Supersparker

Selling the CLK430 and currently looking at buying a White/Blk 2005 C230 sport sedan.

Opinions?
Reliability?
Actual MPG?
Mods?

Thanks!

alpinweiss

I have been very happy with my C230K with 6-speed manual transmission.

The EPA mileage rating of my car was 23 city and 32 highway. My actual mileage is about 28 city and 32 highway. A couple of disclaimers: I live at high altitude, so my mileage tends to be a bit better than what it would be near sea level. Also, I am driving very conservatively these days, given the price of gas.

Reliability. The W203 series got off to a bad start in 2001-2002. Many of these cars had reliability and quality issues. Mercedes got most of the issues resolved as the W203 matured. I consider the 2004 1/2 and the 2005 models to be the best of the series. These models had the 1.8 liter engine with the supercharger. I think it has a good blend of power and fuel economy.

The 2006 and 2007 models were also good quality. These years had the 2.5 liter V-6 engine. This was a nice and smooth engine, but mileage dropped about 10% (compared to the 4-cylinder), and horsepower was also down (despite factory ratings to the contrary).

The 2005 model you are considering has the sport suspension and sport exhaust. Be sure this is something you like.

I have not had any major repair or maintenance issues with my car. The dealership here treats me well, and tolerates my desire to perform a lot of my own maintenance. I tend to over-maintain my vehicles.

Potential issues for the future:
1. Be sure to do the wiring harness modification at the cam sensors. The parts are about $80, and you can do it yourself.
2. The supercharger will have a finite life. Normally, they go about 100,000 miles. This is a price you pay for good fuel economy and power. There are some people now rebuilding superchargers, which should reduce the cost.
3. Some of the early M271 series engines had some head problems. This was mostly resolved by the 2005 models, like the one you are considering.
4. Fewer options equals a more reliable car.

Modifications? Not too much is available. You can add a pulley kit on the supercharger, but results have been mixed. I think the car is well sorted out from the factory. If you want maximum power and economy, buy one with the 6-speed manual.

Good luck, and I think you will enjoy the car. Have it checked by a mechanic.

BF_JC230

Hi...
I drive a 2005 (Built 11/30/04 in Sindelfingen, Germany!)

1. I LOVE IT!
2. It has been great in the 33,000 miles it has taken my wife and I.
My issues - all under warranty...
A. Sound Amplifier
B. Interior center console cover
Any major work needed under warranty repair has been carried out...
A. Driver steering wheel air bag
B. Partial Load Vent Hose rebuilt
3. MPG - Overall...I change the oil earlier than the system asks...so I use the main trip meter as the oil life...I reset the "After Reset" every time I buy gas and it has been at about 28 over the life of the vehicle. The best we got was 36 on a 3 hour highway cruise.
4. What type of mods? I have no power or drive train mods - that goes against #3 and I want this for the long haul...I have all cosmetic mods that I did hanging out with my dad and there are a few mods that I want to "create" for creature comfort.

- Make sure it is aligned!
Good luck...The '05 with the aluminum trim is the best "American" version I think...
Jake
(6 speed manual as well)

Supersparker

Thanks for all of the helpful info!
Just need to find a good example. Most of the White 05's I have found for under $20K have been wrecked.......

Cintoman

Hey Supersparker,

I too have an 05 C230K, Capri Blue, 04/2005 build date (very late 2005 model, as I believe the 06's were slowly starting to be built in 05/2005), built in Bremen, Germany. It was originally a Corporate Fleet Vehicle in CA, and I purchased it used in October '06 with 13,025 miles from Autobahn Motors in Belmont, CA, then had it car-carried cross country to me in RI (over 2,600 miles away).

It's very well optioned from the factory: Capri Blue paint, Ash interior, lighting package (BI-xenons and power headlight washers), Harmon/kardon system, moonroof package, COMAND navi, automatic, heated seats, etc. Basically the only options it doesn't have are the cell phone cradle kit, power driver's side seat, and split-fold rear seat.

It's got nearly 29,000 miles, and it's been treating me awesome !! Only issues I've had were the current partial load vent hose recall (check the forum for thread), and an annoying clicking sound coming from the driver's seat belt mounting point on the B-pillar. Both were taken care of with no further problems since then.

My M-B dealer (Inskip) treats me really well, considering I'm in the M-B family with one of the lower priced models. Always a clean loaner, and any minor issues promptly taken care of. When I say "issues" I mean things like going into the diagnostics to set the car to beep when locking/unlocking, replacing the cup-holder because the plastic chrome is peeling, replacing the driver's door aluminum trim because it got a slight ding in it when it was in for service. Things like that. They know how **** I am.

Other things:

1- Fuel economy: average is about 26-28 city, 34+ highway. Worst when racing around: 13.4. Best ever driving non-stop @ 70mph from NJ to RI at night: 36.7.
2- +1 for the aluminum interior trim. Much sportier than the luxury wood trim and even the 07 sport model's black birdseye maple.
3- Ash interior is SOOOO nice, but sooooo hard to keep clean.
4- People always asking what "KOMPRESSOR" means. And when I tell them it has a supercharger, is a 4-cyl, and gets a comfortable mid 30's mpg, they are stunned.
5- horsepower/torque could be a bit more, but it's still the fastest not including the 320 or 350 or C32/55 . Yes, the 06 and 07's have the 2.5 V6 with 201 hp, but they're heavier, and don't feel as fast.
6- people drool over the illuminated door sills I got from jerry at formymercedes dot com. I could have a hemi in the engine bay, and they could care less once the see the sills. Very classy looking.
7- Very sporty looking with the ///AMG front bumper, rear bumper, and door rocker panels. Plus it's lower than the luxury models.
8- COMAND nav is nice too. More drool to clean up after people leave my car.
9- They also love the OEM blue tinted windows, especially when there's rain on them.
10- suspension is firmer than you would expect on a M-B. Make no mistake, it is EXACTLY what I like (I'm 35 yrs old), but people would expect a M-B to ride more old-man/Buick floaty. But, as a result of this, handling/braking/cornering is just as good if not better than my 93 Probe GT, which was a very very sporty car. Plus the C230 is among the most aerodynamic cars out there (0.27cd).
11- 4-cyl is not as quiet as the V6's, but far better than any other manufacturer's 4-cyl's. Some people might say WHY a-4cyl in a M-B, and make comparisons similar to getting an automatic Ferrari.


Hope this help you out.

Cintoman

JonathanMax

Find a white one with the OEM blue tinted windows with ash interior. You won't regret it. haha

BF_JC230

Yes - I second the "Dingability" of the "aluminum" trim - it is really a glorified light weight 00.030"aluminum wrap over a PC/ABS plastic blend molded part (The same part I assume that would be used to hydrographic "wood" graphics) - I have a small ding in the passenger door car because some one let the seat belt fly up when they rushed out of the car...So I ask people now to be a little more careful!

Cintoman

Yeah, I understand about the seatbelt thing. I'm always grabbing and slowly retracting my belt, but apparantly one of the service guys didn't, and it was ding'd when I got the car back.

00.030".... that's thin. There's probably more aluminum in a 12-pack of Coke cans, than all the interior trim on our cars.

Cintoman

e34m20

White over black is the #1 combination in my book.

Shopping for a 2005 230K is a bit tedious. (for me, at least)

The #1 car I wanted is:
White over black
Fully loaded**
~20,000 miles
Automatic
Spotless carfax

This "perfect" combination was not practical. I searched ebay motors, autotrader, and craigslist for 3 months and never found this combination.

After this, you have to just evaluate each car you find and determine if it is "buyable".

After seriously considering other combinations of C230 Sedan, I determined all of my priorities and got a sense of the rarity of each attribute. It was after this that I was able to find cars that I was still happy with, even if they were not *perfect*.

My exterior color priorities, (estimated rarity), and [predominant interior] color:
#1 Alabaster White (1/10) [Ash]
#2 Red (2/10) [Charcoal]
#3 Granite Grey Metallic (1/10) [Ash]
#4 Diamond Black [Charcoal]
#5 Pewter(2/10) [Charcoal]
#6 Silver (3/10) [Ash]
#7 Dark Blue (1/10) [Charcoal]

Factory Options: (Estimated Rarity)
- Sunroof Package (49/50) - includes power moonroof w/ power rear sunshade
- Premium Audio Package (40/50) - Includes snazzy harman kardon w/ changer
- Premium Package (20/50) - Includes leather rear seat inserts, full power driver seat, and heated seats (front)
- Lighting package (9/50) - Includes beautiful high intensity discharge headlamps
- Navigation system (4/50) - Includes built-in GPS navigation

My initial *dream* w203 is pretty much a 1 in 1,000 car to find for sale used. And that's not even considering finding one with low miles and not wrecked ever. So yeah, I gave up!

I ended up getting:
Granite Grey Metallic over charcoal
26,000 miles
clean carfax
automatic
sunroof package
premium audio package

I love it!

To actually answer your questions:
Reliable? yes
Mods? K&N drop-in filter
Opinions? Corners and brakes better than many purpose built sports cars. However, be prepared to accelerate substantially slower than a CLK430.
If you keep a strong set of max performance summer tires on the C230, it will allow you to easily make up for only having 189 horsepower.

MPG?
- Best sustained average on digital display = 34 (one hour @ 70mph non-stop)
- Worst sustained average on digital display = 15.5 (40 Minutes on extreme mountain road)
- Typical actual calculated MPG for slightly aggressive mixed driving in rural area 26 MPG (390 miles on 15 gallons)

e34m20

There is a phenomenal red/black one 350 miles from you in Vernon TX:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...4&#ht_9909wt_0

They will do a local sale.
This car looks beautiful, and HAS EVERY SINGLE OPTION!
30,000 miles (perfectly good)

Assuming a clean carfax (which I have not checked) this car is a steal for 19,000 dollars and a GOOD buy @ ~20.

Based on the presence of 3 $2,000 dollar factory options packages and 20,000mi of remaining factory warranty. I would probably even pay somewhere between 21 and 22k for that car.

BF_JC230

Here is what I saved when doing my original purchase research...

Good luck!
Jake

Supersparker

Thanks for all of the info and advice - You guys are quite a resource! Think we're going to hold out for the white/black 230. The car will be for the most part driven by my wife. We're scaleing back quite a bit....I sold my '04 GT3 just before christmas last year (that car was my semi- daily driver for a while)
http://picasaweb.google.com/thirdcoastmotorsports/GT3

Cintoman

e34m20, I know what you mean about trying to find the perfect car. I too was looking for my perfect combination. Basically I was telling dealierships (predominantly M-B dealerships), that I buy my used cars like most people buy new cars. I want X options, X colo, X interior, nothing less will do.

My ideal car was:
2005
C230 Kompressor 4-door
Capri Blue Metallic (C359 color code)
Ash leather interior
Lighting package (bix and power headlight washers)
Entertainment package (Harmon/Kardon 320-Watt 12 speaker Logic7.1 Surround Sound with 6-Disc CD changer)
Sunroof package (sunroof, rain sensor, power rear sunshade)
Power driver's seat with power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory. (This was an absolute must because I hate when my wife gets in my car, changes the seat, and then it takes me 5 hours to get it back to e-x-a-c-t-l-y how I had it.)

I looked well before I even had the money to buy one (started Fall 2005), and because it was still 2005, there were very few used ones out there. By 2006, there were more, but still nothing that fit the bill exactly. As a side note, among the C230's, very very few have the full power driver's seat with power steering column with memory option. All come with the partial power driver's and passenger seat. So if the pics didn't show this, off to the next car on autotrader dot com.

There were a few I saw which fit the bill to a T (at this point the Bix lights weren't on my priority list, and these cars didnt' have the Bix, and did have the power seat), but because I waited too long, they were sold from under me.

I then got an e-mail from a salesguy at Autobahn Motors. I basically spammed all the large M-B dealers in the USA with my exact specs. He replied that he had one that had everything and more, but no power driver's seat. However, it did have the COMAND nav (very very very rare in C230's), the Bix lights (which I didn't have on my list of specs), a CPO, and only 13K miles. I debated and debated (even asked for suggestions on this forum) on what to do. Give up the seats for COMAND instead? I finally decided and ended up buying this car.

And you know what...I do NOT miss the power seats whatsoever. It's so rare that my wife drives it, that it have been a very unused option. It is nice to have because when you get in, the seat moves and the column tilts/telescopes to your settings, but I much rather have all the other options this car came with instead.

That eBay red one is really nice !!

Cintoman

Supersparker

Thought I'd found what I was looking for plus it was local...Went down to the Lexus dealer looked at it. "Uh....Dude...your car has got a mad dent in the rear quarter pannel"....WTF?!!! 75% of the white '05 C230's i've looked at have some sort of paint work.................

anson.w203

really reliable, easy to park and a real head catcher if it's done up right

BF_JC230

A picture of the aluminum trim -

That red one is nice...If you want a red car...I had a red Mustang...Only car I ever had a ticket in...

Good luck with the search!
Jake

(Why are so many already damaged?!?!? - I have two rock chips and a slight scratch on mine and I think it is beat!)

Mercury

I have a 2005 C230 Black/Black manual with Navi, Very Reliable, I love it, especially the gas mile.

alpinweiss

It is hard to tell from the photo, but you may be able to get that dent repaired with paintless dent removal. Some of the dent-removal guys are artists, and do really nice work. No paint, no Bondo. Avoid the low-priced shops, and check with someone who does premium work.

If you find a car that is close to your tastes, you may have to be a bit flexible on features. All 4-cylinder cars are now in higher demand (fuel prices), and that includes the Mercedes C230K.

allhwydriving

I have a C230 Sport (2006) and it's been a great car. Any issues have been due to the previous owner who treated it very well cosmetically but was absolutely brutal on the brakes. I recently drove it cross country and averaged about 36 mpg once it was warmed up and cruising at 80mph.

I have it in Pewter with charcoal. It is an awesome combination. It catches everyone's eye, including the state trooper who gave me my first speeding ticket.

acr2001

That red one looks like a great deal, assuming you can get that scum bag dealerships gigantic disgusting logo off of the car without damage. Dealers who do that deserve to go out of business IMO.

squeak12

Great thread. After a few minutes of searching, I finally found a thread that was what I was looking for.

Are there any common problems with these cars that hasn't already been covered? I'm really looking for a 05ish for around 16k. Most I have found and been interested have between 40k-60k miles. Anything that needs replacing before 80k, other than normal wear parts like brakes, oil, etc.? Personal preference of the 4 cylinder vs. V6 seems to lean toward the 4? I can afford the car, but if it is going to cost a lot in maintenance, then I will most likely have to look elsewhere. A friend of mine with an 02? AMG turned me onto the C230. He said his was extremely reliable and said he hasn't had any problems since he bought it. I was wondering if the C230K was of similar build quality. Also, what is insurance like compared on these compared to normal daily driver. I'll be moving into the city soon, and need something smaller and easier to park than my lifted F250.

Emin

I have to 06' SS and I can vouch for it. Its a great vehicle with great performance.

The only problems i've had was the brake wear and the poor gas mileage at times. The brakes wore out soon.

Ive had my MPG go anywhere from 19 to 12.2.

iblaho

My '07 gets 16-22 mpg. 34.7 was the best on the freeway, but I had to drive like an old lady for 3+ hours.



io

XsuperbeeX

Previous owner go racing with it even before break in period

Emin

lol. there was no previous owner. I bought it out of the dealer