VirtueTek

Hello everyone,

I just brought home my new 2004 C230 Kompressor Sedan. I bought the "Premium Audio" sound system which is supposed to be a BOSE system.

PROBLEM: I do not see the BOSE logo on the speaker covers.

Did I get ripped off?

I got $4000 off the sticker price (was $34,790 - final price ($30,790). The dealer said he was able to make me this offer because he needed to make room for the 2005's coming in at the end of the month of May.

Hopefully someone can tell me I was not ripped off. The system sounds ok...nothing I would expect to be a premium system. I also have an Audi Allroad Quatro 2004 (silver/black) and it's sound system is UNREAL...so maybe I'm just spoiled.

Any information is appreciated.

tifosiv122

Did you get the sedan or the coupe?

Erik

VirtueTek

The sedan

** edited my first post - thanks **

Turbo2

VirtueTek-
Can you tell me where your located (and what dealer you purchased the car from) and the options? Im looking into getting a '04.5 C230 and trying to see how there negotiating.

Thanks and enjoy the car.

VirtueTek

Sunrise Motors in Massapequa, NY (Long Island).

20 Carmans Road
Massapequa NY 11758
PHONE: (516) 541-4800
FAX: (516) 795-3708

I got the sunroof, Premium Audio

Ask for Bill Merhkins. Tell him James Murray sent you.

pookie

i think i only have the logo on the sub and not the speakers.

mctwin2kman

I thought in the sedan only one speaker has the logo on it? Best thing to do to tell is look at the radio and see if when you go to set the audio setting if the is an EXT button. If you have that in the display and can set the EXT then you have Bose. Not to mention the dash has a center speaker in it and the tweaters in the front doors. But there should be a logo on either the right rear speaker or the front speaker. Not to mention the sub in the rear deck.

revstriker

On the MBUSA site, a 2004 with the sunroof package (which also includes rain sensor, Auto dimming mirrors, and power rear sunshade) and the premium auto nets out to less than $33k. $30.7k is still a good deal (under MSRP), but it's not 4k off unless the car has some other options that you didn't list.

There should be a "Bose" emblem on your back speaker.

I have the Bose in my car, and although I think a lot of Audiophiles may feel it's not a great system, I am quite satisfied with it's performance.

jbcritch

and...you are spoiled....
My wife and I had a 1999 Audi A6 2.8 Quattro and you are right, the Audi sound system was hands down the best I had ever heard from a factory, and better than most installs.

Only logo should be the back speaker (and only one, not the other side which is a fake housing).

VirtueTek

Thanks everyone for the info. I DID find the BOSE logo on the back speaker.

Package includes:
AUTO
Sunroof Pckg
Premium Sound
CD Changer
Heated Front Seats
...and the rest standard

Sticker cost came out to $34,000 something.

I don't have the papers that show the actual cost before the discount otherwise I would scan it for you guys. They gave me a great deal...

revstriker

No problem. I figured there must be some other options.

By the way, MBUSA puts the price at $35,360 with all of the options you listed.

FrankW

MB should've put two subs in the C-class. BMW does a much better job on this. Harman Kardon makes better car stereo anyways.

puchma

Just curious, the deal that you got is that an 04 or 04.5?

thx,
Jeff

Daddymac

what's the EXT for?

Rick

No....you didn't get ripped off....you actually got the better deal.
According to MBUSA (and what I saw at NY auto show), they changed from Bose to HarmonKardon mid stream because people were not happy with Bose. If you take a look at the subwoofer, you can verify this....the HK logo is on the housing - under the deck in sedans, in the right rear compartment in coupes and wagons.

VirtueTek

I'll check...but first can you elaborate on what the "deck" is? do you mean the tuner unit itself?
The 04.5 model

VirtueTek

I've got a vibration issue with the back speakers. Do any of you experience this as well or should I bring the car in?

If so...have any of you solved the problem? How?

I setup the EXT on the deck to DRIVER and it sounds better....turned the bass up 3/4 of the way and it sounds much better than the EXT set to OFF. However...the back speaker vibration picks up.

Perhaps maybe I can line the speakers or pack the area to cut down vibration.

Any advice appreciated.

Rick

the "deck" I referred to....the shelf between the rear seat and the rear window....where the sub-woofer is mounted

VirtueTek

bump

So no one has experienced any back speaker vibration with the Premium sound system.

This car is brand new...I'm really surprised that its doing this.

Rick

try setting it to ambiente...it sounds more open and balanced...much better stereo imaging

"driver" sets a bias to the driver's side

as far as the vibrations, if it's that bad, you should have the dealer look at it....something may be loose

VirtueTek

Thanks...I'll give it a try.

revstriker

Where does it say this on MBUSA? I would like to read it. Under "Build your own" they are still listing the Premium Sound System as a "Bose" sound system.

amdeutsch

Rev,

Didn't they show the 05 facelift at that show. Since those have the HK and not the BOSE.


What housing? All you can see is the magnet structure on the sedan. On the others its hidden from view. Please explain better.

Rick

I was at the NY Auto show and met with two of MBUSA's reps....they informed me of the change...and said it was a mid-04 model update

I then looked in the Mars Red C320 coupe and sure enough...ther was a Harmon Kardon sub in the right rear panel. So I checked the sedan and wagon too. The HK system uses an enclosure around the sub for the sedan...and the wagon is the same as the coupe. The head unit was different, too with an in-dash CD and controls for the 6 disc changer. I asked if it was still fiber, but they couldn't tell me....just referred me to my dealer.

HITMAN

I have a bose in mine and my brother has the Harman in his 04 325ci and i think the bose in my c230 is alot better

I have the coupe and it has logos on both doors