tc1728

looking to get a used C230. I found 2 nice ones. Miles and price is similar. The 2005 is a V4 1.8K with a 5speed tranny and the 2006 is a V6 2.5 with a 7speed tranny. Just wanted to know if given the choice, which one would you all get and why? Thanks in advanced everyone. Tommy C

C230 Sport Coup

Personally, I'd get the 2006. The 1.8L motor has too many issues and too little power.
But at the same time, I don't know what the record is on the
2.5L V6. The 2.3L I4 is a durable beast though but that went out in 2002.

anthuny85

i love my 06, no problems yet at 36k, and the v6 sounds nicer, but the I4 has more performance options.

Glyn M Ruck

Buy the V6 - more durable and beautifully smooth. More Benz like.

sleewell

06 for sure, especially if you plan to own it for a while. less issues in the long term, smoother ride and its a newer car which is never a bad thing.

pawe

obviously, 06 is a newer car but if you want to take the gas mileage into consideration then go with the 05. When I took my car in for a recall, the dealership gave me an 06 as a loaner. I didnt really feel much difference in the power but I like the sound of an 05 more.

HellsAngel

of course the 06, since u said price is similar... usually V6's are more expensive

Cintoman

Well, I'll have to throw one in for the I-4 Kompressor in the 2005 model. I've had my car for over 2 years with about 34,000 miles on it, and haven't had any issues with it. Positives and negatives for the Kompressor motor:

Positives:
- Fuel economy is great. Best I've gotten was 36.7mpg.
- You can wow your friends with the great fuel economy.
- Less $$$ at the pump.
- Free-revving. Sounds nice.
- Car weighs less than the V6 model, so it's less front-heavy and more tossable.
- A 4-cyl Benz engine is NOT the same as other make's 4-cyl engines. This one is smooth.
- More potential for performance enhancements
- Supercharger is great for power.
- Faster than the V6

Negatives:
- It's still a 4-cyl Benz.
- Have to explain to friends why you paid all this money and you got a "4-cyl Mercedes" (like explaining why you got an automatic Ferrari).
- V6 is much quieter and more in line with what a luxury car should have.
- 4-cyl may have some long term reliability issues
- Initial throttle response is not a snappy as V6
- Not as smooth as V6

I'm sure I missed some, but those are all I could come up with quickly.

Cintoman

acr2001

Another big vote for the V6. The 4 cylinder is much less reliable, look around the forums, maybe it's just me but 4 out of 5 times if someone is complaining about an engine issue, they have the 4 cylinder kompressor. Also like everyone else said, V6 is much smoother.

Also, doesn't the 06 have the newer next generation engine and transmission (same as the W204)??? That makes this a no brainer!!!

ChrisBrown

+1 to that

svir

Get the V6, you won't be sorry!

moonrkr23

go with the v6 and try the 6 speed manual awesome

alpinweiss

Drive them both. They are quite different.

The V6 is smoother and quieter. It is more of a luxury car.

The supercharged 4 cylinder is quicker, uses less gas, and weighs less (better balanced). It is more of a sports car.

The 6-speed manual with either engine is a delight to drive.

tc1728

I'm leaning more towards the 2006 after hearing the comments. I really appreciate all the input, plus an extra year of warranty is nice also. Thanks. TC