heat010

This is going to be a tough call for those who haven't ordered their cars yet, like me.

Get the current 192 hp C230 engine or wait for the possibly smoother and less powerful C180 engine with a little bit better gas mileage for 2003.

I know the 2.3 has been built and refined over alot of years and the hp would be really nice, but from all the rumors, the C180 may be quieter, and overall a more technically superior engine.

Why does Mercedes have to make such a drastic change in only the second year of a model. It sure adds to the confusion.

I'll appreciate your opinions. Thanks.

KJ-TypeR

Who cares about gas mileage? If you own a Mercedes...the extra few cents you pay at a pump shouldn't really matter.

young

i care. i also care about having a ULEV or better rated car.

galaxygrrl

I care too, I almost did not buy this car because of the MPG issue. There are enviromental, financial, terrorism factors to be considered with using oil.

Flashman

There's no guarantee that in the pursuit of a newer, more efficient, engine that it will automatically be 'smoother'. Personally, I don't think there's enough information to make a clear decision. So I would recommend to just make a decision on the existing car as it is. If you have specific issues with the current car, then you can decide if waiting is worth it.

Lynn

Rick, the new fours have balance shafts, so they will be smoother.

renncpe

What ever they do I hope that they don’t change the nomenclature. It should stay C230k I think if they call it a C180K that it will be perceived is a down grade regardless of the facts.
Randy

Boo2

The opportunity cost of waiting for the 2003 model, will be the enjoyment of driving a new car now. You can always wait 10 years and hope they come out with a 400hp hybrid for the same price. For real, if you love the car get it because the future models will always seem slightly better whenever you buy.

Mike T.

The 192 (EU) HP version of the new 1.8 engine will be mounted in the Coupe body and the model will STILL be called the C 230 K. So, no worries about "status" for social climbers

For me, this would be the one to get - the present car is a bit thirsty in the city - the new one is 7% more economical overall, for virtually the same performance. Plus the exhaust is a lot cleaner.

Bring the new engines on!

C230K

After reading all these forms, think you should go with a sure thing and get the car now. Think if you had an SUV, worry about gas, I get over 20 mpg and with the performance, hard to beat. Or get an electric car by Honda, just kidding.

tommy

While I think that it's nice that everyone here is so green, I also note that everyone who responded has bought a c230, so I guess it's not too troubling to you to get such a gas hog. Unless you all walk to work, and use the Benz very sparingly on weekends.

My bigger concern would be that the c230 is a proven engine with a good record, while any new engine will not have that.

A bird in the hand...

Buy the damn car, and enjoy it. Waiting will only frustrate you (unless waiting gets you a Jetsons-type car - I can't wait for those puppies to come out).

young

well, can't speak for beth, but i didn't call the current model a gas hog. i reserve that for the land cruisers and durangos of the automotive world. i was just responding to KJ's statement of it being a cost issue; which it really isn't.

if i had a choice between the current engine and the engine listed above (w/ the assumption that the info is indeed accurate), i'd definitely choose the newer engine b/c i'm not the type of driver who needs the extra horsepower. same reason, i'd rather have the CL55 vs the CL600, etc.

a separate question is, heat (or should i call you simmering? ), are you willing to wait 7 months for the new engine? well, not for me b/c i'm tired of waiting for stuff. carpe diem! (what, what is that? fish? fish something? )

BigDaddyPR

how can the new model still be called c230 coupe???? if it is a 1.8 litter shouldn't be called c180???

Lynn

The same way a C240 is called a C240 when it has a 2.6 liter engine. Marketing is more important than accuracy in naming convention.

Flashman

This is my GUESS...

They will release the new C230K in the US as the C230K with same/close-enough horsepower and slightly better gas mileage, using new engine. It will have a small price bump.

The will not release the C180 here, just as they never released other Coupe models here. Gets too confusing for marketing purposes.

jpgroom

Are there going to be any other changes to the new model other than the engine? When they added the 3.2 to the SLK line the SLK230 dropped in price from $41K to about $38K. The people who bought the $41K version the year before were really pissed. Personally I say a bird in the hand.....

Or buy a 1 year old C230K cheap if the new model is signicantly better and people are trading in.

c230_2k2

I would say buy the car today, why wait ;you only live once...if you like the car i would say go for it! How much difference MPG are we talkin about...you probably wont even notice it, I dont know cause I havent seen the new motor's performance yet? And how true is it that they are going to change the motor to the 180? Things might change cause I heard BMW is coming out with their new coupe which is a 6 cylinder, so MB might go on the same route, We dont know.