Ok, i just got back from my dealer with brochures and letter from dave schembri, VP of marketing, mercedes. the sedan c230k and c320 sedan will be released on jan 6th 2003 (not 2004). i know it took my dealer by surprise too. here is the spec:

model year 2003 c230 kompressor sports sedan:
7 spoke 17" wheels, sports suspension, front sports seats with leather inserts, sport body cladding, aluminium trim, 6 speed, 189 hp/192 lbft torque
...sorry i don't have a scanner but car looks like C240 sedan with C230 coupes sports package wheels and engine etc...so you can imagine...very cool looking.

model year 2003 c320 sports sedan:
7 spoke 17" wheels, sports suspension, front sports seats with leather inserts, sport body cladding, aluminium trim, 6 speed, 215 hp/221 lbft torque V6 engine
...car looks like current C320 sedan with sports package wheels, sports seats etc...

MB said current C240 and C320 sedans are targeted towards "traditional/luxury buyers" but new sports sedan (listed above) will focus on " driving enthusiasts"

the crazy thing is dealer doesn't have pricing yet but MB said " very competitive" pricing when compared to bmw, lexus, and audi....but car is coming out in 2-3 weeks...somebody is sleeping at MB. MB also said wants to target BMW 3 series customers who found that price was a barrier for purchasing MB. I still can't believe MB pulled this last minute thing without telling anyone but BMW and Audi will have a run for their money. i imagine the C230K sedan will be around 28-30K base. cars will be at detroit and LA auto shows in Jan 2003....that's the main scoop i have....still reading brochure.

 

good post. looks like a 2 pronged approach: the 230K sport sedan goes against the A4, the 320 sport sedan goes against the 3 series.

 

very good info!!!! now shall i cancel my order for a c320 and get the c230k sedan or the c320 sports sedan.. hrmms....

 

Aren't you the one who asked this question earlier this week? I thought you decided to stick with the C320.

If you're still having second thoughts, maybe you SHOULD change your order, so that you don't have any regrets later.

 

your current order of C320 sedan. if you like aggressive styling and sportiness, then go for the C230K sedan or C320 sports sedan. i think they are all good cars...just depends on personal preference. MB made it clear they are targeting different segment of the market. if you are not sure, then postpone your order and wait till the sports sedan hit the lots in early jan and test drive them both. i personally think the sports sedan will be good competitor to audi a4 and bmw 3er.

 

i know, it looks sweet.....i saw that pic of it that was sent out by mbusa. It looks sweet with the 17's. I cant wait till we get em because I am constatly loosing deals to lexus and bmw because of price point. Atleast now they are somewhat competitive. Anyone interested in getiing one, I have a few that should be arriving at the dealership in mid january. Email me for details!
mtang@mbzdirect.com

P.S.-I think Im going to get one in Tectite, gotta check netstar to see if it is availible.

 

well my car is due to arrive the 9th and im questioning whether i should keep it. the reason being is that the current car im ordering is 40k with 215 hp and the 230 sports sedan is supposedly under 30k with 189hp. another reason is that im 20, i want my car to look like its driving by someone young (no offense to others) plus i save 10k. but it all depends on when i can acctually get my hands on one. again my car arrives on the 9th and i can pick it up on the 15th. hopefully theyll have a c230k sedan that matches my options for the c320 i ordered.


-------------------------------
the waiting is killing me!!!!

 

the C230k sedan is probably going to be in the range of $28 to $34 and the dealer won't possiblly have a C230k that has no option. So you are probably looking at $31-2 on the msrp.

anyway, driving a C320 does not mean you're old. just change the rim when you get the car. you'll be set.

 

i'm prolly crazy for thinking this but are those 7 spoke 17's .. do they look like the SL 7 spoke 17's? SL500 that is?

 

Pics that I saw showed the same wheels as the C7 pkg on the Coupe

 

The C7 wheels are very similar looking to the ones on the SL. The spokes on the SLs are shaped a little differently - and the outer diameter of the SL wheel wheel doesn't have the "pleasure bumps."

- BT

 

Nice way to describe them. The C7 wheel also has a more metallic, shinier finish. The SL wheel is more of a dull silver.

 

LMAO...

i thought you would called those bumps the imitation of the "screw" on multi-piece rims.

 

what kinda exterior paints if any do you think they might have different than the standard C240/C320 sedans??

 

What about the C320 Sport Coupe? Is it still coming out soon.

 

thats what ive heard. that should be a sweet car too!!

 

you mean these rims?

(old thread)

 

Nice picture of the tire....yeah, that's the 17" tires that will be on the new 230K and C320 sports sedan. All exterior colors are available but charcoal and ash leather inserts sports seats are standard...full leather in charcoal only. Also, aluminium trim only. MB recommends buyers to get manual tranny since it is considered a sports car. i don't know anything about the C320 coupe but i heard that it's coming out too.

 

so they are keeping the old engine instead of using the same engine as the E-class.


I would have thought they would switch over to save cost.

 

what do you mean keeping the old engine?? The E320 has the same engine as the C320. I think. The C230k sedan will have the 1.8 liter s/c engine.

 

The only difference is that the E320 is tuned to 221 HP with 232 lbs-ft torque compared to the C320 which has 215 HP and 221 lbs-ft torque

 

should I wax these rims to make brake dust cleaning easier?

 

but arent they going to change engines in the E-Class to a 3.5 or 3.7 litre?

 

no idea...we'll just have to wait and see.

 

No the c320 will have a 2.3 liter, with an
ASP pulley, putting out 215 HP.

I mean why bother trying to call a car a number relating to it's
displacement on any of the Benz cars?
Or is it that the lowly c coupe is not worthy of the respect to call it a c180 in the US in eyes of the ad execs. After all market research has shown, the 'average' prospective C230 owner is just completely oblivious to anything under the hood. ;-)
Whats cc anyway? Liter....uh thats how you buy cola right?

It's become a joke.

Heck, why not put a 6 in the cl600 ?
Nobody'll notice right?

Hey, next year they can sell the A class in the US, and call it the
next C class!
We're just stupid Americans!
Waddoweno?!
Woo Hooo!!!
Farfromgruven!