What to look for in a W203 ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
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From: Calabasas, CA
05 E320
What to look for in a W203 ?
I am interested in picking one up but not sure of the usual gremlins and stay away items surrounding this car.
I have driven many of the krompressor and later V6 models, but for some reason I preferred that supercharged 4 cylinder motor - am I crazy to do so?
Which year and drive train are the most desirable throughout the entire production range?
Thanks!
I have driven many of the krompressor and later V6 models, but for some reason I preferred that supercharged 4 cylinder motor - am I crazy to do so?
Which year and drive train are the most desirable throughout the entire production range?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I have an '05 C230K 6 spd and my wife has a '06 C230 auto.
Of course, they are very similar (sitting in the car without looking at the exterior, it's easy to forget which one we're in), but her's seems smoother than mine. At least part of that is because of the difference between the I4 and V6 (with balance shaft).
The V6 get a little less mileage on the highway than my I4 (~30 vs ~32 mpg) and seems to get much less mileage around town - below 20.
The cruise control is a little nicer in the '06 than the '05 - In the '06, each push of the lever changes the cruise speed 1 mph, but on the '05, you have to guess.
The '06 has a larger oil capacity (8.5 vs 5.8 qts).
As phister said, the cam positioning magnets can be a problem on the '05 ('06 too?). Some '06s might have a problem with the balance shaft sprocket. The former is covered by a recall campaign and the latter should be taken care of by MB.
Other than that, they are very similar. I like my '05 with the 6 spd., but the tranny is a little slow and notchy and the pedals are horribly positioned. The auto is smooth and will just about always put you in the right gear. It's very nice (for an auto).
That's my $0.02 on the two. Hope that helps.
Of course, they are very similar (sitting in the car without looking at the exterior, it's easy to forget which one we're in), but her's seems smoother than mine. At least part of that is because of the difference between the I4 and V6 (with balance shaft).
The V6 get a little less mileage on the highway than my I4 (~30 vs ~32 mpg) and seems to get much less mileage around town - below 20.
The cruise control is a little nicer in the '06 than the '05 - In the '06, each push of the lever changes the cruise speed 1 mph, but on the '05, you have to guess.
The '06 has a larger oil capacity (8.5 vs 5.8 qts).
As phister said, the cam positioning magnets can be a problem on the '05 ('06 too?). Some '06s might have a problem with the balance shaft sprocket. The former is covered by a recall campaign and the latter should be taken care of by MB.
Other than that, they are very similar. I like my '05 with the 6 spd., but the tranny is a little slow and notchy and the pedals are horribly positioned. The auto is smooth and will just about always put you in the right gear. It's very nice (for an auto).
That's my $0.02 on the two. Hope that helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I was all set to tell you you were wrong (and you are according to my manual), but so am I. In both the '05 and '06 manual it says a "briefly tip cruise control lever in direction of arrow." to increase speed by 1 mph. Maybe there is something wrong with mine. I'll have to monkey around with mine.
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From: VA
THE C350
I was all set to tell you you were wrong (and you are according to my manual), but so am I. In both the '05 and '06 manual it says a "briefly tip cruise control lever in direction of arrow." to increase speed by 1 mph. Maybe there is something wrong with mine. I'll have to monkey around with mine.
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From: VA
THE C350
From the 2001 manual
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
OK looked at the owners manual for 01-05 Looks like 01 and 02 is by .6 MPH and for 03-05 it is 1 MPH
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
OK looked at the owners manual for 01-05 Looks like 01 and 02 is by .6 MPH and for 03-05 it is 1 MPH
Last edited by samaritrey; Nov 24, 2011 at 01:30 PM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
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From: Calabasas, CA
05 E320
Thanks for all the replies.
After doing some research last night, I learned about the Kompressor's ability to jump a tooth on the timing chain/sprocket and that doesn't sound so good.
Is there a list out there showing the different engine's used and their associated production year for the W209?
Why should I stay away from the M272 engine?
Do these cars have issues prematurely wearing out their ball joints and control arm bushings?
After doing some research last night, I learned about the Kompressor's ability to jump a tooth on the timing chain/sprocket and that doesn't sound so good.
Is there a list out there showing the different engine's used and their associated production year for the W209?
Why should I stay away from the M272 engine?
Do these cars have issues prematurely wearing out their ball joints and control arm bushings?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
From the 2001 manual
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
OK looked at the owners manual for 01-05 Looks like 01 and 02 is by .6 MPH and for 03-05 it is 1 MPHAs I said, I'm not sure what the difference is between '05 and '06 cruise controls (maybe it's between my car and my wife's). The action on my wife's is much more precise than on mine. On my wife's car, resuming a cruise after braking instantaneously resumes the speed while in my car, it will lag a bit before accelerating...
Either way, it's a small issue. Cruise works in both cars, it just seems to work differently.
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
OK looked at the owners manual for 01-05 Looks like 01 and 02 is by .6 MPH and for 03-05 it is 1 MPHAs I said, I'm not sure what the difference is between '05 and '06 cruise controls (maybe it's between my car and my wife's). The action on my wife's is much more precise than on mine. On my wife's car, resuming a cruise after braking instantaneously resumes the speed while in my car, it will lag a bit before accelerating...
Either way, it's a small issue. Cruise works in both cars, it just seems to work differently.
Last edited by ncmudbug; Nov 24, 2011 at 05:34 PM. Reason: added samaritrey's quote
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Thanks for all the replies.
After doing some research last night, I learned about the Kompressor's ability to jump a tooth on the timing chain/sprocket and that doesn't sound so good.
Is there a list out there showing the different engine's used and their associated production year for the W209?
Why should I stay away from the M272 engine?
Do these cars have issues prematurely wearing out their ball joints and control arm bushings?
After doing some research last night, I learned about the Kompressor's ability to jump a tooth on the timing chain/sprocket and that doesn't sound so good.
Is there a list out there showing the different engine's used and their associated production year for the W209?
Why should I stay away from the M272 engine?
Do these cars have issues prematurely wearing out their ball joints and control arm bushings?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
It isn't a big issue.. and you *should* hear a chain rattle before it actually happens. Proper maintenance is key.
OP - if you prefer the supercharged four, buy an 05. These are solidly reliable and very efficient. If you want a V6, buy a 2007.. it's the best W203 in terms of appearances and should be well sorted.
Disregard anyone who advises you to buy a 2001-2002. They are clueless.
OP - if you prefer the supercharged four, buy an 05. These are solidly reliable and very efficient. If you want a V6, buy a 2007.. it's the best W203 in terms of appearances and should be well sorted.
Disregard anyone who advises you to buy a 2001-2002. They are clueless.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
