LegitLifeStyle

Flying out next friday to pick up a '05 C230 w/6-speed. Is there anything I should be looking for under the hood in particular with these cars?

Obviously overspray and stuff like that and normal wear and tear, belt wear, etc - but anything electrical that tends to go bad, etc?

Also - I want to make sure the clutch isn't slipping but i've never checked this on a 6-spd before... still put it in top gear and floor it at around 45mph or so and make sure there is no slip? Or should I be using a lower gear / different speed?

Thanks guys - looking forward to owning my first German sedan!

MIKESV8

yea just make sure there aren't out of the ordinary noises and that ride is straight and smooth. these are great cars so just try everything first like radio, ac, heater, defrost etc. i can probably make the assumption that you're getting a killer deal on it since you are flying out so just make sure it's not too good to be true. GL!

LegitLifeStyle

I wish I was getting a killer deal. Truth is these things are hard to find with low miles and I had to come up a on my price point substantially to find (what appears to be) a nice one.

mskembo

Are you paying a premium just to get a six speed?

OneOfaKindTrini

At highway speeds put it in 6th and floor it and see if the clutch is holding.

LegitLifeStyle

Yup. But I really want one... its been a few years without a manual in my life and i've been missing it! Sounds good! Thank you for the advice!

C230 Sport Coup

2005 is the year to have.
Earlier ones had an issue with the head that is SUPPOSEDLY fixed.
Look for leakage at the cam sensor. Search on that.
Get the VIN and a dealer will tell you what service has been performed and if there
is any outstanding service campaigns, like the $12 hose.

What color is it?
Post pics!

LegitLifeStyle

^^ Will do! It's the first car i've bought in years and i'm super excited to get out of the rust bucket of embarrassment i've been driving for the past few years. Will any dealer (like my local dealer) do a VIN search to see if any outstanding recalls have been done or need to be? I'm buying it from a VW dealer.

Boom vang

my test for clutch slipping is put on the parking brake and try to start off releasing the clutch slowly, if the engine maintains the same rpm = slipping; if you stall = clutch is grabbing

LILBENZ230

My 2005 has served me well. What kind of mileage does this one have?

LegitLifeStyle

63k... lowest I could find without getting raped on the price.

LILBENZ230

I'm at 107,500 on mine and it has never let me down. Starts and drives every time I ask it to.

LegitLifeStyle

^^^ That is the kind of stuff that made me confident to go ahead and pick one up. I was considering BMW/Audi but after doing more research and talking to various independent mechanics I quickly got scared away from those two. At this price range and build year the W203 seems to be a stout little platform with very few issues.