W203E35

Did you send out your ECU? You should be making way more power than me. Here in Cali we have only 91.

cpbeasley

Waiting on the 3.46 rear end I just ordered today to come in from Cali. When I drop it off for the install/swap, I will pull the ECU and get it shipped off. I wanted another excuse to park the car without power aside from the tune. So, I'm shooting for next week assuming the differential gets here in a timely manner. Im all paid up with OE, so they're ready for me. I also needed to make sure I found some info on the gear change with star, so thanks to your screenshots - I shouldn't have a problem! fingers crossed into uncharted territory. Ready to have some fun and show the few doubters here whats possible.

We do have 93 here in the midwest but its by no means ubiqutous. I need to do a quick search of the area to make sure I have a reliable source of 93 in a couple parts of the metro so I wont be up the creek without a paddle no matter where I run low. I think the nearby Sam's club has 93... maybe even it was just 92? No matter, I'll track a couple spots down and pull the trigger on 93

W203E35

I'm running 93 tune on mine. I bumped it up with STAR. It shouldn't be a problem. I'm not worried because knock sensors do the job but my main concern was the knock sensors pulling my timing back too much. I doubt it'll pull it down that much.

cpbeasley

Looky looky, Cale's got 93 octy.
3 blocks down the street.

ravex911

They are fairly spec'd. They are both black/black, the 6spd is already tinted. Here are the price differences:

2005 6spd: 85k miles price 12.5k

2006 auto: 68k miles, price 13k.

I like the feel of the v6 coming from BMW it reminds me a bit of my previous 330. The 6spd manual has that extra race feel. What sounds like a better dealio?

Viper98912

The 06 is better if stickshifting isnt a dealbreaker for you. What options are those coming with is also important. Also, the 07 is slightly nicer than all of them, take a look at what you can find and what their going prices are.

cpbeasley

Are those list prices or their "bottom" dollar on each?

Assuming list, offer a hard-nosed 12 for the 06 and walk away with better resale value and, despite the success others have had with their 05s, what's probably a more reliable vehicle. Manually shift the automatic when you need to feel a little fast n furious

Unless you just can't let go of the 6spd. and I wouldn't blame you.

Oh, and honestly, the 06 is the better deal $ wise all things considered.

ravex911

Good point cpbeasley. I think the c230 is a great way to get my feet wet into the world of mb. I have a feeling once you take the plunge there may be no going back.

I was delightfully surprised at the soidness of the cars, and can feel the weight and the progressive fele of the accelerator. Def a change from the bmw's, and would prob make my wife a lot less car sick.

Luke_Geezy

ill trade you my hooked up 06 c280 4 matic with hellllaa mods for your 335 =]

LILBENZ230

The 2006 seems to be the better deal.. There should be a bigger price gap. Still, that close and I'd go with the 6MT.

ravex911

My current ride that I am down sizing for "0" payments...

I will hopefully purchase the 06 c230 unless I come across a deal on a c280/320/350 or 07 c230. Anyone have any leads. Perhaps I should enlist the skills of "cpbeasley" to help me track down a killer deal and pay him a finders fee!

ND2020

He's definitely a go-getter and I'm sure he wouldn't mind receiving a "finders fee" because that just means more Benz money lol

W203E35

Gas in my area is 3.60 for 91

draz.amg

wait till summer..

cpbeasley

LoL!

Listen ND2020, he knows me all too well.

Give me 3 months and I'll have you in the w203 c-class of your choice @ your price point I even got free shipping when I purchased the car. Salt Lake City to KC = $0

cpbeasley

It's actually "winter" here (if you southarn cal-ee-forn-eans know whut that is) I dont have to wait, $3.30 for 93 :p

draz.amg

what's winter?
wanna stock up and sell us some later?

LILBENZ230

Man that 335i is gorgeous! It cracks me up when Benz people hate on BMW, or vice versa. They both produce some stunning cars. I really love the Sport, facelift W203 sedans but it is a step backwards. I'd go for the 07 model personally - search around hard, not sure you'll find one for the price you want to pay, though.

For the record - There is no way in holy hell I'd buy a W204 over a 335i like the one you have. The 335i embarrasses the C350 in every single way.

FrankW

performance yes. fit&finish...after having the 204 for nearly 2.5 yrs I got no complaint about it while watching my childhood friend/kid brother lemoned his gf & his e92/90 335i and e92 M3 in the same period. lol his gf now ended up with a 2011 IS350 with some F-sport stuff after totalling a 2009 LCI M-tech and he still ended up with a 2011 e90 M3 after the e92 335 and M3. his dad picked up a 2011 135i planning to ship it back to taiwan this year.

and e90 (no offense) without M-tech looks terrible. it looks fine, but it's not a good looking car. $35k OTD vs $45k OTD in 2008 was a no brainer for the C350 and you don't even get enough standard feature with that $45k mark on the 335.

LILBENZ230

I agree with you, Frank, on the appearance of the E90 in more base forms. I didn't like the W203 without the sport package and I don't like the E90 without its packages. From my experience with the W204, it's a fine car. I couldn't find anything I disliked about any of the loaner 204s I had. I even liked the interior that so many hate on. That said, it just doesn't do it for me. The 335i Sport like the OP has makes my heart beat faster. Personal preference, I suppose.

FrankW

w204 facelift with the 300+hp and 7200rpm redline ftw then.

personally if it wasn't for the good deal on the C350 i wouldn't got one, but i wouldn't spent $45k plus to get a e90 335i either. for 335i money i would choose the S4 imo. lol

ravex911

Very helpful information. Thanks to everyone for the many replies and advice.

ravex911

Wish I had 3 months to search. But at best I have a couple weeks in the event I find something that needs to be shipped.

I'd love a 2006/2007 c350 or c280 or a 2007 c230 but may have to forgo that and upgrade later.

So far the best I think has been the 06 c230 w/ 70k miles. Car checked out with my mechanic and he's very particular with his inspections.

What do u think of the 06 c230 for 13k, should i pull trigger or wait and look a bit more? I will miss my 335 though for the last year it mainly set in my garage or at the airport as I traveled quite a bit for work. Now, I mainly work in town now so i'll actually be able to drive.

LILBENZ230

It's unfortunate that now that you'll be able to drive you are giving up a great driver's car.

13k for the 06 seems a fair shake. Post up pics when you get it.

Glyn M Ruck

It's a good car & prices in the US always look like a gift.