How does the C230 Sport perform in the elements...honestly?

Hello all. I'm new to the forum considering buying the C230 Sport. However, I'm in the military and never really know where I'll be stationed. I'm attracted to the gas mileage among other things but worried about it being a rear-wheel drive car.

The others that I'm considering going with are the Audi 1.8T Quattro or the BMW 325XI or 330 XI. Thoughts?

 

I have a C280, 1999, which is a different car, heavier, 4 door. But I leave in New England and for the three years I have owned the car I haven't used snowtires. If you have ESP, the standard ABS, Brake Assist and ASR, you should have no problems, of course you have to drive as conditions warrant. I haven't gotten stuck once, and we've had some nasty snow, the last two winter. Plus my cars automatic trans has a winter and summer mode, the winter mode only downshifts to 2nd gear, so you avoid wheelspin as much as possible and also two reverse gear ratio's. For me this car is better in the snow then the 95 Audi A4 quattro I had.

 

Are you serious? Better than a quattro?

 

Yes, I am, didn't impress me at all, and I've driven all wheel drive cars before. I understand since those days they have improved the system, with stability control, and traction sensors. But the 95 I had, wasn't anything that impressed me in bad weather, and I ran 4 snow tires on the car. In fact the A4 overall didn't impress me, I have the V6, stick shift, only keep the car for 18 months and got ride of it. The end came when I took my wife and 2 grown children down to NC to see my wife's parents, the comfort level was so bad that I had to stop every half hour to let everyone walk around. by the time we got back my back and my wife's were so bad from sitting in those Audi seat, we both need to see a Chiropractor for a month.

 

I have a 2003 C230 Sport Coupe that I just bought. The car drives very well in the rain, fairly well in snow and ice, you have to be aware of the conditions and be careful. On heavy snow I have had trouble on uphill streets, and I was unable to access a parking lot with an uphill ramp that was not cleared of snow, after several attempts.

My other car, a Passat, is much heavier and front wheel drive with ESP, which manages the snow almost like a 4x4. I love the C230, the performance, the looks, the details and everything and I will take the inconvenience of the snow as a price to pay for a car that delivers such pleasure to drive.

Gabriel

 

I have a 99 C280 with stability control, and all the othe goodies, and have never got stuck in the snow, I live on the crest of a hill. Try this the next time switch off you ESP when you can't get traction, the rear differntial locks ups and will pull you right out. PS have neve uses snow tires on this car either.

 

Thank you Allan, I will try that next time. It is good to think that I didn't buy a "summer" car, but a vehicle I can use year round. Plus I always wondered how could a German car not be good on snow, right? Same for Scandinavian cars.

I am from the South of Spain, so snow is a new item for me here in DC.

Gabriel
2003 C230 Sport Coupe

 

I have a 2002 c230 coupe with the c7 upgraded rim/low profile tire package. My 1st year dring this thru Chicago snow poved exceptionally dangerous! Slid right thru a 2 lane red light intersection. After that, i installed a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 snow tires and it was amazing. My rear whell drive c230 has better traction than my Jeep Liberty!

 

Any car (especially rear wheel drive) will perform much better in winter with snow tires. I have a 99 C230K with no ESP and it is a nightmare with M+S tires on even the lightest pack of snow. I have been using the same set of Nokia Hakka Q's for 2 seasons in Michigan and the difference of a true snow tire vs. the all season is incredible on this car. ESP can not give you lateral traction but a snow tire can and is therefore no a bad idea for any vehicle.