New C230 Review by CarTalk
02-22-2002, 11:15 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
New C230 Review by CarTalk
My favorite guys at CarTalk just did a review of the C230 Sports Coupe, and it is a lot of fun to read:
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sports Coupe Test Drive
In short, they both rated it "Awesome!", and gave this summary quote: "It's hard to think of another hatchback coupe that offers the combination of solid feel, safety, sporty performance, airy feel and distinctive looks."
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sports Coupe Test Drive
In short, they both rated it "Awesome!", and gave this summary quote: "It's hard to think of another hatchback coupe that offers the combination of solid feel, safety, sporty performance, airy feel and distinctive looks."
02-22-2002, 11:18 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
those guys are really funny. 
<b>The only cure, aside from calling JC Whitney for a $39.95 set of simulated tiger fur seat covers, is to pony up another 1,300 bucks for leather seats.</b>
i'd better call JC Whitney...
<b>There is a family resemblance in the taillights, but it's to a different branch of the Daimler/Chrysler family tree -- the lowly Dodge Neon. </b>
<b>The only cure, aside from calling JC Whitney for a $39.95 set of simulated tiger fur seat covers, is to pony up another 1,300 bucks for leather seats.</b>
i'd better call JC Whitney...
<b>There is a family resemblance in the taillights, but it's to a different branch of the Daimler/Chrysler family tree -- the lowly Dodge Neon. </b>
Last edited by young; 02-22-2002 at 11:21 AM.
02-22-2002, 11:27 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Even though an electric motor pulls the front seats forward and out of the way at your command, you still have to fold yourself up to get in the back.
eight-way adjustable seats (manual in the car we drove; 10-way power seats with memory are an extra $1,225).
I don't have the electric slider on my car !
eight-way adjustable seats (manual in the car we drove; 10-way power seats with memory are an extra $1,225).
I don't have the electric slider on my car !
02-22-2002, 01:48 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 VW GTI
Nice review but, here's my .02:
I disagree. See my post on c230k in snow.
I disagree. Take those nice plastic covers off and guess what! There's an engine under there. Just like any other gas powered car. Am I wrong? And I doubt these guys actually tried working on the car during the test...
I disagree. Or rather, I agree with MB's placement of the switches. Out of the way yet accessible when you need them. In my wife's car: I hate when my elbow lowers 1 or 2 of the windows by accident. Once you learn where they are in the MB- no problem. Same applies with the cruise stalk.
I wonder if they knew the seat moves further forward even after it slides up. It's a 2-step process. I didn't know and there's no way of knowing unless someone tells you or you find out by accident. Furthermore, the doors are enormous and they leave an equally enormous hole in the car when they are opened. That makes it one of the easiest back seats to get into that I've tried. Find me another 2-door on the market that's easier to get in the back.
In addition, I highly recommend the power seat option. Especially if 2 people share in driving the car. The memory positions are linked to the key fob, which means there are a total of 6 available memory postions. I have a "highway", "around town", and "wife" positions (in case she uses my key). She has "big shoe", "small shoe", and "husband" positions set on her key. Plus- you get the easy-entry/exit feature which is also linked to the key. It's an expensive option, but the manual seat adjustments are a joke.
One note of caution: The C230 is rear-wheel drive, which means it's at a disadvantage in slippery weather. We noticed that the C230 slipped a bit on wet roads, which doesn't give us much confidence that it would keep you moving in the snow, even with its traction control.
This car is not going to be easy to work on. The engine compartment is complicated and very crowded.
First, there's the placement of the window switches -- way, way down on the doors, just barely within reach of a seated and buckled-in person.
It's a pain in the tuchus to get into and out of the back seat. Even though an electric motor pulls the front seats forward and out of the way at your command, you still have to fold yourself up to get in the back.
In addition, I highly recommend the power seat option. Especially if 2 people share in driving the car. The memory positions are linked to the key fob, which means there are a total of 6 available memory postions. I have a "highway", "around town", and "wife" positions (in case she uses my key). She has "big shoe", "small shoe", and "husband" positions set on her key. Plus- you get the easy-entry/exit feature which is also linked to the key. It's an expensive option, but the manual seat adjustments are a joke.
02-22-2002, 05:56 PM
#5
Out Of Control!!
Originally posted by avlis
The memory positions are linked to the key fob, which means there are a total of 6 available memory postions
The memory positions are linked to the key fob, which means there are a total of 6 available memory postions
02-22-2002, 06:07 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 VW GTI
Aren't there are 3 memory positions for each of 2 keys?
2 keys x 3 postions = 6
I'm still figuring out the seat/key setup so maybe I'm the one missing something?
2 keys x 3 postions = 6
I'm still figuring out the seat/key setup so maybe I'm the one missing something?
02-22-2002, 10:27 PM
#7
Actually, I think it's really eight...
2 keys X 3 memory positions = 6 Plus...
2 keys X 1 last position used = 2 Total: 8
(If you move the seat/mirrors, etc. of any position other than the three presets, the key remembers that position too. One for each key.)
I asked about the logic and hierarchy (priorities) of how the memory seats work on the tech forum, but no one answered. I'm not sure even the experts understand it.
2 keys X 3 memory positions = 6 Plus...
2 keys X 1 last position used = 2 Total: 8
(If you move the seat/mirrors, etc. of any position other than the three presets, the key remembers that position too. One for each key.)
I asked about the logic and hierarchy (priorities) of how the memory seats work on the tech forum, but no one answered. I'm not sure even the experts understand it.
