Battery!

The car is definitely nothing extraordinary with regard to power. That's not why you buy a C230 for $30k. However, on one of my highway test drives with the 6MT, I found myself at 90mph without much effort. Passing in 5th wasn't anything too shabby from what I remember. For a majority of us, the car has enough power, but nothing that you'd show off in a race. For $30k, get a used M3 or Rustang Cobra to get a real kick in the seat. For my next car, I will look at faster cars, and will hopefully have a higher budget.

Deutscher_Wagen

I bought my car with auto tranny because I have always had stick in the past, and just got sick of the tuning world and traffic shifting. Figured I would use auto for convenience, and tip-tronic for when I felt 'gitty'...

I've had my car for a month now, and kick myself in the **** for not getting a stick just about every other day now. Sure it's nice to have some extra freedom while driving (extra foot and hand), but it would be nice to have direct RPM control. The tip-tronic response from when you tip it and when it 'actually' changes gear is horrible, especially when driving aggressively. As a matter of fact, if I could alter the tranny or ECU to have better tip-tronic response, I'd be a happy camper.

That and I promised my self not to tune anymore cars. But I have a feeling that isn't a promise I will be able to hold much longer.

inFiniTE LooP

yea, while this car isn't really meant for racing or anything, when i'm on the highway, it feels as if the car is most comfortable when it's doing around 80 MPH

Sauceboy01

I have an 05 6spd. and i've had no problems past 80. Sure it's not as fast as my 02 320hp WRX used to be, but it moves up to 120 with no problem.

-Danny

Rick

Doc...you said you have the auto trans? make sure the switch to the left of the gear selector is set to S (not C).

....oh....and RTFM

schwarzwagen

the c230 is slow. the c240 is faster above 80. tested this out many times with loaner cars and the myriad of c230s that everyone i know owns. once the blower heat soaks, its all over.

doctamb

Hey guys sorry have not responded,
You see!!!!! Don't you notice a common trend here? I have just read all of the new posts and it seems like everyone with the auto trans has the same complaint as I do. I know about the s/c button. Of course I have it in S. It's just like my old 99 c230 except that was W/S which actually made more sense, but anyway the six speed actually makes a huge difference.

Test something out guys........ ALLL OF YOU WITH THE MANUAL TRANS TRY IF YOU CAN TO TEST DRIVE SOMEONE ELSES AUTO 05 SS C230K.

I guarantee you will notice a HHHHHHHUUUUUUUGEEE DIFFERENCE PULLING ABOVE 80 MPH. i REST MY CASE. lOOK AT WHAT INFINITLOOP SAID IT FEELS COMFORTABLE AT 80MPH.
Beyond that and it's like your asking the engine for way too much. You are right for 35k to be exact at least with my options this car is not going to have a rocketship, but why would MB:
1) Go to a smaller engine 2.3- 1.8
2) Make a change that knowingly improves lowend torque while destroying high end torque if an older madel was at least in my mind an excellent all round performer. ( Of course with a less refined engine) or is it really less refined than my new car.

It's like in exchange for all of the crazy and unbelievable standard options on this car- sunshade,rainsensor wipers, blue tint, heated seats, THAT GORGEOUS DROP ANY GIRL'S PANTIES DOWN NEW INTERIOR,and the c32 look-
They decided to drop performance at least WITH the auto trans.
But I love the car nonetheless........WHy- bECAUSE I LOVE THE WAY THAT THREE POINTED STAR SHINES OFF EVERYBODIES FOREHEADS WHEN I TURN A CORNER STATEMENT BABY!!!!!!! AND IT'S WHAT I CAN AFFORD BRAND NEW WITH MB. i WILL PERSONALIZE THIS LITTLE BEAST NON THE LESS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME UNTIL SL 55 OR 65 TIME COMES. THIS DOCTOR THING BETTER WORK OUT!!!!!!! I STILL LOVE MY NEW CAR!!!!!!

Narcissus

I had the same problem with my 1.8 2003 SC, after 120 km/h the car stopped pulling, now with the C240, evn if it doesn'T look too good on paper I will gain a few lenghts on a 1.8 after 120 km/h. not by much..

Last week I saw a beautiful 911 porsche and decided to race him, after 10 seconds the Porsche was about 5 car lenght behind, that's when I realized it was parked...

Smoooooooked him



MB's are not made for racing, who cares if the Saturn gains on you, when it's all said and done, you're in your Benz, and he's in a Saturn, who's the winner now

barw211e320

Why is the C230 so slow? I have no idea. I have a C240 loaner car since my E is broken (again) and my two friends have 05 230 sedans. One is a Mars Red 6sp and the other is a silver auto. I have to say, I will post video as soon as possible to back up my statements, but I raced both vehicles and here is the result of both races.

C230 a/t vs C240. Off the line the C240 pulls slightly ahead. After the 1-2 shift at 30MPH the 230 begins to pull. After the 2-3 shift at 50MPH the 240 is even. By the 3-4 shift at 80MPH, the 240 starts to run on the 230 and remains even all the way to the governor. I was very suprised that the 230 didn't kill the 240. So we switched drivers and headed in the other direction. The same thing resulted.

Then Anthony came by in the 6sp so we decided to go for it. He did a 3500RPM slip clutch start in dyno mode to maximize control and minimize wheelspin. He immediately pulled on the 240. When he shifted to 2nd at 25MPH, I gained on him until my shift at 30MPH. He was still slightly ahead but the 240 began to pull closer to even and he shifted to the 2-3 at 45MPH and I went on to shift at 50MPH. Then we were in a dead head until his 4-5 shift at 100MPH. When I did my 4-5 shift at 120 we began to even out again until the governor.

This isn't the first time I have had either an 05 230 sedan loaner or a 240 so I would be glad to repeat this to whoever would like to see. As soon as I can I will post some video because I know I can't believe it myself, let alone any one else. So I have no idea why the 230 is so slow. There is no reason why the 240 should even be close to a race for a 230.

I have many amazing stories of defiling loaner Benzes especially 02 c230 coupes and 04 c240 sedans, and 02 210 e320 loaners.

05Css

barw211e320 I have no idea what your are talking about the C240 beating, or getting even or even pulling on the C230. I have owned a C240 for 3 years. That car was so slow that I couldnt bare it and had to get rid of it. So I bought an 05 C230 SS auto. The difference is night and day. When you take off in the 230 it flys compared to the C240 and believe me I know the difference being that I drove the car for 3 years. So I am not sure why you are getting the results that are getting. Without a doubt the C230 will kick the C240.

As for the C230 being a slow car, yes it is compared to a lot of cars. But then again the car beats a lot of other cars as well. It is not ment for racing. Before I bought my car I had to make a descion, did I want something fast or did I want something classy, good build, smooth ride and good handling. Thats what I bought it for and therefore I will never mod it.

mbny

i haven't driven a manual yet, but when i test drove the C230kSS it was auto and a friggin pig. i ordered the manual in hopes that it would be noticeably quicker, however i know it will still be pretty sluggish. but i was really looking for more of a cruiser than a quick car and that's why i picked the benz i hear what your saying though about accelerating at higher speeds. smash the gas and it feels like eternity to finally get the thing moving.

barw211e320

I have no clue why the 240 is the way it is. I will say that the 01 and 02 240s I have driven including a 240 6speed seem slow. I have raced 01 and 02 240s before with 2.3 230s and the 01 02 240 are slow. I just keep getting these 04s and they are suprising. The 230s also heatsoak and seem to become sluggish when hot.

I really wish I knew. I will get some footage ASAP to analyze the difference. swartzwagen is also witness so maybe he can chime in with some input.

r3v1ls

I haven't gotten to test out an auto c230k but i'm pretty sure it makes a huuuge difference. I also rarily downshift when passing people on the freeway, and sometimes i find myself hitting 85 when i should be goin 70 , definitelly never had trouble passing. Also the benz isn't a race car, if you want to race go out and get yourself a Subaru Impreza. I got my c230k for a lil over 20 grand, but it doesn't have any single option, so i guess that's why i was able to get it so cheap. But nonetheless i'm happy to be able to have a benz for that price. This is definitelly a car with which you should get a manual transmission... doing donuts, burnouts, and all that other fun stuff. i'd prob bore myself with an auto...

CynCarvin32

believe what you wish, but i have seen it with my own eyes. just this week, the c240 rental beat a c230ss 6-speed. it was not even a contest.

mbny

sounds to me like an inexperienced driver in the C230k SS. guy can't shift

blkc230k

an intrestment cluster pic when i hit 120mph
note its a 5 spd auto (im pretty sure its at 4th gear) 05' C230 I-4 1.8K

BabyBenz6spd

10MPH before you hit the REV limiter !!

barw211e320

Ok, let's do it CynCarvin32 and Shwartzwagen. We will get Anthony and I will swap this stupid 230wz rental for another c240 and we will film the race. Also of note, as shwartwagen is also witness, a 2004.5 GLI hoaring out the 240, and possibly hoaring out a 230wz 6sp. We also have footage of a 2004 GTO 6sp getting hoared by the 230WZ 6sp in the canyons.
Can of worms, open. Oh ya, and the stupid Miata base stick '03 also toasted the 6sp 230wz as shwartzwagen is witness and we can replicate on film. I think while I am at it we can race the e320 if i ever get the damn thing back and the 300sel and see if the 240 can beat one or the other or both. Oh ya, and shwartzwagen is also witness to the 240 smoking a viper at 120, not because the viper is slower, while the viper must have thought it was an AMG something. Then he saw the skinny tires and proceeded to catch me in the c240. He looked like he nearly shat himself when I had the stupid c240 at top speed around a sweeper transition road.

I don't blame anyone for the disbelief. I nearly don't believe it even since I have experienced it. MBZ has a lot of explaining to do when this stuff hits the press.

schwarzwagen

i am down for lockwood valley, any thoughts? i still want to get the e500 out there with the d3s and see how it compares to the 55 with the ps2s.

Outland

What a ****ing liar.

Outland

Yeah, a Miata....right. Keep up the BS buddy. NO ONE believes you. Next you'll be telling us your 240 was taking out Corvettes.

Outland

Nope. 10mph before Vmax kicks in, and the ECU retards the ignition and eventually turns off the fuel to slow you down.

schwarzwagen

why dont you go try it first before you start spouting off your trap.

schwarzwagen

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

look at the times for the mx-5 miata. very competitive with the c230

CynCarvin32

1000 bucks say he shifts better than any forum user here. If he can dust GTO up a caynon ROAD (up hill might i say -- power helps a TON) I think he can drive just fine.