I hear them rave about it's handling.
I am totally satisfied with my decision to purchase the c230 as it has pretty much everything I would want from a car and more. And the things that it lacks, like bluetooth, GPS and mp3 integration are easily upgradeable and relatively inexpensive unless you plan on going the OEM route.
I am totally satisfied with my decision to purchase the c230 as it has pretty much everything I would want from a car and more. And the things that it lacks, like bluetooth, GPS and mp3 integration are easily upgradeable and relatively inexpensive unless you plan on going the OEM route.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Australia
2003 Ford F350-gone 2002 Mercedes C200 Kompressor 1998 Suzuki Vitara 1995 Mercedes C180-sold
You are right though, we shouldn't whinge, I just dont like the reminders my friends give me that their BM's are quicker.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
Hey Damon
I was just making to exaggerate a point that most of the C230 have automatics and that totally sucks the power out and of course it makes the car feel sluggesh.
The C230 K with 189hp is very different with a stick and actually is quite spirited with instant throttle response in each gear
Yes manual can be a pain on a long bumper to bumper daily commute and I would probably succumb to an Auto if I had a journey to work like my collegues. But my trip is about 20min door to door and having a stick is a non issue, I actually sought out one that has a 6sp. Also here and in the US, manual is probably not desireable on resale
I was just making to exaggerate a point that most of the C230 have automatics and that totally sucks the power out and of course it makes the car feel sluggesh.
The C230 K with 189hp is very different with a stick and actually is quite spirited with instant throttle response in each gear
Yes manual can be a pain on a long bumper to bumper daily commute and I would probably succumb to an Auto if I had a journey to work like my collegues. But my trip is about 20min door to door and having a stick is a non issue, I actually sought out one that has a 6sp. Also here and in the US, manual is probably not desireable on resale
Last edited by Boom vang; Jan 20, 2007 at 10:26 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Australia
2003 Ford F350-gone 2002 Mercedes C200 Kompressor 1998 Suzuki Vitara 1995 Mercedes C180-sold
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: South Windsor, CT
2007 C230 Sport
I went from a 2003 Saab 9-3 175 HP, got it brand new when i was 15, 3 years later im in my 2007 c230 sport, and i think its faster but the big difference in the handling, massive difference plus overall build quality is 1000000 times better my Saab, it fell apart, literally it was such a pos.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
what 15year old buys a brand new Saab only to buy a new Benz 3 years later? I must be living in the wrong time and the wrong place!!! Or must have rich parents
You can actually drive when you are 15??
You can actually drive when you are 15??
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Redding, California
AMG GTS
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
So I guess after reading the posts I've realized: it TOTALLY depends on what you've come from or are used to driving. However, I'm a good example of a fair grader (well I think so), since I actually have a BMW and the Mercedes competing models - and guess what, they are the same year! (Granted the BMW is the ZHP).
Any by the way, whoever said the BMW interior is "fugly", um...
That's an alcantra steering wheel (extra thick); it's also the M-Steering wheel. That's the cube fiber dash; and oh, that's a bigger NAV screen you see there. And um, ohhh, that's a TRUE 6-Speed SHORT THROW manual transmission... AND UM, oh that NAV screen flips!
tommy - I agree with you. The problem is ignorance is bliss; one day, hopefully you'll all become successfully and drive even better Benz's like a E500, or even like a C-Class AMG, and you'll realize - wow, that car wasn't so fast!
I knew the power of the C-Class before I brought it and I don't want to sell my car; but this is a forum and we are simply stating that we wish the car had more power, and I feel, the car should have had more power - it's unlike Mercedes to be LOSING to competitors.
Live by my motto: "Never settle".
Tee_Tz.
Any by the way, whoever said the BMW interior is "fugly", um...
That's an alcantra steering wheel (extra thick); it's also the M-Steering wheel. That's the cube fiber dash; and oh, that's a bigger NAV screen you see there. And um, ohhh, that's a TRUE 6-Speed SHORT THROW manual transmission... AND UM, oh that NAV screen flips!
tommy - I agree with you. The problem is ignorance is bliss; one day, hopefully you'll all become successfully and drive even better Benz's like a E500, or even like a C-Class AMG, and you'll realize - wow, that car wasn't so fast!
I knew the power of the C-Class before I brought it and I don't want to sell my car; but this is a forum and we are simply stating that we wish the car had more power, and I feel, the car should have had more power - it's unlike Mercedes to be LOSING to competitors.
Live by my motto: "Never settle".
Tee_Tz.
