Parking the C230K
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From: South Africa
E Class 3.2 Diesel 2006
Parking the C230K
I would love to know your thoughts on parking the C230K as I find it quite dificult. In fact I have hit those fine rims against the pavement one time too many. I used to regard my self as an excellent driver, what male does not, however I find this car quite a chore to park. I find visibility is quite limited and the body shape makes it dificult to judge distances. This is not really a complaint, as the car looks amazing, I just wanted to know your thoughts.
I do not have the parktronic on my car
I do not have the parktronic on my car
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From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
I learned to drive in a Chevy Suburban, so the Coupe is a joy to drive. Whether it parrallel parking, backing, tight spaces, its realy easy to me. I do have an auto which is one less thing to worry about while parking but still I find that because of the small size of the coupe its simple.
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From: Basel, Switzerland
Audi A5 Sportback + Cannondale Prophet
Very few cars (if any) allow you true visibility of the spots that might make contact while parking. True you may have a better view of the trunk/hood, but it's only the top and you always have to judge the size of your bumper, the other car's bumper, etc. So I think it's more a matter of experience than actual visibility. Some cars are more like other cars, and therefore in line with your experience and it's easier to get used to.
That said, I spent a few weeks being very careful with this car, and then it became second nature. Don't really think about it anymore.
That said, I spent a few weeks being very careful with this car, and then it became second nature. Don't really think about it anymore.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
i know how u feel as its hard to est distance when i'm pulling up to the curb (I have 2 scrapes on each side front wheels). However, pulling into a parking spot is great b/c its so tiny and short. I love being able to pull into pretty much any parking spot. I'm thinking u and i both need to get those euro mirrors....i know they eliminate blind spot not sure if i'll be able to see the curbs though.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
This car is easy to park. It is short and has a great turning circle. If you use your side mirrors you can see the curb, especially if you use the passenger side mirror lowering in reverse feature. I am not sure if that works on manual adjust seats. Or just raise your butt out of the seat enough to see the curb while looking in the mirror. I have never once come close to taping a curb or anything else in ours and my wife can't park for crap and she has yet to hit anything.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Abingdon, MD
I agree with the visibility issue-
Instead of trying to use the curb as a point of reference, I try to allign my left rear qtr panel with front fender of the car behind me using my driver's side mirror. This way, so long as they are far enough from the curb, you won't hit it either.
It is a little awkward at first, but it gets easier. To begin with it is easier then trying to use the curb. You could also adjust your right hand mirror to a downward angle when parking.
Instead of trying to use the curb as a point of reference, I try to allign my left rear qtr panel with front fender of the car behind me using my driver's side mirror. This way, so long as they are far enough from the curb, you won't hit it either.
It is a little awkward at first, but it gets easier. To begin with it is easier then trying to use the curb. You could also adjust your right hand mirror to a downward angle when parking.
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Re: Parking the C230K
Originally posted by berrill
I would love to know your thoughts on parking the C230K as I find it quite dificult. In fact I have hit those fine rims against the pavement one time too many. I used to regard my self as an excellent driver, what male does not, however I find this car quite a chore to park. I find visibility is quite limited and the body shape makes it dificult to judge distances. This is not really a complaint, as the car looks amazing, I just wanted to know your thoughts.
I do not have the parktronic on my car
I would love to know your thoughts on parking the C230K as I find it quite dificult. In fact I have hit those fine rims against the pavement one time too many. I used to regard my self as an excellent driver, what male does not, however I find this car quite a chore to park. I find visibility is quite limited and the body shape makes it dificult to judge distances. This is not really a complaint, as the car looks amazing, I just wanted to know your thoughts.
I do not have the parktronic on my car
I used to drive a: 84' Chev Caprice wagon, 80's chev crew cab long box pickup, 91' chev cargo van, 90's chev "cube" van, 88' Chev passenger van, and 80's Dodge Ram pickup. I FIND THIS CAR WORSE THAN ALL OF THOSE TO PARK!
Its something about getting used to driving with the hatch and smaller mirrors. I can never judge where the back of the car is and often end up leaving 3 feet of distance just to be on the safe side when reversing into a spot. Parallel parking though is a breeze! So small and such a tight turning radius!
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
Hey guys, I don't think that this car is any more difficult to park than any other - it is simply that with low profile tires, and C7 rims, the penalty for a slight miscalculation is pretty large.
When I had a Mazda Navajo (Ford Explorer), it didn't matter if I rubbed the curb - a little ArmorAll and all was forgotten. Now with the Benz, I end up leaving a large gap between the car and the curb - to ensure that I don't scuff these beautiful rims.
This isn't a problem of the car, it's a matter of worrying about the rims. If you never looked at the rims again, you could park this car at speed - as you would with any other beater.
Oh, the woes of owning a nice car.
(Ever notice that nobody complains about stone chips on the hood, or curb rash on the rims of their Kia?)
Drive (and Park) Carefully!
When I had a Mazda Navajo (Ford Explorer), it didn't matter if I rubbed the curb - a little ArmorAll and all was forgotten. Now with the Benz, I end up leaving a large gap between the car and the curb - to ensure that I don't scuff these beautiful rims.
This isn't a problem of the car, it's a matter of worrying about the rims. If you never looked at the rims again, you could park this car at speed - as you would with any other beater.
Oh, the woes of owning a nice car.
(Ever notice that nobody complains about stone chips on the hood, or curb rash on the rims of their Kia?)
Drive (and Park) Carefully!
