crimson

I know about the interior changes; instrument panel, etc. I've also read about some changes to the seats and of course a few minor exterior tweaks, but are there really any major or important differences between the '04 and '05 sport sedans?

There are two low mileage examples of each locally; a 27K mile '04 C230 and a 47K mile '05 C230. Both are in great shape with a fairly substantial asking price difference.

I will be trading in or selling my '98 C230 and if all things are equal I like the '04 given the low miles. But are all things equal between the two?

Thanks!

54C230K

Are you talking about the differences between pre-facelift and facelift models w202 and w203 respectively?

crimson

I'm just trying to determine if the differences between an '04 and '05 C230 justify the difference in asking price.

Other than some interior and exterior tweaks, I can't find much different between the two: HP, torque, MPG, dimensions, etc. are all identical.

54C230K

Are both cars facelift models?

crimson

The front of the two cars looks very similar, but they are different. They are both Sports, but the '05 has a different air dam and fog light set up. And of course, the instrument panel is different: the '04 has the 3 gauge setup, while the '05 has the 4 gauges.

54C230K

Some differences between pre-facelif and facelift models are:

Front headlamps: plastic clear for facelift, glass for prefacelift
Instruments: F/L: 4 clocks/gauges, PreF/L:3
Centre dash consol
Climate control
radio
Steering wheel (in sport models): difference in the middle spoke
Door indicators: clear for F/L model

Mu9enx

the facelifted cars have much better looking interior, imo.

Defiant

While some prefer the softer corners and gentle stylings over the drafting-square boxes and circles.

There isn't a "best"- there's only a "best-liked" by whoever's doing the judging.

pmb600

There really was a pretty substantial facelift on the C-Class for 2005. Not only did they do a lot of cosmetic changes, but there were changes that you can't see as well. Lots of improvements, plus I think the electronics went from the older D2B to MOST based.

I agree that the lower mileage is good, but can you keep looking a little and find a lower mileage 05? I think it is definately worth getting the 05, it is just so much better looking. Also the 05 has the AMG body styling which really makes the car. I have an 05 C240 Luxury but I would have prefered the sport for the AMG styling...sadly the W203 sport did not come in 4Matic.

Shake

What were the prices for the 04 and the 05?

I would recommend that you keep searching for a lower milage 05 sedan, but please share the prices so we can tell you if its a good deal or not.

pmb600

If you are interested I have a PDF copy of the dealer ordering guide for MY2005 C-Class I can send you. A while back some dealer posted a bunch of them on a website and I grabbed all of them while they were still there.

The overview for the 2005 that the Dealer Ordering Guide says:

MY2005 Sport Sedans
Exterior
-New AMG body styling
-New ceramic nano clearcoat
-New three rib grille
-New clear headlights
-New suspention and steering tweaks and settings
-New mirror turn signal design and new tail lamp design
-Improved exhaust sound

Interior
-New speedometer design
-New cupholders
-New radio unit with in-dash CD player
-More chrome
-Better seats (more bolstering and lumbar support for driver)

crimson

This is good info. Both cars are being sold by wholesale dealers. The '04 has 27K miles and they are asking $16,900. Seems like a fair price to start. The '05 has 46K miles and they are asking over $22K. Crazy price, but my guess is they would deal.

Shake

I got my 05 for $23k with 26,000 miles LAST march so that is a bad deal in my opinion. I would keep searching for a 05. The 04 is a pretty good price.

ONEBAD230

The Wife and I picked up the Orion Blue 230 in my sig 5 Months ago with 36k off the original owner for $20,800 out the door.

Buellwinkle

The 2004 had 4 years free maintenance, may still be some life left to it. There's a difference between 2004 and 2004.5. The 2004.5 got some improvements like the 4 pot brakes similar to the C32, it was lower, had 5 spoke wheels, chrome exhaust tips. I drove them both before I got my 2004.5 and I liked the softer ride of the 2004.5 and the free maintenance so I bought it. As for a used car choice, it would depend more on condition than miles and model year. If they are in both in perfect shape, the 2004 has a lot less miles so it's less worn and I would pick that. If all was equal (and it's never equal on used cars), take the 2005 is you like the bumper style or dashboard better, take the 2004 if you want a softer ride.

Also, the early 2004 (7 spoke wheels) may need a radiator replacement if it's Valeo and head replacement, a problem that carried over from 2003.

pmb600

I bought a C240 4Matic in June 2006 for $27,000 from a dealer with only 11K miles and it was CPO. I think the 05 isn't that great of a deal and you could certainly find a good low mileage one for that price.