W203E35

The w204 is just better than the w203. Yes, it got the same engine and yes the transmission is the same but the car itself was completely redesigned. The interior design winner is the w203 but electronics definitely goes to the w204.

Come to think of it the only thing the w203 wins is interior the w204 just wins the rest.

I don't want to step on anyones toes but the w204 is better than the w203 and the 230 is faster than the 230k but I also believe the 230k is better for commute since it gets better gas mileage.

W203E35

I agree about Matt's comment with the 7G to some extent.

This is my experience with the 7G as I have had the worst problems and have hated it with dear life until recently.

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The 7G is a unique and misunderstood animal. When I first went for a test drive the 7G felt smooth a little too smooth. After I purchased my car I got a little excited and drove as if I was always late to a job interview. After some time the 7G started to shake violently through gears and especially slowing down from 2nd gear to 1st (felt like I got rear ended). I took my car to the dealer and they flashed it. Took it again the 2nd time and they said it was fine. Took it again the 3rd time and for some reason they said they felt something was wrong at which they changed the valve body. After I got the car back I didn't get the violent jerk but I still had the lack of acceleration.

I resetted the transmission adaptation and the shifts improved and were much quicker but still not what I wanted it to be. Recently I resetted the ECU adaptation and now the shifts are smooth and quick as well and I couldn't be any more happier.

My conclusion is don't blame the 7G, instead blame the stupid adaptation mixture. I believe this was what was restricting the transmission. I have done the "Sneaky ECU" reset which again just resets the throttle and not the transmission or ECU and it was a slight improvement but nothing spectacular. Now the car is a whole new beast because of the mixture adaptation that I reset.

The 7G itself is a great transmission but the BS mixture adaptation ruins it's potential.

timmynabenz

I love how every time you get cornered, you change the subject lol and you corrected me on nothing

take your own advice, in your opinion the C230k is faster, but keep that opinion to yourself because thats all it is, an opinion

LILBENZ230

I moved on so as to not drag out the who-has-the-faster-of-the-pathetically-slow-cars argument any further. My opinion remains the same and I'm done with that pissing contest. The reality is that they've got AMG-looks and GEO-speed.

Karo, my 7G opinions are based only on them when mated to the 2.5L V6. It has too many gears for that modest power. The 6MT would be the much better pick, IMO. The 7G in the W204 350 I had for a week worked beautifully. As you said, though, the 204 is just the better of the two. It would be stupid to think Benz improved the 203 during a facelift but couldn't improve the C-class during a ground-up redesign. Give me a break.

W203E35

You're correct on both. The buddy Milkman has the 6MT C230 and he complains he need more power and I could only imagine the time it takes to switch through gears. You're right sounds like too many gears even thought from what I hear it's really 5 gears and 2 overdrive gears. Heard reverse has 2 gears as well.

Also that's true. Building ground up and facelifting a car.

LILBENZ230

Meh, it probably doesn't take long to shift. As the 230 V6 owners all say, it's a revver. But, albeit, in the same way the J30A1 was. That was Honda's V6 from 98-02, a 3.0L unit with 200hp and 195tq. It was beautifully smooth and loved to rev but it didn't make for a fast car. Just a nice, smooth, refined one. The 150hp I4s with manual transmissions could run right with those V6 Autos. If I were to buy a 230 V6 it would be an 07 model with a 6MT. The styling tweaks on the 07s made a great looking car even better (I keep it stock).

PC Valkyrie

I think you are wrong about that. Sure, maybe the W204 FEELS like it's more solid, but the objective evidence points to the fact that the facelifted W203 has similar, if not BETTER cornering grip than the W204. I've already posted the Road & Track skidpad grip and slalom speeds earlier in this thread. I'll post them again here to empahsize my point. And I'll add the Car & Driver skidpad numbers too. Bottom line: all objective measurements of cornerning grip indicate a slight edge for the facelifted W203 with its "Direct Control" chassis upgrades.

Road & Track
2006 C350 Sport Sedan
200ft skidpad: 0.85g
slalom: 66.4mph

2008 C350 Sport Sedan
200ft skidpad: 0.81g
slalom: 63.8mph


Car & Driver
2005 C350 Sport Sedan
300ft skidpad: 0.83

2008 C350 Sport Sedan
300ft skipad: 0.82


The W204 C350 is heavier, has lower power to weight ratio, and has at best the same (if not worse) straight line acceleration ability than the W203 C350. I've just shown you data (from more than one source) indicating that the W203 C350 has at least comparable (likely superior) cornering grip.

Given all of the above factors, I'm willing to bet that a W203 C350 will outpace a W204 C350 on an autocross course or track, (assuming equal driver skill). You can prove me wrong if some of you W203 and W204 owners start enjoying your cars at such events and tell me what happens.

timmynabenz

lol

FrankW

I'm sure much of it has to do with tires as well. depends on if they tested the car with the 18" on contisport3 or the 17" on those all-season garbage (not that the conti isn't garbage either lol). given with the same engine and transmission setup I'm pretty sure which ever is lighter will have an edge on performance.

overall tho, you just can't beat the 204 for being a lot more solid and a better build car than the 203. zero issue in 17k miles FTW! lol To NOTE, I didn't like the 204 interior at first, but the material used (other than the crappy looking thick grain look) is in fact better than the 203. compare to BMW's E46 to E90 change, I only felt that it was a design change and they didn't make much improvement in material. A lot of the same faults you would see in the late E46 you can still find them in E90/92/93

as for the on-going M271 vs M272 C230 argument. I can only say that when I drove the ones with M271 they did felt quicker and handled better due to the lighter weight up front. The M272 C230 acceleration felt a lot more like my friend's C240 with the under drive pulley kit. The m272 wins in smoothness and being more refined.

lewylou78

I like both the W203 and W204. I test drove both cars, one being an 2007 C230 6-spd manual and the other being a 2010 C300 6-spd manual. I chose the C300 becaust it just felt more solid. Being that it was brand new also swayed my decision to get it.

LILBENZ230

They probably tested the 17" combo since those are the most common and the upgraded rims/tires aren't a part of the "sport" pack anymore. How much weight gain was there from 203 to 204? From what I've read there was a ~150lb weight gain from C230K to C230 V6, all in the nose. That's why the C230K is more nimble and slightly quicker.

I agree with you here, as well. You and I share similar experiences. Both 203 and 204 are good looking cars, I like the 203 better in terms of exterior design. But no matter what they did to the 203 in the facelift on the interior you just can't hide its 1990s design origin. It was NEW in 2001, after all. The 204 interior is more modern, the gauges are better, and it just feels better put together as a whole. I like how Car & Driver tested a 2005 C350SS.

Again, same experiences. The M271 is quicker, whether it's "faster" in the long run or not. The 272 230 may eventually run it down but not before extra legal speeds. What is NOT debatable is the weight difference, like you also noted. The 05s are better balanced and handle with less nose-heavy plowing, though it will still understeer if really pushed. Why Timmy doesn't attack your experiences about the 230K vs 230 or 204 vs 203 (only mine), I'll never know.

FrankW

god has spoken!! LOL...jk

203 is old, but hey...a girl i know who has a 09 IS250 says my car looks and feels new inside and out...she thought it was an 2005+ when I picked her up in the 203. makes me proud of my 8-year old car. she does know cars too since her mom has a 2003 C320. lol

timmynabenz

the 204 C350's come stock with 18" rims and contisports

FrankW

nope, those are optional for $1000. stock rims are 17" 6-double spoke AMGs.

LILBENZ230

Yep, Frank is right. The 350 rims look different than the 300 stock rims, but those 18" AMGs with ContiSports are an option. I'd take that option if I were buying one, I really like those rims.

Glyn M Ruck

Agree with Frank that the 204 is a more solid design. When it comes to handling - Frank's comments on wheels & tyres is spot on. Plus - A 204 with the "Advanced Agility Control" package fitted in Sport mode easily outhandles the 203. Reduces understeer to close to zero. I love the advanced agility control - It gives you the best of both worlds. Pleased we spec'ed it on our 204. (And of course Michelin PS2's) The Contisports are a disaster tyre on a Benz.

BTW - the V6 engines, while weighing a little more, actually give you a lower centre of gravity than an I4. With all the deceptive plastic airbox etc off. The 90 degree V actually sits lower in the chassis. You can certainly feel that the V6 has more weight in the nose but it's in the correct place. If a V6 feels nose heavy you should increase front tyre pressures.

OneOfaKindTrini

I'm giving up my C280 For a W204 C350!!

Glyn M Ruck

You will love it!

W203E35

What??? What happened to the E46?? I thought you were going to buy an E46. The C350 is a good choice

timmynabenz

ooo i have been wanting to test drive one with the agility control suspension,i wondered if it did make that much of a difference

+1 on the V6, i believe the V6's also are closer to 50/50 weight distribution right?

FrankW

there's no agility control option for the 204 in the US.

the V6 is heavier than the I4 even with it's lower center gravity from the crank shaft and weight. based on that why would you think it's closer to 50/50.

the ONLY 203 that is most balanced is actually the wagon. lighter weight of the I4 also helps. rest of the 203s are all nose heavy.

Norwichdelta06

huge price gap maybe?

timmynabenz

yeah there is, as of 2010 the Agility Control Suspension is offered on all 204's, as well as other new things like Keyless Go.

idk i just thought when i calculated mine vs the I4 it was closer to 50/50, i could be wrong on that though, its been a while

FrankW

cool, stand corrected. only knew the keyless go is now an option.