hello all, i m planning to buy a c230k this month, and i want to know which options are actually worth the money.
how is the standard sound system? and if i want an in-dash cd player, what are my options?

I just bought mine last week. Took an '02 leftover from stock, so it came with what it came with. Had the dealer put in the CD changer (not an option with my 1 hour each way commute). Based on my car, here's my opinion:

CD Changer - worth the money, but you lose glove box space.
The standard sound system sounds pretty good. I'm sure the Bose system is a little more meaty though. The car rides so quietly that any decent system sounds nice.
Tele-Aid system - Worth the money just for the safety factor.
Wheel package - Makes the car look nicer. Improves performance handling and resale value. Probably reduces mileage a bit, and might be less snow/rain friendly.... a choice of asthetics mostly.
Leather - wish I had it.

If your are considering a six speed the absolute must have is C7. It includes a short throw shifter, which is much better than the standard shifter. In my opinion the Panorama roof is a must have. If you live in an area where it gets cold, they heated seats are great. The bi-xenon headlights are a good buy, too. If you want leather, but the car you are looking at doesn't have it, it can be added for $1300 to $1500 at a couple of places like Classic Soft Trim or Katzkin.

An aftermarket headunit cannot be connected to either the CANBUS or the D2B fiber optic loop. Without CANBUS, you can't use the steering wheel buttons to change the volume or stations on the radio. Without D2B, you can't use the Bose amp, an integrated phone or a factory cd changer.

i m going to buy the automactic model, cuz i dont know how to drive a standard :oops:

and i live in winnipeg, canada, which is cold and lots of snow in the winter, well, except this winter, which is kind of warm. but i might move to vancouver later this year, or in the future.

i think i will get the sunroof, since i read that it's nice in this forum.

about the cd player, should i just get the benz cd changer option? or there's better option out there?

how about the 17" wheel, is that anygood for me?

There are only two changers that will work with the stock headunit. One is the MB/Alpine unit installed by MB or the dealer, and the Becker Silverstone 2662. They are connected to the h/u via the D2B fiber optic network. Get the MB changer.

You could get another changer and connect it with an RF modulator. The H/u and steering wheel buttons can't be used to control a changer connected this way.

I'm not sure about TeleAid, but having a cell phone with 1-800-MERCEDES surely helps! I had a little problem today... called 1800Mercedes, they got my location down and said that I'll hear from someone within 15 minutes. In 10 minutes someone called me from the dealership and in 8 minutes they were looking at my car. Great Service, I'm pretty impressed.

The panaramic sunroof is awesome! I previously drove a convertible and don't miss it a bit with this option on the C230K. Backseat passengers really like having all that glass too. Tele-Aid is very nice. Love the leather seats and the heated option. Bose sound system is great and I love my CD changer. Previous car just had a single CD which was tiresome. All in all, I got a lot more options than I originally wanted but ended up really liking them all. Memory for the seats is great, especially if you share the car. The only option that seems useless is the light washing system. (Maybe if I lived in a place with actual weather it would be useful.)

Yeah, I forgot about the Panorama Sunroof... probably because it is uncommon NOT to have that.. it is wonderful. You can do the package that will also give you the rain sensor for the wipers, etc. Nice, and not too pricey.

If you want a CD changer - definately go factory (or dealer add).. aftermarket might give you compatibility headaches that aren't worth the few $ you save.

The C7 wheel package is very nice...even with the automatic.

I was in Winepeg once... long ago... beautiful city. :D

I'm not sure about TeleAid, but having a cell phone with 1-800-MERCEDES surely helps! I had a little problem today... called 1800Mercedes, they got my location down and said that I'll hear from someone within 15 minutes. In 10 minutes someone called me from the dealership and in 8 minutes they were looking at my car. Great Service, I'm pretty impressed.

I'm one of "those people" who don't have a cell. So there is TeleAid in my car. Hopefully, it'll never be used for emergency or trouble purposes. But it's nice to know it's there. One nice thing, they already know where you are, just in case the area is unknown to you.

Get a winter tire pkg for winterpeg plus the heated seats, especially if you have leather seats option.

Get a winter tire pkg for winterpeg plus the heated seats, especially if you have leather seats option.

the heatseat option will sure help :)
cold winters over here :cry:

what is the winter tire option?

C7 tires are useless on frozen surfaces. The standard all season tires are better. Four winter tires are best.

C7 tires are useless on frozen surfaces. The standard all season tires are better. Four winter tires are best.

so i shouldnt get the C7 option then, right?
cuz i dont want my car skating on icy roads :P

I would go for the C7 package and buy extra steel rims with winter tires - that's what I did and it was a good decision...
Otherwise get heated seats and the sunroof.

I would go for the C7 package and buy extra steel rims with winter tires - that's what I did and it was a good decision...
Otherwise get heated seats and the sunroof.

how much will it cost for the extra steel and tires?

I bought them from www.tirerack.com and paid about $680. Installed myself in about 30min.

is the bose sound system worth the cdn$1000?

is the bose sound system worth the cdn$1000?

I'm happy with mine, a car is about as imperfect listening environment as you can get, but the Bose system work pretty well. With the reduction in price of the CD changer, I'd consider one also.

If you looking to force your entertainment on other motorists and house dwelling humans than you will need to consider wasting bigger bucks on an aftermarket low frequency high distortion system.

well, i just got a 2003 C230 k for my christmas present and all i had to do was look at the car and pick a color. well, at the end i got a white one with an auto/ touch shift whatever that means, and a 1.8 liter one......i have no idea what's even standard for the car. all i have read online are the C230s with 2.3 Liters....did i just get like the cheapest type for my model? is that bad? i don't even know what heated seats are or any type of packages that are optional. sheesh, i don't even have a sunroof. sorry if i sound extra stupid but i don't know much about cars, so i'm glad that there is a forum. thanks. i feel like this when it comes to my car :?:

hlea34, all 2003 coupes,so far, have the 1.8 liter engines. It is a new family of engines know n as the M 274. It replaces the M 111 series of engines. The new engine has very slightly less power, but it is lighter, produces less pollution and uses less gas.

There is a new coupe being released this week with a 3.2 liter V6. It's price is over $2000 more, and the only difference is the engine.

Don't feel stupid. Everyone has things to learn. Stupid people don't try to learn them.

hlea34, all 2003 coupes,so far, have the 1.8 liter engines. It is a new family of engines know n as the M 274. It replaces the M 111 series of engines. The new engine has very slightly less power, but it is lighter, produces less pollution and uses less gas.

There is a new coupe being released this week with a 3.2 liter V6. It's price is over $2000 more, and the only difference is the engine.

Don't feel stupid. Everyone has things to learn. Stupid people don't try to learn them.

should i wait for the 3.2 v6 coupe then? when will this be release in canada?
and do you think it's worth $2000 more?

They should be available by the end of the month. No six speeds have been built yet, nor are any scheduled, at least for the US. The 320 will be slightly quicker, but otherwise there is no difference. The 320 was smoother than the 2.3, but the 1.8 should be just as smooth as the 3.2. If you are interested in modding the engine, the 1.8 should be easier and cheaper once the tuners start making pieces for it.

No six speeds have been built yet, nor are any scheduled, at least for the US.

six speeds as for manual transmission?

No six speeds have been built yet, nor are any scheduled, at least for the US.

six speeds as for manual transmission?

Yes, that is correct.

If your are considering a six speed the absolute must have is C7. It includes a short throw shifter, which is much better than the standard shifter. In my opinion the Panorama roof is a must have.

Hi folks, This is my first post here.
I just ordered a 2003 C230 k with:
6-speed manual trans
Pewter paint
Charcoal Leather seating (not heated)
No sunroof (it's a nice one, but I don't like them)
Poplar wood trim
COMAND
v60 phone (no voice command)
C4 bi-xenon lighting
Bose audio
CD changer

Can the shifter form the C7 package be added separately (I don't really want the 45 series tires (tyres) on the 17" rims)?

The dealership says it ought to be here about the middle of June.

Yes, it can be added. The cost should be about $400 plus labor.

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6774&highlight=shifter

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7125&highlight=shifter

http://www.zvolution.com/c230k/default.htm

I would highly recommend getting the sunroof and the changer. I have heard that the sunroof will help out later on as far as resale value. Most people want a sunroof, so you will get more for it if you decide to trade it in. As for the CD changer, I priced it like crazy and found that the factory player is really a great deal. I got it and LOVE it.

Sommer

I would highly recommend getting the sunroof and the changer. I have heard that the sunroof will help out later on as far as resale value. ... As for the CD changer, I priced it like crazy and found that the factory player is really a great deal. I got it and LOVE it.

Sommer

I am getting the CD changer. I was concerned about access to it from the driver's seat, but when I tried it at the dealer's I was able to open the glove box, open the changer, and eject the CD magazine without taking my eyes off the road -- so that issue was resolved.

As far as the sunroof is concerned, I simply don't like them. I also don't like cutting a hole in my car's roof for one. Yes, resale value will be lower without the sunroof, but I figure that this car will last me for the rest of my life (or close to it!), so resale value is not a prime factor to me. My '96 Mustang SVT Cobra has over 100k miles on it and is still running strong -- I expect the C230k to do at least as well.

This is becoming the longest three months in my life!