zimmer26

I knew it! I just couldn't find it, but while I was satisfying my need for knowledge on the coupe- I came across the article:
http://www.motortrend.com/june01/c230/c230_f.html
I realize that this could fall under the category of don't believe everything you read but I think the source is fairly credible even though the number seems rather incredible. Just thought you might still like to see it in print...

C230/6speed/orion blue/C7/changer - just a few more weeks!

trench

I agree with you zimmer26, that number seems a little low. My friend has a t-top car and I swear each of the panels feels like it weighs about 20-25 lbs. For the coupe I would buy a 44-lb weight for the front panel (perhaps leading to MotorTrend's number) and a similar weight for the rear - giving the panorama roof about 100-120 lbs in total, including: the glass, peripheral motors, and (I would presume) some structural reinforcement.

Cheers, BT

PS: My car (identical to yours except silver) should arrive in the next two weeks!

MB-BOB

Zimmer26, I never doubted that you read it somewhere. I'm just not sure I can believe the numbers quoted. I used to work in the media, and can say from first-hand experience that reporters sometimes get facts wrong. He, He.

The true test would be to weigh a steel roof car and a Pana-equipped car. But, I guess that won't happen until there are enough cars inthe same market and a meeting with several near a weigh station.

Flashman

The article says it 'adds' 44lbs not that it weights that much. You'd have to subtract the weight of a regular roof to calculate the total weight. Though, in practice, all that really matters is how much it adds.

MB-BOB

My guess is that it "adds" 144 lbs, not 44. This wouldn't be the first typo to appear in a magazine. Car magazines have several in every issue. Hardly a week goes by that AutoWeek doesn't have some correction of note on its editorial page.

Lynn

I have no faith in Motor Trend getting anything right. I wonder if the added weight of the roof is 44 kilograms (97 pounds) instead of 44 pounds

Mapman

Going back through some of my old car mags (I only keep the ones that have articles on cars that are of particular interest to me), I found the C & D issue (10/01) with the original C230 "Short Take". The tester was basically a stripper (6-speed) with the Panorama Roof. Stated curb weight: 3398 lbs

Another data point: Latest R & T full review (1/02) of the C230, with no options at all - stated curb weight: 3285 lbs

You can make of this what you will.

vadim

44 lbs sounds about right if you think what the pan. roof consists of... 44 kilos would be an overkill...

Lynn

Well, 113 pounds minus 44 kilos equals a little over two gallons of gas.

MB-BOB

Lynn/Mapman, I think we're getting closer to the truth.

Anyone live near a Interstate weigh station? Should you decide to do so, we'll need to know which tranny and wheel package you have, along with the fuel tank reading at the time you weigh. (If you stay in the car, subtract your weight, too)

Mapman

This is just some clever plot to find out how much I weigh! I'll never tell! Never!


Besides, I don't have the car yet. If you can wait 'til this spring, I'll see what I can do.

MB-BOB

That's OK, Mapman. Now that some of you guys up North are running Snow tires, and the OEM wheels are dismounted and stacked in the garage, I've also asked that you consider weighing one of those C7 wheel/tire combos to be compared with a standard wheel/tire combo. This task only requires taking a tire from garage storage to the household scale, but no joy so far. So, no pressure on racing to a truck scale on the interstate.

tommy

Talk about obsession! I'll do it this Sunday, ok? I really should clean them soon anyway, as it's only 6 weeks or so 'til I put them back on.

I hope we get some snow before the end of next month, or else these steelies were a real waste of time this winter.

Since we're on the subject, any recommendations on cleaning them? Simple soap and water is my initial thought. I think that I only really have brake dust on them anyway.

Lynn

Do you want me to weigh my 16" five spoke alloys with the snow tires? You might have to wait until next winter for me to weigh the C7 tires and wheels. It is not going to snow in Saint Louis this year.

MB-BOB

If they just have brake dust, I would use just water and a sponge. If the dust is caked on, I'd consider P21S wheel cleaner, as MarkL recommends, or 100% spray of Simple Green, left to soak for five minutes.

If you intend to ZAINO them (as some have done) I'd use Dawn dish detergent to remove any dealer installed wax. (I think the dealer waxed my wheels before delivery.) That's what I intend to do in the Spring, too.

The rant about the wheel weight comparison wasn't aimed at you, really. (ahem)