TNblkc230wz

Checkout the Motortrend Article

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0307_30k/

steffen

"With a new close-ratio six-speed manual, it's a cinch to keep the C230 on a smile-inducing boil"

Is the manual for the 2003 C230 any different than on my 2002?
Does it shift any smoother from 1st to 2nd by any chance?

--S

M-B-Michael

So where are the performance numbers?

I know what they are personally, but I wanted to see it in print for the masses.

They give Mercedes the win, but dont show a performance chart for us?

jpb5151

Fun article. I'd hoped that the trade zines would get around to looking at the junior sedans; everything seemed to always be about the TL, 330, 320, etc. Now I know we're not the only ones who love the 230k sedan.

MB///HRV

WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!

Interesting that they say no trunk pass thru on the last page when it is an option.

electromethod

Well that is the one thing that bit me in the butt..... i didn't realize that it was an option or I would have gotten it.... the original salesman I was dealing with didn't mention it to me at all, so I assumed it was standard. oh well, you live and learn

ScoobyDo

I have the 2003 C230K sedan. The shifting from 1st to 2nd still stings. I don't think the article mention any smooth shifting. However; the gear ratio selection is great. You learn to live with the deficiency of the shifter. It is not great, but you can get by.

steffen

But is the ratio any different than the 2002?

Also, they say they were very impressed with the Sport Seats - they said they were some of the best they'd seen for this price.

Are the Sportscoupe seats the same or different?

--Steffen

Lynn

There is no new transmission. The sport sedan has the short throw shifter in it. That may be why they think there is a new tranny.

The coupe and SportSedan seats are the same.

ScoobyDo

The seats in the sportcoupe and the sport sedan is NOT the same :

1) The seats in the sport sedan have more lateral support.
2) The seats in the sport sedan have leather covering.

Lynn

While I haven't had the opprotunity to sit in the Sport Sedan, I have seen a couple and the seats look the same. If you have tried both, I'll take you word for it. And mine are leather. The Sport Sedan has leather inserts as standard, not premium leather.

TNblkc230wz

When I test drove them and looked at them side-by-side, they were the same. I have leather.

TNblkc230wz

Shift quality is excellent. If you are use to front drivers, it will seem knotchy, but I like feeling the gears engage.

ScoobyDo

As of today, I will reserve the term excellent for the S2000 shifter. What I was referring to is the capability to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly when you are in full acceleration. An excellent shifter should let you do the operation like cutting butter with a hot knife. Not the case in the C230K.

ScoobyDo

You guys have me curious. I will go and check out the sportcoupe again in the next couple of days.