Still diggin' the w203 :)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 50
From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
Still diggin' the w203 :)
I made a trip out of town yesterday. Hadn't driven the 'ol gal for 2+ weeks because they're redoing the roads out at my work. The trip was thru the desert, hardly any traffic, clear dry sunny day, everything from twisties to sweepers, hills/descents, looong straightaways, etc., etc... Turned out to be quite a fun drive, which wasn't even on my mind when I left. 90 mile drive in an hour. Most of the traffic were semi's and there are stretches of road with no passing zones for quite a ways, so if you know the road you can plan and work your way thru. I have a tune, and one of the advantages I don't often hear about is the car hanging in the lower gears longer when you drive aggressively. All I can say is it was working for me yesterday. These cars are comfortable, stable at high speed, fun, economical, roomy, capable, sporty, classy ... I could go on and on. Just sayin'............. 
Hope to have her for a long, long time.
Hope to have her for a long, long time.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
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From: Charlotte, NC
C320 4Matic & GLK350 4Matic
I usually take a trip up to NY for the holidays at least once a year. This car is amazing during that trip. I actually feel bad for putting so many miles on her! I currently have just over 70k but want to keep this car for a LONG time.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
Post Lexus, W211 is my fave in terms of styling, but the W203 is a close second. Anti-teutonic, but still timeless.
The lines, shapes and curves are dramatic and purposeful. I find the headlights, grille and hood to be highly charismatic, warm and inviting.
Only major downside is that it looks a little too cute from the rear 3/4 angle in most lighting. The nipped bumper worked on the W210 because the rear was flat, but on the W203, something went wrong.
The tail lamp line adjoining the rear quarter panel is too sharp and inconsistent with the rest of the car, and the crease on the bottom of the trunk lid distracts from an otherwise clean appearance mostly in relation to the crease on top of the lid by the 3rd tail lamp. That one gives it a taut appearance and finishes the rear off well.
The lines, shapes and curves are dramatic and purposeful. I find the headlights, grille and hood to be highly charismatic, warm and inviting.
Only major downside is that it looks a little too cute from the rear 3/4 angle in most lighting. The nipped bumper worked on the W210 because the rear was flat, but on the W203, something went wrong.
The tail lamp line adjoining the rear quarter panel is too sharp and inconsistent with the rest of the car, and the crease on the bottom of the trunk lid distracts from an otherwise clean appearance mostly in relation to the crease on top of the lid by the 3rd tail lamp. That one gives it a taut appearance and finishes the rear off well.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 50
From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
Yep, I like the lines of the W211 better too, but the W203 is very close. I hadn't even thought about Mercedes before this car, and this was purchased from in-laws to more or less help them out financially (and we needed a small, good gas mileage car at the time), so very much just 'stumbled' on it. But when I was parked at a high school on my trip I came out to find a few young-uns checking it out. Same thing at a gas station later that evening, but 3 older gents - they smiled and said hi when I walked out of the mini-mart, and one of them got in a nice black CLK.
