SaxmanBW91

Hey everybody,

I'm looking at purchasing a W203 C-Class MB. I just have a few questions to ask people who own or have owned the cars.... Here they are.

1) Has anyone with a C230 kompressor (coupe or sedan) had any problems with the supercharger?

2) I've seen that the 4 cylinder C230 kompressors have more horsepower and torque than the C240's... Can you really feel that big of a difference?

3) Given the fact that the 2.5 V6 C230 is more expensive than the kompressor 4's, which would you buy used given a choice and a budget of roughly 20K?

These are just general questions I have about the vehicles and I want to test the waters before purchasing one of the W203 models....

Thanks in advance!

krisv420

My first car i bought c320 just got mine 3 months ago.. and all i have to say is that.. i keep my window open in my room so i can look at my car and it just makes me smile.. i love my car.. can't really help you with any of the other questions.. sorry but i had to go and just note that.

jogger

i have the 07 c230 and this car is really really nice. on the highway i get around 25-29 mpg and in the city around 21. i purchased the car used with 2000 miles but it was over 20k; i think you wont go wrong with any model.

dnlow

#1 No

#2 Yes, you get about 30% more MPGs and more power. You cant beat the 1.8L kompressor.

#3 I would get 1.8L kompressor since you will get better gas mileage and a quicker 0-60 time. The 2.5L has more HP and 7 speed transmission.

I am impartial to the 1.8L kompressor since I have one but I have gotten V6 loaners and taught they were pretty slow.(so is 1.8L) I did feel more torgue.

Just wanted to add that some of these cars have alot of electical issues, but used is better than new. What I mean is that all of the electrical issues have hopefully been worked out. It took me about 2 and 1/2 years but I think all the issues on my car are finnally worked out.

Maintenace is also pretty expensive, so if you are handy this will save you ALOT!!! of money. Good luck.

splinter

1) No.
The superchargers have proven to be quite durable; their related plumbing, however, has not.
Each variant has been subject to DTBs, recalls, or goodwill repairs.

2) Yes.

3) MB’s M272 V6 is very smooth. They’re superior to the (now) antiquated M112, 271 or 111.
$20K goes a long way in today’s used W203 market. Or, just wait another month.

Enjoyed a W124 before our C. I still miss its torsional rigidity and overall solid build quality.
An W210/211 is likely a more worthy replacement for your 400E, imho.

SaxmanBW91

Unfortunately the 400E is my parents... I'm only 18 and have yet to even purchase a car. I've been looking at C's for a while and I think that a used W203 will be a very nice first car. But in the meantime before college my parents will be replacing the 400E and getting either an '04 or newer E55 or an E500 sport. Thanks everyone for your useful insight!

TemjinX2

for $20k you can just buy a used c32.

California

My c coupe c230 kompressor is very peppy if that helps.

scottw

I had over 50,000 miles on my 2004 C230 kompressor when I traded it in for the v-6 2007 model. The kompressor had more initial punch off the line and a bit better gas milage. The v-6 sounds way better, though, and the 2007 models look better, too.

scottisha

143,000 miles and no supercharger issues.

No oil leaks

Replaced alternator once. maybe a year ago.

I've driven the 2006 v-6 and the c240.

The 06 felt decent, but not better enough to loose that much fuel economy.

c240? I'm not sure why anyone bought one.

I've gone through enough tires and brakes to keep tirerack happy.

The biggest downside is the tires. I guess you could probably go with a all season, longer lasting tire, but you will give up a good deal of performance around corners.

My car has bee great. It's actually been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I bought mine new and the other new cars I've owned have not faired to well past the 70k miles point.

Scott

benzito911

Cintoman

I would definitely recommend the C230 with the Kompressor 1.8L supercharged engine. Great little motor, very peppy and very fuel efficient. People are amazed I regularly get over 30 mpg on the highway. My best ever was 36.7mpg doing a constant 70 from NJ to RI on I-95, nonstop.

I've driven the C320, C350, and 2007 model year C230's (with the 2.5L V6). The 320 and 350 are quite faster than the C230K, but also much much thirstier. They would be great if not for the $4.50+ price per gallon for gas. As for the 2006 and 2007 V6 C230's, I was not too impressed by them. The engine is smoother and quieter than my 1.8L, but they are much heavier also, which is something to think about when you want a car that handles well. Also, did a test when I had to bring mine in for service awhile back. Drove mine down to the local stealer (about 25 miles away), and I got about 34 mpg. Took the loaner C230 back the next day to pick up mine. Same drive, similar weather, same speed, and I ended up getting about 28 mpg. About 6 mpg less. Also did this test with a C320 a few years back (before the C350 replaced the C320), and fuel economy was about 24 over the same roads.

Despite the V6 C230's having more advertised power (201hp vs 189hp), they still do feel slower and heavier.

Don't even waste your time with a C240. It has a laughable 168 hp engine that can barely get away from itself. Why someone would buy this I do not know. But the vast majority of the C's I see here by my neck of the woods (RI) are 240s or 240 4Matic's.

Cintoman

costerdock

That is just plain foolish - there is nothing wrong with the C240 - if you want fast go with a C32/C55 - otherwise the C240, C230 (I haven't driven the C320) are very comparable as far as speed goes. I've driven a C230 SS for an entire week while my C240 was in the shop - it definitely was NOT noticably faster. Great looking car however the understated look of the C240 lowered with nice wheels looks just as nice. This site really pisses me off at times with all the C230 owners that rag on the C240 - both are very nice cars and to say otherwise - your an idiot.

Jack_2001C240

I have a 2001 C240 and I am very satisfied with it as far as performance goes. I am in my mid 40's in age and not a speeder like you younger folks on this site. The C240 actually has a very nice ride and I bet it will last for a very long time if it is well maintained and not abused. If you are an aggressive driver than this car is probably not for you.

My only issue is the small sections of paint on the bottom front passenger side door that has separated from the metal. The car is out of warranty, so I used a utility knife to scrape off the paint and some Mercedes touch up paint to repaint it. Luckily the metal was not rusted.

andy_meng1024

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 7 speed trans are only on 07+

TemjinX2

i average around 22mpg combination highway and city. I get 21mpg now with the 19'' rims. Highway i get 26mpg and city i get around 16-18mpg.

Which isn't too bad for a car with 349hp.

ArsnlKen

+1!

e1000

7G-Tronic was introduced in 2006 with the M272 engines.

Cintoman: the C350 isn't as thirsty as the outgoing C320. On the highway, it's almost as efficient as the M271 1.8L and as good, if not better than the M272 2.5L. For city driving, it's much thirstier than the smaller V6 and the supercharged 4.

Glyn M Ruck

C 240 is great - once the revs are up the performance is fine & it revs smoothly to the red line - not like a frantic K - NVH issues vastly better than the 4 pot engines & the vehicle is mechanically tough. Saw one in KL Malaysia with 700,000 Kms on the clock in taxi service - no major repairs apart from standard servicing at Cycle & Carriage (MB Dealers) & lots of tyres & brake pads. The drivetrain is tough as nails & unstressed. It's not a boy racer's car but a darn good drive - great open road cruiser - vastly misunderstood vehicle. I find that people who criticise have never owned the 2.6l V6. I average 9.3l/100Km in town. In it's category it was an expensive way to enjoy the three pointed star new. Most people did not want to pay the difference in price versus the Kompressors. Go talk to an honest dealer - now there is an oxymoron! - the 4 cylinder engines give a hell of a lot more trouble - especially cylinder heads

Cintoman

Everyone,

Want to apologize for my comments about the 240. Yes, it does have less horsepower than the C230K, but there are in fact many aspects which the 240 is equal to and in many cases, superior to the C230K. Smoother engine, less problems, a V6 versus a 4-cyl, quieter, more luxurius, and a more traditional Benz, and so on. To say what I said was in fact me being biased to my C230K, and not looking at the bigger picture. Yes, the C230's are geared more to the younger crowd and the less traditional M-B owner. I'm in the middle of the pack at 35 years of age.

I for one swore years back that I would never get a 4-cyl Benz. I likened it to getting an automatic Ferrari. And what did I end up getting...a 4-cyl Benz. Some people call me nuts spending all this money on a 4-cylinder Benz.

So, no excuses on my part... just my apologies to all C240 owners for my comments. No reason for what I said. There's a reason M-B made the C230, C240 and C320's...each targets a specific person. Each has their + and their -.

e1000...thanks for the heads up on the C350 engine and its' associated fuel economy.

Again, my apologies if I offended any C240 owner and anyone else. We're all Benz owners, and we should be proud of whatever model we have.



Cintoman

alpinweiss

I have considered replacing my 4-cylinder C230K with a new V-6 model a couple times (W203 and W204 model). I have resisted due to the better fuel economy of the M271 engine. The 6-speed manual transmission also helps with both mileage and performance.

The V-6 engines are very nice. But there are persistant rumors Mercedes will again be offering 4-cylinder gas and Diesel engines in the US, due to the fuel issues.

I am personally very happy with my 4-cylinder supercharged Mercedes, but I realize this engine is not for everyone.

costerdock

No worries at all Cintoman! Sorry if I came off a bit harsh - just pent up rage from reading this forum over the years.

splinter

No worries - and no need to apologize. Your post was entirely appropriate when read in its intended context. You’re by no means posting like an idiot by most members’ measure.

I suspect each of us selected his machine to best suit our particular situation and financial wherewithal when bringing ‘er home. Regardless of its as-delivered equipment and hardware, several of us are rather fond of the W203.

When MB has proven to be deficient or somewhat less than fulfilling, this forum and its trusted members have thus far succeeded in retaining the faithful among us.

Glyn M Ruck

Hey! - no need to apologise!!! no offence was taken. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and to have their say. You were not a belligerent jerk like many on this forum & we seldom come down hard on them. I was just stating an alternative viewpoint.
I'm a South African and we regularly have very robust interaction followed by a good evening in the pub with no hard feelings. My American colleagues are frequently surprised by this. It's just our culture. We say it the way it is with no circumlocution and move on. There is nothing personal. - Of course some believe that we only open our mouths to change feet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kind Regards & please don't feel any discomfort.
btw - the new V6s are about 15% more fuel efficient than their predecessors which were LEVs in their own right.

e34m20

The c240 is probably fine. I have never driven one, but if this is possible ...



then how bad could the C240 actually be???