My car was very lightly used, too.. but whoever had your C230 first was extremely careless if the door trim was dented and scratched all to hell. My console beside the shifter has a scratch on the trim but other than that it is flawless. And I like the aluminum best, even over the birdseye maple, though that is my 2nd choice.

The gauge cluster is hideous in pre-facelift cars, and the buttons all look very aged.

 

That is a matter of opinion. New cluster looks cheap.

 

I've seen you post this before, why do you think so Glyn?

You've got to admit that at the very least the new cluster looks freshend up? Or no?

 

I like the old S Class look. I guess the new cluster looks fresh but I don't like the chromed plastic & I think the temp & fuel gauges are too small to look good.

I think the post facelift console hang down looks good but it scratches very easily & I don't like the chromed plastic on the HVAC knobs etc.

 

You guys got me reconsider buying a pre 2003. I will wait for the right one to come along (2003+) and i can save up some more money.

Guess im stuck drooling at your cars meanwhile



Anyway, after i buy a car. What mods to you guys recommend?

What i really want is the 2005+ interior. So i may end up with importing a lightly wrecked 2005+ from germany.

And i want 19" rims. It just looks so good. Comfort couldnt be any worse than a Smart. It will be a trade up anyway

 

If you really want the 2005 interior, why are you going to waste your time buying an older car, and then spending money to retrofit the entire dash (and even by buying a SECOND car??)? You know the D2B and MOST electrical systems are not compatible and you'll need to do a major retrofit (read the sticky on here regarding that).

I just don't see your logic on wanting to buy an older (and what many would say slightly worse) car, just to want to spend more money to retrofit it rather than buying an 05-07 in the first place.

 

I think we all agree with you but he is in Europe & not the USA where the cars have no resale value. He is obviously working on a budget & the difference in cost of an '03 vs an '05 onward will be considerable.

My 2003 C240 at the latest exchange rate will fetch $28,000 in SA - You could probably get a low miler in perfect condition in the US for $8000. Circumstances are very different to the US. While our cars are generally better appointed than US models they cost a lot more.

 

For once, Glyn speaks the truth.

I keep coming up with one word on the updated cluster - cheesy. I'd say the pre-facelift looks more classy than dated, while the new cluster looks more Pontiac than Benz, at least imho.

To the op - if you're looking for mods, the facelifted W203s are not very mod-friendly, and Benzes in general are fairly limited. What is your ultimate goal? If it's a Benz with just wheels & a drop, that's fine. If you're looking for a very fast and/or driver-oriented car, I'd suggest other marques.

 

Huh! cheeky bugger - but yes we certainly agree. The OP is in Europe & I'm sure just wants to drive a Benz. They are far more highly considered than in toss out USA. They also have a reputation for longevity.

 

So you believe buying a 01-04 and buying a second one for parts is a wise idea?

 

I guess prices here in Norway and in the US is two different worlds.

Here a example: This is the cheapest 2005+ C320 petrol i could find on mobile.de(germany)(http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/sh...e&pageNumber=1)

13900 euro aka 18463.52 USD

To get this car on plates in Norway:
About 4500USD in VAT taxes
About 34617 in different taxes
= 57580USD

I guess that isnt even close to what you guys have to hand out in the US. How much is a C320 2006 going for in the US?

 

And i can get a 2001 here in Norway from about 12000USD and a lightly wrecked 2005+(import, germany) from about 6000USD. That is alot cheaper than the alternative route. And if im buying a pre 2003 and one imported 2005+ I can pretty much swap everything from the interior and engine onto mine pre 2003. I have a few more cars. So im seeing the W203 as a upcoming project. Not my daily driver...

 

Hmm - I'm checking Edmunds.com for an 06 C320, and they only list a C350. And they list them starting out at 16-17k, with Sport at 16, Luxury at 16.8, and Luxury 4matic at 17, all with no options. Though options aren't going to add much.

So yes, it's slightly different.

Given what it seems like you want to do, it certainly would be an interesting (and probably very irrating at times) project.

 

For 16-17k i could have bought a 2005+ today. Sadly that isnt possible here! Maybe you guys understand why i wanna go this route.

The thing is i really want a W203.

 

I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

Only reason i got an 02 c240 is it was a killer deal and couldn't. Refuse on the price for a car with 65k on it.

 

I think the US saw the final 320's in early 2005 - Price today would be about $12K

A W203 in the US is a school kids cheap toy to mod. In much of ROW it's an expensive vehicle to be looked after & made to last.

 

The W203 is a great car as long as you stay away from 2000 to early 2002 models. The US got the W203 late. Mine has been the most trouble free car I've ever owned & was spec'ed new the way I wanted it with full leather, BiX, Parktronic, Premium Audio & 6 CD stacker etc.etc. I have a whole string of people wanting to buy it when I get a new car including my service manager.

 

I don't see how anyone this side of Helen Keller thinks the pre-facelift cluster looks more classy than the facelift one. The Pontiac thing is a joke, Tommy. If the 05+ W203 cluster is Pontiac, it's G8 GT.. whereas the 01-04.5 one is Sunfire.

 

Tommy - Matt likes chintzy - We will send him to Japan

 

Don't get anything older than a 2004.

I love my '04 (with the exception of all the maintenance crap I had to pay for, but that's inevitable when you buy a used car).

Though I gotta admit, I would kill to have the new instrument cluster and HVAC system as seen on the facelift models, but that's nothing to pay an extra 5k+ for unless you got the extra dough to spend on it.

Good luck with your purchase and make sure to remember to inspect that **** inside out multiple times before purchasing, trust me!

Rock on playas.