jderianSF

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a few, but thought I'd introduce myself. I'm going to be looking for a C in May or June.

Right now I'm leaning towards a c350 auto w/ nav. (besides the c55) I know how hard to find they are, so I will probably have to "settle for a c230".

So far most of the info here has been helpful, so thanks

Jason

P.S. I drive an '84 Volvo Turbo w/ intercooler and 177k miles! But when I'm a good boy, wifey lets me drive her '02 Passat.
My hobby car is a '75 Fiat 124 with the twin webbers, header, konis etc. etc.

rlee02135

wait for the 2008 W204 model!
if you want a W203, for the c350, get the sport pkg. it includes sport suspension, wheels, AMG bodykit....

jderianSF

Yeah,
I've been watching those w204 threads closely, and am in the " don't like it yet, I'll wait till I see it in person" camp.

In fact, the sports package is a must too.


I'm hoping that when the '08s come out, I can get a screaming deal on an 07.

drexappeal

I disagree. I never, ever would buy 1st year model build. If I were to even consider a w204, it'd only be for the c63 and only after a couple years have gone by and all the "kinks" have been worked out for that particular chassis.

jderianSF
If you are going to buy a C Class, wait until it's getting close for the w204 release, then get the w203. Dealerships will be working to get rid of the w203's for much less (which seems to be your target months, so you're on the right track).

If you do find a C350, don't worry about it not having Nav (you can get that from Steve@MBenzNL). Instead, if you can find a C350 w/ bi-xenons, get it immediately. Bi-xenons are going to be harder to get "after the fact" than Nav would be.

Just my .02

e1000

used C350 is going to be hard to find...... good luck

jderianSF

Thanks,
Good advise. The Bix's aren't a deal breaker. If I get the c350 the only real things I must have are the sport package, auto trans (the wife HAS to be able to drive it) and the memory seats (which the 350 comes with, or is an option on the 230). I hate having to manually re-adjust the damn seat position in the vw. Everything else is gravy.

As for the nav, I figured I could retrofit, or go with an aftermarket. I don't have to have the steering wheel controls for the stereo.

I helped my mom put in a pioneer nav system in her 03 E320. Its a pretty cool install. She didn't want to mess with the stock stereo, so we installed the monitor on the pedestal attached to a box where the small coin drawer thats next to the glove box. Ok well, I came up with the idea and the stereo shop installed it.

This way nothing is permanent, and my dad can play with it (and see it) from the passenger seat.

I'll snap some pix if anyone is interested.

drexappeal

The only reason I say you should look for one with BI-X is because they are running out and most likely will be difficult to get later on (and are already starting to be difficult to obtain). Nav can be purchased through Steve @ MBenzNL. He is the one to go to for all OEM upgrades (OEM Nav included).

jderianSF

Thanks,

I'll keep that in mind when shopping . . . and after.

Belle the Benz

Check out my 2005 C320 Sport Sedan that I have for sale. I have kept it in immaculate condition, and it only has 19,200 miles on it. It says 35,000 OBO but I would take $33,000. The kelly blue book value on the car is $35,000.

Plus it has a 7 year 100,000 mile warrenty on it that started in March 2005.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=179329

Mercus

Getting a C230 would save you money on insurance.....

jderianSF

Very cool car, but its black. The vw is dark blue and a pain to keep clean. I want a light color (but not pewter!). Silver, or white are my two fave's right now.

That steering wheel is cool too.

I've been watching the local stealerships and they have some '06 230's in the $20's. I'm not sure of their packages but they're out there.

I'm going to try to get blue book trade in, so the extended warranty doesn't feel so bad.

yeuchau

what's ur budget??

brydon

I LOVE my '06 C350 SS I've driven a couple fast Subaru's, my wifes old SLK230 Kompressor and I'd still pick my new MB any day (except for may track day at the races). I highly recommend spending the extra green for the 350 over the 280 or 230.

jderianSF

I'm looking from the mid 30s on down.

I figure if I go with the 230, in the mid 20s, I could probably pull some mods out of the leftover budget right away. However, as above, I'd rather have the extra stock 60+ hp and stock everything else, than a 230 w/ rims, lowered, chip, and maybe headers.

I figure this, because I will probably be able to sneek this stuff on the car as the years pass anyway !

mb240-190-320

Go for the C350 Sport - the extra muscle is worth it. I drove one yesterday and it was a fun ride.
Plus I can't believe there is someone out there with a Fiat 124! I had a 1975. Use to keep extra head light switches in the glove box - they to burn out every few months.

jderianSF

lol Yeah, I love that little car. The headlight switches burn out because all the power for the headlights is sent through it. I have upgraded by installing relays so the switch just activates the relay, and the headlights are much brighter!

I just spent the last year or so rebuilding the entire suspension, with all new parts, and koni yellow shocks, cleaning and painting the wheel wellse etc. I also swapped trannys and did some other minor stuff. I'm chasing a fuel starvation problem that I'm hoping is as simple as the tank is low on fuel !

yeuchau

don't even think about 230
if you have mid 30s, get 350
even if you put 10k of mods into 230, performance wise, it's still not gonna be better than c350.

someone on the forum got a brand new c350 for 34k out the door, if you can get any deal close to that, it will be great
good luck

KIRA

it is really really hard to gain extra 60 horse from a C230, do a search, lot of people whinning about it. it could cost u more than a C63. I have a 02 C230 coupe, i never whine about it, since i don't use it for racing anyway, but sometime i feel my car is pretty crazy....

jderianSF

Yeah,

I saw that thread, it made me jump in my seat. He got it out of SF too

The only thing I'm worried about is that he got a great deal on a stick shift. Though I'd really rather have the manual trans, practicality says I have to go with the auto. I figure if I get the manual, the wife can't drive it at all, which is usally a good thing, but if the vw is in for service etc., then she's without a car. Also our longterm plan is to give the vw to our oldest, give the MB to the wife, and get myself a 911 or Boxster S. I can't do that if its a manual.

e1000

yeah - the 7G is a 2k option, plus - they probably didn't have many people looking at that 6-speed and they had to dump it

MB Nubee

WHAT??? Belle, why you selling the Benz?

nyjdmevo

just wait for the 08 it's so sick.....

Sauceboy01

I'm selling my 05' C230 Kompressor Manual Tranny. Silver ext/gret int. Many options for $23,000

let me know if you're interested

drexappeal

I guess.