Let the flames begin. C320 vs C230K impressions
05-12-2003, 06:56 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 C230
Let the flames begin. C320 vs C230K impressions
From driving a C320 auto loaner today.
C320 feels like a much heavier car. Plentiful torque but the car handled like a pig in the mud. Still, if you don't push it it feels like a more solid/luxurious than the C230. Once you decide it's time to row gears, the C230K wins hands down. It delivers a much sportier feel without giving away too much in ride quality. These two cars are very far apart in their target audience. I could never see a BMW buyer ever being interested in the C320 but the C230 can attract a few. IMHO of course.
CZ
C320 feels like a much heavier car. Plentiful torque but the car handled like a pig in the mud. Still, if you don't push it it feels like a more solid/luxurious than the C230. Once you decide it's time to row gears, the C230K wins hands down. It delivers a much sportier feel without giving away too much in ride quality. These two cars are very far apart in their target audience. I could never see a BMW buyer ever being interested in the C320 but the C230 can attract a few. IMHO of course.
CZ
05-12-2003, 07:03 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HK
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E55
i agree, the c320 sedan is very slow... its kinda disappointing to know many new and cheaper cars are faster than w203 (except for c32 of course). i drive the c320 sedan btw.
05-12-2003, 07:13 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
The C320 is considerably faster the C230 sedan, it's just that with a manual trans the C230 sometimes feels faster because of the harsher shifts. Also the C230 comes with the sport suspension and 17" wheels which would handle better than a non-sport C320. When I got my '02 coupe, the C320 coupe wasn't available but if I were to buy an '03 coupe I would splurge and get the C320 for ~$2,500 more but I wouldn't pay ~10K more for the C320 sedan over the C230K sedan.
05-12-2003, 07:34 PM
#4
Administrator
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
When I got my '02 coupe, the C320 coupe wasn't available but if I were to buy an '03 coupe I would splurge and get the C320 for ~$2,500 more.
When I got my '02 coupe, the C320 coupe wasn't available but if I were to buy an '03 coupe I would splurge and get the C320 for ~$2,500 more.
Oh, I forgot. Cookies and milk. Right?
05-12-2003, 07:57 PM
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PA
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2002 S430
I have to agree. The 6 cylinder model is a great car, but there is a character change in any car when you go from a supercharged four to a normally aspirated six. I happen to love the supercharger whine at high revs combined with the smooth 1.8 four.
05-12-2003, 08:01 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Santa Barbara Cali
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C32
i agree completely! i didn't want the C320 after i test drove it. i went straight to the BMW dealer. but... until i found my C32, i was going to buy a BMW
Jerry
Jerry
05-12-2003, 08:47 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan/2008 M3 Coupe M-DCT/1996 328i (Gone)/1988 190E 2.3 (Gone)
The C320 Sport Sedan is about 220 lbs heavier than my C230 Sport Sedan, it has only 26 hp advantage & less than 1 sec. advantage from 0-60, but a 5 mpg disadvantage in fuel economy.
For handling, I'll take the C230.
For 0-60, the C320.
For daily commute, the C230.
For the price, the C230.
And my other car is a 328i, I do get about 26-28 mpg if I don't drive it like I just stole it.
For handling, I'll take the C230.
For 0-60, the C320.
For daily commute, the C230.
For the price, the C230.
And my other car is a 328i, I do get about 26-28 mpg if I don't drive it like I just stole it.
Trending Topics
05-12-2003, 09:40 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: NY/NJ
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Let the flames begin. C320 vs C230K impressions
Originally posted by czachari
From driving a C320 auto loaner today.
C320 feels like a much heavier car. Plentiful torque but the car handled like a pig in the mud. Still, if you don't push it it feels like a more solid/luxurious than the C230. Once you decide it's time to row gears, the C230K wins hands down. It delivers a much sportier feel without giving away too much in ride quality. These two cars are very far apart in their target audience. I could never see a BMW buyer ever being interested in the C320 but the C230 can attract a few. IMHO of course.
CZ
From driving a C320 auto loaner today.
C320 feels like a much heavier car. Plentiful torque but the car handled like a pig in the mud. Still, if you don't push it it feels like a more solid/luxurious than the C230. Once you decide it's time to row gears, the C230K wins hands down. It delivers a much sportier feel without giving away too much in ride quality. These two cars are very far apart in their target audience. I could never see a BMW buyer ever being interested in the C320 but the C230 can attract a few. IMHO of course.
CZ
If you really want to know what a C320 feels like when its driven by a younger person (read: enthusiastic driver) come drive mine.
I guarantee you will change your mind very quickly.
Especially now that its properly broken in at about 10k miles.
05-12-2003, 10:46 PM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brabus w203
All i know is that.. in my case anyways.... The c230 sedan is a way better by then the c240... so i feel that MB riped me off 
there are not that many notible differences between the c240 and the c230 sedan on the interior other then the sports package of course..... i spent more on a slower less fuel efficient car and the c230 sedan looks a lot better stock then the c240...(even though i would never keep a car stock ) but as far as performance... i never drove the c320 or the c230... i never even drove my car before i drove it off the lot...
so as for now.. what i have not experianced, im not missing out, because i dont konw the difference and ill keep it that way...
there are not that many notible differences between the c240 and the c230 sedan on the interior other then the sports package of course..... i spent more on a slower less fuel efficient car and the c230 sedan looks a lot better stock then the c240...(even though i would never keep a car stock ) but as far as performance... i never drove the c320 or the c230... i never even drove my car before i drove it off the lot... so as for now.. what i have not experianced, im not missing out, because i dont konw the difference and ill keep it that way...
05-12-2003, 10:55 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by brabus c
i never even drove my car before i drove it off the lot...
i never even drove my car before i drove it off the lot...
well what are you complaining about
why didnt you test drive it!
i assuming u know it had only 168 hp
and with all you mods you could have easily bought a 320 or maybe a 32
05-12-2003, 11:10 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by oggle
Won't be long till someone brings up the rear design of the 230.
Won't be long till someone brings up the rear design of the 230.
05-12-2003, 11:15 PM
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally posted by amdeutsch
What happened to the *Mustang* or the *Reliability of MB*?
Oh, I forgot. Cookies and milk. Right?
What happened to the *Mustang* or the *Reliability of MB*?
Oh, I forgot. Cookies and milk. Right?
a) I said that "IF I GOT AN 03" I would get the C320 over the 1.8L C230
b) the Mustang of my dreams will be a 2005, still have time
c) it's not milk and cookies, it's free car washes and brownies
d) yes, MB's in general are unreliable POS's but it doesn't mean I don't like my POS car. I'm able to deal with it now that I have a Chevy parts chaser truck....
05-12-2003, 11:26 PM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 C230
C230K, Iwas talking about the C320 Sedan
CZ
p.s. I promised myself I would never drive another V6. It's either SC/Turbo 4 or I-6 or V8 for me. I just don't like how V6s feel & sound. Maybe a 3-rotor rotary if they ever get that one done...
p.s. I promised myself I would never drive another V6. It's either SC/Turbo 4 or I-6 or V8 for me. I just don't like how V6s feel & sound. Maybe a 3-rotor rotary if they ever get that one done...
Last edited by czachari; 05-12-2003 at 11:29 PM.
05-13-2003, 12:02 AM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brabus w203
Originally posted by noblert10
well what are you complaining about
why didnt you test drive it!
i assuming u know it had only 168 hp
and with all you mods you could have easily bought a 320 or maybe a 32
well what are you complaining about
why didnt you test drive it!
i assuming u know it had only 168 hp
and with all you mods you could have easily bought a 320 or maybe a 32
(staying that way) just complaining that i could have gotten alum interior and sport seats and saved a little money compared to a c240... with the 2k i saved i could have gotten bi-xenons and a steering wheel Soon i will have the two
05-13-2003, 12:06 AM
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by brabus c
not complaining much, because i have not driven the other cars (staying that way) just complaining that i could have gotten alum interior and sport seats and saved a little money compared to a c240... with the 2k i saved i could have gotten bi-xenons and a steering wheel Soon i will have the two
not complaining much, because i have not driven the other cars
(staying that way) just complaining that i could have gotten alum interior and sport seats and saved a little money compared to a c240... with the 2k i saved i could have gotten bi-xenons and a steering wheel Soon i will have the two
i want wood wheel too!
how much are those.i am getting xenons as welll in about week or so
05-14-2003, 04:00 AM
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
I drove the c320 coupe around the block at Fletcher Jones.
I LIKED it.
And IMHO, the handling sux in both cars.
Well stock it did.
Nothing that less than $500, for sway bars and spring can't and didn't solve.
Now I like it very much thankyou.
The V6 is one smoooooth baby.
If I didn't already have the 230, I'd get the 320, but it's not worth taking a 10 grand + hit for, as in trade in etc.
I paid 2400+ in sales taxes alone.
I LIKED it.
And IMHO, the handling sux in both cars.
Well stock it did.
Nothing that less than $500, for sway bars and spring can't and didn't solve.
Now I like it very much thankyou.
The V6 is one smoooooth baby.
If I didn't already have the 230, I'd get the 320, but it's not worth taking a 10 grand + hit for, as in trade in etc.
I paid 2400+ in sales taxes alone.
05-14-2003, 04:16 AM
#24
MBworld Guru
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 22,007
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
white and whiter
Originally posted by c230 sport
The C320 Sport Sedan is about 220 lbs heavier than my C230 Sport Sedan, it has only 26 hp advantage & less than 1 sec. advantage from 0-60, but a 5 mpg disadvantage in fuel economy.
For handling, I'll take the C230.
For 0-60, the C320.
For daily commute, the C230.
For the price, the C230.
And my other car is a 328i, I do get about 26-28 mpg if I don't drive it like I just stole it.
The C320 Sport Sedan is about 220 lbs heavier than my C230 Sport Sedan, it has only 26 hp advantage & less than 1 sec. advantage from 0-60, but a 5 mpg disadvantage in fuel economy.
For handling, I'll take the C230.
For 0-60, the C320.
For daily commute, the C230.
For the price, the C230.
And my other car is a 328i, I do get about 26-28 mpg if I don't drive it like I just stole it.
05-14-2003, 06:18 AM
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by brianhn1
someone with a C230K sedan want to compete with my C320 sedan?
someone with a C230K sedan want to compete with my C320 sedan?
... you didn't mean a speed race or anything like that, did you...?
