When I bought the C230 I never considered the C240 for several reasons:

1. Our '02 C320 is underpowered compared to our '98 C280 Sport (or so it seems, the pickup on the 320 is horrible)

2. I had to have stick and the resale value of a stick sedan is horrible.

3. By the time you option out a 240 you might as well jump to the 320.

BTW, we had an '81 240, lol, I almost fell off my chair when I heard they brought the 240 back...what memories!

Thanks,
Erik

 

Man...for all the love on this board between the US c230k coupes (hatch whatever) and the US c240 you'd think we were BMW owners bashing us as their enemies...funny thing is I seem to be good at picking cars w/ controversy. I remember when I bought my 2000 Chevy Impala I was flamed on a bunch of message boards because I didn't have a "true" Impala. As far as I am concerned, everyone needs to lighten up and stop judging each other based on which Mercedes they own. I just wish we could get better discussions on this board and make a new forum for car bashing because I'm tired of adding people to my ignore list. (Which of course doesn't ignore quoted comments which is annoying)

Just for my last comment on the subject, I really don't care what anyone thinks about my car in reference to it being a hatch or a coupe. Either way I love it. As far as the car magazines go, nobody should ever believe them...I've driven plenty of cars they recommended and I can't imagine what the manufacturer paid them to get a good review...it's insane...I'll never trust any magazines rating without driving it myself first.

Just on a final point about the possibility of ever having a 4cyl in an MB sedan (be it a C-Class or whatever). I think it may be entirely possible in the near future. I've seen a lot of people from personal experience move from big 'ol V6's in American cars make the switch to a 4cyl Japanese/European car and they've never been happier. I myself used to dislike anything 4cyl, but when I drove my car and realized it was faster than my old V6, it's what sold me on the car. (I obviously value performance more than luxury because I did like the c240's ride a little better as far as comfort goes). All said and done, I prefer the sportier feel of the c230 coupe (hatch/whatever) especially compared to the old c230 sedan that a friend had...the car is much more fun in the current version.

Wow, this really dragged on...anyway, hopefully we can "just get along" and talk about some real issues rather than throwing stones at each other's cars. Because if we don't then I guess I've only got about 3 people that aren't going to be on my ignore list and I might as well start reading a BMW forum because they'd probably have more true discussion about MB than anything going on here does.

$0.02
dave

 

Personally I still drive my mix breed 150,000 mile, genuine american (Chrysler), japanese zero (Mistubishi) engine, german (Daimler) profit contributor car more than anything else.

 

c240 is for people who needs a seden but don't care that much about power. Or for people like me who only had $40,000 and c320 cost $45,000 w/ tax. =)

 

My writing skills are beyond reproach, and communicate EXACTLY what I intend to communicate. I am paid, quite handsomely I might add, for my analytical ability and writing skills.

Yes, many times what I intend to communicate is misunderstood on this board. Is it "us" or me? Most definately, the former.

No update on the signature today, or any time soon. This one is a keeper, at least for a while.

 

Rock on! You are now a card-carrying member of the C240WDP (C240 World Domination Plot). (You too, BrabusPower).

 

what was that about criticizing a car you don't even own?

the amazing point here is not how intense the "fight" is, but that you and SoCal as well as other C230K owners feel the need to fight to begin with. it's a car. get the f*ck over it.

i don't post 2 page long messages about how much i detest the fact that you prefer mustard on your hamburger; these posts fighting about the C230 vs. C240 are about as intelligent.

 

For someone that is so analytical, why is it so hard to accept any opinion other than your own?

 

but your new Sig is pretty damn funny, ill give you that, HAHA!!!

 

I rest my case.

Cheers

 

SoCal, your Northern American consumerism just keeps showing its rather unappealing face, even when you are trying to be sarcastic. Your constant remarks about hatchbacks keeps me curious as to who has drummed into your head this strange hierarchy of car body design styles? Have you ever visited other parts of the world? Or is that your age?

 

i didn't consider a c240 only because it was beyond my price range. other than that, i like the car. power doesnt really bother me because, well, lets face it, i live in So Cal and take either the 405 or Sepulveda to school everyday. the only thing extra power would do is give my brakes a good workout.

 

wow, 7 pages long after only ONE day...

come on, guys. people have different needs, some needs 4 door and some only needs 2. what's the big deal about it.

from what i have seen, there are only couple of people whom drive C240 dislike C230k coupe. C320/C32 folks does not have this kind of negative comments about the C230k.

give it a rest SoCal240, and who ever think the same way as SoCal does. A Mercedes is a Mercedes.

 

That's my point! I want them to know how it feels. I don't start threads bashing other models that I don't own. I don't ask the question "Does the c230 ruin MB's image?". I don't f#$king care about other models.

JUST DON'T TALK ***** ABOUT A CAR YOU DO NOT OWN!!!!

 

no, apparently you do care about other models; otherwise you would not have posted with any interest in 'wanting them to know how it feels". do comments on an internet forum really destroy your self-confidence and your confidence in your purchase THAT much?

my point is that all this fighting is infinitely retarded. i respect both models; i'm a car person and i love MB, no matter what current model we're talking about. i have no interest in insulting your purchase and even though you may want to insult mine, it really isn't necessary in an informative arena like this one.

give it a rest, put your fists down and go enjoy your car.

 

David N. I hope this doesn't sound like I'm picking an argument with you, cause I'm not. But, I never have understood this $10K upcharge contention. I bought the C320 because I wanted more power, an automatic transmission, and memory seats for me and my short wife. The base price of a 2001 C240/6 was right at $30K. Add the automatic ($1600), The memory seat option and tilt-down mirror ($1100) the Bose Stereo ($700) and let's say $500 for the Climatronic, and incidental lighting upgrades and other nits I've long since forgotten. You're now at a C240 worth $33,900.

The base price for the C320, with ALL these options included, was $36,900. So the extra 50 hp difference cost me about $3K, or about the price of some bling-bling wheels and tires. As MB goes, an engine upgrade for $3K is not bad... actually quite a bargain, in my view.

I'm not saying anything bad about the C240, any more than I would dis the C230K SportCoupe. The 240 was just not right for me.

 

This thread has been entertaining

I would love to see how this conversation would go if all involved were in the same room.

 

OK, I'll jump in :p .

First, I just checked the 2002 price differential between a C320 and a like-equipped C240 (w/ C1, auto trans, Bose) and the difference is $3955, closer to $4k than $3K. (EDIT: Sorry, I just recalculated and got a $3265 difference -- my mistake)

That issue aside, the difference between my '02 C240 equipped as I have it and a C320, where I don't have as much option flexibility is a whopping $6400, and my car is by no means a "stripper". First, I wanted a 6-speed, and in 2002, the only choice was the C240. I ordered C2, C4, Xenons, metallic paint and got the dealer to "throw in" the CD for $500. I sometimes wish I had ordered C1 for $1225, which would have made the differenece $5175, still a lot of change.

All in all, the C240 is the same vehicle as the C320 except for power plant and some additional option choices. The C230, while based on the C240/320, is a totally different vehicle with a different target audience. I see no reason to denigrate the C240 simply because it is a less powerful version of the C320 -- for those who want to spend $4-6K less, I think it's a good choice. In addition to my car, I also have a car for my wife, so $5K will make a difference in the financial commitment I choose to make for my car allotment.

BTW, my plan is to sell my C240 in about 3 years and move to a C320, probably automatic.

 

Uhhhhh - no. The C240 does cost more than the coupe.

 

I first considered the C230, but decided to get the sedan instead. I was not happy with the power in the C240, and felt that the additional cost of the C320 was worth it for the extra HP, along with the other options that come standard. The price difference with options was only a little more than 3K. Not sure where the 10k comments come from....

With that being said, I must add that I think all of the C Class cars are nice, and worth their money. The decision I made was for me, and not a marketing decision for MB. I'm sure having the C240 in the line up, without the additional options that are standard in the C320 meets a need. I do see more C240s on the road than any other C class.

 

If the issue in your case is whether or not you can take a quote and change its message (by deleting key sentences), then yes, you are correct. You are capable of that, as you have now amply demonstrated.

That is a difficult accomplishment, you should be proud!

 

Bob, everything you say makes sense. My 10k price diff is in CDN $$$, and I never optioned the 240 to equal the 320. I'm just taking base prices.

Yes, the 320 has more standard options than the 240. My point was that, IMHO, the only fundamental diff was the engine (50hp). And for me, it wouldn't have made sense to upgrade for that. The other features were of no interest to me.

It's a different story for you. And that's cool. I respect that.

Just like I respect people who bought the coupe. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Its not MY "North American consumerism." Its merely my recognition of a North American consumerism that is a simple reality. US buyers generally equate 4 seater hatchbacks with economy cars. I'm not saying that is right or wrong - its just the way it is.

Who drummed that "strange idea" into my head? Most likely it has been the recognition of the above fact by BMW, MB, etc. marketers and product planners, who have been very wary of introducing hatchbacks in America due to Americans' well-known disdain of luxury or near luxury hatchbacks. This has been well-chronicled in the automotive trade journals. MB product planners made it no secret that they were nervous about introducing a hatchback in the US - and also made no secret that placing the misnomer of "Coupe" on the Hatchback is an attempt to draw attention away from the fact that its a hatchback. That's probably where I got the "strange idea."

I am only stating objective facts. If it makes you feel better to ignore reality, or pretend that reality is something other than it really is, feel free.

 

I lack confidence? And what exactly does it say about you when you attack the persoanl character of an individual you know nothing about?

 

Ony one sentence was deleted, Einstein, and it was about how massively intelligent you are and how you get paid so much money for your Shakespearean wordsmithing. Ahem.



The deletion of that sentence from my quotation does not change the massive contradiction in your posting that I was quoting, not even a tiny bit.

Pointing out your errors is not particularly difficult, indeed it is quite easy.

Regards