kineda

I've had my Jetta for about two years now. I've put everything into it short of forced induction.. so I'm in the market for a new ride and I like the different styling on the C230k. I don't see much of an aftermarket for it or much talk on the forums besides maybe wheels and pulleys. It's definately a different crowd here from the lower end of the German pond. Will we see this market grow? The price of the two cars are about the same for a loaded Jetta vs. slightly loaded C230k. I'm opting for a slightly loaded C230k around 27k or so since most of the things on the C230k will be replaced with aftermarket parts if I get it. Just like to hear your opinions.. Thanks!

hokusbenz

your jetta is tight kineda. but you are right the c230 is definitely something special. more and more aftermarket stuff has been appearing for it everyday, as well as talks of engine swaps and stuff.... it all depends on how attached you are to your jetta..... you might want to wait until the c230 is facelifted.

Scylas

I would definitly get the c230, but you must know that aftermarket parts for this baby are as expensive as it can get for a car of its class.

I have drived a Jetta of a friend, stick hes got intercooler, downpipes, chip, exhaust, MOMO wheels, etc, and I must say hes got a sweet ride, but I still like the way my little C230k drives, feels really different.

kineda

You mentioned the car will be facelifted? Is this happening soon or are we talking about years down the road? I thought the C230k came out not too long ago and that MB is on a 7 year cycle?

kineda

I understand parts are expensive. I just want something unique and even tho my Jetta is modded.. I see one everywhere I turn. I rarely see a C230K on the streets.

Scylas

go for the c230k, you wont regret it..

C230K

I had a new blue Jetta tried to race my C230 Coupe, normally I just ignor,but he kept pushing and he got beat. You will find driving the Coupe, every body wants to race you and here in Daytona, it's hard to resist, but most of the time I leave them alone. Guess being new and not many around they just have to try. After you drive one, you will be sold.

Good Luck and hope you can join this forum.
Tom

young

i think just the headlights. https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ght=headlights

personally, i like it but it's somewhat controversial.

also, see flashman's faq for rumored 2003 changes, not to mention the engine changes...

i also don't think mb will be able to maintain a 7 year cycle on their cars... or i think that these "facelifts" will be more drastic like some of the S-class shots i've seen (i think that's a facelift - not a new model).

BrabusCClass

Welcome to the forums. Your Jetta is nice but remember it will always be a Jetta. Have a MB has its benefits. From dealer rentals, to just how people treat you. Also, the coupe looks cool, with all the different aftermarket companies all trying to make stuff for it. You should get it, you not going to be disapointed. You only grow older and MB's have a nice class to it.

onie

Oettinger's look awesome. Are they 18" ?

onie

Oettinger's look awesome. Are they 18" ?

dasMafia

I seem to get that you like being somewhat unique kineda, and with that in mind, I think that the C230 would be an excellent choice for you. I also think that it drives much better in stock form than a Jetta (personal opinion/experience) and would expect it to retain a more neutral ride-quality even with a lowered suspension (body rigidity).

as far as performance, people seem to be getting some pretty good street results, the only serious detriment is the ESP system.\

If you are really looking to make a change, there are no other cars sold in the US that are direct competitors, the C230 IS in a class of one.

kineda

The Oettingers are 18x8.0".

Thanks for the view dasMafia. I agree with you very much on what you're saying.

Can anyone kind of gimme a comparison of the two engines? Like a Jetta VR6 vs. the C230K 2.3L? Am I going to feel a big loss going to 4 cylinders even though it's supercharged?

kineda

Young - Thanks for the links to the FAQ and facelift pics.

This facelift makes me want to wait for a 2003 Model, but then the drawback would be the rumor of a downgrade to a 1.8L engine instead of 2.3L?

young

you got it. personally, i think the current 2.3L engine is gone. someone who works at mb dealers posted that the 2003 order forms no longer list that engine so i think the evidence is pretty strong.

kineda

The 2003 lights in that link look like HID lights. I wonder if they would fit the 2002 front end.

FrankW

it's not a face lift. most think of it as a facelift but the only difference is the way the headlight is going to look like in 03 which it changes to projection lenses. MB change the headlight unit in order to fit the future bi-xenon option.

nothing else is changed for the 03

and some of you have mention that the 1.8 is going to replace the 2.3 which is not going to happen.

the 1.8 is going to replace the 2.0 i think. the C200K is only sold in europe and some asian country where they don't need a lot of power to get around.

MB has a lot of engines just in the U.S. we only get the bigger engines because in U.S. those small displacement engines are not gonna be able to do the job on the freeway. another reason that Euro brand don't bring their small engines is to bring up the price.

in Taiwan where i came from the smallest engine for C-class is a 2.0 with/o compressor.

kineda

Ok.. so only HID's will be change but the 2.3L will remain correct?

I'm confused.. some are saying just lights and some are saying engine too.

FrankW

yes, that is right

kineda

Ok... glad the 2.3L is staying.. makes a huge difference on time of purchase. Why does everyone else keep citing that the 1.8L will be replacing it. Where are you getting your info from?

FrankW

in Europe and Asia there is a C200k which use to use a 2.0 liters compressor engine ( i don't know how much hp it produce, definitely less than 2.3 k) and the C180 use a 1.8 liters

i wouldn't be worry about an engine change in the C-coupe.

C-class news

kineda

From the link you just gave me it mentions new 4cyl engines but no mention of keeping the 2.3L?

FrankW

don't worry about it...why would they replace 2.3 with something already exist. there is already a C180 on the market for quite a while now. and the 2.3k is the top of the line for C coupe. if the 2.3k is taken out of the lineup the top model is still not going to be the 1.8 its going to be the 2.0k which is also on the market for quite a while.

from what i know the displacement didn't change its the technology that changed.

for example: BMW's i-6 engines use to only have one vanos but in 2000 they upgrade the engines to double-vanos and made some better numbers on the paper.

so i would expect only the hp and torque change but not the displacement change

C coupe engine info

hrh

I've owend a few VW's, modded them, and drove many more. And now I drive the C230K.

Why? Certain fundamentals: RWD: play with front drive all you want, but it's just not the same. Also, you have to stiffen a Jetta considerably to make it handle well. While that was fun, I find it not only gets tired quickly, it puts considerable strain on the balance of the car.

Quite frankly, there is little value left in the VW. A week before I picked up my car, I saw a Jetta 1.8T in the showroom. The price wasn't much less than my MB, with half the paid maintenance, and far fewer features standard. Plus I'm betting the difference will be made up in resale value, even if modded.

The Jetta's got a solid rear axle. Why a fully independent rear could not have been incorporated in this fourth version of the car is beyond me.

Also, while the 1.8T is the same basic engine as in the Audi, it's mounted transversely, as opposed to the Audi that has it in longitudinally. So you will always be fighting the engine's tendncy to "roll" the weight off the front wheels.

Mods are more expensive, sure, but you're starting from a much more sophisticated design, and accordingly, it takes more $$ to improve upon it.

Get the MB, and if you can afford to , keep the Jetta as a play car.

onie

Kineda
If you're around Lamorinda area, I'll let you test drive my coupe. I might have it chipped just not sure when.