LeifW

I was considering both of these cars as well. They're both very good. I picked up my 2005 C230 Sport Sedan a few weeks ago. I went with the C230 because of the extremely solid and stable feeling of the car. The TL was very nice, but my dollars went with the Mercedes. Except for the Acura motor, I feel the Mercedes is the nicer car. For me, the C230 motor is powerful enough. Also (and I know this sounds silly), I feel more special in the Mercedes. Just my two cents.

Leif Wennerstrom

HITMAN

I have a c230 and have been in a new tl...Nothing can beet how smooth the tl was and the sound system just was amazing!!! But being fwd it handled like apile of crap...Quality was good and everything but i think the c230 would be best in the end......And my engine is smooth and yes the sound when sitting still is kinda wierd but i love it

DaCeptak0n

Don't go by what Benz owners say of the TL. Go on Acura-TL.com and see wha owners of those vehcles have to say good and bad of their car. Compare the pros and cons of these vehicles and you have a decision. Here's the breakdown IMO:

Acura TL has 270 Hp with Navigation (one of the best on the market) can be bargained to as close as 33,200 from Turnersville Acura. For that price, you have a 189 HP supercharged (whatever that means, still cant compete with a TL, more competition for a TSX) with a Sunroof and Lighting Pkg and 6 Disc CD changer. Half the **** you have to pay for more in the Benz is completely standard in the TL such as Xenons, heated seats, power seats and LEATHER! Homelink is standard along with a Sunroof in an TL. Think about it now. If you were to add all of these options you see fitted into a TL into a C230 Kompressor Sedan, and you payin close to or above 40K MSRP, discounted maybe to 39,500. Aint worth it bro!

Here's your more likely competitive option versus a C230 Kompressor:
Acura TSX with Navigation and Bodykit for which has Xenons, 6 disc, leather, power seats, and 17 inch rims into a 200 HP but with a 160 lbs-torque for bargained 32K. Trust me it can be done if you try hard enough.

And of course, Honda/Acura has one of the best resale value and you know added Navigation doesnt hurt it when resale factors come in. it boosts in fact, or keeps it steady and instead of dipping low quickly much like C230 kompressor is likely to do.

My brother is in the market for a new car and is about to purchase a TL w/Navigation over a C230 Kompressor Sedan or a C320 Kompressor Sedan

Dr Chill

I wouldn't ignore Benz owners take on the TL since many of us strongly considered the TL before purchasing a W203. I was sold on the TL and was a regular on the Acura-TL forum. The members there either had serious issues with their cars or were even more critical compared to MB owners. The tire flat-spotting, the seat memory issues, the rattles, the leather seat cracks and butt imprinting, and other problems seemed widespread. The bottom line for the TL is that it is more car for the money. A lot more in my opinion. The bluetooth handsfree phone standard along with the DVD audio and far superior navigation system separate it from the rest of cars in its class. The car sizewise actually is more in the catagory of a 5 Series BMW or E Class, not a C Class. The problem with the TL however is the tin feeling doors and cheaper construction, along with FWD. I chose the C Class because the car will be in the family for the next 10 years and I want it to last. The interior components on the MB are of superior materials, the vaultlike solidity is unapproached by any other manufacturer, and the paint should last much longer than the Acura's. The car with all the options I wanted (sunroof, xenons, CD, color) was under $28,000 which puts it $2000 below the best deal I could make on a TL, and also included maintenance. The staggered wheels and tires were also much nicer than the TL, to say nothing about the much better brakes.


If only the TL was RWD. I suspect many more MB owners would be driving one.

HiTEC

Got it, that makes sense. I think I was confusing the TSX and TL. Thanks!

r_liebo

Just what I was saying, but you said it much better. If it were RWD or even AWD, I may be in a TL myself. The TL will be AWD in a year or so for what I hear (then again, buy that point perhaps MB will bump engine power up to a competitive level, and I'll be back getting my second MB).

CitronC230K_03

i dont like the TSX at all. i would consider a TL, but not a TSX. just my $.02

Saprissa

TL vs C230
just get the best of both...

a C320

CitronC230K_03

i agree with that, you get the larger engine and still have a mercedes. i just dont care for acura.

Guest0001

Definitely

prodigy1387

the only thing is that a c320 is at least $3k more expensive than the TL with comparable options. economically, the TL is more attractive. but f*ck economics lol - when it comes to a benz, i'd take a c-class over the TL anyday. why? because i've driven acuras before, and judging by how they drive (a 2003 CL3.2 and a 2002 RSX), i would: fall asleep while driving anywhere because the interior is so plain, hate the FWD, not enjoy staring at it like i do most benzes, and regret the purchase everyday. if you're buying the car for pure performance, then the TL will be faster. but if you're buying the car for name, appearance, and excitement, i think the c-class has got the TL beat in those categories.

fasteddie

Take a TL and a C230, put them at each end of a street. Have the driver of each one accelerate as fast as possible and crash into the other vehicle.

If you had to be in one, would you prefer to be in?

Ed.

Buellwinkle

I agree with r_liebo, the Acura's just don't have the feel and fun to drive factor of the C class. It was actually a little better in the old days of the Acura Legend but the TL's feel like a Honda Accord with lipstick to make it purty. I drove the TL and C320 back to back at a track event, along with other cars and I would have to say that the TL was the most uncomfortable and least enjoyable to drive cars of the bunch. Don't get me wrong, I not bashing Acura/Honda, we really enjoy our CR-V and I owned a Acura Legend coupe in the past that I enjoyed. I would really compare the TL to the Lexus ES300 and Infiniti I35, even then I would rate the TL at the bottom of those three but priced well.

MBE55AMG

Go with a Mercedes. It shouldn't hurt.

jmartinacevedo

How about a G35 (awd)? Very good value for the buck and you get that nice Nissan 3.5 liter engine - 270hp?

I'm a AWD guy so I would not go with the TL unless and until they offer AWD. I heard that it may happen in 2005. Actually, I believe the TL looks nice, at least compared to the prior generation, and some of what it's currently out there.

Presently, I have a C240 4matic. The engine is smooth as glass, even smoother than the inline 6 in my prior 2003 325xi. However, it is underpowered and I'm beginning to get obsessed over the lack of power, particularly when accelerating from rest or during emergency passing maneuvers.

I'm considering a C320 4 matic but it's just to much money at this point. However, I may take the plunge one of these days, if I were to come accross a good deal.

Martin-

Dr Chill

That's funny, when I read your post, I thought you hit the nail right on the head!

prodigy1387

isn't the new '07 c-class supposed to have the new 3.5 liter engine that will be in the 2005 slk? in that case, i'd assume there will be a faster lower end engine as well (maybe the 320?).

tonewheel

Interesting to note that F1, which for the last number of years has used MBs for their safety cars (SLK55 AMGs), just this year introduced TL's as the circuit medical cars.

Back on subject...
If you like looking like everyone else, get a TL, 'cause in about a year they'll be as numerous as Z3's became...and an incredibly boring car. (A Z8, now that's a different story!)

Guest0001

Just about everyone else has a C Class too. But still its a more stylish looking car.

tonewheel

I disagree. I already see more TLs on the road here than I do C230Ks. Easily.

wblynch

Go find you a 10 year old Mercedes C-class and a 10 year old Acura and look at them real close.

NOW, which one would you really rather have?

Japanese cars don't age too well.

CitronC230K_03

well put wblynch!

viper

At another extreme you will find even fewer 20 year old Honda's out there but you will find many MB's. Longevity does not translate well to Japanese vehicles.

CitronC230K_03

i think styling is more timeless on a european car than a japanese one. japanese cars change styles too often IMO.

tonewheel

Nice point, but the 10 year old technology inference is out-of-date. And, look at a 10 year old 190. Reminds me of the Cadillac Cimmaron compared to "real" Cadillacs. I'll take that 10 year old Japanese Infiniti Q or M series.