BiTurboBenz

My friend just got the C230K sports sedan. The damn thing has the AMG kit, cross-drilled rotors, aluminum interior, sports exhaust All standard features for $30K !!!

What the **** is MB thinking? How could they pimp the C32 and almost the C55 this way? I think it is a joke. You can't tell the difference unless you really, really examine them. Can you imagine a 325Ci with an M3 kit, fenders, exhaust, etc.; BMW would never do that. Why did MB make all those exclusive features standard on such a cheap ride?

Bux

bmw has the option now for almost having the same exact front bumper as the m3

King320

because most people are about image, and dont really care how fast the thing actually is. Most people (general public, not people on this forum) have never driven a car fast enough to know that the 230 isnt all that fast of a car by comparison. In short, it sells.

caliboy

So that they can have a whole forum of w203 drivers talking about how good their cars look with the amg kit and All the while making a SH IT load of money attracting more buyers in that price range than in the 50 k price range You are right I thought the same thing when I bought the car and that is why I bought. If I can't afford the bada$$ engines at least I will look like the fast engines and better. The C55's front is totally different though clk front besides the engine and quad exhaust's as well as performance== totally different cars. As far as the C32 is concerned well my friend that is a discontinued car and they decided to add the same body style as that ca with new rims and attract buyers in a more affordable category. And guess what It's working. Everyone loves the C class now.......even BMW drivers notice it more. Why because amg's were so few and far between that theyre style was getting lost in the crowd. Add amg kit + new better looking rims and freshen up the interior standard and you have the influx of w203 buyers going to MB rather than to BMW to get the new three series............SO THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THINKING>>>>>>SHOULD I SATISFY MY ENTHUSIASTS DRIVERS BY KEEPING THE LOKK OF THE CAR EXCLUSIVE OR SHOULD I FRESHEN UP THE LOOK OF THE CURRENT W203 with amg kit TO NOT LOSE NEW BUYERS TO THE NEW BMW 3 series and get PAIIIIIIIIDDDDDDD!!!!!!! That's pretty good thinking to me. Go get the newer amg when it comes out that will be totally different if you don't like it. Frankly I don't see what the hate is all about. What do you care......I'd much rather have your engine anyday as I'm sure many c230 drivers would, but can't afford so LOVE it lol! J/k lol!

BiTurboBenz

yeah, but at least make it an option NOT STANDARD EQUIPMENT

you are going to tell me that the 2005 325Ci come with the M3 body kit + fenders as standard equipment I don't think so.

If I had 30K to spend I would probably get the G35 but the C230k is a great looking ride

J Irwan

looks again buddy....


those bumper are after market.

BMW treat their M model with special respect.. and unfortunately I don't feel AMG the same way. I think bottom line Daimler Benz/AMG only care about marketing and $$$ just to get more buyers as they trying to phase out W203.

too bad...

Regardz,

J Irwan

The Godfather

Mercedes did it w/ the C because it's coming toward the end of its life, justl ike the W220's get free no charge sport kits. It's all business really.

IdriveFast

actually...the E36 325I had a "m-technik" package which made it look like the E36m3 minus the mirrors

and

the E39 540I had a sports package which made it look like a E39 M5, once again minus the mirrors

the E60 5 series also has a similar package

PC Valkyrie

You guys in the USA are unique. The only reason the sport sedan package is "standard" in the USA is because MBUSA decided not to import the cheaper "base" C230K which is basically a C230K without the AMG bumper, bodykit, aluminum trim, sport steering wheel, upgraded brakes, 17" rims, chrome exhaust tip, and sport suspension.

In Canada (and most other parts of the world), the "sport sedan" model is an option that costs $5000-6000 CAD over the base car. Most C230K's that I see in Toronto are the base model, which looks just like a base C240 from the outside. Then there is the more expensive C240 "elegance" which is basically the C240 "luxury" sedan in America.

naadp

Well, since my C32 decided to turn itself into a C320, I've been driving a C230K SS around for about a week. It looks nice from the outside, but I honestly don't know why they sell so many of these cars. The ride is awful, and the interior feels very cheap, and I hate these freaking seats. I've sat on more comfortable park benches. This is one slight step up from a Honda generic people moving box. However, it does get good gas milage...

Since most people don't know what they're looking at anyways, the AMG body kit doesn't bother me. I personally think it looks nice on the car and gives ME more stealth.

RW C55

If you check the BMW Magazine, the 5series is going to have an optional package what gives u exact M5 look.. including the M5 side mirrors and M5 bumpers.
Here's a link to the UK website with the 545i Sport Sedan.
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...k%253D,00.html

Vader13

It did bug me, but I got over it..I do like the styling of the 04 C230K better now though.

MadC32

that's why I think of getting a Brabus bumper..

BiTurboBenz

You guys who keep talking about BMW are missing the issue - BMW offers these as expensive options, NOT STANDARD EQUIPMENT. If it cost $4,500 to add on the AMG kit to the C230K, how many C230K's would you see with the AMG kit? The C230K is a great value, but at the same time it brings down the value of the higher end models.

Childish///AMG

Dude, you are sooo "Correct" I stopped by work today, and there were 2 C230s in the lot both brand new. One was silver the other one black. They look nice. MB here in Sa-Twon sold 100 cars last month, mostly C230ks

Saprissa

the thing with the C230K or C320 Sedan, is that the AMG body kit (front/rear bumpers) added in as standard on 2005 models is actually only a $2000 updgrade if bought separately an added to a 2001-2004 model. Some places sell the AMG front & rear bumper for the C230K or C320 2001-2004 sedan for $300-$700 ready to paint.
The rest of the things mentioned: alum interior, sport suspension, 17" wheels, 2-piston big brakes, exhaust, sport steering wheel are not AMG. You could get these things before on the "Sport" model, before they added on the AMG front & rear bumpers in 2005.

The C230K is a seller. Slow car, but a seller, based on looks. And with the demise of the C32, MB just added the look to boost more sales, on an otherwise, pretty drab car. I mean it looked just like a C240, and it's not faster than a Subaru or Evo.

The C32 will still be a C32, and there are many things it still has, that the C230K I-4 1.8L or C320 V6 3.2L 2005 Sedan does not: AMG Suspension/Sways, AMG dual-tip oval exhaust, AMG instrument cluster & shift knob, AMG 4-piston brake kit, AMG steering wheel, AMG seats, AMG Touch-Shift, and last but not least, an AMG super-charged V6 3.2L horsepower & torque.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Childish///AMG

I "Feel" alittle better after reading your post

J Irwan

I'd suggest you look again....
The E60 sport package nowhere looks near to E60 M5 looks so does E46 coupe or 4 door performance package nowhere near E46 M3 looks


M looks is exclusive to M..!!!! and I think BMW did a pretty good job in maintaining M Image


You're talking about E36 and E39 sure they offer M technic sportk package
but the front center airdam is different sport package has slanted grill where the real M has Mesh Grill...

plus on top of that the real visible different from the outside is the Mirrors.. (granted M car also has their own sport exhaust)... in which Mirrors on these E36's and E39' M are their trademarks.. and obviously not a cheap part.. either



But C230K looks almost exaclty from the bumper (with the same mesh grill) mirror... and the only different is the tail pipe..


and the fact that C230K sport has more attractive interiors and cluster gauges than C32 AMG is sad...



I fell like MB going a long way trying to get the most $$$ and don't really care whether the're screwing their loyal customer...

if they continue to do this sooner or later those loyal customer including myself would look the toher way (here I came Audi's and BMW's )


Another example MB will screw the customer bad.

The launch of 2002 S55 (5.4L V-8) NA follow by 2003 S55 (5.4 V-8 Kompressor), then follow by S600 not even AMG Model (5.5L V-12 bi-turbo) then follow by S65 (6.0L V-12 bi-turbo).....
Whats even worse is that all of these coming out in 2 years time frame.. wtf.. MB... !@!$$#@$

I'd be pissed if I were a customer who bought 2002 S55.... (wanting to own the top of the line model at the time).



Just my $0.02.

Regardz,

mbny

you're right on this one. i recently purchased a 05' C230k and the only reason i even considered it, was b/c of the AMG kit on it and better looking interior. before that, i would've never considered getting a C class (other than AMG although i prefer the M3) due to it's boring looks. i do alot of commuting and traffic is a factor here on conjested long island, so gas mileage is a concern and so is the idea of me never really having an opportunity to drive an AMG car hard if i owned one. i can see why they are selling so well. great looking car for a relatively low cost. needs abit more power, perhaps the new V6 C230 will do the trick, but my car will be visiting renntech this winter while i'm down in florida for some hp goodies

meanie

Grow up.................child.

cntlaw

i hvnt been in net lately.
that's what happens in our locally:

1. full amg kit are offered as 'options' from our official mb dealer
so these kits are original. and, obvsiouly, they offer to those who can
afford as many "luxury options" as possible - sake of money.
so i dont think that the pimp that matters but showing people
how rich you are really

2. think this way, how many ppl will buy an amg in HK ( or else where);
considering the big population of non-amg buyers; i thought selling
amg kit is a big business to the dealer even bigger profit than they get from selling amgs. your big mouth can't argue with MONEY.

3. why i should bother about what kit ppl put on their cars while I have the real one already


my 2 cents
cnt

skahung

Don't Hate, appreciate!
After all, C230K is still a Mercedes, you make it sound like is a Civic SI that looks like a C32/55. Grow Up! I paid $36000 for mine and theres no way you can walk out MD dealer with a C230K for just $30k.

2005 C230 std with amg kit
2006 C230 std with V6 (Plus the amg kit)
2007 A New design for C class
Go Figure...........

cntlaw

yes, I think we need to make it clear that , not many places on Earth can get AMGs cheaper than USA ( not sure if in Dubai ). It is admirable to see non-AMGs getting AMG kit to bless the AMG owners rather than 'pimp'
Believe or not, I heard that my C55 costs 3 million HKD in Thailand.
( I paid USD105K )

Zeppelin

I think MB will lose many AMG owners, by producing cars like the C230K. I have nothing against the C230K and I'm sure it is a fine car. People buy AMG's to be exclusive and this does nothing but **** off current C32/C55 owners.

No wonder MB can't even sell 1000 AMG's per year per vehicle type in the U.S., when BMW has no trouble selling 5000 per vehicle type. I know I will never buy another AMG( ****ty resale value) even though my C32 has been trouble free and an excellent car over the last 4 years.

skahung

ROFL @ "No wonder MB can't even sell 1000 AMG's per year"
So I guess they use those parts on the C230Ks :p