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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
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So my brother needs a car, as his (the '88 300CE) has served its purpose well, but now needs to be let go. A friend of ours, ironically, is selling her car, a 2002 coupe, equipped with a manual transmission. The two things I wanted in my car were: 1) manual transmission, and 2) a little more power, now available courtesy of the ASP pulley. Also, the car has the C7, with the 17" rims (same as mine) and color matched door handles. So I'm considering giving him my car (the 2004 coupe) and taking the 2002. 'Course I'll have to redo the stereo (again) but, having done it before, it'll go much faster this time.
The question is: am I overlooking some disadvantage to this idea (short of the slightly older car), such as some critical change between the '02 and '04 that I've overlooked?
TIA.
The question is: am I overlooking some disadvantage to this idea (short of the slightly older car), such as some critical change between the '02 and '04 that I've overlooked?
TIA.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
So my brother needs a car, as his (the '88 300CE) has served its purpose well, but now needs to be let go. A friend of ours, ironically, is selling her car, a 2002 coupe, equipped with a manual transmission. The two things I wanted in my car were: 1) manual transmission, and 2) a little more power, now available courtesy of the ASP pulley. Also, the car has the C7, with the 17" rims (same as mine) and color matched door handles. So I'm considering giving him my car (the 2004 coupe) and taking the 2002. 'Course I'll have to redo the stereo (again) but, having done it before, it'll go much faster this time.
The question is: am I overlooking some disadvantage to this idea (short of the slightly older car), such as some critical change between the '02 and '04 that I've overlooked?
TIA.
The question is: am I overlooking some disadvantage to this idea (short of the slightly older car), such as some critical change between the '02 and '04 that I've overlooked?
TIA.
Are you saying you'll downgrade to the m111 to upgrade the performance? If that's the case, you'd be surprised what is available for the m271. It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
Originally Posted by drexappeal
Basically, it comes down to m111 vs. m271. I'm happy with my m271, especially with all the mods done recently.
Are you saying you'll downgrade to the m111 to upgrade the performance? If that's the case, you'd be surprised what is available for the m271. It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the car.
Are you saying you'll downgrade to the m111 to upgrade the performance? If that's the case, you'd be surprised what is available for the m271. It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the car.
In any event, I'm still keeping the '04 (in effect) so I could always force my brother to take the '02 back
. Older brothers are evil. 
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
My impression of the mods for the M271 are that none are particularly cost effective and max gains are 10-15 hp, if that, whereas a pulley for $650 will net me about 30-ish. Also, the manual is a large factor, as I kinda wanted a manual daily driver while I'm still able to enjoy it.
In any event, I'm still keeping the '04 (in effect) so I could always force my brother to take the '02 back. Older brothers are evil.
In any event, I'm still keeping the '04 (in effect) so I could always force my brother to take the '02 back
. Older brothers are evil. 
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
First, the Modena is for woosies, girly car, this is a real Ferrari
The upside with the 2002 is with the pulley and airfilter and maybe even a Supersprint header and exhaust, you'll be running circles around the most modded 2004 C230 on the forum. Your 0-60 times will be around 6 1/2 seconds. Keep in mind, the torque curve on your 2004 is not as wide as the 2002 or has as much HP to begin with. On the downside, the 2002 engine feels rougher, less refined than the 2004. You'll lose about 10% in fuel mileage. Lastly, you would be getting a first year car, not quite as reliable as the 2004. As for the shifter on the 2002, it's not as good as a 2004 manual but it's OK, just OK, not great. The clutch is a little odd, after a long highway stretch it will feel heavier than normal until you start using it. One thing you can look at for the 2004 that will give you more snap, not faster, just better throttle response you would fell on a manual trans car is to get the $250 gizmo people here get, forget the name of it.
The upside with the 2002 is with the pulley and airfilter and maybe even a Supersprint header and exhaust, you'll be running circles around the most modded 2004 C230 on the forum. Your 0-60 times will be around 6 1/2 seconds. Keep in mind, the torque curve on your 2004 is not as wide as the 2002 or has as much HP to begin with. On the downside, the 2002 engine feels rougher, less refined than the 2004. You'll lose about 10% in fuel mileage. Lastly, you would be getting a first year car, not quite as reliable as the 2004. As for the shifter on the 2002, it's not as good as a 2004 manual but it's OK, just OK, not great. The clutch is a little odd, after a long highway stretch it will feel heavier than normal until you start using it. One thing you can look at for the 2004 that will give you more snap, not faster, just better throttle response you would fell on a manual trans car is to get the $250 gizmo people here get, forget the name of it.
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From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Buellwinkle's talking about the Sprint booster.
If you get a bored throttle body, renntech pulley, headers, and ecu tune, I'd say you're likely to get over 10-15 hp.
Bored throttle body alone got me 3 hp (take a look at the thread I started about it). Renntech pulley...yet to be proven if there are any gains just bolted on w/o ecu tune (but I've heard there is a power increase, just not sure how much - maybe anywhere from 5-10, if that). Headers will get you 13hp/14lb.tq depending on which set you go with there are 3 different types on the market that I know of. Ecu tune by the manufacturer that JLeviSW offers.
You are set. Headers and bored throttle body give you over the 15hp you were talking about already. And, like I said, you never know what could be available in the future. With the w204 being released, there may be manufacturers that want to develop more aftermarket parts for this car.
If you get a bored throttle body, renntech pulley, headers, and ecu tune, I'd say you're likely to get over 10-15 hp.
Bored throttle body alone got me 3 hp (take a look at the thread I started about it). Renntech pulley...yet to be proven if there are any gains just bolted on w/o ecu tune (but I've heard there is a power increase, just not sure how much - maybe anywhere from 5-10, if that). Headers will get you 13hp/14lb.tq depending on which set you go with there are 3 different types on the market that I know of. Ecu tune by the manufacturer that JLeviSW offers.
You are set. Headers and bored throttle body give you over the 15hp you were talking about already. And, like I said, you never know what could be available in the future. With the w204 being released, there may be manufacturers that want to develop more aftermarket parts for this car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,258
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Of course I'm baised, but I've driven lots of m271's as well as my pullied M111. Yes, I like the M111 mui bueno!
And you get a manny, and sunroof in the package?
Sounds like a good trade to me!
As far as the manny goes, and it's nortiously bad shifting in 2002,
I know people who changed the tranny oil, to Royal Purple brand,
and it completely eliminated any issues of shifting or the vagueness people felt. So to me, thats not an issue.
Yeh, if you got to a manny with a pulley, you'll be getting about 50 more HP to the wheel than a M271 with auto. I'm not making that up.There's dyno's around here.
I believe an auto stock M271 puts about 140-150 hp to the road,
and an auto M111 puts about 175 with a pulley, and
M111 with manny and pulley puts about 190- just under 200 to the road.
But the best part is daily driveability. The torque kicks in very low, so no need to run through all the gears to get going. M271 has to constantly downshift.
Does the 2002 still have any warranty?
That would be a consideration. How many miles?
2002 actually had a few little things that they took out in later years.
a. garage door opener stock in the mirror
b. vent on top of dash with wheel
c. IR sensor on passenger door
And wasn't there something about the lock at the trunk being deleted?
Does the 2002 have the C7 package? Then it would also have the short throw shifter!
Yeh do it! you won't regret it.
Get an ASP pulley, AMG sways, and springs all for about $1k and it'll be like a completely different beast from the 2004.
Post pics!
And you get a manny, and sunroof in the package?
Sounds like a good trade to me!
As far as the manny goes, and it's nortiously bad shifting in 2002,
I know people who changed the tranny oil, to Royal Purple brand,
and it completely eliminated any issues of shifting or the vagueness people felt. So to me, thats not an issue.
Yeh, if you got to a manny with a pulley, you'll be getting about 50 more HP to the wheel than a M271 with auto. I'm not making that up.There's dyno's around here.
I believe an auto stock M271 puts about 140-150 hp to the road,
and an auto M111 puts about 175 with a pulley, and
M111 with manny and pulley puts about 190- just under 200 to the road.
But the best part is daily driveability. The torque kicks in very low, so no need to run through all the gears to get going. M271 has to constantly downshift.
Does the 2002 still have any warranty?
That would be a consideration. How many miles?
2002 actually had a few little things that they took out in later years.
a. garage door opener stock in the mirror
b. vent on top of dash with wheel
c. IR sensor on passenger door
And wasn't there something about the lock at the trunk being deleted?
Does the 2002 have the C7 package? Then it would also have the short throw shifter!
Yeh do it! you won't regret it.
Get an ASP pulley, AMG sways, and springs all for about $1k and it'll be like a completely different beast from the 2004.
Post pics!
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Jan 20, 2007 at 05:13 PM.
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Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
I believe an auto stock M271 puts about 140-150 hp to the road,
and an auto M111 puts about 175 with a pulley, and
M111 with manny and pulley puts about 190- just under 200 to the road.
and an auto M111 puts about 175 with a pulley, and
M111 with manny and pulley puts about 190- just under 200 to the road.
I know the m111's have shown to put down some good power, but at the same time, I wouldn't discount the m271's now - Especially mine
But the best part is daily driveability. The torque kicks in very low, so no need to run through all the gears to get going. M271 has to constantly downshift.
