C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

What should I look for when buying a C230

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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 09:58 AM
  #1  
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190e 2.6 Sportline
What should I look for when buying a C230

Hello W203 owners,
I am looking into buying a w203 as a daily while I work on my W201. Anything I should look for? I am leaning towards a c230 sport sedan but with a kompressor 1.8l engine. Do they make this setup? What years are the best to look for? Most that I have seen are over 100k miles at about $9-10k. Whats a good price tag for a decent one?

Thanks
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 10:03 AM
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phister's Avatar
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06 C230 SS 6spd
2005+ post facelift. it'll be best to look for an 05 if you want the kompressor and sports package. I actually test drove a silver one the other day because my friend was looking for another car. It was an 05 6mt kompressor. was pretty clean in and out but the previous owner slapped AMG badges all over it, I mean everywhere and they didnt even put them in the correct location lol
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 10:27 AM
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2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
You want to stay away from the 1.8 with 100k unless you want to change the timing chain. Sure am glad I have the 2.3
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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It's tough - the 1.8 L engine is a sad little thing, but the 2.3 L engine is surrounded by a car with generally very bad rust issues ane electronics. I'd look for one that says "Accord" on the end honestly, as I wouldn't recommend any W203 as a used car.
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 12:48 PM
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I would recommend a W203 as a daily. If it has been taken care of you should be fine. A timing chain isnt the end of the car . The m271 gets some really good MPG!
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 12:58 PM
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2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
You're right. It's not the end of the car. But he wants something to daily while he works on his w201
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by jetta02awp
You're right. It's not the end of the car. But he wants something to daily while he works on his w201
Thats true. Speaking of accord that is what im looking to get to daily. Depends how fast you can do a timing chain.
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 09:27 PM
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Id say the 05 c230K Sports are a good choice because you get the kompessor still and the crazy low fuel efficiency and the sport package. The timing chain is an issue but some people go to 200K without ever having a timing chain issue, and as stated above its not the end of the car as long as you catch it before it actually brakes. I wouldn't get anything before 05 though, the facelift is just to much of a difference imo
good luck OP!
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 12:31 PM
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Whats a good price on a 2005 c230 sports sedan? What are some good points i can use to lower the price? Anything specific on the 2005 that i should check?
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 09:31 PM
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2003 C230 Kompressor
Cool 2003 C230K not the best choice.

My husband just bought me a 2003 C230K...Its very loud, It shakes and rattles a lot..just hated., I took it to a mecanic..he said its normal,,,WHAT??!!...oh well time to look for another model
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 10:03 PM
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2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
Originally Posted by gaviota1969
My husband just bought me a 2003 C230K...Its very loud, It shakes and rattles a lot..just hated., I took it to a mecanic..he said its normal,,,WHAT??!!...oh well time to look for another model
You need to find another mechanic. My coupe is very quiet when hitting bumps, very smooth even with my snow tires on it and the engine is generally quiet considering I have the "noisy" one.
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 10:25 PM
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2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
shame on u wanting to buy a jap car ..everyone drives one...this is why the us is lost in new investments..honda might have factories here but asian banks arent mutally connected like euro and us banks...hense losing investment

if ur gunna buy a car with 100k miles then u might as well park that one next to da w201

buy a crown vic police package..17 in city and 25 on highway who cares tho

Last edited by sammydragon3; Dec 11, 2012 at 10:28 PM.
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 12:24 PM
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2003 C230 Kompressor
Maybe you`re right...I should get a second opinion...thanks for the input.
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by sammydragon3
shame on u wanting to buy a jap car ..everyone drives one...this is why the us is lost in new investments..honda might have factories here but asian banks arent mutally connected like euro and us banks...hense losing investment
Really, this is your input?
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 11:10 PM
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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by jquiroz1969
Whats a good price on a 2005 c230 sports sedan? What are some good points i can use to lower the price? Anything specific on the 2005 that i should check?
Well to give you an idea I am currently in the process of trying to sell my 05 with 77K. I am shooting to get around $11,500 for mine but realistically if I was buying one I would try to pay around 10K for one with around as many miles as mine.
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Old Dec 26, 2012 | 05:33 PM
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190e 2.6 Sportline
Going to go take a look at an 05' black c230k sport this evening after work. Has 83k miles on it and they are asking just under 11k. Hoping to get it down to 10k. Anything last minute i should look for?
Thanks for the help

Will keep you posted.
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Old Dec 26, 2012 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Peydidy
Well to give you an idea I am currently in the process of trying to sell my 05 with 77K. I am shooting to get around $11,500 for mine but realistically if I was buying one I would try to pay around 10K for one with around as many miles as mine.
+1 on about 10-10.5K
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Old Dec 29, 2012 | 11:52 PM
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2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
Originally Posted by tommy
Really, this is your input?
lol yes i love driving in my S500 and thinking of if i just slammed into all these jap cars...who would win?
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Old Dec 30, 2012 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by sammydragon3
lol yes i love driving in my S500 and thinking of if i just slammed into all these jap cars...who would win?
Many civics, S2Ks, Integras, and RSXes, of course. Just how far up your *** is your head, anyway?
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