How many problems with your C? What kind? Reliability? Which Years?

I agree - if you are going for a 4 banger then 05 C230K SS 6 speed is the pick of the crop. If I bought a 4 I would also go manual (stick shift)
You like the blower at 5000RPM - to me it is breathless, raucous & sounds stressed - most un Benz like - but I'm a traditionalist - so it's horses for courses - god forbid we all be the same little clones.
if you don't plan to mod the engine are all, then i say go with the v6.
If your going to mod, i say get the i4 because its more mod friendly and you get slightly better gas mileage.
if your coming from a 350z...and moving to a c230..its going to seem like a snail to you. You might want to look at some c32's as well. You can buy c32's for $18k now.
I would also get a v4 too..if your talking about motorcycles.

if you don't plan to mod the engine are all, then i say go with the v6.
If your going to mod, i say get the i4 because its more mod friendly and you get slightly better gas mileage.
if your coming from a 350z...and moving to a c230..its going to seem like a snail to you. You might want to look at some c32's as well. You can buy c32's for $18k now.
I would also get a v4 too..if your talking about motorcycles.




if you don't plan to mod the engine are all, then i say go with the v6.
If your going to mod, i say get the i4 because its more mod friendly and you get slightly better gas mileage.
if your coming from a 350z...and moving to a c230..its going to seem like a snail to you. You might want to look at some c32's as well. You can buy c32's for $18k now.
I would also get a v4 too..if your talking about motorcycles.

Im going to try to get some info on the c32.. I have driven a 05c230 I4,,4door 6MT and yea i know what you mean my 350z is moded and hadels like a beast. Thats why i was thinking about the CLK500 but damn Auto sucks, im going to fall asleep when im driving lol.
If i get a Benz .. i don't know if il mod the eng, maybe the exterior..
Thanks for the MT or Auto replays.. and know i know what the real deal is with MB's
Im going to try to get some info on the c32.. I have driven a 05c230 I4,,4door 6MT and yea i know what you mean my 350z is moded and hadels like a beast. Thats why i was thinking about the CLK500 but damn Auto sucks, im going to fall asleep when im driving lol.
If i get a Benz .. i don't know if il mod the eng, maybe the exterior..
Thanks for the MT or Auto replays.. and know i know what the real deal is with MB's

The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I agree - if you are going for a 4 banger then 05 C230K SS 6 speed is the pick of the crop. If I bought a 4 I would also go manual (stick shift)
You like the blower at 5000RPM - to me it is breathless, raucous & sounds stressed - most un Benz like - but I'm a traditionalist - so it's horses for courses - god forbid we all be the same little clones.
just to be devil's advocate: I think all C230K owners are posers !

case closed lol
I really need a vote, what LESS expensive for maintenance and whats more? i4 or v6... I would say the I4 is more expensive for maintenance but i guess im wrong? and we are talking about the c230 4 door. This vote will help out anyone who is considering a c230
Vote I4 VS Vote V6
Smoothness...well, the 1.8L 4 is FAR smoother than the majority of the 4's out there. Let's face it, it's not a Kia 4-cylinder engine (no offense to Kia owners out there). But the kompressor 4 is definitely nowhere as smooth as the Mercedes V6's.
Originally never thought I'd ever get a 4-cylinder Benz. I'd liken that to getting an automatic Ferrari. Basically, what's the point kind of deal? But, I was more concerned with fuel economy, and was very impressed with the kompressor fuel sipping capabilities. So I was hooked. My best fuel economy: 36.7mpg !!
Cintoman

I really need a vote, what LESS expensive for maintenance and whats more? i4 or v6... I would say the I4 is more expensive for maintenance but i guess im wrong? and we are talking about the c230 4 door. This vote will help out anyone who is considering a c230
Vote I4 VS Vote V6
If maintenance and running cost are the major drivers then I would say I4 up to 100,000 miles wins & V6 probably takes over after that. Just 12 plugs vs. 4 makes a difference to maintenance cost & WS time.

Smoothness...well, the 1.8L 4 is FAR smoother than the majority of the 4's out there. Let's face it, it's not a Kia 4-cylinder engine (no offense to Kia owners out there). But the kompressor 4 is definitely nowhere as smooth as the Mercedes V6's.
Originally never thought I'd ever get a 4-cylinder Benz. I'd liken that to getting an automatic Ferrari. Basically, what's the point kind of deal? But, I was more concerned with fuel economy, and was very impressed with the kompressor fuel sipping capabilities. So I was hooked. My best fuel economy: 36.7mpg !!
Cintoman
You are never going to get a fair vote. There are more 4 cyl owners out there. Just buy what you like and be happy (colour, options etc.) - you can't go wrong with either. You can't expect others to make these decisions for you. If you are this indecisive in buying a car I hope you don't aspire to a management job in corporate America.
If maintenance and running cost are the major drivers then I would say I4 up to 100,000 miles wins & V6 probably takes over after that. Just 12 plugs vs. 4 makes a difference to maintenance cost & WS time.
I take your comment offensively talk **** about a member of mbworld hopping that i don't aspire a management job..blaa blaa Shows what kind of person you are!
. What kinda crap is that! I’m NOT asking for someone to tell me what to buy, just collecting data information before i make a purchase, this is not the only source that I’m using. If you want to share with me and everyone ells great if not then so be it! Take in mind that anyone who will be reading this benefited not just me.Again thanks to all who have Votes and giving your comments!


First of I’m just collecting information from various sources. I’m a free thinker and just collecting information and like to be educated before i make a choice. This where I then analyze and make a choice. I don't believe there is nothing wrong with that. I’m a car enthusiastic fanatic there is nothing wrong with that just like most of you!. I have owned many many nice cars for a young guy like me, Just never a MB (hint the me asking for your opinions since and experiences.. Which most of you have been very supportive thanks you*** ) .
I take your comment offensively talk **** about a member of mbworld hopping that i don't aspire a management job..blaa blaa Shows what kind of person you are!
. What kinda crap is that! I’m NOT asking for someone to tell me what to buy, just collecting data information before i make a purchase, this is not the only source that I’m using. If you want to share with me and everyone ells great if not then so be it! Take in mind that anyone who will be reading this benefited not just me.Again thanks to all who have Votes and giving your comments!


just to be devil's advocate: I think all C230K owners are posers !

Having many 4cyl in my life (Acura CL, Mazda MX6 Turbo, Toyota, Renault) this is clearly the smoothest 4 banger I've ever had and while may not be as smooth as a MB V6, it is equal in smoothness to most other manufacturers 6 bangers. There is no idle shake and people are shocked to find out when they are in my car it is a 4cyl.
Other advantages that the 1.8 has over the 240 or 230 V6 other than the obvious better fuel economy is:
flatter torque curve
better throttle response
better weight distribution (this engine is 200lbs lighter and this will be off the front end!)
more torque
better passing power
Generally superchargers have a longer life than turbos as there are no heat issues.
I like the instant power response that a small forced induction has that you don't get unless less you have a larger displacement engine. The C55 needed 5.4L to get a similar power that the C32 has from its 3.2L Kompressor engine.
And finally the M111 2.3 kompressor engine while put out mildly more hp over the M271 it was a rough and non refined engine that felt like a bucket of bolts. The M111 though can be moded to put out even more power.
Having many 4cyl in my life (Acura CL, Mazda MX6 Turbo, Toyota, Renault) this is clearly the smoothest 4 banger I've ever had and while may not be as smooth as a MB V6, it is equal in smoothness to most other manufacturers 6 bangers. There is no idle shake and people are shocked to find out when they are in my car it is a 4cyl.
Other advantages that the 1.8 has over the 240 or 230 V6 other than the obvious better fuel economy is:
flatter torque curve
better throttle response
better weight distribution (this engine is 200lbs lighter and this will be off the front end!)
more torque
better passing power
Generally superchargers have a longer life than turbos as there are no heat issues.
I like the instant power response that a small forced induction has that you don't get unless less you have a larger displacement engine. The C55 needed 5.4L to get a similar power that the C32 has from its 3.2L Kompressor engine.
And finally the M111 2.3 kompressor engine while put out mildly more hp over the M271 it was a rough and non refined engine that felt like a bucket of bolts. The M111 though can be moded to put out even more power.

Having many 4cyl in my life (Acura CL, Mazda MX6 Turbo, Toyota, Renault) this is clearly the smoothest 4 banger I've ever had and while may not be as smooth as a MB V6, it is equal in smoothness to most other manufacturers 6 bangers. There is no idle shake and people are shocked to find out when they are in my car it is a 4cyl.
Other advantages that the 1.8 has over the 240 or 230 V6 other than the obvious better fuel economy is:
flatter torque curve
better throttle response
better weight distribution (this engine is 200lbs lighter and this will be off the front end!)
more torque
better passing power
Generally superchargers have a longer life than turbos as there are no heat issues.
I like the instant power response that a small forced induction has that you don't get unless less you have a larger displacement engine. The C55 needed 5.4L to get a similar power that the C32 has from its 3.2L Kompressor engine.
And finally the M111 2.3 kompressor engine while put out mildly more hp over the M271 it was a rough and non refined engine that felt like a bucket of bolts. The M111 though can be moded to put out even more power.
Agree the M111 is a bucket of bolts - not nice! It is more robust but not in the V6 league & the clamour of lack of refinement in traditional & fussy MB markets forced a change.
What you like is the low RPM torque that blowing an engine provides - not the horsepower particularly
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 21, 2008 at 04:01 AM.
284 owners now signed up across all model years. A good start, but more are needed for us to provide solid information on the C-Class.
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