OK, I'm throwing my 2cents in here:

The C230Sedan is a great car. I've gotten 34.1 mpg on my most recent all-highway trip, running at 15 over (70-85 the whole way).

It's comfortable, quick, safe, good looking, and fun to drive.

Yes, it is true that MB isn't building cars in the manner that they did 10-20 years ago. However, MB isn't charging the prices to build cars the way they did 10-20 years ago either.

I traded my '87 300TD in January to get my new 230SportSedan. Sticker on the '87 was just shy of $50k!!! In 1987!!!

No, MB doesn't make cars in the same manner, but the cars that they do make now are affordable by more of us who aren't born to money, and I am glad that they have changed.

The car is still solid as a rock, the suspension is simply the best as soaking up bumps and still handling like a sports car, the brakes are unbelievable, the safety features are numerous and time-proven, and the car looks great too!

Whether you get a 240 or 230, you'll be getting a great car. Some have may have problems, some (like mine) won't. Checking out the dealer's reputation for service may help reduce any pain should a problem need to be resolved.

While it may seem that MBs are particularly trouble-prone after reading this board (and in particular, this thread), I would encourage you to scan forums for Lexus, Infinity, Acura, Honda, BMW, Audi and the like. You will find complaints common to many cars of each manufacturer. This is simply what happens when a "weak link" is incorporated in a mass-produced product.

The measure of a company is how they respond to the "weak links".

When I bought the '87TD, I bought it in '97, as the third owner. About 2 months after the purchase, I received a recall notice stating that the car needed to be inspected because of problems with the trap oxidizer fracturing and destroying the turbo. The dealer inspected the car, found it fit the recall, and replaced the entire exhaust (other than the turbo) between the exhaust manifold and the tip of the tail pipe. Total bill covered by MB. Car was 10 years old at that time with well over 100k miles on it.

This told me all that I need to know about how they deal with problems and customers.

I understand that some folks have problems with their cars and their dealers. This is natural. However, I believe that if you work with your dealer, rather than giving them a ration of %&#$ each time you visit, you will get much better service - and higher satisfaction.

Just my thoughts . . .

 

Excellent Post, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

By the way, ps2 - i hope you are able to get the C320.. i can tell you that car only gets better with time. I have just passed 11k miles on my 03 and it seems to be getting better gas mileage as well as more power. I just hope i dont get any tickets... thank goodness i didnt get the C32 //AMG or i'd already be in jail now.

 

definitely agree

c320 is sooo worth the extra money

that V6 is incredibly powerful and smooth

i have about 5,000 miles on my 320 and its get even funner!

 

Yes I agree completely with the guys above: if you can get the deal, the 320 is definitely torquier and smoother.

I couldn't get the dealer to come down to my price, so I had to "settle" for the 230. Still, no regrets.

 

We had a whole thread about 320 vs 230, iirc. Fun.

ps2, our c230k is great, but sometimes the lack of low-end torque is frustrating. Have you test-driven the 320 yet?

I love the 230k and still can barely wait to get in and drive it. Still, our next car will be at minimum a V6 with 220+ hp (most likely a used E-class).

 

Anyone know when the '350' motor gets intro'd in the C Class?

A C350 Coupe would be pretty cool

 

Benzc240, your posts have been reported to the moderators. You are entitled to your opinions about your car. But you are not entitled to insult and bash your fellow MBWorld members. Take a chill pill and calm down the rhetoric.

 

He's not Socal240. Socal240 was literate and could write coherent paragraphs using proper grammar and spelling.

 

good point Lynn, maybe this guy didnt finish the 3rd grade

 

Dunno, but people in the New E forum are speculating mid-2004 or 2005 at the earliest in the U.S. It'll take longer for the C class maybe? If it's not done soon, BMW's 235-hp package will probably attract lots more buyers I'm guessing.

 

I thought NOBLERT put me on ignore. Guess not. Poor guy. Outland, get a life, u r the one who is crazy and is a liar. The reason i went off on jadelotus had nothing to do with owing a benz which u accused me off. We had a disagreement about several issues and we sortted through. Unlike u Jade and I were mature about things and proffesional enogh to work it out and make peace. You on the other hand are a luney U cant let go. I will not stoop down to your level any more. Its sickning. As for NOBLERT i have no respect for that person. All he wants to do is report people, what are u in 3rd grade? Pathetic people. I just wish at some point both NOBLERT and OUTLANDs cars get issues and they can keep going back and forth 19-25 times to the dealership. Maybe even have their cars towed to feel what i felt. Sorry people for wishing this but thats the only way ignorant people will ever wake up, its when they feel the same mental pain, missing work, fighting traffic to go to the dealer and dealing with all the issues. To the rest of the people here i wish u the best of luck and hope u enjoy your cars

 

This thread is simply overflowing with intellect.

Closing.