I sold my third C203 (second '05 C230 Sedan) at the end of May and I've been toying with the idea of getting [another] C230 Kompressor coupe, so I wanted to do my homework as far as problems/concerns people have been having with their cars. I didn't realize there were soooo many problems with the earlier W203 Kompressors!

I had a 2002 Kompressor Silver Kompressor coupe with the panoramic roof, bose, automatic transmission, and clothe interior that I sold w/24k miles in hopes of finding a Citron Green coupe. That was a dream that will never come to fruition.

I purchased a Magma red 2005 C230 sedan in July of 2008, but I was rear-ended the day it hit 18k and ultimately opted for a factory John Cooper tuned MINI instead of repairing the car.

In 2010, I was driving a 2006 BMW 330ci convertible and came across a black/black '05 sedan w/8k on the odometer, so I bought it to keep the miles off the BMW.

I eventually ended up replacing the 330ci w/a Z4, but now I'm 'downgrading' my personal life and TRYING to be more mature/reasonable. I sold the Z4 and the black Kompressor sedan and purchased a '08 VR6 Passat Sport and am convinced I can simplify things even further.

I'm planning to move to a bigger city (AFTER I find a job) and start over fresh. I'm 100% debt-free (with the exception of a fuel fill-up on my CC that I will pay off IMMEDIATELY in full when its due). I want a FUN, good-looking, fairly dependable car.

As I was filling up at a gas station Friday before last, I saw a black '02 Kompressor coupe w/C7 wheels and I remember how much I LOVE the looks of my car, how nice mine was, and that I never had any issues with it.

I've got a solid history in autobody repair and have located a wrecked 2003 C230 coupe w/25k miles. Yes, it will have a 'rebuilt' title, but I plan to drive the car until its just not economically feasible to keep putting money into it. I get wholesale pricing from my current local MB dealership on parts and a discounted rate on labor for repairs. I've got good mechanical connections and am pretty handy w/tools and DIY stuff.

Its not the accident, the title, or future problems resulting from the accident: When I fix a vehicle, I fix it CORRECTLY. What concerns me are the manufacturing short-falls that I've been reading about.

I'll take the VIN on the car I'm considering to make sure the recalls & TSBs have been performed. I've PERSONALLY seen these cars with 200k on the odometer but who knows how much $$$ repairs have been made.

I figure I can have the coupe on the road for $5k - $5,500 (tops) doing the work myself. I'm sure I can get a Honda/Toyota that will be more reliable (I rode in a Sequoia yesterday w/652k) but not NEARLY as fun or look as good as the coupe.

welcome back (to the coupe!)

i'm on 8 years of ownership and plan to drive mine into the ground... i hope yours treats you well.

shame to hear about the red 2005... any long lost pictures of the old ride(s)?

Here's a picture of the Mars red one the day I bought it (I am NOT responsible for those wheels).



Here is my MINI (out of 39 cars owned, this is my FAVORITE):



The Z4: Its the second one I've had in that color


The 2006 330ciC:

MAJORLY bummed that the Russian VIN Decoder is no longer available.

I'd avoid the 2003s.. That M271 vintage is prone to expensive head issues. That sounds dirty, but you know what I mean. Seems like I remember you picking up that red 05 C230 the same time I picked up my silver one.

I can pick up a low-mileage E46 for the same money, but unless I can find a 330ci 6spd w/sport package, it won't be nearly as fun.

I didn't have it long at all until a dumb biatch in a SUV tried driving up the tail-end of it. Of course that same biatch would also be my sister.

Sounds like you have great credit... it's time to finance a black series.


But seriously congrats on being out of debt, that's a rarity in this day and age.

Good credit, but currently unemployed which is why I've downgraded from having a BMW & a Mercedes to just having a VW...and wanting to downgrade further.


I grew up in a typical 'blue collar' household. My parents married right after high school, but waited until their mid-20s to start having the first of 2 kids. They both worked hard and we never went hungry but we didn't have a lot either. I learned the value of a dollar and how to work hard to get the things I want which I undoubtedly appreciate it all more. My mom eventually went on a 'Dave Ramsey plan' and I learned how to budget and all that good garb.

With that said, I've financed ONE car (new VW when I was in college) by taking out a 120 day loan from my bank and I paid it off in just under 100. I'm one of those sticklers that won't buy anything that I can't pay cash for - with a house being the exception.

I want all types of cool stuff, but I'm too cheap to splurge on it.