I'm looking for reliability differences between the models, but I'm leaning toward the C230K for its sporting character. Is a C class suited to a serious driving enthusiast and BMW loyal???

Anyone know the ratio of 6 speed to Automatic C230s? Seems to be a lot of autos out there.

Any prebuying inspection tips?

What are some things to expect to go wrong after 75K miles and are most DYI?

Thanks. My first post here! Hope to become an active member soon, so help me find a good one!!!

Anyone know the link to the model year differences?

Thanks

 

Well... My C230K has been reliable thus far, meaning that it has never broken down or had serious problems, but I have had to take it into the shop a few times for minor stuff - door locks broken, trunk latch broken, etc. Is it fast? Decently. 0-60 is only 7.4 or so, but it feels like it has plenty of pep to it in normal driving. (I wouldn't take it to the track and expect to compete though) Handling is good. The ride is pretty smooth. However, it doesn't feel like it's going real fast when it reallly is... 105 feels more like 70, 60 feels like 45... Several of my friends have commented that they couldn't tell that I was going 95, except for the speedometer. No shake, lack of control at high speeds. (BTW, I don't regularly drive like a maniac... Just on occasion and when traffic is nil and conditions are good ) That may or may not be a good thing to you though... but it definately makes it harder to avoid speeding :P

 

Thanks for the encouragement for the C230, MBTeen. I guess most W303s aren't old enough to have many problems yet, which is looking gooood.

In regards to the Auto Vs 6 Spd numbers, I'm specifically talking about the sedan.

 

I would assume the C230 considering it is the base model, and the base model's usually have fewer electronic components. With fewer components, there's a smaller chance for anything to go wrong.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/mer...***/index.html

 

As far as the engines and trans goes they should all be fine but stay away from ones that have electronis issues already the W203 (not W303) has had is far share of electrical problems. Like amg said the less electrical options the better.

 

My experience has only been with my 2002 C230K which I have owned since new and it just has 23,000 miles. I had it five years as of last week. It's a 6-spd with the heated seats and Bose sound as the only options. I have had two problems both of which were resolved under warranty and the car has never been out of service more than one day when it was being serviced.
Mercedes Benz Lemons[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
I had a misfire in the number one cylinder when I noticed it stumbled badly one day. I would get a slight hesitation at times after that but it didn't happen all the time. The dealer noticed it at the next service and replaced the ignition coil to the number one.

The other problem I had (which I probably caused myself when I refueled) which a broken retainer ring on the gas cap, this immediately showed up on the message center, I refitted the cap and the message went away. I drove the car for about a year before the message showed up again on my way to dropping off the car for service and the dealer took car of it under warranty. It just happened it was the same service as when the dealer replaced the ignition coil.

Am I happy with the car? Very much so!

The car has a great ride for a relatively small car, very decent driving dynamics and very good noise, vibration and harshness control. Just going through the cars I find myself quickly exceeding posted speed limits when I really don't intend to.

Of course there are people that aren't happy with any of the Mercedes-Benz product:

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/