Differences between 04 and 05 C230 sedans?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15
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From: Houston
1998 C230
Differences between 04 and 05 C230 sedans?
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!
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!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Houston
1998 C230
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.
Other than some interior and exterior tweaks, I can't find much different between the two: HP, torque, MPG, dimensions, etc. are all identical.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Houston
1998 C230
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.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
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C-Class C230K W203
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
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
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
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.
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.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,882
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From: Mid-west
IS300
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
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)
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)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Houston
1998 C230
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)
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)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
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.
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.
Last edited by Buellwinkle; Apr 20, 2008 at 09:22 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
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.
