The Newbie with the Pewter C230
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 258
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
The Newbie with the Pewter C230
Hello my fellow W203 owners!! I posted the following text in LILBENZ230’s 120,000 mile thread as an intro and thought I’d better start my own intro thread. Much apologies to LILBENZ230 for threadjacking.
To date, I have had No major problems what so ever. The only maintenance has been the regular Service A and B along with the installation of Bilstein sport shocks to accomodate the Eibach Pro kit springs and the replacement of the thermostat which went out shortly after the purchase. I try to split time between this car and my 06 GSXR750, but the bike gets more time when the weather is nice.
I took the car out of the California sunshine and away from the beaches and brought it into the 105+ degree KS summer heat, cold KS winters and snow storms and across the entire bottom half of the United States with more adventures in the works!!
I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible as the mileage continues to accumulate along with future modifications
I just wanted to introduce myself with this first post in this 120,000 mile thread because as of this moment I about 9,700 miles shy of 120,000 on my 05 c230 sports sedan. With my amount of driving and curiosity to see my home state Of KS and the U.S.A 9,700 miles should come quick!! =) I don’t post much, as I do more lurking to gain knowledge and information about my c230.
I purchased the car from a family member in Escondido, CA on 9/24/10 with 76,600 on the odometer. I flew to California to pick it up then drove it 1,500 miles back to middle America. After numerous weekend road trips around KS and Oklahoma, daily driving to work, back home for lunch, then back to work, then to college for evening classes, then coming home for the night mileage on the c230 increased real quick. I embarked on a Southeastern United states road trip as shown in the picture in August not only to explore and see the country, but to rack up mileage and test the reliability of the c230. My family and I have enjoyed and owned many Honda’s and Acura’s throughout our lifetime and still do. We have two 94 Accords with 267,000 miles and one 96 Acura RL with 213,000 on the odometer. We tend to get our money’s worth out of our vehicles and run them til they’re dead. =) =)
I took before and after pictures of my S.E. United States trip. I didn’t reset the mileage counter before leaving and calculated total mileage based off of the current mileage on the vehicle. On 8/6/11 the car had 102,840. And when I returned on 8/14/11 the odometer read 107,094. 4,254 miles of road trip adventure in the C230 and still running like a champ.
I purchased the car from a family member in Escondido, CA on 9/24/10 with 76,600 on the odometer. I flew to California to pick it up then drove it 1,500 miles back to middle America. After numerous weekend road trips around KS and Oklahoma, daily driving to work, back home for lunch, then back to work, then to college for evening classes, then coming home for the night mileage on the c230 increased real quick. I embarked on a Southeastern United states road trip as shown in the picture in August not only to explore and see the country, but to rack up mileage and test the reliability of the c230. My family and I have enjoyed and owned many Honda’s and Acura’s throughout our lifetime and still do. We have two 94 Accords with 267,000 miles and one 96 Acura RL with 213,000 on the odometer. We tend to get our money’s worth out of our vehicles and run them til they’re dead. =) =)
I took before and after pictures of my S.E. United States trip. I didn’t reset the mileage counter before leaving and calculated total mileage based off of the current mileage on the vehicle. On 8/6/11 the car had 102,840. And when I returned on 8/14/11 the odometer read 107,094. 4,254 miles of road trip adventure in the C230 and still running like a champ.
I took the car out of the California sunshine and away from the beaches and brought it into the 105+ degree KS summer heat, cold KS winters and snow storms and across the entire bottom half of the United States with more adventures in the works!!
I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as possible as the mileage continues to accumulate along with future modifications
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
I have a pewter and my 04 that I sold was pewter. Actually, I like the setup my current better. 06 pewter with black interior. The 04 was pewter with ash interior.
Pewter is a nice color alternative from Silver (irridium).
Nice house! With that kind of size house here, it would be close to a million bucks and I am not joking.
Pewter is a nice color alternative from Silver (irridium).
Nice house! With that kind of size house here, it would be close to a million bucks and I am not joking.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 258
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
Wheels are 19X8.5 FR & 19x9,5 Rear iForged Evolution wheels. They came with the car when I purchased it and have definitely shown wear after 6 years of ownership from the previous owner.
Originally Posted by 04mbc230
Nice house! With that kind of size house here, it would be close to a million bucks and I am not joking.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Durham NC
2006 ML350 back from dealer after 4 weeks,now back for oil consumption test!,2003 C230 Sport
Hey are those 19'' rubbing at all? Car looks great. I dont know if I will do 19 on my 
03 with 176xxx mile on it. But I have been thinking about it.
03 with 176xxx mile on it. But I have been thinking about it.
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
The rear tires are federal ss595’s which have great tread wear life, but are extremely noisy along with the fact that they are squared sidewall tires. And the front’s are Michelin pilot sport a/s + tires. The tires came with the wheels and I’ll be driving on them until they wear down then I’ll decide on another brand tire.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Why would you want rims that rub the fenders? That's tacky to passengers and makes the car feel cheap, I've been in cars that did it before.
The rear was tucked on 19's when I bought the car. I changed the stock spring shim which was a #2 shim to a #4 and it raised it up about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. It helped a bit, but not much. I think a lot of the rubbing in the rear has to do with the fact that the rear tires are squared sidewalls and not rounded like some other tires. Luckily the 19's get put in storage when the snow falls.
The stock 17's come out for the snow.
Originally Posted by johand
Welcome to the forum! Nice ride you got there. Looks like it doubles as a snow plow in the winter 
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
Recent trip pictures:
First picture: Day of purchase - 9/24/10 (Escondido, CA)
Second picture : Guflport Beach (Gulfport, MS 8/7/11)
Third picture: Miami, FL (near American Airlines Arena 8/8/11)
Fourth picture: Rest top in Tennessee (8/14/11)
Fifth picture: Eureka Springs, AR (10/8/11)
First picture: Day of purchase - 9/24/10 (Escondido, CA)
Second picture : Guflport Beach (Gulfport, MS 8/7/11)
Third picture: Miami, FL (near American Airlines Arena 8/8/11)
Fourth picture: Rest top in Tennessee (8/14/11)
Fifth picture: Eureka Springs, AR (10/8/11)
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From: VA
THE C350
Something that actually has power unlike the tractor engine in the c230's 
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 258
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
A little update - I've been busy with the whole work in the morning and school at night routine so I've been more of a lurker than I have poster on the forums. When I do get some free time I like to get out on the road and just drive and go places I've never been before.
A tornado came through south central KS and blew away parts of my workplace so I had 4 days off - Monday through Thursday. Mon, Tues, and Wed. were spent on school work while Thursday was a spontaneous road trip adventure to the Gypsum Hills which is in the southwestern part of KS. It's a 20 mile stretch of highway that offers some great views of the Gypsum Hills. Not all of Kansas is flat!
The pictures are a little dark because it was cloudy and during the morning hours before the tornado rolled through. I managed to get a few pictures before I had to head home because the tornado was moving in. I may return to this scenic byway again during the summer season when the sun is shining to get better views.
Enjoy!!
A tornado came through south central KS and blew away parts of my workplace so I had 4 days off - Monday through Thursday. Mon, Tues, and Wed. were spent on school work while Thursday was a spontaneous road trip adventure to the Gypsum Hills which is in the southwestern part of KS. It's a 20 mile stretch of highway that offers some great views of the Gypsum Hills. Not all of Kansas is flat!
The pictures are a little dark because it was cloudy and during the morning hours before the tornado rolled through. I managed to get a few pictures before I had to head home because the tornado was moving in. I may return to this scenic byway again during the summer season when the sun is shining to get better views.
Enjoy!!
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
A view from a a slight incline off the left side of the highway.
To date: After driving to school, work, errands, and random road trips we're looking at 122,300 miles on the odometer and rising. =) =)
To date: After driving to school, work, errands, and random road trips we're looking at 122,300 miles on the odometer and rising. =) =)
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From: Richmond California
2021 GLC300 4Matic
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
122K? You haven't caught me yet? What a pansy! 
I also work full time and do school at night. I'm at 134,500. I'm visiting Drew this summer (1000 miles) and tentatively plan to drive to Vegas this year (3800 miles) in addition to my typical driving!
I also work full time and do school at night. I'm at 134,500. I'm visiting Drew this summer (1000 miles) and tentatively plan to drive to Vegas this year (3800 miles) in addition to my typical driving!
