Hi i'm really want to buy w203 preferably sport,i'm looking for the facelifted version 2005-2007 though by searching this forum i kept on hearing about the numerous problems with c230 with 1.8 supercharged engines. so i think i'll be looking for the 2006-2007 c230SS with the 2.5 v6 or c350SS with 3.5 v6. i didn't really find any common problems or serious issues with these cars over here. so the question is there any issues or problems i should be aware of before getting into something like this. Another question is i really want 6sp, so would it be hard to find one, and if i wont be able to find one how is the new 7G-tronic transmissions work? i heard something about to much shifting or something like that would you please clarify if there is any problem there?
thanks ahead of time...

 

There are a few minor problems with the 2006+ cars. There was a TSB for harsh downshifting on the 7G from 2nd to 1st on some cars. Most of the other things are wear components like suspension bushings, etc. No glaring, major issues come to mind.

Good luck finding a 6-speed, and especially a C350 w/ a 6-speed.

Coming from a Cobalt SS Supercharged, you might find the 2.5L V6 a bit on the slow side. Just a warning.

I personally think the 7G works well. Essentially, it's a 5sp with super tall overdrive gears. The penalty for getting caught in the wrong gear is bad but it does have a manual shift option so you can get it to do what you want. With a little drive involvement I've been pretty happy with it.

 

thanks...

Coming from a Cobalt SS Supercharged, you might find the 2.5L V6 a bit on the slow side. Just a warning.
does this mean you would better recommend to go with c350, even though its so hard to find one with 6spd?

Most of the other things are wear components like suspension bushings, etc. No glaring, major issues come to mind.

are those wear components very expensive to replace and how often they go out??
im college student so dont want to get into habit stowing out $500 month after month

 

Go with the C350!

There are a lot more bushings on the C-class compared the Cobalt because it has multilink suspension, those components are expensive but they last very long...so don't worry about it.

 

A C230 6-speed will be hard to find, a C350 6-speed will be very very hard to find. Without even looking I'd say there's only a handfull on autotrader in the whole country.

The suspension components aren't as bad as you would think. If you find a good independant MB mechanic it won't be that bad. Also, it won't completely stop you from driving it, it'll just be a little sloppy around turns or groan a little over bumps.

Overall I'd say maintenance is fairly decent. Brake pads and tires can wear pretty fast depending on what brands you choose.

 

just checked:

2006-2007 C350 6MT Sport Sedans in the country on autotrader: ZERO
2006-2007 C350, any trim, any transmission in the country on autotrader: 79.

Wow I'm a bit suprised. Looks like they're holding thier value too. KBB can kiss my @ss! This dosen't help my decision to get rid of mine.......

 

i have a six speed i like it very much 230 is a nice car but as mentioned above a 2.5 will be slow compared to your cobalt

not 100% sure but i don't believe the c350 came in manual

these cars have a weak ps pump not a huge problem but owners have had them go out NOTE all problems were result of exsesive burn outs / donuts doesnt mean you can never have fun but make sure you turn off esp before you do

 

C350 Sport came "standard" as a 6-MT. 7G was an option. Unfortunately EVERYONE ordered the option. C350SS 6-MT's are super rare but they absolutely made them.

FYI, ALL C230's are Sport Sedans, ALL C240/C280's are Luxury, but you could buy the C350 in both Sport and Luxury variations, AND also with 4-Matic if you chose Luxury.

Also, just a suggestion, but if you like a sportier ride, ABSOLUTELY get a Sport Sedan. There are significant cosmetic and mechanical differences between the sport and luxury sedans on the w203.

 

thank you all for your replies.
ok so my question now is c350 7G vs C230 6spd??????????
what do you think.....

 

C350SS 7G, easily. 5.5iiiiiish seconds 0-60, low 14's in the 1/4 mile @ 99mph and you can let it shift on it's own when you want. I don't think the 6-MT is that much faster, probably more fun to drive though.

 

My list would go

C350 6 speed
C230 6 speed
C350 Auto
C230 Auto

The 230 can be flashed to get around 220HP and 200Tq, and its only 300 lbs heavier then a cobalt. So it would or could be just as fast with only about a 500 dollar investment so....

 

i have a 2007 c230 and only had one issue one night, the car was rough to start. dealer told me me it needed a "software update" but after it the car has been very reliable. now it has 35k miles.

 

I wonder how many 6MT C230's could keep up with a 7G C350. Just saying.

Supercharged Cobalts can run mid to low 14's in the 1/4mile depending on year, the fastest time for a 6MT C230 on dragtimes is a 2005 coming in at 15.6s ET. Good luck chasing down that cobalt.

 

Waz up Eric,

Long time no see or talk. I just wanted to add. I raced a c230 6MT (07) with my c350 7G (06) and we were rolling and we were dead even for 1.5 - 2 seconds then I was just gone (no chance).

Although some people call me a liar I have kept up pretty damn well with a G37 (my hood was by his door). I have taken G35 coupes and even Sedans. As a matter of fact I chased a G35 sedan last week coming back from a clients place late at night because the idiot was tailgating me even though the freeway was empty.

Patrick, Min, Beatrice and Armen can explain what my definition of chasing down is

I also had a little fun with a very sexy and mean C43. The guys behind us can vouch for this as well

The w203 c350 I have a feeling is slower on paper then on a road (if you know what I mean).

OP: If I were you (since you want speed) I would get c350 6MT if that's not available then c350 7G.

You won't regret it (this is for speed but if you are looking for fun then c350 6MT then c230 6MT).

If I recall correctly the HP loss is 18% on Manual and 22% on 7G (someone correct me if I am wrong).

 

I forgot to mention the C350 is Karo approved

I beat her soooo much. But it's weird because the more I beat her the more faster and better she performs

On a serious note this car is durable. I have had some issues but this was my bad luck (oil leaking - factory cam plug seal problem), (Transmission problem- which I heard and experience, the fix is the Valve Body) and that's all really. Other than that I haven't had a real problem with her. The car itself is soo beautiful and has great handling (yes I tested this too) took a 90 degree turn going 40 and punching it and lost control and it regained it (i thought I was done-didn't do it on purpose). All around she is great and worth every penny. If only in Tiptronic (whatever you wanna call it) if they made it more responsive when switching gears then I might leave my GF for her instead. Although with DAS when I reset adaptations she becomes a BEAST.

Eric come on over i'll hook you up with the Transmission Adaptations (Reset) and I guarantee you 100% you will feel a difference. Your baby will shift like an SMG on the fastest setting (but still not SMG responsive-slight lag)-(I mention SMG because I haven't driven the new M3s).

 

Lol, thanks Karo but I know a buddy with DAS already and I'm considering selling the C350 soon........

 

Why is that? What do you want to get?

 

Honestly, who gives a crap about drag times? Measuring a car by how fast it goes in a straight line is useless, A mustang and a crown vic have 300hp, try having one of them keep up with you on a twisty road...If you want to go fast in a straight line, thats why they made C55s and C32s, A C350 is a faster car but by no means any better at the 2.5V6 running mate besides straight line power. It handles the same looks the same, behaves the same in corners, ect. Going 9000 miles an hour is useless if you cant move the hulk around the corners of the road. Cobalts, evo, MS3, WRX, are designed to go fast, the C230 and 350 have never been advertised as competition to those cars, same with a G35, there not meant to compete, G35 is mid, C is small (one also is just an expenside nissan). The fact that there are so few MT C350 W203 (or C350s at all) should spell out that more people would rather just get a AMG to go fast then spend (what im sure was an opulent amount more) money, for about a 50Hp power increase over a 230.

350s are super (would love to have one) but an automatic "sports sedan" is an oxymoron. Which is why when I bough my car I passed up a C32, If it dont have a clutch pedal its not a "sports" car to me. Also C230 are not that slow, it may not be faster then other C classes but A. No one has C350s and AMGs are not a comparing point to them, and B. Its quicker then 60% of the cars on the road, heck I beat a 98 CLK 430 yesterday.

C230 are not slow, there much faster then 6 out of 10 cars you encounter on the road today, Drive an E350 or a camry, or a accord sedan, or ford explorer, expedition, a chevy equinox, malibu, impala, 300, na Impreza, legacy, na lancer, qx56, morono, sentra, altima, and then get in a 230 and tell me its "slower" then any car mentioned above? Its not... A ferrari it isnt, a quick car it is.

 

thanks for all responses
ok so i guess ill just need to test drive both the c230 6spd and c350 7G
as to the power loss im well aware of that my cobalt has 300hp but the reliability is great issue, im just dumping money into it and it still breaks thats why im trying to switch to something slower though more reliable....

 

Well, like you said, it handles the same, but it has more power. Other than price, I don't see a lot of downside there. C350 is actually closer to 70hp more than a C230 stock for stock. Brakes are a little bigger too.

BTW, C230 is much slower than an E350, Camry V6, Accord V6, Altima V6. There are probably more from your list as well. By the way I wouldn't be proud of being faster than a bunch of SUV's.

 

Do you have the TSB # for that?

 

Not sure yet

Yeah I think I have it at home. I'll post it for you tonight.

 

It appears C240 syndrome is affecting some 2006-2007 C230 owners, too. Only to the owners of these cars do numbers like 30-70hp OVER their cars seem insignificant. There is a 67hp difference between a C230 V6 and a C350. There's a 70hp difference between a 328i and a 335i. Anyone here want to say there's not a world of difference between a 328 and 335? Sure they look the same. That's not the point. The C350 is significantly faster than the C230, while it's able to match or better it in fuel efficiency. Win/Win.

And yep, a V6 CamCordAltibu will smoke a C230. So will an E350. So will a Nissan Murano or Infiniti QX56.

 

The C350 also has the C55 sways and brakes

Forgot about that

 

Thanks LILBENZ230 the qx56 is faster sad to say lol. heck it is almost faster than my c320. I love driving my moms q56 because you can beat the stupid ricers in it stoplight to stoplight. would be very embarrassing to lose to a 6000 pound suv.