Looking at putting a second MB in the garage. Curious as to why MB went from the 2.3 to a 1.8 engine in the 2003+ years?

Any difference in power, MPG, and maintenance?

 

You might want to search this forum. These questions have been answered numerous times. You might even discover answers to questions you haven't even thought of as yet.

 

is obvious that 2.3 is a more powerful engine, but they decrease it to 1.8L because 2.3L supercharged is from the old SLK(or other?), that's why they want to have a new one since the supercharged motor sound like Advan whinning about this replica lip.

 

Uh...it was also from the w202 C230 Kompressor (late models of the chassis). Most prominent complaint about the 2.3 was the noise.

 

i heard that my coupe is (m111) engine, last week i was at my school parking lot i saw a 06 C230K SS with an idle engine, it sound really similar as my, but the 05-06 w203 are (m271) engine, are they the same thing but just w/o the SC??

 

Minor supercharger noise is not a big deal at all.. Own a very loud Buell street bike, a diesel VW, and in the past a vortech supercharged Lt1 Camaro.

Are there any mechanical problems in the two engine platforms? Or major difference in maintance (like timing belt verse chain or special oil requirements)

 

Just becuase I have a low post count on this board does not make me ignorant on how to search. I did scan 3-4 pages going back several months worth in topics. I also did a search for c230k but will need to do more searching with different phrases.

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=1.8+2.3

The above thread was last replied to in 2003.


The 2.3 M111 engine by the year 2002 should have had nearly all issues worked out of it, correct?

I always try and stay away from first year production cars/engine. But the M271 1.9l has been in service now for 4 years. Has either engine proved to be more troublesome?



Thats two replies on an "ugly" engine.

For repair or mods which engine platform is cheaper to repair and find parts for? My Guess the the 2.3 since it had a longer production run. A CPO c230 will cost me 2-4,000 more so I am trying to justify the increase cost for the MB warrenty.


Thats a for the M111. I live in Southern WVa and torque is a must have to get up the mountains. Whats the MPG difference?

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=1.8+2.3

 

What about the 2004+ 2.3L engine?

 

Researched option packages and the 2002 2.3l has the lesser options choices. 2003+ cars have optional xenon lights autodim mirrors

And the 2004+ cars have a better programs auto trans? for both sport driving and driving in the snow

For Options that I like and want its a 2004 1.8l with Autotrans lighting package, premium package, comfort package.

 

Well, I am impressed by your search.

the 2.3L is FAR more modifiable. This is undisputed at this point. Put on a overdrive pulley, and you get 30 more horse from the 2.3L, the same can't be said of the 1.8L.

Sure the 2.3L has an odd engine idle sound. Especially at warm up. However, this means nothing to the M271 who has just gotten SMOKED by an M111 powered Coupe.

I have yet to run into an M271 that can hang with my Coupe.

I doubt there will be a flame war over this. It just the truth.

E

 

after reading tons of threads the past 3-4 years on this topic, and
IF, big IF, I had to choose a C230K between the 2.3L and 1.8L
I would go for the 2.3L hands down !



Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
www.mbca.org/sandiego

 

The 2.3l has one great positive. I can find them with low miles for 15-16k. However they don't have the HID lights or autodimming mirror. But I guess I could live with that. Since to get what I want in option would cost me 4k. Or change over to an Audi A3 for 21-22k used price.

 

getting Bi-Xenon & autodimming mirrors is an easy mod through MBenzNL.
That is totally doable. Get the low mileage 2.3L !!!

 

ryker,
OK there's a few reasons. One is pollution. The M271 has lower emissions than
the 111. The M111 is classified as a LEV, low emission vehicle, and
the M271 is I think a VLEV, very low etc. Automakers are required to keep lowering emissions.

M111 has more power across a wider rpm range, especially in lower rpm's.

The M111 had been around a while when it was replaced.
The M271 is all aluminum, I think 111 is iron block.
271 has slightly better gas mileage overall...
all the new MBZ engines have better gas mileage and lower emissions.

Some countries tax based on emissions at the tailpipe.

Now that all said, M111 is a proven motor, and in 2003 271 was brand new and had some problems I think. I was glad at that time to have a proven powerplant.

Lastly, M271 is at max boost with it's SC.
M111 is not and runs at 7 psi.
Changing the crank pulley allows you to increase the boost and
HP by about 30 HP for about $700. Most bang for the buck, since nothing but the pulley is needed. Pulley is stock from MBZ and then modified,
ASP racing makes the most popular one.

M271 has peak torque at aroun 3500-4000 rpm, so it's not much fun to drive in a automatic, but probably ok with a stick, but requires more shifting.
I've spent lots of time in M271 loaners, and the lack of torque bothered me along with, when climbing a hill, it just ran out of ooomph, wouldn't accelerate, and it was constantly shifting. My m111 just keeps pulling and pulling even on a hill.

The M111's peak torque comes in in the 2K+ range, and with a pulley is very obvious.
A light foot, and using cruise control at every opportunity can result in very similar mileage results to the M271,but you do have to work at it a bit.
It's rated at 21/28 I think. I get around 25-30 mpg on the freeway, and
18-22 around town, depending on how much traffic there is.
I got 31.5 mpg once, on a day with no traffic, didn't need to slow down or speed up, on flat ground, with cruise control on a 50 mile trip...
if you have slow down and speed up a lot due to people driving 60 in the fast lane it'll drop to 25.

Regarding maint:
Maint. is with FSS, so oil changes are about every 15K miles.
I haven't had anything break on the engine, but they've replaced the MAF and had the throttle body get stuck shut once, but that was likely from the sticky oil in my air filter.
Now I run stock air filters.
I've had plenty of other little problems, but all seems well now.

The engine is solid, most problems have to do with the electronics, but were resolved for the most part under warranty.
The coil packs seem to be good for about 50-80K miles...
when they die you run on 3 cylinders, and seems VERY bad, but in fact it's a $30 part that anyone with an allen wrench one single socket can replace in 5 minutes. I had one go at 55K and then another at 80K, so I replace all 3 at 80K that weren't previously replaced, since a 50% failure rate on a $30 part that causes such a catastrophic condition just isn't worth the trouble.

Now, M271 had a 3 year run. Thats it, and was dropped.
M111 had...guys? Someone correct me, since I'm not absolutely sure, but
I think that engine was around much longer. Was the M111 block used in other engines before it was SC'd?

The odd sound of the engine can be fixed by replacing the muffler.
MBZ got hip to the fact that people care about how the engine sounds, a little late.
Hope that helps.

 

I have autodimming mirrors....for 2002 was included I think as a stock feature.
HID's can be purchased separately. A few different ways to do it.
You can run them in the stock housings for about $300.
Upgrade to clear 2005 halogen and then put aftermarket HID
(about 700-800 total) or buy the Bi-Xenons, but these days, likely to be
1200-1500 or even more. You won't have auto leveling though.
Check with Steve on pricing.

 

totally agree. thats what i did and ive been very happy with it.

 

Instructions: Open hood.
Count number of cylinders.
Note lack of supercharger (which you did)

Close hood.

Answer: No.

 

Thanks

Now I've just got to allow myself to sell my modded Golf TDI -180hp 350ft/lbs of torque and 45mpg! Also looking at a Passat GLS with the TDI motor. Not sporty and not a MB but comfortable and 38-40mpg.

 

if it has the "K" for Kompressor, then it should have a S/C

if he badged the the car with "KOMPRESSOR" and doesn't have a S/C then

Kompressor is German for supercharger.

2005-2006 C230K still have a S/C 4-cyl
in 2007 the C230 went to a naturally aspirated (meaning without S/C) 6-cyl

 

M272 naturally aspirated 2.5L V6 was first introduced in 2006.

 

then what Brabus saw couldn't have been a C230K

right ?

 

how did he know it was a 2006? The 2005's and 2006's are almost the same other than the egine.

If it was a facelifted sport sedan with the new wheels and it had Kompressor badges, it was almost definitely a 2005

 

might be a 05 then i haven't really look into benz during the 04-06 range...

what i am 100% sure is the look of 01' and 05' is completely different things(which everyone knows), and 05 to 06 i don't see the difference...