NorCalGregclk55

I am considering purchasing/leasing a new C230 for the fiance. I drove them over the weekend and found them to be a pretty stable, fun and nice riding vehicle. How about some pros and cons on this model? What can I expect to pay for one of these? Are the dealers getting sticker? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

jedcred

It really depends upon whether or not you are getting the sedan or the coupe (as I have the coupe).

Pros:
1. Good gas mileage for decent power. I get about 28 miles to the gallon (according to the computer) for 189 hp.

2. Nice manual transmission with short-throw, if that's something you're into. Didn't get one (unfortunately) but test-drove with it and everyone I talk to who has it loves the 6-speed.

3. Sport package comes standard on the coupes with 17" rims, foglights, sport suspension, etc.

4. Very solid and stable, as you know.

5. Comfort mode for the tranny is great as it makes takeoffs smoother with less effort by the driver to control the throttle. If you want power, you can always switch to sport.

Cons:
1. Sound system is crap. Crappity, crappity crap. I don't know if that's changed any in the 05s, but, from what I've been reading, it hasn't changed much. BTW, the upgraded sound system isn't worth the $600 or so dollars they charge for it.

2. Like any turbocharged or supercharged V4, the takeoff is lacking compared to most V6s, but once you're under way, it matches most cars in its class on the road.

3. Sport suspension is stiffer, offering a tighter ride at the cost of smoothness. Something you may want to consider.

4. Believe it or not, the oil dipstick doesn't come standard! It's nitpicky, I know, but it proves one thing; Mercedes has just set the bar for a new low in frugality and cheapness. It's a $2 piece of wire that they charge $20 for at the dealership so you can do what everyone else does as regular maintenance on their cars: check the oil level!

5. The tiptronic that Mercedes uses doesn't trust the driver too much and doesn't allow for downshifts sometimes if it thinks the RPMs will get too high. Sub-par compared to the BMW tiptronic system.

6. I really wish they had a sunroof on this car and not a panoramic moonroof. It just looks tacky with the crossbar in-between and the felt lining that closes over it. Also, since the roof doesn't recede into the body but instead sits on top of the other glass, wind noise is pretty noticable.

These are just my opinions, obviously. Hopefully they will help you in your purchasing decision.

Oh, by the way, if I were you I would try to get an 04 model for two reasons:
1. 04s have full maintenance and a 4 year/ 50k mile warrenty; 05s have a reduced warrenty period (3 year/ 30 k mile, I think) and definately no full maintenance

2. You will probably be able to haggle for a better price cause most dealers want to get rid of their old stock as soon as possible. However, this means that you can only add options available at the dealership (cd changer, for example) and you won't be able to order any special options. Usually if you are looking for a deal you aren't too touchy about the options anyway.

GDawgC220

Good points you made But the warranty is still 4 yr / 50k on '05s. Just dropped maintenance

Buellwinkle

Some No Cal people buy in So Cal to save a few bucks, currently there aren't any great promotions but here you should be able to get 10% off list.

Battery!

I ordered my C230 from a dealer in S. Florida, and I won't be paying more than $500 over invoice. The manual transmission is excellent, but I think the auto is better mated for the 320. My parents needed a low $30k car for regular stuff and to let my younger brother borrow it if he needs to, and they got the C320 coupe back in '04. The coupe also has a very practical rear hatch, but for myself, I wanted the sedan for carrying people around - and because the '05 sedan looks great. As far as maintenance, the '04 does have full maintenance, and the '05 will cost hundreds of $ more for routine stuff, but both warranties are 4yr/50k.

NorCalGregclk55

bump

MarkL

Yes, it is stupid that there's no oil dipstick, but you CAN check the level. You use the multi-functional display to display whether the level is "OK". Still, you don't get an exact reading (OK, I know about dyno mode) and you can't look at the oil to check quality, etc.

TNblkc230wz

I drive a 320 coupe.

Pros:

1. No dipstick. Computer will tell you if you need oil
2. Bose sound system sounds great. Very good clarity, bass is so-so, but adequate unless your want to disturb the nieghbors.
3. Very comfortable ride. A little hasher with 17 inch wheels though. You can switch to a touring tire when the performance summer tires where out if you want a softer ride.
4. I'm not a sunroof fan, but I do like the pano roof. Most people I've talked to are impressed.
5. decent gas mileage in town. It's amazing but my highway mileage isn't much higher. I get about 21.5 with a lead foot and 23.5 with a light foot in town
6. No mechanical issues, and I'm picky.
7. Handles good. As an auto-x'r, I've upgraded the swaybars.
8. Very good brakes. The 05's brakes are even better. (yes, I've upgraded those too)
9. Fast enough for me.
10. You can completely turn off the ABS, ESP, and other traction aids if you just want to have fun.

Cons:

1. Two rattels. One in the hatch which has been fixed and one in the drivers seat that I will have looked at next service.
2. The V-6's highway mileage is about 25 mpg.
3. Auto wipers will wipe once every time the car is started if wipers are left in the auto position.
4. Dealer service and parts were initially less than responsive. It took a year to get the correct owner's manual. A talk with my salesman fixed that problem though.

MCONDE01

Pros: great handling / solid build / "the benz factor" / awesome exterior and interior design / good value for the price / pretty quick / nano-paint technology / safety / clear headlamps / a good amount of options and packages / overall = very fun to drive

Cons: lack of overwhelming power at times (evn though the car has enough power for me) / brake dust like crazy / can't rotate the tires since they are staggered / loss of free maintenance

I love the car...so I would say get into it for sure! about pricing, don't pay anything over $500 over invoice..start there and try to work your way down.
Good luck..

vadim

It is I4, not a V4. Noone makes V4 these days - there have been a few experiments years ago, but it did not survive.

jedcred

I'm sorry, you're right, it is an Inline 4. I just use V4 and V6 as relative terms, even in cars like my old BMW that was an Inline 6 cylinder. It's a bit like saying you have a 2.6 Ghz Pentium 4 and an AMD 2600+. The performance is the same but the architecture and speed is competely different. Are any of the Mercedes engines V6s, or are they all I6s now?

vadim

V- and I- are meaningful and describe the way the cylinders are lined up. I- engines have all of them, well, inline; V- engines have them grouped in banks of 3 (V6), 4 (V8), etc; the banks are positioned at 60 or 90 degrees between them(hence "V").

All BMW 6-cyl engines are I-6. All new MB 6-cyl engines are V-6.

Blake P

Really? Mine don't do that.

mick1

mine doesn't do that either.

ML55CLA45

mine does... it doesnt bother me though..............

MCONDE01

mine doesn't do that either...

Outland

Nerd alert.

Deutscher_Wagen

easy killer. Being a nerd is what pays the bills in my house.

Besides, he does have a good point.

Back when I had my tricked out VR6 I would always refer to as a V6, since it was easier not to explain the 'V Reihen' part (ie: inline).

ayilar

Back to the original question. A couple of weeks back, I summarized my impressions of the 2005 Sports Coupe (some of which I have posted in various threads on this forum) on Epinions.com. You might find that review useful; though it focuses on my C230k SC, it also includes my impressions of the 2004 (vs. 2005) and of the pluses and minuses of 2005 C230 coupes vs. sedans.

inFiniTE LooP

my car does not do this, but i noticed that this happens with my parents' S-class cars (which are from 1999), this issue seems to be resolved in cars from 2004 and on

MarkL

Not a resolution really, maybe a change in function. It was supposed to remind you that the wipers were "primed" for action -- what happens when you go in a car wash with them set on auto??

inFiniTE LooP

they do exactly what they're suppose to do, every time there is water on your windshield, they wipe it clean , obviously they've gotta be turned off whenever you go into a car wash

Capt Nemo o2

I keep them off anyway, because over the summer, I was in my dads E500, and we were targeted by a Seagull ace pilot. Bullzeye, right on the sensor... The wipers did what they were suppose to... Unfortunately that was smearing the "projectile" all over the windsheild! DAMN SEAGULLS!!! Why is it illegal to hunt them anyway?!!!

TNblkc230wz

I don't know. I always turn them off when it stops raining because I don't want to rub dry dirt/dust across the windshield and scratch it.

Thanks for the input. I will have the dealer check it out. Is it an issue corrected in 04 or does anyones 01-03 not do this?

MarkL

My '02 did do it (wipe 1 time) -- check the manual, I think it may have made note of it, but don't remember.