silverallie

Hi,

I'm buying my first car in 16 years and would like some advice on 2 cars I'm thinking about. My last car was a 1990 (I think) 190E, which I loved. I like the size of the C Class and am looking at:

1. 2006 C230 2.5L, 47k miles, $17,500 asking price (2 prev. owners, clean Carfax)
2. 2004 C230K, 53k miles, $9,900 asking price (3 prev. owners, clean Carfax)

I drove a 2005 C230K and didn't love the engine as much as the 2.5L, but $7,500 difference ... I'm not sure I care that much. Obviously, the console of the 2004 isn't as beautiful to look at, but are their other problems/issues with the 2004 models that I should be considering? It seems like a real jump in price for 2 years and 6k miles, although I'm guessing the engine type factors in there too.

I drive about 70 miles day total -- mostly interstate. I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

Allie

phister

You have less issues with the 05+ models and more reliability. Only major issue is the CPS magnets. Make sure all the maintenance have been on both. You can probably get the price down on the 06 a few grand easily.

The prefacelift w203 have more gremlins.

silverallie

@phister - Thanks so much for the help. Dealer doesn't want to come down on the 2006 right now, so waiting .... Helps to know that it might be a bit much, since that was my hunch.

Peydidy

Go facelifted, in the future you will realize how much of a better decision it was. They just look a million times better. The 06 your looking at seems a tad bit over priced, if they wont budge on the price you can always shop around, theres no shortage of w203s

LILBENZ230

Right. Get the 2005 C230K.

I would not consider the 2004 C230K because they have been somewhat prone to head issues, which is an expensive repair. I also would skip the 2006 C230 because the price is way too high and the 7G has some known issues (not devastating, but not cheap) and the car may or may not be in the balance shaft range where it could be a nightmare.

tommy

Edmunds says retail value on the 2006 is around $13k with 47k.

If they're not going to negotiate off that insane price, walk away. Too many used C classes in the market to have to educate someone on the value of the car they have.

70 mi x 5 days x 52 weeks = 18,200 miles/year, ignoring weekends, vacations, etc. That's a lot of miles with a car with semi-scary to okish reliability and not great MPG. I'm just sayin'...

LILBENZ230

Indeed, I hadn't even thought to mention the fuel economy difference. The 2.5L V6 is pretty thirsty in my experience. The C230K does much better.

Boom vang

the 2.5 is about 200lbs heavier on the front end and has less torque and uses more fuel, 0-60 in the 8.4-8.9sec range (1sec slower than the 1.8 with stick)

CanadianSteel

Can't say that i agree with that mate...I think 7L per 100km (33.6MPG) Highway is darn good fuel economy for a W203 V6....I'm happy with it anyways. In mixed driving over the past 35K Km I'm at 9L per 100km (26MPG)

LILBENZ230

That is very good fuel economy, but also rare. The two 07 C230 V6s I have driven did between 17 and 22mpg.

Boom Vang.. bite your tongue! Don't you know that it is improper forum etiquette to point out the C230 V6 is slower than the old four-cylinders?

CanadianSteel

Can't say anything about that lol, it's not a fast ride by any means. Then again what are we doing buying 230s if thats what we want right

CanadianSteel

Few more shots just to show fuel economy for the 2.5l v6. Please also note that it's a manual and i'm sure fuel economy would be lower with an auto.

tommy

Ratings were 18 city / 27 hwy. I'd say that would be more typical than what you're getting, unfortunatley.

LILBENZ230

I thought ratings were 17/25?

tommy

That's what I pulled off Edmunds. Maybe it's discussing the entire non-AMG range, and not just the 2.5L?

If that is the case, then that makes an even stronger argument.

silverallie

Thanks so much for all of the advice. I'm going to keep this all in mind and look around some more.

phister

I get around the +27mpg hwy range if I'm doing 60-65 mph. I love the handling on the facelifted models too.

MBfinatic

I hit 30 the other day. I rarely ever get on the freeway.

Boom vang

never trust the onboard computer for fuel economy, it is really a guesstimate at best and the only way to check is to fill up, do your drive and then fill up again and do the calculations, doing it on a short trip or small quantities of fuel used will be highly inaccurate, if I do straight highway driving it says 6.2 l/100k or 46mpg(I don't believe it for a second and when I do an actual test it is far from what the computer shows)