Boom vang

Been checking all sources but can't seem to find the weight distribution of the various W203 models. I am thinking that the 03-05 Kompressor SS will have the best weight distribution closest to 50/50 of the bunch due to a lighter engine than the V6 (2005 C230 is about 150lb lighter than a 2006 C230)

Does anyone have the specs for all the combinations?

advans

haha no way a MB can have a 50/50 weight distribuiton, its not a BMW. lol

yeuchau

agree

sirenebekim

probably more to the front to enhance stopping performance

SeanSBA

according to yahoo autos, the c350 has 54/46 (f/r) weight distribution, and the 230 has 55/45. These are for the 2006 model years.

patrick_y

If I remember correctly, the 2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan had either a 54/46 or 52/48. One of the two. I do hope that it's the latter.

A lot of people say that the car tends to understeer a tad bit. Personally, I've had more experience with oversteer on my C230 but this is probably comparing different maneuvers.

Overall, the handling of a C230 is fairly good, I give it a B-. The favorite part about my C230's handling I like is the steering feel, very precise steering in my opinion.

However, there is still a bit of body roll and the suspension is still too firm. These are usually mutually exclusive, but there is a bit of body roll in hard corners, yet the suspension is uncomfortable on bumpy roads.

Compared to BMW's sport suspension, Mercedes Benz's sport suspension feels much firmer. I do love the BMW in this aspect since it's sporty yet not a compromise in comfort. Additionally, you'd expect since the Merc's suspension is so firm, that it would be more capable in handling than the BMW. Unfortunately, it isn't, not noticeably. I'm comparing the 2005 C230 Sport Sedan to the 2005 325i with Sport package.

yellowrama

I have to agree with you. My buddy's 2002 325ci sport does ride better and has less body roll than my C230 Sport. I also think the C230 has precise steering for city and freeway driving. However I took my car to the canyons a few times, and I wish that it responds faster and have more feedback.

KIRA

50/50 weight the car can do a bagle?

advans

no offense, buy I believe the coupe handeling is better than the sedans.

well if both cars have amg sways. lol then ignore the line above.

BMW's weight distribution is better than MB, but MB has the slanted tires so that gives MB a +

Mercus

You could fix most of that weight problem by relocating the battery and putting a big amp in the trunk....

derAMG

or make babies, put your stroller at the back like i do

ultraseven

a dead body in the trunk will always help.

patrick_y

Personally, I love the steering on the C230. Some find it a bit on the heavy side but I think this helps with the precision. Also, the steering ratio is excellent. I even find that the steering on this C230 rivals that of the BMW E46 M3, which I consider as the benchmark car.

Can you elaborate a bit more about the faster response you wished you could get out of the car? I love driving windy canyon roads myself and I found my stock C230 to be quite proficient at it.

patrick_y

I wouldn't doubt it. The C230 Coupe weight-wise is more balanced. Believe it or not, the C230 Coupe is heavier than the C230 sedan (I found this odd) but the additional weight is more in the rear of the car making it more balanced overall.

Now, 50/50 weight balance is dependent on what kind of car it is. For example, a Porsche would not be at its optimum with a 50/50 weight balance.

I wouldn't doubt it if the Coupe was a more capable handler than the sedan.

Now, when you said that MB has slanted tires, are you referring to the camber settings or are MB tires actually slanted?

nlpamg

hmm... a... NO.

owning both cars, I think I can confidently make that statement.

the steering is great on the C230, but it's not close to the precision of the M3...

there's also something called speed sensitive steering that wasn't put on the 2005 C230 but has been standard in BMW's for years.

patrick_y

Mercus and Ultraseven: I find that when I have the back with people in it, I find that the car is more prone to oversteer actually. Now while we are complaining that the C230 is front heavy, the solution in my opinion isn't as simple as simply adding people in the back.

patrick_y

I would definitely trust your judgement, it's also been a while since I last drove one and I've only driven three (all SMG) to date. But if you'll refresh my memory, is the steering feel heavier on the M3 or on the C230? Personally, I thought the steering feel was heavier on the C230. And for me, a heavier steering artificially lends a more precise and easy to modulate feel.

The Mercedes-Benz power steering is indeed inferior to BMW's power steering. I could be mistaken, but I think the BMW speed sensitive power steering made its debut on either the 2002 7 series or 2003 5 series. If I'm not mistaken, the current M3 still features the engine-speed (instead of actual speed) sensitive power steering. I apologize in advance if I'm mistaken, but if you could confirm that for me I'd be enlightened.

nlpamg

well, heavier is ok if you can't get a good grip on the wheel... perhaps gloves would be in order. but it is lighter (not considerably) and its reaction to movement is quicker and much more precise. at high speeds it is much easier to control than the C and less wheel movement is needed.

the BMW power steering is engine sensitive and I'm pretty sure it was in 2002 on the 7's then made its way down the line quickly. speed sensitive is an option on the 07's, just like the parametric steering option on the SLK's.

e1000

btw - power steering is HUGELY different on the later 2006's.

BMW's are often times a little bit off on the weight bias as well. I think 54/46 is pretty close.

patrick_y

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I'm not the expert, but what I can say is that I like the BMW M3's steering the most out of any BMW I've driven. The only one that comes close is the 2002-2003 BMW 530i Sport from the previous body style. That one had significant heft and weight to the steering wheel which I appreciated.

Oh, I do wear driving gloves! I never drive without gloves on.

nlpamg

yup, I definitely noticed that on the 06 loaner I got... I liked it... a lot!

e1000

seriously?

advans

phil, i do agree. I think the speed sensitive steering on the bimmers kill the handeling on the mbs.

patrick_y

Yes, seriously.

I have three driving gloves, each of them I use a cotton liner glove in them (since the leather driving gloves are expensive to clean).

I can say that the steering wheel to my car has probably never been touched by my bare hands.

Blake P

Think that will improve the resale value?