Hello everyone,

I'm looking into getting a C class and would like some current owner feedback on the positives and negatives of their cars. Currently I own a miata, insert joke here, but would like something a little more...responsible. However I want to stay on the sporty side so I'm eyeing a 2005 or 2006 C230 sport with a manual transmission. Are the manuals any good or are they just a waste time? Are there any major problems with this model? Thanks for the help!

 

Snokng,
Let me start right out by stating that a C230 is no REPLACEMENT for a Miata! I love my Miata to death and it is a great COMPLIMENT to the C230 but I sure would miss it if I had to give it up and only drive the C230 Sport!

I own and would recommend to you the '06 or '07 C230 Sport as they have the six cylinder engine versus the '05 and earlier C230's which had a supercharged V6.

I would have preferred the manual transmission as they are typically bulletproof compared to automatics as far as maintenance, IMO. I have the 7 speed which is a marvel of Engineering and is fantastic but I fear for its longevity in the long run - but time will tell.

My car is coming up on 2 years and 12.5k miles. It has been flawless so far. It replaced a series of two BMW's that I owned and I do not miss them - so that is quite a testimonial.

It really is a lovely driving car and a lovely design and very well executed. I cannot complain about it - my experience has been that good. There are lots of complaints about C Class cars but I share none, my tires still look great, nothing has broken, I get 25 MPG.

-Eric

-Eric

 

Don't mean to correct you here, but........the '05 C230 was a supercharger on a 4 cylinder, not a 6 cyl. engine.

I do agree with you that the V-6 of 2006 and up would be a better choice.
Mercedes got rid of the kompressor C's for a reason. There are a few.

You might have good luck with one, and you might not. Just like any car.
Highway mileage is the upside, and the four cyl. can get 33+ on a good day at steady 65mph.
Other than that, I see no upside having owned one and now with 114K miles on it.
Second supercharger. Enough said.

 

Sorry, Coyote is correct. My typo - Supercharger was a 4 cylinder engine.

-Eric