I'm new to this forum and I am currently looking to replace my BMW 3 series. Either with a newer 3 or a c230. I wanted to know if any owners who have the c230 sport coupe have experienced any constant problems.. Basically, is it a good car? Does it match the fun drive of the 3 series?

Thanks,
Brian

 

44K miles, supercharger failure covered by warranty.
70K miles, Air high speed failure, linkage issue, $700.00+
80K miles, auto door lock failure, $600+

Shoulda bought the extended warranty!

 

What BMW do you currently have and which one are you considering?

 

Got rid of my 328 sedan after it self-destructed from about 35,000 miles onward.....the A/C went, the dash gauges went, the camshaft sensors went, the brakes wore out the rotors like crazy, ALL the windows fell down into the doors, TWICE, numberous electronic problems, the check engine light came on constantly, etc. etc. Bought a 2005 C230K sedan new. The supercharger went shortly after the warranty ran out.....(wisely, I bought the extended warranty this time, only because of the BMW experience!), some minor things went, belt tensioner went, some problems with the A/C, but overall......it's been pretty good. I now have 90K on it. The engine sometimes sounds like it's gonna fall out of the car but all the Kompressor motors sound like this. One reason why Mercedes stopped them. V-6 much quieter and smoother idling, etc. The kompressor is NOISY on the highway, and worse now since they replaced the supercharger. Of course, they deny that, but they don't drive the car........I do. Customer service was horrible with the BMW. It's just OK with the MB. Nothing spectacular.

 

Coyote.
I had 2 E36 BMW's although not six cylinders and did not share your experience. Once I kept to 119k miles and both were reliable and not prone to trouble at all.

I did share your BMW Service experience - but I found an excellent Independent BMW shop to take them to. I would definately buy another BMW in the future.

-Eric

 

I just have a old one . a 98 328ic. I haven't had any real issues other than clutch and water pump. But that's expected. I have 165,000 miles on it and it still runs as good as it did with 80,000. I was thinking of a used 02-03 330ci or a c230 either kompressor or sedan. But, after reading some of the replies I'm thinking I may be sticking with the BMW. I like the way the c230 hatchback looks but not to hot on the little engine and the problems hat come with a supercharger/turbocharger.. And it looks like they don't hold very good resale.
Added note, the brakes and rotors dowear out faster than I would like on the BMW's
Why no more BMW? NO MO BMW...

 

My second one was a '97 318is Coupe. Silver. Fantastic, super low mileage, lovely classic BMW Coupe. But - it was my second 318 and I never forgave it for having a four cylinder engine - I had had enough of underpowered BMW's (even though it got 29 mpg).

I started looking to replace it and compared BMW 325i, MBZ C230 Sport and Audi A4.

I did not care for the interior of the Audi nor FWD not Turbo charger - so Audi did not last long.

The BMW 325i standard model lacked some of the standard equipment the C230 had. It had 16" wheels that look to small versus the C230's 17" staggered wheels. I did not like the idea of Run Flats on the BMW and the MBZ has a full sized spare. I find the 325i to be an "acquired taste" and the C230 Sport to be lovely.

In BMW's favor it drove nice (as does the C230) and the maintenance was free.

Then the final straw was the dealership experience. The MBZ dealer was motivated and wanted to sell '06 C230's. The BMW dealers had a "take it or leave it" approach and I wanted my *** kissed a little bit when dropping $32k.

Despite being a real BMW fan I am very happy with my purchase and would do it again. I have no doubt I will again own a BMW though.

-Eric

 

I have a 1999 c230 kompressor sport i bought used @ 74,000 miles and i have owed it for three years now and i haven't had any related problems. the only thing i have had done is my mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. but i heard thats common for about 100k miles . i currently have about 102k on it and knock on wood haven't had any major issues.. i have lowered it , wheels, k&n filter replacement and some other cool mods for it... right now i m looking for a exhaust for it thats not going to cost me a arm and a leg... DES

 

TERRIBLE - I mean TERRIBLE - gas mileage. 2006 C230.

 

If your gas mileage is that terrible, there's something else going on. The mileage is quite good normally. I know the dealer didn't give you satisfaction, but........it's not the norm for sure. A 2006 C230 will get great mileage driven properly and if everything is right with the car. Good luck.