Im a noob looking for some information on c230 sport coupes. I tried searching buying guide etc. and looked at the stickies. I'm trying to learn about the differenced between <2002 and >2002 model years as well as potential problems to keep and eye out for as I search for my first MB. Is there a model year to look for or stay clear of? Thanks for any help.

I'm afraid I'm more a man of questions than answers, but I love my coupe so I'll give you my humble opinions.
1. The coupe was the entry level MB during it's run (in the US, where I assume you are); you'll find specimens with all manner of trim and options. I was happy to find leather seats and a pano roof, but I wish I'd held out for power seats, maybe even heated.
2. Get one under 50,000 miles if possible, and take it in for warranty service for anything not right. I did this with my pano roof, which wasn't working right at 47K, but I didn't notice at that point that the a/c linkage was messed up too.
2. if your CEL comes on and throws a P0410 code (or any other code for that matter); have someone (Autozone if you have nobody else) reset the light before you panic; sometimes it doesn't come back on, having been triggered by a cold start or something.

pano roof had problems in 2002 models...

if you can afford a little extra gaz consumption then go for the c320...

leather is rare on the coupe's so good luck finding a clean coupe with leather !!!

if you dont plan on upgrading you wheels later on, then C7 (sport package) is a must since the factory 17" improve the car looks by 10000%

and about finding one with less than 50k miles, good luck !!! its 7 years old, 7 x 12 average miles per year = 84 !!! i think 70k is fair...

i dont recall any difference between the 2003 and 2004, 2005 has big changes, front lift up, different interior, different front bumper...

and finally if you can get it from an auction you can save a lot... they are cheap these days in auctions, but still have the same tags at dealers !

in 03 dont buy anything built before 09/03 as the valeo radiator problems- ohh and check the cam angle sensors for oil in the wiring

Thanks for all the info everyone. This is exactly what im after the more the better. I dont want to jump into a potential problem and be disappointed. By the way is it only the 03 cars with radiator problems? Can this be solved by replacing with an earlier or later version? Thanks again, Steve

Thinking of selling; (look for feelers)

NY (LI) located.
Blk on blk.
65k miles.
All original, no mods, orig. owner, garage kept.
C7 package.
Pano sunroof.
Leather.
MB CD in glove box.
Update key FOB for trunk/hatch open.
Clean inside and out.
Have a winter wheel/tire setup.
Has true 2.3L (M111 engine) not 1.8L

auto / 6speed ?
black/black leather + pano + C7..... very rare for the coupe's

well its blk and the dark grey leather (looks blk).

No auto, manual 6 spd. great running car since new & fun.

i would get the 2002 coupe with the m11 enigne or the 2005 v6, wouldn't bother with the rest

ive got no trouble at all with the 2003 v6

blk/blk leather + C7 + pano = rare = mine is rare...

I always see leather and pano in the coupes.

Any case, I would put effort into a buyers guide for the M111 Coupe, but I would want to see it merged with other threads. There is already info out there, but because of duplication, it gets hard to find.

Again, I would be ready to summarize and have an open document for input that would cover suspension, drivetrain, interior, exterior etc.

E

urs isnt silver ?


pano is on 99.9% of the coupes, but black coupe's are rare (its all relative, theres a lot more white/silver/blue than black), leather on the coupe is an option, check autotrader i bet u wont find more than 20 30% of the coupes with leather.....

I have a 02 coupe with 78000km
C7 wheels, pana roof, heated seat
can someone guess how much its worth for trade in?

8k TOP

edit : only way is to find a private seller.

thanks
that means if the dealer offers $10000 Canadian $
then go for it.

SC ftw!

i got mine for around $34k. mines a '03 brilliant silver auto c230 coupe. navi package, blk leather seats, bose, cd changer, pano roof with 46k miles. i might sell soon, a year at the latest...

just wondering, do ppl mind buying a slighty modded car. its eibach lowered with a camber kit/ hid headlights/fog. new rims/tint

well you can send a modded car on a forum, or part out and sell it at the dealer...

my opinion love my 07 c230 6 speed sedan though still tough looking i think

The Valeo radiator does NOT affect EVERY car. There is more than 1 supplier.

Even if you have Valeo, my understanding is that there are select batches. However, if you have one, the best peace of mind is to have the rad replaced.

Some people like the torque of the M111 (2002) engine. Call me cheap, but I really like how my M271 (2003-2005) gets me 600km per tank in the city.

If I were to do it again, 1st choice would be MY2005. That is the 1 year they still have the M271, and you also get the facelifted interior and body.

I can easily get 400 miles per tank. It is not uncommon for me to get up into the 475 mark.

E

Even in the city? (I'm literally talking 0% highway, never faster than about 70km/h)

Ohhh no no, not all city. The mix is approx 20% city 80 % highway that gets me there. Secret is staying under 65mph.

E

Phew. For a second I thought the M111 is more effienct than the M271.