I currently own an '03 G35 Coupe but have looking to trade it in for a C230k Sedan. A little background: I picked the Coupe because it was 2 doors (came from a Toyota Camry) and pretty fast out of the box. I am finding that it would be more practical for me to have 4 doors but unfortunately I do not like the G35 sedan. Since the G35C is less than a year old (bought in Mid-July) and has 8200 miles on it, I am "guessing" that I'd be pretty favorable trading it in (although taking a financial hit on it).

Couple of questions:
1) I don't necessarily need an 04.5 C230k sedan. I wouldn't mind a used '03. What are they going for right now?

2) Although, I would be completely happy with the 189hp (It would probably take a bit to get used to coming from my current 280hp), what modifications are available for the C230k to bump up the horsepower a little bit more? By the way, I would be getting an automatic. I've read that there is a chip made by Powerchip, there are a couple exhausts, pulley's, etc. What are the reliability issues with these? Costs?

3) I've read that the sport suspension is low, however, I would consider lowering it a little more. What are you all running for suspensions? H&R cupkit? Coilovers?

Lastly....
4) Body Kits: I only like a couple of them and at this point I'm leaning towards a Brabus kit. What are the costs associated with the Brabus?

Sorry for all the questions but I wanted to get all my questions out in the open and at the same time, get your opinions. Thanks.

 

I am extremely curious as your rationale to trade in a G35 coupe for a C230K sedan. The car you have now is a much better performer but it only has 2 less doors.

If you are going to do all the mods it makes even less sense. If you don't like the G35 sedan then do yourself a favor and get a 325i with a sport package instead. This would save you $$$ from modifying the suspension to make it more competitive.

 

it doesn't make sense to do it.

 

1. Don't get a used C230 sedan, go for a slightly older C320 instead, you'll be much happier. Expect to pay mid twenties for a nice 2001 or 2002, high twenties for a 2003. Check KBB.com for prices. No real differences between the years.

2. Mods are very expensive in the MB world relative to ricers. Currently only one person on the forums did the pulley kit for the 1.8L and paid over $3,000 for it for a 12% increase in power. Chips are available for less dollars and less gains. The C320 has more options from a 12hp gain with underdrive pullies to a Kleemann s/c kit for an additional 100 ponies. If you are going in for the higher buck mods, get a used C32 instead, it will be cheaper in the long run. Then you can race all the G35's you want and win every time.

3. You'll likely want lowering springs from Eibach or H&R, about $350 installed for a 1" drop. Cup kits are extremely low and expensive, probably $1,000 installed and may cause rubbing with larger wheels/tires.

4. Brabus is in the, "if you have to ask you can't afford it" catagory. Expect to pay several thousand for the kit plus a few thousand more to install/paint it.

 

most ppl would go in the opposite direction..

if i have a sedan..i would swap with you in an instance !

 

are you sure you don't want a 230 coupe? i'd trade you for sure.. i have an 02 with no problems and the 2.3L engine you'd be able to get a pulley for it

 

Man, I have driven both cars, i didn't like the g35 near as much as the 2004.5 c230k sedan. The benz just rides unreal, i feel like it has better handling, true, there is a speed issue, but i still liked the benz all around better!

I think u will like the benz better, IMO

 

Keep the G35.

 

Is there an echo in here?

 

I 2nd (or whatever it's on now) to keep the g35. Yes I know you asked for help on swapping it out, but it makes no sense to do that from where I'm standing. If you want something with 4 doors for practical reasons, then why not a camry/accord/jetta or whatever sedan is designed for practicality? The 230k sedan and the g35 were designed for luxury and speed, respectively and with a little crossover.

 

CORRECTION:
No one has done the pulley upgrade on a 2003> C230 (i.e. M271) .

Buell that Carlsson Pulley was done a 2.0 M111.

 

My own choice would be to skip the W203 sedan and get either an old W202 C230K or C280, or maybe go for a 2002 A4 3.0 or 2000/2001/2002 S4. You also could not go wrong with a 2000 328i or later 325i... I think all of these cars could be had for $22,000-$30,000 depending on year/milage/etc...

 

couple words: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!

seriously, coming from the G35 you will not be satisfied with the performance unless all you care is to have 4-door. If you care about the performance + praticality, either the C320, A4 3.0, X-type 3.0, or the 330i would be my pick.

 

$3k for on a M111 pulley? That's got to be a record. No wonder he's not happy. Haha! I thought it was a newer C200 1.8L. So I guess it's true, not one person on any of these MB forums has tried a pulley kit on the M271. The way I see it is that when the '02 C230 was out, there were no other engine choices so people like me bought it knowing it can be tweaked. The people with the 1.8L bought theirs knowing that for a little more they can have the V6 so they don't have that passion to go faster like the '02 coupe owners did. Wish I had the choice back then, the 3.2L is a nice motor.

 

dude, keep the g35... i wish i could trade my car in for that one...

 

hmm...he wants a C-sedan and you want a G35 coupe...maybe you guys can work out some deal and trade cars.

 

I'd keep the G35 over the nearly any C class, but why not look at the new Acura TL? Really nice car, most reviewers are raving about it.

 

OT..but the TL is really nice...........

 

quote:
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Originally posted by b4chow
dude, keep the g35... i wish i could trade my car in for that one...
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quote:
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Originally posted by FrankW
hmm...he wants a C-sedan and you want a G35 coupe...maybe you guys can work out some deal and trade cars.
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That's a great thought...hummmm.

By the way, thank you all for your opinions and comments up to this point.

To address some of your comments:
I'm jumping from one side to another (keeping Coupe or trading in) every day.

I have found that with my G35C and driving friends around, it is more of a hassle when we go out. Sure, I should have thought of all this prior to purchasing it but thought I could look past it. Plus, the G35C is strictly a 4-seater as the there is no room for a person to sit in the rear middle. Here's where the practicality of the C-class sedan comes in. A 4 door with room for 5.

As far as the "stock" performance is concerned, in my mind, the G35C and C230k Sedan/C320 are on different levels when you compare strictly engine performance. I am finding that speed isn't everything and would almost rather seat 5 when I need to.

The reason I selected the 230k Sedan instead of the C320 was based on price. According to kbb.com, the dealer trade in for my car is approximately $30k. I was considering the 230k sedan with low mileage around $30k or a couple thousand more. However, I have not ruled out the C320 for the increased hp if I can find one at the right price. I also feel that a Mercedes would be a great alternative to my Coupe when you take engine performance out of the equation and base it on overall looks, overall performance and quality.

Many of you mentioned skipping the W203 sedan and going for slightly older W202 C230K or C280. What is your rationale behind this? I wasn't too impressed with the W202 styling and at this point would only consider the W203. I would also like to mention that having the Starmark warranty is somewhat important. Not for the engine but for the "little" fixes that may come into play.

Also, the mod potential (meaning exterior and interior) for the Mercedes (although more expensive) appeals to me more than with the G35. When I first bought the G35C, I didn't not plan on modding it. However, the mod bug has grown on me lately and I want to start modding.

 

did anyone advise you to take on the 202 ?!

are you sure u dun wan my coupe??
hehe

 

I don't think it'd be worth the trade off....

You're giving up alot more in the Infiniti than you're gaining in the Benz IMO.....

Now if you really need a 4 door, why not the new Acura TL's?

 

no the side note I think you can get a new 2004.5 C230k for $30-32k with minimal options of course. One of my friend just got one recently.

 

Here's my opinion. The g35 may be nice, but the style is bland as hell the car has no freaking lines or curves it looks ugly. Second the car's ride is harsh as hell I rode in it, it doesn't handle as smooth over 90mph, the car feels loose and not tight like a benz feels.

Power is not always everything in a car. I think he is looking for the whole package and the benz offers that to him.

 

I test drove the G35 coupe/sedan and also the C230K in 6 speed versions, and there's no way the Benz can outhandle the G35 sedan, let alone the coupe. What's going for the C230 was the vault like feel that is traditional to MB cars, but as far as handling and performance, it is far behind the G.

 

You mentioned you need 4 doors to drive your friends around. Why?? I'm not sure how old you are but if you're mid 20's, tell your friends to drive their own cars or take the bus. Don't be crazy and trade a g35 for a c230. That's total insanity. If I were you I'd go buy a cheap 4 door beater to drive around in bad weather and when you need to haul people around.

Don't trade cars, especially after a year. You'll be grabbing your ankles on the trade-in. Not worth it...