BeaverMjr

I am in the process of looking for a used 02 or 03 230K coupe as I can’t afford a new 05.

I have done my research and think I have most of the facts but need to ask some questions. Hopefully, you guys will be able to fill in the blanks and help me understand the things I don't even know I don't know.

Here's a list of the options I'm looking for:
Brilliant Silver exterior
Charcoal Leather
Automatic transmission
Panoramic sunroof
Premium audio
Heated seats
Leather 3 pointed star steering wheel & leather shift knob

I should probably look for
C5 premium package
C7 wheel package
Heated seats
Brilliant Silver exterior
Charcoal Leather
Automatic transmission

I’ve been thinking about the tele-aid system and am still undecided about this. Is it worth it? Are there any other features that you’d recommend I either consider or stay away from?

I’ve also been trying to compare the 2002 with the 2003.What are the differences other than the differences in engine? Which would you recommend?

I’m trying to bring this all together for under $25.000. The local dealer here in Albany, NY is willing to give me full value for my Honda Civic on trade. I’m going to have to finance about half the final price. Any suggestions?

I’ve been searching mbusa.com’s used inventory looking for the perfect car for me. Any ideas for finding the car other than the mbusa.com website?

All help is greatly appreciated.

efru

Did you try autotrader.com?

Buellwinkle

You can probably get a brand new 2004 coupe for $25K with the latest incentives and $1,500 c-spot coupon. Heck, I got the sport sedan for $25K last week with metalic paint, leather, sunroof and it's 4-5K more list price than the coupe. Look for a 2004 as they come with free 4 years maintenance and they have the incentives and most dealers are flooded with them. You may even score a much better C320 coupe for that price. When you factor in the free maintenance, it's a no brainer. Search carsdirect.com for pricing and then subtract $1,500 for c-spot.

The 2002 had the venerable 2.3L motor, easily modifiable with a pulley kit for about 230HP, TeleAid was standard for most of 2002, cloth is what came on most of them because of leather shortages that year.

The 2003+ has the smoother but slightly less powerful 1.8L motor, not easily modifiable yet (nobody here has done it). Teleaid was optional and many didn't get it and many came with leather (no shortage).

I have Teleaid but to me, since I have 2 cell phones at all times that are E911 (gps locator) capable, it's a waste of money. I tried it a few times since you get 30 minutes free and took a long time for the operator to come on and most of the time couldn't answer my question. You can call the 1800Mercedes number and get the same service. On top of $240/yr, you will have to pay fees for certain services and a per minute charge that's reminicent of cell phone charges from 10 years ago.

BeaverMjr

Do you know where I can get one of the c-spot coupons? I'd rather not go through ebay and risk loosing money. I'll be indebted to anyone who can help me out.

I never thought I could get a new 04 for round 25K with options.

CitronC230K_03

there are probably all gone right about now, but you may find some on ebay

Buellwinkle

Don't know why you think ebay is bad. I've purchased lots of things on ebay and never lost a dime. The last C-Spot party was last week, if you don't hurry and pic one up on ebay you may lose out. I went to carsdirect, picked a local zip code and ran the options you wanted and came up with $27,266 for leather, automatic, panorama roof, bose, CD changer heated seats and silver, subtract out the c-spot coupon and you are at about $25.6K, not bad considering the stuff you want. Lose the heated seats and you are $25K. Keep in mind the used coupe won't have 4 years of free maintenance. An 2005 will cost you about $29K and no free maintenance.

Most dealer will sell you the car at the carsdirect price, if not, come on down to So Cal, they'll take care of you.

BeaverMjr

I too have never had a problem with Ebay. I'll probably end up getting the coupon there. I only mentioned avoiding ebay because I read a post on this board about someone getting an expired coupon.

I'd love to come to So CAL to get my C230 but I live in Albany, NY and it's just too far to travel.

CitronC230K_03

ive bought several items from ebay. bought my audio10 from ebay.de. they selling a climatronic for W203/209 on ebay.de.

Buellwinkle

It's only fair, I bought a car in Albany. This was 25+ years back when I lived in NYC and my gf went to school at SUNY Albany. Fond memories of nearly falling asleep at the wheel on the Taconic Pkwy (too poor back then to afford the NY Thruway).

revstriker

I am in my third year of Teleaid. I've never had to use it, but I thought it was nice for "peace of mind". Well, the other day, I'm on the way home from work; probably about 6pm or so. I witness an accident (not too bad, no one was hurt). So I stop, and then press my SOS button. The radio goes off, and I get this "connected" message on my dash. But no one comes on. After a few minutes, I just decide to call 911 on my cell. After I place the call, I get back on my merry way. However, I still can't play the radio, as the message says "connected". I stop again to try and figure out some way of disconnecting (since I no longer need it. I press the wrench button, the i button, but I still have the "connected" message and the SOS message, and no radio. I shut the car off, get out, lock it, unlock it, get back in, and I'm still "connected". So I continue my trip home. After 27 minutes, a lady finally comes on asking if I need help. I tell her no I don't, and that I'm upset that this service for which I pay $200+ for a year takes almost a half hour for someone to respond. Good thing I wasn't on the side of the road bleeding! She apologizes and says she will credit me the minutes. I then ask her to just disconnect me which she does. Radio comes back on . I then made another cell call; to Teleaid to cancel my subscription.

Buellwinkle

That's the way it works, while you are on hold they charge something like 30 cents a minute. It's not like Onstar at all, much better service from GM, who woulda thunk!

TNblkc230wz

If you want leather and Pano roof, then you want C5 because it includes Bose. However, 25K is too much for an 02/03 C230. You can get a 320 coupe for that.

BlackC230Coupe

I use my teleaid alot on the CLK and it works great, i never have to wait long for anyone.

HITMAN

I have used my teleaid once and the gave me the wrong directons. I said how do i get to compusa in gateway center. They gave us directions to gateway apartments in downtown austin!!

CitronC230K_03

lol. wont hear that kind of recording on a tele aid or onStar commercial. not that tele aid has those kinda commercials.

HITMAN

LOL

HITMAN

ooh here is a good one from onstar

My brother in his avalanche after he rolled it and he hits the onstar button.. They come on and he says i just rolled my car i need the police!!! THE ONSTAR LADY SAYS OH LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE 5 MORE DAYS TILL YOUR SERVICE GOES OUT WOULD YOU LIKE TO RENEW!!! he screamed at her then he got the police...And after the whole thing he called onstar and complained about it

Buellwinkle

Sure, that's because they answer calls in the class order. So you get answered before any of us lowly C class owners. God help the A class owners.

CitronC230K_03

lol. god help the smart cars!

BeaverMjr

How do you get $25K? I just spoke to my dealer and he told me that I could have a New c230 with my $4000 trade for about $27,000. I didn't mention the coupon which I haven't got yet.

Here's his math:

$27000 Base price 04
$1000 auto trans
$2000 c5 package
$1000 heated seats & lightes door sills
______

$31000
-4000 trade in
_______
$27000 price before coupon

with the c-spot coupon i could get it for about $25,500. He was giving me no incentives. If I didn't have the trade in, he would have told me $31,000 and left me hanging. I thought I read correctly in prvious posts that I could get about $4000 off the $31000 as incentives before figuring in the trade in.

What am I missing / what incentives isn't he telling me about? I do plan to get a coupon and toss it in after I get a final price. So far I haven't got a good price.

I'm thinking of going to another dealer not showing my hand and just trying to get a good base price on the car then when I get that, mention my car as a trade in. hopefully that with the coupon will be a good price abd a deal I can take.

CitronC230K_03

was that for a 2004 or 2005?

HITMAN

LMAO

BeaverMjr

2004

BeaverMjr

I am back to looking for an 03.

BlackC230Coupe

LOL, the CLK is not that much over the C class.