ORIGINAL: mrcoyote

The dealership is loaning me a 2006 while the supercharger (kompressor) is being replaced on my 2005. I've driven it a few hundred miles now and the differences are quite noticeable, especially the engine and transmission. The dealer told me they did away with the four cyl. supercharged engine of '05 because they were "noisy and problematic" for Mercedes, and they had received quite a few complaints. So, they changed the engine and tranny for '06 to a V-6 and 7-speed automatic. The engine is noticeably quieter all around and has about the same amount of power as the four. It's just that the tranny, with it's 7 speeds, is shifting ALL the time and allows for about the same or maybe even "nicer" acceleration. I won't say "faster", but nicer. I myself like it much better. Passing on the highway is much easier, since just touching the accelerator shifts it down a gear and there you go. Mileage isn't quite what the four cyl. is, but averaged about 25 city/30 highway. I get more than that just cruising in my C230K. There are a few other subtle changes to the car, but I think I'd wait for the new '07 now if I were in the market. Pretty slick looking. I can't wait to see what the bill would have been on my car without the extended warranty to replace that supercharger. YIKES. [:'(]