05 vs 04?
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2005 C230
05 vs 04?
Many people have said not to let the free maintenance be the deciding factor between choosing an 04 C230K or an 05 but how can you not? I simply want to know how much money will I actually save if I decide to go for an 04 and how much more will I spend if I buy the 05? I definitely like the 05 more but does the new interior and body kit outweigh the benefits of having the free maintenance?
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From: Northern VA
06 325i
I would go for the 2005, just because of the reasons you stated before... You are probably going to end up spending more money than what you could have saved on free maintenance in after mods... (rims, xenons, etc)
Last edited by victor20170; Jun 21, 2004 at 09:05 AM.
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From: Atlanta, GA
2003 C230 Kompressor Sedan
By buying the '04 over the '05, you will save the cost of a Synthetic Oil and filter change, every 10,000-12,000 miles, plus a tire rotation.
Anything else would be under the warranty and that is not different than the O4, or the 03.
I would go with the 05 and not look back.
Anything else would be under the warranty and that is not different than the O4, or the 03.
I would go with the 05 and not look back.
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From: Boston
CLK500/Range Rover HSE/E55 AMG/Bmw 328Xi coupe/BMW 4.8x/Bmw 335i/GS350/Audi S5/E350
I saw the 05 C230K on the road yesterday. The AMG body kit , brakes, and interior look incredible. I know the A and B services can add up, but I have spent so much money modding my car, way beyond the 5 scheduled maintaince that are for free. Go with the 05. The AMG body kit will make up the difference alone, never mind the brembo brakes. Just my $.02
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I went with the 2004.5 because while the 2005 maybe have some advantages, the 2004.5 is way cheaper. I paid 25.3K for a pewter C230K sedan with a sunroof. A similar 2005 would have cost me $4K more. The free maintenance is totally meaningless unless of course $2,000 is totally meaningless to you. That's what my dealer would charge for not only three A and two B services but trans fluid change, brake fluid changes, radiator flush and other things over 50K miles. So for me, the difference was $6K and most likely I would have kept my coupe for that difference. Also consider how new your car will stay looking when when the all new 2006 comes out, do you really think people will remember the differences between the 2004 and 2005 then?
Also drive both back to back, I was not happy with the suspension on the 2005, a lot harsher and handling was not any better.
Also drive both back to back, I was not happy with the suspension on the 2005, a lot harsher and handling was not any better.
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From: Mission Viejo, CA
2004.5 240 Wagon
If you want a 2004 you had better move fast. There's not much left and it's getting slim pickin's on the colors.
As Buellwinkle said, you can easily save $6,000 bottom line by choosing a 2004.
Consider this.... you may be able to get a 2004 C320 for the price of a 2005 C230 Sport Sedan... (once the value of free maintenance is factored in)
Time for some serious shopping, he who hesitates is lost.
As Buellwinkle said, you can easily save $6,000 bottom line by choosing a 2004.
Consider this.... you may be able to get a 2004 C320 for the price of a 2005 C230 Sport Sedan... (once the value of free maintenance is factored in)
Time for some serious shopping, he who hesitates is lost.
Last edited by popeye; Jun 21, 2004 at 03:00 PM.
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2005 C230
Thanks for all the info guys. Do you really think I can get an C320 for the price of an 05 C230? Also, someone posted that it will cost about $2000 to maintain the car. Is this per year or during a period of 5 years which is how long I will pay for the car since I am purchasing not leasing? And I also read that there are only 5 scheduled maintenances. Where can I check the prices for the oil changes and service A and B? I know I'm asking a lot of questions but this is my first brand new car that I'm actually paying for myself so I want to learn as much as i can before I decide to buy. Thanks again guys.
Last edited by coconutpolito; Jun 21, 2004 at 06:28 PM.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Just call your local dealer's service dept and ask what A and B services cost and what the other services costs that are time based like brake, trans, diff fluids, radiator flush, air filter change, etc... When I asked, my dealer charges $199 for A and $299 for B, that alone was worth about $1,200. As for a C320, I don't know how close it will be but they had one on sale for $31.9K, with C-Spot that would be close to $30K, of course that's with free maintenance so a comperable C230 would have to cost about $28K to be competitive.
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2005 C230
Really? How often does MB recommend that I do the Service A and B and how often do you guys do them. Whats involved in these two services anyway? If I don't get them when they say I should, will my warranty be affected in anyway?
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Just call your local dealer's service dept and ask what A and B services cost and what the other services costs that are time based like brake, trans, diff fluids, radiator flush, air filter change, etc... When I asked, my dealer charges $199 for A and $299 for B, that alone was worth about $1,200. As for a C320, I don't know how close it will be but they had one on sale for $31.9K, with C-Spot that would be close to $30K, of course that's with free maintenance so a comperable C230 would have to cost about $28K to be competitive.
Just call your local dealer's service dept and ask what A and B services cost and what the other services costs that are time based like brake, trans, diff fluids, radiator flush, air filter change, etc... When I asked, my dealer charges $199 for A and $299 for B, that alone was worth about $1,200. As for a C320, I don't know how close it will be but they had one on sale for $31.9K, with C-Spot that would be close to $30K, of course that's with free maintenance so a comperable C230 would have to cost about $28K to be competitive.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by coconutpolito
Really? How often does MB recommend that I do the Service A and B and how often do you guys do them. Whats involved in these two services anyway? If I don't get them when they say I should, will my warranty be affected in anyway?
Really? How often does MB recommend that I do the Service A and B and how often do you guys do them. Whats involved in these two services anyway? If I don't get them when they say I should, will my warranty be affected in anyway?
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
the car is take into account driving habits, air temp., oil quality, etc. and comes up with a calculation of when you need to change your oil. it varies between 8500 - 11000 miles so im told.
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From: Philadelphia, PA/Naples, FL
C320 Coupe
yeah, i got mine done last month, service A, and i had about 12k. i think the '05 models don't have that anymore, the system where it estimates service intervals for you based on conditions, but rather it's just set at every 10k.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
its set at 10k even then? i kinda like the way ours is set up right now. when my free service A and B are over ill still go to the dealer for service. wish my 7yr/100k warranty included service A's and B's. 
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally posted by mctwin2kman
Buell, I thought the wife did not drive stick??? I see you got a 6 speed in the sedan! Oh and how do you like it so far? Since you went from the 2.3 to the 1.8 and from the coupe to the sedan!
Buell, I thought the wife did not drive stick??? I see you got a 6 speed in the sedan! Oh and how do you like it so far? Since you went from the 2.3 to the 1.8 and from the coupe to the sedan!
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
My wife drives stick, she prefers automatic but she's happy with the sedan. It does shift way better than the 2002. Then engine is considerably smoother/quieter than before. It pulls strong but I haven't really pushed it yet since it's in its breaking period.
My wife drives stick, she prefers automatic but she's happy with the sedan. It does shift way better than the 2002. Then engine is considerably smoother/quieter than before. It pulls strong but I haven't really pushed it yet since it's in its breaking period.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by CitronC230K_03
its set at 10k even then? i kinda like the way ours is set up right now. when my free service A and B are over ill still go to the dealer for service. wish my 7yr/100k warranty included service A's and B's.
its set at 10k even then? i kinda like the way ours is set up right now. when my free service A and B are over ill still go to the dealer for service. wish my 7yr/100k warranty included service A's and B's.
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2005 C230
What kind of credit rates does MB offer. I have very good credit. The last time I checked my credit score, about two months ago, my scores ranged from 750 to 790. What kind of rate should I expect?
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Originally posted by coconutpolito
Really? How often does MB recommend that I do the Service A and B and how often do you guys do them. Whats involved in these two services anyway? If I don't get them when they say I should, will my warranty be affected in anyway?
Really? How often does MB recommend that I do the Service A and B and how often do you guys do them. Whats involved in these two services anyway? If I don't get them when they say I should, will my warranty be affected in anyway?
But you can do this all at home or go to an independent mechanic and you pay a fraction.
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From: SF Bay area
Originally posted by coconutpolito
What kind of credit rates does MB offer. I have very good credit. The last time I checked my credit score, about two months ago, my scores ranged from 750 to 790. What kind of rate should I expect?
What kind of credit rates does MB offer. I have very good credit. The last time I checked my credit score, about two months ago, my scores ranged from 750 to 790. What kind of rate should I expect?
I think they have 1.9% for 60 months right now. With your score, I would think you should qualify.
