Hello all, I'm new here. I am planning on buying a new C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. I've owned numerous cars in my short life. All the cars I've owned have been either German or Japanese. But I've yet to own a Mercedes Benz, but like most people I've always wanted one and I will be getting one soon.

The reason for my post is to find out how current owners feel about their C230 Sedans. Any comments you may have will be greatly appreciated. I really would like to hear your opinions please. Let me know if you love your C230 Sedan or not. Let me know of any common problems, if any. If you had it to do over again, would you buy another C230 Sedan?

The reason I want a C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan is because I love the look of the car and honestly I would love to be seen driving/owning one.

My plan is to purchase a 6-speed manual model with:
C2 Package(Sunroof & etc)
C4 Package(Xenon's)
Floor Mats or All Season Floor Mats (undecided)
Wood and Leather Steering Wheel (not needed - just looks good)
Illuminated Door Sills (not needed - may look good - never seen)
Premium Sound System (worth it? or go aftermarket?)
Factory Installed CD Changer (worth it? or go aftermarket?)

That's basically the way I would order it.

Do you have a manual shift C230 Sedan or an Automatic? If you have the manual shift model, are you happy with it?

Would you recommended getting the Factory Premium Stereo and CD changer(Is it worth it?) or would it be better to go with an aftermarket one. If I were to go with an aftermarket one I am worried that it may ruin the warranty and I'm also concerned if an aftermarket stereo would look good in place of a factory one.

Does anyone have the illuminated door sills? If so are you happy with them? Are they on all four doors or just the front two? Again is it worth the extra money?

The wood and leather steering wheel. We have a wood and leather steering wheel on one of our other cars and I love the feel of it when I'm driving that car. Do you have one? If so, was it worth paying extra to get it?

Is it true that Mercedes does not negotiate on price?

Also last but not least. I am planning on adding a different exhaust, intake, performance chip and wheels. I would like to purchase Brabus or AMG parts if I can afford them. If not are there any other certain brands that you can recommend that will work perfectly with Mercedes Benz and not ruin the warranty? If not I will not add anything to the car. Have any of you added any aftermarket parts to your cars? If so, what part's and what brand? Did you achieve your desired effect with the aftermarket parts?

I apologize for asking so much, but I really would like to find out what current owners feel about their cars. I understand that I will have to make the final decision on my own, but your opinions will help me greatly in regards to making the decisions in regards to certain options and how to purchase my car.

Thank all of you for taking the time to read my post. Also know that any and all of your comments, opinions and or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, if your interested click on the "My Car" link below to check out my current car.

Again THANKS.
C1

 

As to whether you should get the Bose premium sound systems depends on your taste in music and how you like adjust the system. Why not take a few of your favorite tapes and cd's to the dealer and listen to them in sedans with standard and premium systems.

You can get aftermarket illuminated sills much cheaper. Check with Harris about custom illuminated sills.

Dealers aren't supposed to negotiate, but they do.

There are no intakes. You can probably get filters from K&N or ITG, but don't expect much if any increase in hp. There is some question if there are any exhaust systems for the C230k sedan at this time. You best bet is to go to a local muffler shop. IMO, buying a muffler/exhaust from Brabus or other tuner is a waste of money. You are paying to get their name on a muffler usually made by Remus/Sebring. Don't expect much hp from any exhaust system, even big buck custom systems.

Chips are fairly rare. Contact Renntech or Kleemann for info.

 

Last time I checked MBUSA, the leather/wood steering wheel may be different than you expect. Instead of the top portion of the wheel being all wood, only the front section is wood -- the rear part, where your fingers wrap around, is still leather. Don't know if they've changed it...

 

Welcome to the forum! Yes, that is a very long post you posted, but I'm also bored so here's my reply.

I've had no major problems with my C230k sedan. Cept there are some minor details I'm going to get checked out asap - There's a thread loose on the steering wheel, a piece of leather in the backseat has a part jutting out, and it sounds like air is getting in through the seal of the left rear window. They might sound scary, but they're really minor and fixable.

If I were you, I would purchase:
C2 Package(Sunroof & etc)
C4 Package(Xenon's)
Floor Mats (undecided) (I think these come standard)
Wood and Leather Steering Wheel (not needed - just looks good)
Illuminated Door Sills (not needed - may look good - never seen)
Premium Sound System (worth it? or go aftermarket?)
Factory Installed CD Changer (worth it? or go aftermarket?)

I got the all-season mats; don't plan to use them until winter. They look fine, but I don't like the feeling as sometimes I drive with bare feet. Don't get the premium sound system or the factory installed CD Changer. I got both and I regret it. I would rather have gone through the trouble of getting the stock sound system and then the Audio 10 (search the forums for it if you don't know what it is).

The premium sound system has a really wide soundstage, and it doesn't sound good to my ears. It also can't hit high notes too well. Don't get the factory installed CD changer as well, since if you go aftermarket head unit, there's no point. Also, another reason why you shouldn't get the premium sound system is that you can't install an aftermarket sound system if you ever decide to. The premium sound system wires with fiber optics for the sound system, which knocks out the possibility of aftermarket stuff.

I have an Automatic, and I'm happy with it in the convience. If you're hoping to get more power though, get the manual for sure.

"Is it true that Mercedes does not negotiate on price?" Not true. They'll negotiate.

Good luck.

 

I personally am planning to get the following:

C2, C4, Automatic, Sound System, CD changer.

I personally don't plan to get any aftermarket sound systems, or plan to get a new head unit. I would rather spend money and get the entire navigation system installed in Oct.

 

It seems from all the posts I read on here that people in certain parts of the country have issues with stealers. Do a search on here and you will find that CA dealers are probably the cheapest. For some odd reason the ones in Houston don't really want to but may a little bit. If you can make it up North, to Dallas or Oklahoma City, you will most definitely find them willing to deal. But you may have service issues afterwards.

 

I am a satisfied 2003 C230K Sport Sedan customer, and I am not the daily driver (my wife is), and once seen and driven she "had to have it". I drive a 2003 E500 with the Sport Package +, and I still like to drive her car for a refreshing change. The supercharger gives a totally different perspective to "performance" driving, and manually shifting the Auto in her car is more satisfying than in my E500. She has the E1, E2, E3, E4, CD, Auto, plus COMAND, and I feel like her suspension is close to the middle setting on my Airmatic DC. If I look at the difference in price I am seriously value challenged, especially when I am only looking at the "fun" factor. Obviously in almost all other areas a comparison is not justified, but if bang for the buck is part of your equation, then you are choosing wisely. In other words, I would not willingly give up my E500 for the C230K, but if I had to modify my lifestyle economics, it could be an easy choice.

 

I have an 03 C230k sedan with 6-speed, C2, C4, Bose, CD Chg, htd. seats. I love it! It has around 2k miles. To answer your questions...

I'm very happy with the manual. Drove the auto, and felt it was very sluggish. The clutch is light, not a problem in traffic. It can be slightly uncomfortable to shift when the cupholder is being user for taller items such as water bottles.
If you want to go all out with an aftermarket system, do it. If you've been happy with factory systems, get the Bose. However, if you're not going aftermarket, definitely get the Bose as the standard system leaves something to be desired.
I love all-weather mats. Keeps the standard mats clean. Yes, velour floor mats are standard. Only problem is the slide forward, then the clutch picks up the mat. I just make it a habit to adjust the mat when I get in. No biggie! I also the illumi. sills from Steve. They are for the front doors only. MB OEM sills are for front sills only. They are a frivilous item, but the wow factor is all there! I love em! Had to have them when I saw them on a G500.
My dealer only negotiated on price b/c we're previous customers. However, this car is hot and many dealers don't negotiate on this model because they know they can get MSRP for it. This is territory depedent.
I don't like wood wheels b/c they get very hot in the summer, making it uncomfortable to use the wooden areas.
I don't have any mods on my car. I plan to put 18's on it, maybe H&R, but that's about it.

I'm very happy with the car and plan to keep it at least until the warranty runs out, maybe longer. Hopefully this helps you out. Good luck with your purchase!

 

I truly appreciate all of your input and willingness to help me. It will be a couple of months before I purchase my C230, but I will keep all of you up to date as to the progress of the situation. Please know that your comments and input will help me greatly in regards to making my final decisions. You guys are cool and I appreciate your help.

Thanks,
C1