New to me 2003 C230 K Coupe! Some questions...
11-09-2011, 11:49 AM
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2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
New to me 2003 C230 K Coupe! Some questions...
Hello all!
Just picked up a C230 K coupe, 6 speed manual. Despite it being a 2003 it only has about 30k miles on it. Not bad for CAD$9500!
Been searching the forums and I believe I found most of my answers, but I'd just like to confirm:
1) Seems that the coupe headlights are different than the sedan headlights. Is this correct? I am trying to find projector headlights for this and all I can find are ones that fit the sedan. Are there any for the coupe? Aftermarket or OEM is fine.
2) I haven't been able to find a short shifter. Is the best option to improve the shifter feel to find a C7/Evolution shifter or to upgrade to a 2005+ shifter? I'm also trying to see how it's mounted... on my Mazda3 there were 4 rubber bushings under the shifter and changing these to metal ones made a huge difference, hoping I can do the same here.
3) Last owner put a CLK 320 badge on it. Why do people do this?
2 more days!
Just picked up a C230 K coupe, 6 speed manual. Despite it being a 2003 it only has about 30k miles on it. Not bad for CAD$9500!
Been searching the forums and I believe I found most of my answers, but I'd just like to confirm:
1) Seems that the coupe headlights are different than the sedan headlights. Is this correct? I am trying to find projector headlights for this and all I can find are ones that fit the sedan. Are there any for the coupe? Aftermarket or OEM is fine.
2) I haven't been able to find a short shifter. Is the best option to improve the shifter feel to find a C7/Evolution shifter or to upgrade to a 2005+ shifter? I'm also trying to see how it's mounted... on my Mazda3 there were 4 rubber bushings under the shifter and changing these to metal ones made a huge difference, hoping I can do the same here.
3) Last owner put a CLK 320 badge on it. Why do people do this?
2 more days!
11-09-2011, 01:19 PM
#2
Out Of Control!!
1) That is true. No aftermarket projectors - either clear "normal" headlights or bi-xenons, but both are getting harder to do.
2) No short shift kit available. Best to do upgrades in stages. Get an aftermarket knob that will drop the position of the shifter a good deal. If you need better, the next thing would be the C7 package's shifter, then the more recent one - I'm assuming that the C7 would be much easier to swap than the newer version. However, if they are equally difficult to swap, better to get the more recent shifter - I have a C7 in my coupe, and it's still no great shakes.
3) Why ask why?
Good luck with the purchase. Hope you have some money tucked away for repairs, they'll find you eventually on these cars, and they ain't cheap.
2) No short shift kit available. Best to do upgrades in stages. Get an aftermarket knob that will drop the position of the shifter a good deal. If you need better, the next thing would be the C7 package's shifter, then the more recent one - I'm assuming that the C7 would be much easier to swap than the newer version. However, if they are equally difficult to swap, better to get the more recent shifter - I have a C7 in my coupe, and it's still no great shakes.
3) Why ask why?
Good luck with the purchase. Hope you have some money tucked away for repairs, they'll find you eventually on these cars, and they ain't cheap.
11-09-2011, 11:23 PM
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Thanks for the replies!
That sucks about the headlights... hopefully I find a set of clear ones soon enough. I'll take apart the shifter when I get the car and see if there's anything else to be done there too... hopefully at least some bushings I can change and then throw on a new knob.
As for the repairs, I'm pretty handy, I'll be doing the cam sensors right away as I've seen that nasty problem. But I've heard MB likes to make things complicated with their designs sometimes... hopefully nothing I can't handle. Dealer offered me an "extended warranty"... 2 years/40k for $1700. I declined it of course but I hope that was the right choice! Especially at that low mileage...
That sucks about the headlights... hopefully I find a set of clear ones soon enough. I'll take apart the shifter when I get the car and see if there's anything else to be done there too... hopefully at least some bushings I can change and then throw on a new knob.
As for the repairs, I'm pretty handy, I'll be doing the cam sensors right away as I've seen that nasty problem. But I've heard MB likes to make things complicated with their designs sometimes... hopefully nothing I can't handle. Dealer offered me an "extended warranty"... 2 years/40k for $1700. I declined it of course but I hope that was the right choice! Especially at that low mileage...
