My experience with the w203 began with my wife. When we met she had a red '03 c240. She loved it, but it was a pile of crap. She had curb checked it more times than I choose to believe, many of the electronics didn't work, was constantly out of alignment, and began to cost more to maintain than it was worth. We got rid of it earlier this year, but however, she hated the new Aveo I bought for her (& I can't blame her either), so I secretly went on the lookout for a suitable replacement. I knew nothing of the w203, other than the fact of the existence of a c230 sport. I found her future white 07 on craigslist for a reasonable amount, and she's been smitten since. I was unhappy with what I was driving (I also bought a new Aveo thinking I could curb my craving for cars to achieve reliability, warranty, and mpg... I was wrong). I quickly fell for her c230, and within a week was in an 06 graphite c230. I did no further research, and frankly had no idea what I was getting myself into. It didn't take long to realise I had made a mistake. I paid too much, shorted myself the larger engine, and was driving a former fleet vehicle... the suspension was trashed compared to my wife's 07. I went on the hunt for a c350. I wasn't going to get screwed $$$ wise again, and was going to get heated seats as it gets freakin cold here in KC. And black interior. Bi-X and Comand were considered preferred, but not a deal breaker.

Behold the $13,500 Pewter 06 c350. Black interior, heated seats... and a 6 spd. Taking no heed to the warnings of a crappy transmission, I dove in, and as of right now, you're looking at a man who couldn't be happier.

I just got finished experiencing tire burning oversteer around every corner. Houston, we have torque.

Oddly, to my fortunate surprise... this 06 has the seat belt indicator disabled, as well as the Netherland option already engaged! Along with the stock chrome 5 spokes, I believe this car to be something special. Who modified it? I dont know. Carfax had said the first 7,000 mi were used by the dealer in Las Vegas. Perhaps I stumbled upon something even more rare than the 3.5L & 6 spd combo as is.

The car was late bc the trucker hit a blizzard in Utah going UP a mountain. He had to chain up. Im lucky he made it as he did.

More pics to come, but my phone had to capture these. It looks like there's a w203 club outside my apartment door

 

Nice... all 3 colors I love!

 

Chrome 5-spokes are probably going to my wife's car, and the 07s to the new 350. Im actually kinda partial to the chromers though... unique and actuall quite pretty. A man can enjoy some bling too cant he!?

 

chrome is easier to clean... just by some fine steel wool from the autoparts store and scrub away. You just have to make sure its really fine. Some people use the wrong kind and scratch up the chrome.

 

Sweet Jesus! Congratulations on the rare w203!

Lets get some pics of that shift ***!

 

Nice find man. I definitely dig the 6 spokes.

 

Looking good bro. I dig the rims man. It's realll clean.

 

Glad it finally showed up! Very nice color, the only thing I miss about my C230. I kinda did the same thing as you, I found the C230 and loved it until I owned it for a few months. Then I found out it had been in a very bad wreck and even though it was fixed perfectly cosmetically underneath was a bunch of problems. I wanted a C350 (and a manual too), but couldn't find a sport and eventually decided to just go for the C55. I wish I had a manual, but the V8 sure makes up for it.

Enjoy your new ride! Just so you know, my 06 C230 had the quick beeps on unlock and lock but still had the panic operational (meaning not the Netherlands option) however my 05 did not have it and I had to get the Netherlands set with the slow beeps and loss of the panic function.

 

Thanks guys! Just woke up from a nappy poo, will get the knob pictured asap... the car's knob

91- Im not sure if the panic button is still funtional. Gonna have to give it a try, forgot that was a possible side effect of setting the beep beeps. And ya, it wasn't just the 2.5L... my wife's car drove soooo much better than mine... it was like the difference bw a modern car and a horse drawn carriage. ok maybe a slight exaggeration but I couldn't take it anymore.

 

What is the first modification going to be?!

 

Da schtick in question!

Top of 2nd gear the beast hits 60 in what seems like 5 seconds.

I was so anxious to go back out and drive it tonight that I left one of our dogs outside in the 30 degree weather. Our neighbor called my wife at work and told her. My wife is currently not speaking to me. She called me crying. Im so up sh*t creek without a shift paddle.

Now that the dogs back in, and the wife is still at work, guess its time to go drown my sorrows in some more driving

First mod... I JUST DONT KNOW!!!! I want every mod to be perfect. Im afraid!! I hate to even paint the grill black like I did with my c230 (its cracked in one spot so not going to transfer it over either) bc I want it to be perfect!

It feels reminiscent of driving my LS1 6 spd Camaro SS. Its a good thing Im in love (and good thing it has heated seats) bc I may be sleeping in it tonight by the way my wife sounded on the phone. Its not very often she hangs up on me... yikes.

 

^ HAHAHAHA

Poor dog. Gonna be seeing much less of his owner now that he's got a new toy.

 

Definitely paint the grille, the chrome just looks so out if place. Could look a little like my old car!

 

I would give the 350 up for a night to have not left the dog outside lol. She's been pissy recently as it is... now, I just dumped 5 gallons of gasoline on her fire! someone help me! im cleaning the house furiously... otherwise Im prepared to grab my ankles when she comes home tonight... if she does!

 

91 - uww la la. that answers that question

this is my first pewter car. im really diggin it.

so did you trade yours in toward the c55 or sell it?

 

So, the car beeps on lock/unlock like my wife's 07, and the panic button is operational. whats that mean?

oh and the car came pre-wired for phone! cant i buy a bluetooth thing for it to work with my phone?

 

I loved the pewter, such a nice looking color. Wish I could have found the C55 in that color but they're so rare.

I traded it. It probably would have hurt the price of the car if I had to disclose all I knew about that car to a private party and I would have felt bad if I didn't. The dealer I traded it at wholesaled it and it sat on a used lot up until a few weeks ago.

 

Yours is certainly a unique and desirable W203. Congratulations.


Let’s not get too carried away. Been mildly ribbing you since your initial 2.5L M272 hot rodding queries.
Trust you’ve interpreted those posts in the lighthearted spirit with which they were intended.

IIRC, your LS1 had been DIY fitted with upgraded heads, valve train and whatnot; likely a solid eleven-second performer. As a GM aficionado, I’ve kept abreast of the myriad aftermarket and skunkworks hardware available. For the sake of decency, I’ll not repost my Camaro and Corvette road circuit pictures here once again.

Nevertheless, piloting a nondescript and unassuming C with decent thrust is a bit more fulfilling than doing same in a C240 or C230, yes?

 

Good luck with the wife that is why the invented flowers and housework. First think of something she always naggs you to do and do it then find another and another and in 10 years she might forgive you
I also hope she does not ever come on here because we have enough pms problems with matt as it is also wives usually don't like being talked about on forums with random people.

Ok back to the car you are the MAN ... a homeless man but a man with a c350 stick.

 

Yes master splinter

lol, I didn't expect anyone to take a direct comparison with my f-body seriously. it is nowhere near my heads and cam 02 Camaro SS, however manually shifting with a decent amount of torque does bring back fun memories.

 

old old picture of my 02 camaro ss next to my dad's 69 chevelle w/ 502 fuel injected "ramjet" chevy crate motor w/ richmond 6 spd

 

Great news man!!!! Now you can have a mini w203 meet in your back yard

The chirp and airbag is a mod that can been done with SDS. 05 and above have the newer SAM and you do not loose your panic feature unless you go to the guy Rollnnn went to

The car looks great and I'm sure you're gonna love every moment of her. She still has some horses locked away...nothing a little tune wont fix

 

 

How do you get the panic feature to work?!

Sorry for stealing the spot light.

 

about time you chimed in

so, does that mean someone came at my car with SDS at some point in its life?

I cant wait to start the *tasteful* modifications... esp the tune