Hey this is my first post and hopefully not my last. Im looking to get my wife a new car. We have driven the 230k the 325, A4, Acord, TL, TSX. We liked the room of the accord and you get alot for the money, not to mention the quality and reliability. The 230 is a awesome ride a little smaller but we could deal with it. We have been doing research on reliability and other problems it seems the 230 doesnt rate to high there just curious what your experiences has been so far. Consumer reports gives it low ratings so did edmunds. One other question Im curious what the best deal you guys got on yours. what options. Thanks for your time and help.

 

I have had my 230k for 11 months, and it has not had one problem. I love it.

 

I have mine for 11 months also. I have made suspension modifications and chop the exhaust. Zero problem so far.

By the way, I don't think Edmunds knows *#@& about cars.

 

thanks for the reply's just curious what kind of price did you guys get anybody get it below 30k

 

Pricing will depend on your optional equipment level and location.

 

Im just curious what people were paying i understand options just curious how much off sticker did they get there car for the dealer tried telling me there was only 750$ mark up. BS

 

Yup

The mark up is 7% excluding shipping. There is also a 3% holdback. Be aware that some dealers shows an advertising charge on their invoice as well - signed up MB program. Plus there appears to be some hidden rebates as well on the Cs at the present time.

You might want as well as this topic has been covered numerous times.

 

I have been searching. I only found 1 $ so far. Just dont want to get taken. Im still trying to find out about all the previous bugs the 230's had are worked out,

 

I haven't had any problems with my C230K. After dealing with the exceptional Benz service, you will know why you didn't buy the Honduh.

 

Hey i just recently bought a Brand new c230k.. i Love it. OMg it was the biggest upgrade from a Honda Civic 1990 to the benz.
I'm a sales person my self. sooo after 6 hours of negotiating, i got the xenon ligths, sun roof package, cd changer, the leather inserts came stock, and the automatic transmission, for 30,500 before tax and apr. soo i got a pretty good deal.

 

overall, I don't think the TSX or Accord should be in your choice if you are looking at the TL because all these three are essentially the same car other than the TSX is the Euro Accord w/ shorter wheel base.

From what I've seen from friends who has the 03/04.5 etc C230k, none of them has any problem so far. Their cars' age range from a year to less than 3 months.

Not considering Jaguar X-type 2.5 or 3.0?? To anyone's surprice Jaguar rank 2nd in initial quality/reliability by JD Power and Associate.

 

I have had the 2004.5 C230 Sedan for 2 months, so far 0 problem except I made a small scratch on the rim when I park.
(Since the tires are really low profile, you can scratch the rims easily, especially I always want to park as close to the curb as
possible)
As for price, C230 sedan, 6 speed, options inclue:
metallic paint, sunroof package, CD changer, heated seat
pirce is $28250.00, out the door around 30.8k. 3.4k below
invoice. I think the price is awesome (N. California),
cheaper than the 323 and the A4 I paid for.


-----------
04.5 C230K Sedan 6sp
03 A4 1.8T quattro 5sp
00 323i Sedan 5sp auto
93 Accord EX-R 5sp

 

Nobody buys a Benz based on reliability. You sound like the type of guy who would be better off with the Accord or even a Camry. German cars have quirks, but they are drivers cars. You want a reliable commuter get a Jap car.

 

dont ge me wrong I understand cars break. You hit the nail on the head its a drivers car. You cant do much driving if it is in the shop for 30 days a year now can ya. I dont care to much about little stuff going wrong its under waranty I just dont like to see all the same abs and esp problems the old 230's were having.

 

I bought my 230k Benz based on reliability.

My parents bought a 450 SLC a few months after I was born (born 1977, bought a 1978 450) and it lasted them until last year. That's 25 years.

They've had a 1989 300SEL for 15 years.

Now, if you want longevitiy, it has been my experience that Benzo has made such quality cars to last sooo long. Now, I also think you should know that my parents are not exactly into "UP-KEEP" Put it this way, the bare minimum of maintenance on their cars allowed them to keep the cars for as long as I indicated above. I don't know, but to me that seems like reliability at its best.

 

Ive got a 2002 C230 Coupe, and its been very reliable. Just a cracked steering wheel button, and the noisy sway bar links that most of the year 1 cars had issues with.

Like Frank said, all the Honda products are really the same car, with slightly different(very slight) sheet metal. The first time you come into a turn and the car scrubs to the side of the road, or lights up the inside front tire when trying to power out of a turn, you'll understand why real performance cars are RWD.

To me, there's nothing exciting about owning the top trim level Accord(other wise known as Acura)...everyone drives these things...zzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZ.

As far as reliability goes, MB smoked Acura in this years JD Powers Initial Quality survey.

 

I agree 100% on the rear wheel drive. Im just getting some opinions before I go and drop 35k on a car. I was just curious why all the big reviewers edmunds. intellichoice, consumerreports. kbb. all gave it medicore reliability ratings. I drove the car and its awesome. actually I have driven all the cars and the mb was the most impressive handling and get up for a little 4 banger. The TL is nice but its not a drivers car. Its a long road trip car.