C320 5spd vs C240 7spd
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C320 5spd vs C240 7spd
Hi fellas, first post here in search of wisdom on my first potential Benz purchase.
Apologies if this topic has already been covered.
I'm in the market for a C class. Two options I have is a 2001 C320 with 89k miles and 5spd auto. Second option is a 2007 C240 Sport with AMG exhaust 143k miles and 7spd auto. Both are in great condition from pictures. 07 model is 1k more expensive but has cool wheels, lip kit and newer dash.
1. My question is, despite being a newer car, is the 7spd worth with 143k mile A better buy compared to the lower model with low miles and 5sp?
2. Is the AMG of exhaust a worry? I like quite cars. Also, I like cars that rev at low rpms when cruising on highway. Will the 7spd with smaller 240 engine rev higher than 5spd but bigger 320 engine? I'm assuming here the 240 and 320 is engine size.
3. Also is the Sport model riding lower and stiffer? I like comfy cars for Lon distance.
Thanks 😊
Apologies if this topic has already been covered.
I'm in the market for a C class. Two options I have is a 2001 C320 with 89k miles and 5spd auto. Second option is a 2007 C240 Sport with AMG exhaust 143k miles and 7spd auto. Both are in great condition from pictures. 07 model is 1k more expensive but has cool wheels, lip kit and newer dash.
1. My question is, despite being a newer car, is the 7spd worth with 143k mile A better buy compared to the lower model with low miles and 5sp?
2. Is the AMG of exhaust a worry? I like quite cars. Also, I like cars that rev at low rpms when cruising on highway. Will the 7spd with smaller 240 engine rev higher than 5spd but bigger 320 engine? I'm assuming here the 240 and 320 is engine size.
3. Also is the Sport model riding lower and stiffer? I like comfy cars for Lon distance.
Thanks 😊
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 11
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From: San Francisco, CA
Currently: 2005 C240 4matic wagon. Previously: 2001 C320 sedan.
We had a black 2001 C320 sedan that we loved until it was totaled in a hit and run. We ended up replacing it with a desert silver 2005 C240 4matic wagon.
Allow me to emphasize - we LOVED our C320. The engine was a beast and still a lot of fun to drive even at 15+ years old and 150k miles on it. Granted, the C320 has an annoying habit of breaking stepper motors so it'd click on startup and the steering wheel power tilt stopped working (it'd only telescope but wouldn't move up and down which I never got around to fixing). It also leaked a little oil and wasn't AWD. Again, we LOVED that car. It just had a certain je ne sais quoi that we felt when riding/driving in it.
The above being said, the 2005 was a much better automobile - fewer issues with the stepper motors, things were better designs and appears to have fewer problems, etc. The dash design is much better IMO than the pre-facelift models. We like that it's a 4matic (we wished the C320 was AWD, pretty much the only thing we'd change about it) but the C240's smaller engine is a dog compared to the C320. Granted, the transfer case and wagon configuration both add a few hundred pounds which will impact performance. Better car overall but man, after owning a C320, it's really hard to have the same feeling when driving it.
In 2007 I believe you have to start worrying about balance shaft issues so definitely lookup the VIN and check to see if it was impacted by that issue. It can be a pricey repair (I'll let others who know more about this issue chime in on this).
The 5 speed transmission is arguably the best transmission Mercedes produced in recent decades. The 7 speed is good too but doesn't quite get the same acclaim as the 5 speed.
Vehicles of this age/mileage should be pretty cheap. Don't be afraid to comb over the cars and make sure all their services are up to date. If they don't have service records, plan on changing the fluids, spark plugs, etc. right after you buy it and factor that cost into your offer for the vehicle. In your case, assuming all else is equal, I would negotiate the price on both cars and just buy whichever one ends up being a better deal.
Allow me to emphasize - we LOVED our C320. The engine was a beast and still a lot of fun to drive even at 15+ years old and 150k miles on it. Granted, the C320 has an annoying habit of breaking stepper motors so it'd click on startup and the steering wheel power tilt stopped working (it'd only telescope but wouldn't move up and down which I never got around to fixing). It also leaked a little oil and wasn't AWD. Again, we LOVED that car. It just had a certain je ne sais quoi that we felt when riding/driving in it.
The above being said, the 2005 was a much better automobile - fewer issues with the stepper motors, things were better designs and appears to have fewer problems, etc. The dash design is much better IMO than the pre-facelift models. We like that it's a 4matic (we wished the C320 was AWD, pretty much the only thing we'd change about it) but the C240's smaller engine is a dog compared to the C320. Granted, the transfer case and wagon configuration both add a few hundred pounds which will impact performance. Better car overall but man, after owning a C320, it's really hard to have the same feeling when driving it.
In 2007 I believe you have to start worrying about balance shaft issues so definitely lookup the VIN and check to see if it was impacted by that issue. It can be a pricey repair (I'll let others who know more about this issue chime in on this).
The 5 speed transmission is arguably the best transmission Mercedes produced in recent decades. The 7 speed is good too but doesn't quite get the same acclaim as the 5 speed.
Vehicles of this age/mileage should be pretty cheap. Don't be afraid to comb over the cars and make sure all their services are up to date. If they don't have service records, plan on changing the fluids, spark plugs, etc. right after you buy it and factor that cost into your offer for the vehicle. In your case, assuming all else is equal, I would negotiate the price on both cars and just buy whichever one ends up being a better deal.
