freddy23Russia

hi to everyone,

I'm 15, live in Florida for 2 years, and I came here from Russia. I know this is the information you don't need, but I just want to tell you that I love Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Both of the companies are great. Well anyways, I hope that you guys can help me decide on what kind car I should get. I putted an eye on Mercedes c230 Kompressor Sport, I think this is really beautiful car, it doesn't need that much gas, and it's sports car. It have 189bhp, 5-speed manual, etc. Well you guys know more then I do, so no need to explain hehe. I just wanted to ask for some help, do you think I should consider buying that car? Please don't tell me you are 15, you're to young for this car and stuff like this, I would really appreciate if you would please answer my question. And yes also if you think there is better cars, that don't need a lot of gas, please let me know.

Thanks,

Sincerely Freddy

freddy23Russia

I'm sorry that I posted this thread in wrong place, I just misunderstood.

d1no

im 18... the c230 is my second car.. i was in the same boat as you.. you should search the forum a bit and decide if you really want it as your first car.. like can you afford the upkeep because it will be more than the honda civic most teens get.. also these cars arent the fastest thing in the world but theyre ok and its 6spd for the sport edition.. i dont think theres a 5spd..

i mean i like my car but i think you should learn a bit more about car before owning one because its a bit harder to diy than japanase cars... unless your loaded or parents will pay for everything which im assuming they will since ur only 15 and want a 10k or more car

LILBENZ230

Yeah no 5spd manuals. All 6spds.

There is a factual basis about upkeep being expensive, but it's blown way out of proportion here. If anything major goes wrong and the dealer needs involved it is gonna cost you. But so would a Honda. If I'm gonna have to pay $800 for a repair on a Honda, what's $1200 on a Mercedes?

About maintenance. You can pay a lot or you can do your homework. I pay about $75 for an oil change. I buy my own stuff and have someone I trust do it. Sure, I could let Wal-Mart do a Honda for $25. But I'm gonna need it 2x as often in the Honda, so that's only saving $50 a year. If you are smart and shop around (and online!) you can maintain these cars for reasonable sums of money.

Don't let it scare you. Look for a low-mileage 2005-2007 car, get an extended warranty if possible. Absolutely do not buy 2001-2002 car no matter how cheaply you can get it. I personally wouldn't buy anything less than a 2005 because of the updates.

krisv420

why you hating on my 02....

LILBENZ230

It's well known that 2001-2002 were not good years for the C-class. No need for that kind of stuff on a 16-year-old. Ideally he'll get a 2006-2007 M272 car with all the bugs worked out. But I have 59k on my 2005 and it's been as reliable as a Honda.

krisv420

Ive only had two issues with my car with the 2+ year owner ship which was new plugs at 80k and a new battery.. Other then that the car runs smooth =P If i could afford a 2006+ at 16 that would be great. I got my car without help from anyone.. but i still wish i got an amg c32 to bad i didn't know about it..

W203E35

Kak Dzila Freddy,

2006 and up the C230 came with a 2.5 engine. 2005 and lower came with a 1.8 supercharged. I have heard a lot of people (wise people -Glyn) say that the 2.5 engine (M272) is a real good engine. You will probably run into less trouble if you get the M272 engine (2006 or higher).

Listen to LILBENZ he is very knowledgeable (even though he is a butt hole) lool j/k man you know you are the coolest cat of them all. No but seriously listen to LILBENZ he always has good info to give out.

Good luck on your choice and Welcome to the forum. Also post here the ones you are looking at so we can help you pick out the right one.

P.S. He is not bias he is giving you real info.

Glyn M Ruck

Good sensible, safe starter car - You have the pleasure of living in America where young people can afford such cars. As Karo says - if you can possibly afford a V6 - even if it's the baby then go for it. Bullet proof engine. Don't listen to people saying it lacks power - that's BS - It's how it develops it's power that counts. Loves to be revved & will go on being revved for 100s of thousands of miles. If you have to buy a K4cyl that's OK too. Just not as tough.

Good Luck & enjoy.

JLD2k3

1985 Honda Civic. My boss drives his and gets ~45 mpg (all in town, he takes his RL on the highway), no maintenance in years except oil, chicks dig it (ok, no they don't).

If you've got the money, decide if you want the luxury or the performance. Luxury, go MB. Performance, go BMW. Best of luck to you. DO NOT buy a 2001 or 2002. Mine is a disaster. Everything electrical is a mess. Stuff leaks and creaks. More trouble than it's worth. Worst purchase I've ever made.

azizblue

e55 baby

TemjinX2

unless your mommy and daddy is going to pay for all the maintence. I would just buy a honda. I spent more money on maintence on my 2002 C32 then i did on my 1994 Integra and that car was almost as old as you.

freddy23Russia

thank you for all the answer you gave me, I really appreciate it. Well the thing is I don't want honda, or anything like that. I like when I stand out lol, and MB c230 Kompressor Sport is just perfect car. I just wanted you guys to give me information about it, like how much it will cost, mpgs, and stuff like that. And thanks again, you guys are probably nicest people on forums lol.

ChokuDorian

dont buy it on ebay unless you go look at it first, lol.

i bought my first car off ebay without looking at it...

i have the same car you are looking at (2005), i love it. 52k miles and nothing but maintenance, oh and a key battery. gets well over 20mpg (havent really clocked it precisely). One of my favorite body style Mercedes...well, in my price range =p

LILBENZ230

What year specifically are you talking about? 2005+?

Mercedes really dropped the ball at the beginning couple-o-three years of the W203. Avoid them. Nothing wrong with a Honda or Toyota instead. After all, depending on where you live in FL, the W203 won't be very exclusive. It's not an expensive car (unless it is an AMG), it just wears and expensive badge.

freddy23Russia

haha no I'm not buying it on eBay. There is couple dealers that sell only Mercedes-Benzs I will look forward to that.

And btw so you guys think that I should get that car? And you think I will not have any problems with it?

LILBENZ230

I think you'll be fine with a later-year W203. I can safely recommend it based on my experiences. However, there are wildly different experiences on this board. So it is impossible for anyone to say whether you will or won't have issues. Search the forum for common problems and read the stickies at the top of the page so you know what is typical.

bdgdl08

Hey man, welcome to the forum. I can't say much more than these guys have already said (especially LILBENZ). If you can, get a '05+ car. If you're worried about mileage, get the 1.8K rather than the 2.5. If you are going to look at the dealerships, Brumos on Atlantic (just west of 9A) beats all the others in the area. If you go there, look for Detlev Pohle (sales consultant). He is a great guy and will give you great information. As far as the service goes, Brumos does a great job, but (like any dealership) is rather expensive. If you decide to use the dealership for service, Lee McMillan (Service Advisor) is one of the best. He will really cut through the BS about the service if you ask him to. Beyond that, I think you are on the right track. Mercedes are great cars, and if you can afford one, I say go for it! If you would like any first hand help, shoot me a PM, as I am in the area. Good luck!

freddy23Russia

Thanks for all the answers.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah - take LILBENZ's advice, stay away from 2000, 2001, 2002 - troublesome years. 1st car that Benz computer simulated endurance testing instead of doing it on the road. My late 2003 car had all the bugs sorted and has given zero trouble. 2 castor bushes which were a known weakness now redesigned. & one weeping tranny plug washer. That's all in six years & done free under warranty. As I said the V6 engines are the toughest but are heavier on fuel - not by much though. If you buy a facelift onward 4 cyl we will tell you the few simple things to do like fitting pigtales to the cam sensors to prevent trouble. You will find that all the moaners about high running cost almost without exception own those early cars - don't buy one.

Good luck - now I'm taking my car for a run - it always put's a smile on my face - solid as the day it rolled off the showroom floor. Not even a squeak or a rattle & the leather still smells new.

holycaoAMG

That would be me!

ChokuDorian

seriously, im in Ft. Lauderdale, streets are crawling with c-classes.

bdgdl08

^^^ Dude, Ponte Vedra Beach... Porsches are low end here! Lol

mac911

Hi Freddy,

I think the C230 Kompressor is a very nice car. I agree stay away from 2000 through 2002 cars.

Remember taking care of it will be more money than other non-luxury automobiles.

I test drove a 2005 C230 once. It was very nice. Very Mercedes. So it was comfortable, high quality materials inside, that gorgeous exterior design, and that engine moves nicely.

I think that engine was a really good one because it moves you pretty nicely, better than the 2.5 liter V6 they later used, while getting much better fuel economy too.

To have a car like a C230 at 15, would have been a dream to me as a young person. However, if you and your family can do it, enjoy. Otherwise though, remember that other cars will also get you from one place to the next.

LILBENZ230

I've not found this to be true personally. Not when looked at over a year's time.