What do you least like about your W203?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I don't like how the rear windows in the coupe don't go down, and I don't like the foot-operated parking brake. Though I understand why it is where it is, there isn't a whole lot of room around the centre console.
Also I dislike how the manual mode isn't actually a manual mode. The transmission still tries to think for me, which occasionally can get annoying. And don't give me **** for not getting a manual, the manuals in these cars are rubbery and generally suck in comparison to the automatic.
Also I dislike how the manual mode isn't actually a manual mode. The transmission still tries to think for me, which occasionally can get annoying. And don't give me **** for not getting a manual, the manuals in these cars are rubbery and generally suck in comparison to the automatic.
I'm with you on the rear windows, though. Even hinged pop outs would be an improvement - they did a great job in my old Saab 900.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
2006 CL203 C160 Sport
Actually, while the 6spd is actually a quite nice box, the heavy flywheel and delayed throttle response (drive-by-wire?) makes it hard to blip correctly without any slippage on downshift.
The same issue is present under acceleration, but easier to get used to.
Yeah I watched to much initial-d as a kid.
The same issue is present under acceleration, but easier to get used to.
Yeah I watched to much initial-d as a kid.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 262
Likes: 34
From: Houston, TX
'05 S430, '05 S600
After I replaced my broken passenger side one two days after I bought the car with it already broke, I sat there and looked at it and thought to myself "If I grab the handle closer to the base (bottom, thicker section) this will probably never break." I honestly don't think I'll ever break mine but I can see how someone might swing the door open all the way, then completely sit in the car and forget that the door is still open and then do an "uncomfortable" reach over and grab it by the first thing they can get their hands on which is that thinner top part and break it. But that's just me...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
You're in San Diego - shouldn't your windows be always down, so that you can just reach the top of the door panel and close them that way? 
I guess this is one way in which the coupe's better (well, that, and the panorama roof, much better storage capacity, cuter heinie, etc.) - the handles aren't quite as flimsy.
I guess this is one way in which the coupe's better (well, that, and the panorama roof, much better storage capacity, cuter heinie, etc.) - the handles aren't quite as flimsy.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 262
Likes: 34
From: Houston, TX
'05 S430, '05 S600
Touche... but I do sometimes like to have the AC on... i spend too much time on the highway doing 80 mph so... I don't like to wear out my window motors/regulators....lol!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
After I replaced my broken passenger side one two days after I bought the car with it already broke, I sat there and looked at it and thought to myself "If I grab the handle closer to the base (bottom, thicker section) this will probably never break." I honestly don't think I'll ever break mine but I can see how someone might swing the door open all the way, then completely sit in the car and forget that the door is still open and then do an "uncomfortable" reach over and grab it by the first thing they can get their hands on which is that thinner top part and break it. But that's just me...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Wow.. It's kind of like replacing the engine instead of changing the valve cover gasket.
Then one can ask them to give the parts back, and resell them for a profit.
Do you know why they charge $350 to replace the windshield washer pump? Do they replace the whole reservoir and the front bumper? O_o
Then one can ask them to give the parts back, and resell them for a profit.
Do you know why they charge $350 to replace the windshield washer pump? Do they replace the whole reservoir and the front bumper? O_o
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
Thats a reason to wrap the interior in CF 
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Fyi I had a quote for fuel filter replacement for $514 ... that's a $40 filter and four hose clamps. So I don't put it past the dealerships to do this. In some sense, is it worth the time for them to do anything to a $35k+ car for less than a few hundred dollars ... ?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
There really isn't much more to the handle ... the "rest" of the door handle is attached to the entire door panel (~$600). I'll guess that the dealership is allowing for replacement of the clips (11 @ $3 each), and the rest is pure markup.
Fyi I had a quote for fuel filter replacement for $514 ... that's a $40 filter and four hose clamps. So I don't put it past the dealerships to do this. In some sense, is it worth the time for them to do anything to a $35k+ car for less than a few hundred dollars ... ?
Fyi I had a quote for fuel filter replacement for $514 ... that's a $40 filter and four hose clamps. So I don't put it past the dealerships to do this. In some sense, is it worth the time for them to do anything to a $35k+ car for less than a few hundred dollars ... ?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
2008 W211 E350 4MATIC, 1985 W123 300D Turbo, 2002 C5 Allroad, 2002 B5 S4, 2008 MkV R32
Is there a diy for the door handle replacement? Also, where are you guys getting the part from? I looked on Pelican and Autohaus and they both only have black ones and mine is beige. My driver's side just broke last week..the clip near the top.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 311
Likes: 3
2004.7 C180 Kompressor, BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro LT, Mercedes S, Cesna 152.
I have a 2004.7 [facelift update], no lumbar support
. Would like the speedo where the tacho is & did not come with a hot blonde Fraulein!!
. Would like the speedo where the tacho is & did not come with a hot blonde Fraulein!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
The wood in our cars is real wood and not plastic, basically it is a bonded laminate of aluminum to plywood to veneer with an epoxy finish. It is done this way for several reasons, will not splinter in case of an accident, it more stable to extremes in temp and humidity. Similar in concept to engineered hardwood flooring without the aluminum.
I doubt that you will find any solid piece of wood in any car of any brand when they are offering a wood trim. It is always a veneer to plywood, it shrinks less and will not crack. Even my old British roadster is a veneer to plywood dash
I doubt that you will find any solid piece of wood in any car of any brand when they are offering a wood trim. It is always a veneer to plywood, it shrinks less and will not crack. Even my old British roadster is a veneer to plywood dash
Last edited by Boom vang; Feb 15, 2014 at 11:06 AM.
