I've been looking at getting an 05 C230 sport sedan and out of the box, it seems the general consensus is that it's a pretty nimble and good handling car for it's class. After searching through the forums and learning more, I was curious as to how much more improvement can be achieved in the handling and grip dept. with some wider wheels and, wider and grippier tires, and also possibly aftermarket springs, swaybars, and shocks.

I tried searching online for some handling tests and reviews done by the popular car magazines like Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and Road and Track, etc. , but really couldn't find anything testing done recently on the '05 and up C230 sport sedan models. Most of the reviews were done with the earlier models when the C230 first came out from 2001-2003 with the narrower tires and older suspension setups.

I'd love to see if anyone has done some independent testing to see what a modded out C230 or another W203 model can pull on the skidpad and slalom.

 

The 05 and up cars have a set of changes that MB calls 'direct control' in its marketing material. Its basically wider track knuckles, new bushings, faster steering, progressive spring rates and supposedly, thinner swaybars. Ive driven several of the 05's, and one 06. These are really good handling, good riding cars. If it were me, I'd probably leave it alone.

I'm guessing the same coilovers will work, and there's always parts to crib from the AMG C55 and C32 models. Keep in mind, these are pretty heavy(3400lbs) for small cars, so it'll never be a Miata, if youre thinking auto-X.

 

See if you can negotiate a thorough weekend test drive before making your purchase decision. The W203 chassis handles reasonably well for its intended market segment. It feels sporty and somewhat maneuverable upon initial impressions. It is, in reality, tuned for the dilettante. It will be exceptionally difficult to clip an apex, hustle thorough a slalom, get around a road course, or ever feel nearly as composed at the limits of adhesion as your Z06 or even an M3. For a diminutive, modest daily driver, it has few equals as delivered. No disrespect intended towards my MBWorld colleagues.

From my albeit extreme perspective, our beloved cars push a ton, ride like a Buick, and spin the inside rear enough to send the tire dealer’s kids through cotillion. For every car I have ever owned, I’ve willingly modified them for improved control and cornering prowess at the expense of customarily expected ride comfort. Ride quality is subjective. Cornering speed is objective. Again, I’m on the lunatic fringe, so please proceed with any modifications knowing full well the opportunity costs associated with improved handling and cornering velocity.

I have invested a few hours in wheels, tires, springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. It feels much better than it did when stock. Still working on it, though! She never fails to make the heart beat a bit more quickly when I take her out for a run. Unfortunately, I have no quantitative measurements to share with you. Runs reasonably well at the digs, be that is immaterial for our discussion. It does hold its own when challenged in class at the local autocross, and while operated in a sporting context amongst heretofore unsuspecting victims. If you have a chance to get down this direction, you are welcome to try mine for a day or two to see if it will suit your purposes.

 

Outland/Splinter,

Thanks so much for your info, advice, humor and insight into the limits and capabilities of the W203 chassis models. I am actually pretty much sold on getting a late model C230 sedan as it fits my needs for a safe and sexy looking compact 4-door sports sedan daily driver. I do not intend to race or autocross the car in the future anyway. Realistically, I'll most likely just swap on some swaybars (after I figure out what's a good combo for more balance) and some wider wheels/tires and be done.

I notice that the pre-06 C230 weigh about 3250lbs whereas the 06-07 C230's weigh over 3400lbs. Does the extra weight come just from the heavier V6 engine? That's a lot more extra poundages up front then.

Thanks, guys!

 

YES... The '06/'07 has a heavier front end, and just a bit more understeer than my old '05 did. That said, with some suspension tweaks, I'd say that it's now superior to my old '05 for only a few hundred dollars.

The Komp'd W203 and the N/A W203 are very different cars. I suggest driving one of each if your in the used market, and make sure you get EVERY option that you want before hand (COMAND, bi-xenons, etc...) as upgrading gets pricey when your doing it yourself.

6SPD or Auto?

 

Looking into getting a 6-speed manual. I enjoy rowing and picking my own gears. They are hard to find though in the used car market with the options I want.

 

Yeah, 6-speed is very hard to find the way you want it.

 

and also, the power steering changed sometime in late 05

 

6 spd is the way to go with a 2005. It's a high rpm engine.
Powerband starts at about 3500 rpm.
Not much fun with an auto.

The 2005's I've driven handled so much better than than the older ones.
I'd leave it alone at first.
My 2002 coupe was very tiring to drive at first, leaning through the corners.
My daily commute left me exhausted, till I upgraded the sway bars and springs.
Still it's not a sports car, it's a sporty car (with 5 ft. of load capacity).

The 2005 loaners I had were fun to drive.

Nice American bulldog you got there, is that your dog?
You may want to consider a coupe is it is, fold the seats down, put the dog in the back.

 

Thanks for the heads-up on the transmission info. I'll be definitely getting a 6-speed now. Seeing that these engine don't make a ton of power already, I am more inclined to choose my own gears vs letting the tranny decide so that I can be in the meat of the powerband when I want to, or stay mellow and getting good MPG.

Yes, that's Abby, our 6-year old American Bulldog. She's a sweetheart....very spoiled though. I actually prefer a 4-door sedan at this time. I am done with 2-door/2-seat cars for now...if you've read in my previous posts, I am the guy that's ditching my 01 Corvette Z06 in a few months for a C230.

Anyway, here's a better pic of Abby and the Z...

 

"It will be exceptionally difficult to clip an apex, hustle thorough a slalom, get around a road course, or ever feel nearly as composed at the limits of adhesion as your Z06 or even an M3. "

What??? Every car can get to the apex if driven properly. No mod in the world is going to substitute for proper cornering technique. Buicks??? come on now. The C230 sport is a ton of fun to drive.

 

Yes, my father's concours Model A can find the apex too; it just doesn’t do it very quickly.

IIRC, the OP asked if C230 SS handling can be improved upon with proper modifications. Because he is coming out of a Z06, he likely has a rather prodigious threshold of performance motoring expectations. I am flattered he is seriously considering a C as his next ride. I merely attempted to share some of my experiences, having owned a Z51 myself. Did you even get as far in my post where I offered him a gratis day behind the wheel?

Many members of this forum are seeking something more from their cars than originally provided by Mercedes-Benz. I promptly found our AMG to be well short of my expectations for a contemporary sedan. Can they be improved upon? Of course. Therefore, I have modified mine to better suit my requirements. In doing so, I have always attempted to share what I believe to be helpful and forthright information with my fellow marque aficionados. I shall continue to do so.

Have you completed any worthwhile modifications with which to share with the forum, or is the “ton of fun” yours provides already quite sufficient for you?

 

Actually my "ton of fun" has been with a completly stock C230 sport on a road course. Beleive it or not...I actually clipped every apex with no rear tire spin. Once the car takes a set I've found it powers thru a corner very well.
I've been very fortunate to drive some really high performance cars on track. They all have a different feel. Some are point and shoot others need driver adjustments entering a corner. At the end of the day it comes down to weight transfer.
Mods are great! They are even better when you can really appreciate the difference they make. To make a comment that these cars ride like Buicks is just off base.