Drew_ML

Check it out via the link below. Details on the new C-class sport models.

Click here to see the news story

Looks like the C320 Sport coupe will have an optional 17" wheel and tire package, not standard as some have speculated.

KWiK

from the picture in that link, it looks like a 4x4

CitronC230K_03

those pictures of the C230 Sedan dont really look that good. the C320 looked cool with the spoiler.

Drew_ML

The pics that were taken were of the car on the track, therefore at that point, the suspension would've been unloaded on one side during the turn.

trench

I think that particular car is in the process of making a left handed turn so the body has rolled over somewhat, giving it that "lifted 4x4" look.

The excessive body roll is the only thing that I don't like about my Coupe. Shoot... the stock anti-roll bars in my Integra are thicker than the Coupe's - considering that car weighs almost 800 pounds less, almost no body roll on that sucker.

One of these days I'll buy some C32 bars. That should help !

Cheers, BT

CitronC230K_03

plus the headlights dont help! i love them, dont get me wrong but they just look out of place in that particular picture!!!

amdeutsch

Following all the links I'm surprised to see that the C320 with the new sports package is priced the same as a regular C320 without.

I know that the sport is based on the regular 'Avantgarde' and the regular is based on the 'Elegance' package. What I don't fully understand is the addition of the total sport package, wheels, seats, tint, etc. All of these are extra cost items per the German website ($3000 w/full leather in 02 in US). This makes me wonder what they are deleting in order to hold the price. MB is not known for throwing things in for free.

Anybody have some more info on this?

I know that dealers are being told not to point out the sport sedan when a prospective buyer is looking at the regular one.
If they are throwing in all these things for free I would thing it would be a public relations nightmare for MB.
Especially all the people that bought C320s, like me, would not be too happy. Our cars would instantly loose ~$1500+ in value in addition to the loss we have owning it. In 03 the cars where cheaper than 02 but only because equipment was deleted - relatively speaking.
Don't tell me MB is pulling one of the 'Big 3' stunts by providing more value at equal or lower cost to new buyers than existing ones. Because if this is true I would be very PI$$ED

Just my $0.02.

Silver_Lana

DaDarkness

amdeutsch, you can count me as one of those MB customers who's already pissed...and I haven't even gotten my car yet. Ordered my C320 4matic about 6 weeks ago...and now this comes out. Truly, my heart was set on a C32, but I compromised with my family that the extra $10K CDN wasn't worth it on a car.

And to think, I could've had pretty much everything I wanted in a C320 sport, and this was the only model year (2003) that it wasn't offered.

Drew_ML: Just a question...but are you completely satisfied with your new toy, or are you wishing you had possibly waited for the C320 4matic Sport?

pokerFACE

Just wanting to pop another question regarding the new W203 offerings for 2003..

I just saw a C240 Classic this afternoon in Toronto with a 4Matic badge...

are 4Matics available in Classic trim??

Verb04

When does the C230K sport sedan hit the dealership??

Matt230K

They're already released, so it all depends on whether your dealer has any allocated to them or not. They may have one right now.

oggle

This is sad... they didn't have the C320 coupe at the show. I was so looking forward to that.

Drew_ML

Absolutely no regrets whatsoever, for several points. First of all, I don't like the charcoal leather. Dark colours tend to give the illusion of the car being smaller than it is. Additionally, every little spec of dust shows up on the dark interior inaddition to it being a lot warmer inside during the summer! Secondly, the lowered suspension is counterproductive in my case with the 4-matic system. As it is, the C-class already has limited ground clearance. The sport package eliminates another 20 millimetres off of this, bringing it even closer to the ground. While it is better for handling, the normal C-class is no slouch either and I don't like the idea of snow/ice scraping the undercarriage constantly.

Next, it will be a heck of a lot more difficult to find all-season tires for the 17" wheels. I really didn't want to have to go to more expense to get winter tires on top of the 4-matic system.

Finally, I happen to like wood in the interior, even though aluminum trim is acceptable

Verb04

I just went to my dealership here in Miami, FL to try to buy a 2003 C230K Sedan and the sales person told me that the car doesn't come out till Fall of 2003 as a 2004 model. I thought it was going to be a 2003 Model. It isn't on MBUSA.com either.

DaDarkness

Good points you brought up Drew...

I dunno...like I said, I was a little biased in that I wanted the C32 in the first place, but it just didn't make enough sense to go with a car which cannot really be fully appreciated under normal city driving conditions. My biggest gripe is that I would've been okay trading off the to the C320 with a sport package, but it just so happens that this is the one model year (2003) when it isn't available. But since I was going to the C320, I figured having the 4matic system in an area where it snows about 6 months of the year (Toronto, GTA), would more than pay for itself in terms of practicality.

I really like your rims though...mind if I ask how much you paid?

FrankW

I'm not sure about this, but i don't think the 4matic model can have the sport pkg. (correct me if i'm wrong, thx)

FrankW

the LA autoshow had a Magma Red C320 coupe. There is a picture some one posted in the "just came back from LA auto show" thread

Drew_ML

The 4-matic system is excellent in the snow. I don't think you'll have any regrets. I have seen MB internal training videos of the C320 4-matic in comparison to the BMW 330xi, the Jaguar X-type 3.0, the Audi A4 Quattro, and the VW Passat 4-motion. Out of all of the cars, in handling and performance especially in inclemental conditions, the C-class bests all of them easily with its harmonious integration of ESP, 4ETS, and 4-matic.

Besides, the C320 4-matic is no slouch either, with a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds by MB's very conservative estimates.

Quote:

I really like your rims though...mind if I ask how much you paid?

I got a really good deal on them as I have an excellent relationship with my dealer, and they just so happened to have a set of take-off Avantgarde rims/Michelin tires in stock from someone who had upgraded to the C32AMG's wheels. It worked out well for me as someone else wanted my stock wheels, for winter tires. Therefore I only paid about $125 more per wheel for the entire set to trade them in! I also invested in a set of good wheel locks as these wheels are rare and I didn't want anyone swiping them

oggle

Oh now I see it. Damn that's a dissapointment. It's just basically a C230 hatch-back style. I'd much rather go for the sedan then.

Guest0001

i dont like this idea that mb is doing. so now they have a c230 sport sedan that starts around 28 ! there goes exclusivity for the sedan owners like my self. also a c320 sport that starts cheaper than the regular c320? that puzzles me the most. o well its all business. whatever, will keep my car, i definitey prefer the V6 and the WOOD TRIM!

Matt230K

Your dealer is an idiot. The car is a 2003 model and it is out now. Come up to Ohio and I can get you one, Silver and Ash. It's already on the lot. I wouldn't go to a dealer that doesn't know their product anyway.

FrankW

the 2003 C320 sport sedan is just like the 2001 C320 sport. Except the sport pkg's price is now lowered and has bigger rims.

btw, other than the aluminium trim and the obvious sport seat, what is the difference in feature between a 03 C320 sport and 03 C320 luxury?