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I am considering purchasing a 2003 C230K sport sedan. Does anyone out there own one? What are your opinions after owning the car? 
Thanks!
Thanks!
C230K Sport Sedan
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I bought my coupe last tuesday and wow...
I test drove the sedan and it is very sweet......You cant go wrong and it comes with the 17" evolution tires. sweet
Well at least up here in canada...
I test drove the sedan and it is very sweet......You cant go wrong and it comes with the 17" evolution tires. sweet
Well at least up here in canada...
I've had my C230 Sport Sedan for 4 weeks (2500miles) now, and I love the car.
Mileage is up to 30.9 mpg @ average speed of 73mph (from trip computer). Getting better as the car breaks in.
I got the sedan because I've got two kids and a wife to haul around (safely). This car hauls the family perfectly, yet is still a rush down a twisty road (ex-road racer too). My job calls for travelling, and it certainly is comfortable on a 6.5 hour drive.
Yes, it is slower than the C320, but unless you're running for pink slips, you really won't notice the difference. I looked at purchasing the C320Sport Sedan, but couldn't justify financing an additional 12 months at $60/month more than for the C230. The sticker difference alone was $8K (32k for C230, $39.9k for C320, both with C2, cd changer, 320 had metallic paint).
If you read the forums, some guys have had problems with their cars (mostly electronic), but I haven't found anything to complain about . The car is solid, safe, stylish, fun, economical, quick (enough), and will have a great resale.
In short, it's a great car for a great price. No complaints, and it's only getting better . . .
Mileage is up to 30.9 mpg @ average speed of 73mph (from trip computer). Getting better as the car breaks in.
I got the sedan because I've got two kids and a wife to haul around (safely). This car hauls the family perfectly, yet is still a rush down a twisty road (ex-road racer too). My job calls for travelling, and it certainly is comfortable on a 6.5 hour drive.
Yes, it is slower than the C320, but unless you're running for pink slips, you really won't notice the difference. I looked at purchasing the C320Sport Sedan, but couldn't justify financing an additional 12 months at $60/month more than for the C230. The sticker difference alone was $8K (32k for C230, $39.9k for C320, both with C2, cd changer, 320 had metallic paint).
If you read the forums, some guys have had problems with their cars (mostly electronic), but I haven't found anything to complain about . The car is solid, safe, stylish, fun, economical, quick (enough), and will have a great resale.
In short, it's a great car for a great price. No complaints, and it's only getting better . . .
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Sounds Great
Thanks, dmatre, for your thoughtful reply. I, too, have some kids to shuttle around occasionally (although we have a Honda Odyssey for most of that), so the C230K sedan will be mostly my "to work" car.
Question--did you get the 5 speed automatic or 6 manual? How do you like either one that you have?
Thanks, dmatre, for your thoughtful reply. I, too, have some kids to shuttle around occasionally (although we have a Honda Odyssey for most of that), so the C230K sedan will be mostly my "to work" car.
Question--did you get the 5 speed automatic or 6 manual? How do you like either one that you have?
I got the automatic. The transmission is VERY nice for an auto gearbox. I do miss a manual when bending the car down an off-ramp, as an auto is never as crisp as a manual when you pick up the throttle - but for my real-world requirements, the auto was the better choice.
I live in Charlotte, NC. Traffic is getting worse by the day. Some days I'm on the freeway for 30 minutes to go 4 miles. On these days, it is really nice to have the auto.
Which transmisison is better depends entirely on your preferences and your driving style. I think that both transmissions have their advantages, and their disadvantages.
I live in Charlotte, NC. Traffic is getting worse by the day. Some days I'm on the freeway for 30 minutes to go 4 miles. On these days, it is really nice to have the auto.
Which transmisison is better depends entirely on your preferences and your driving style. I think that both transmissions have their advantages, and their disadvantages.
Thanks for the impressions. I'm in the market for a C230 Sport Sedan too, but there is hardly any information out there. I'm waiting for magazine reviews, but this car sounds great. I love the standard 17s, leather sport seats and other Benz luxury amenities. I'm looking at a 6-speed manual (my first), black paint with bi-xenons as the only option.
You will probably have to special-order the car, as according to the dealer I bought from, there were no cars with bi-xenon in the states at the time I bought, because dealers saw them as "low-line" cars, and didn't order with many options.
My car has the C2 package (sunroof, autodimming mirrors, etc.), and the CD changer (black paint, charcoal interior).
I really wanted the bi-xenons, but didn't want to wait 3-4 months for a custom order. To be honest, the normal headlights are so much better than other halogen headlights, that I don't really miss not having them. The light output/distribution, even with the "cheap" headlights is still far and away better than on any other car I've driven.
In fact, I haven't found a single place where the car is lacking, compared to other cars I've driven. For the price, I don't think that there is another car out there that can match it in luxury, performance, build quality, ride, safety devices (ABS, BAS, ESP, 8 air bags, etc.), and all of the other small details that you don't notice until you drive a car without them.
My car has the C2 package (sunroof, autodimming mirrors, etc.), and the CD changer (black paint, charcoal interior).
I really wanted the bi-xenons, but didn't want to wait 3-4 months for a custom order. To be honest, the normal headlights are so much better than other halogen headlights, that I don't really miss not having them. The light output/distribution, even with the "cheap" headlights is still far and away better than on any other car I've driven.
In fact, I haven't found a single place where the car is lacking, compared to other cars I've driven. For the price, I don't think that there is another car out there that can match it in luxury, performance, build quality, ride, safety devices (ABS, BAS, ESP, 8 air bags, etc.), and all of the other small details that you don't notice until you drive a car without them.
You're right. I passed by the dealer after work and that car is incredible. The sales guy said the same thing, that any car with bi-xenons will have to be special ordered.
On a side note, when I mentioned I planned to look at internet pricing, the salesman seemed to get annoyed and said I was wasting his time if I wasn't going to buy the car from him. :evil: I got pissed and told him EXCUSE ME, but I didn't ask or need his help to just look at the car and that he could leave me alone. Before I left, I told him that if I did buy the car, he most definitely would not be getting my business or any commission. Why do these guys have to be jerks?
To end on a positive note, I totally love the C230 and plan on getting one once I save enough down.
On a side note, when I mentioned I planned to look at internet pricing, the salesman seemed to get annoyed and said I was wasting his time if I wasn't going to buy the car from him. :evil: I got pissed and told him EXCUSE ME, but I didn't ask or need his help to just look at the car and that he could leave me alone. Before I left, I told him that if I did buy the car, he most definitely would not be getting my business or any commission. Why do these guys have to be jerks?
To end on a positive note, I totally love the C230 and plan on getting one once I save enough down.
I bought my C230 Sport Coupe on Dec 30 (just in time to take great advantage of it being the last leftover 2002 they had). It was well equiped with the the C2 and C7 packages and auto-trans, and I have since added the Motorola V60 phone system (awesome). When the sedan was introduced, I almost wished I had waited, but truthfully I love the coupe. I drive 100+ miles per day commuting and it is very comfortable. I'm sure the sedan is even more so. I might look at that in two years when it's time to trade...
Sorry to hear about some people's bad experiences with salesmen. The people at my dealership are excellent and I have no complaints. Unfortunately car salesmen are pretty nomadic and you're bound to get some jerks anywhere. You should complain to the management of the dealership. I believe that Mercedes-Benz strives for a higher standard and they shouldn't tolerate the bad PR.
If you decide to buy the sedan - enjoy it, and let us know how you like it.
Sorry to hear about some people's bad experiences with salesmen. The people at my dealership are excellent and I have no complaints. Unfortunately car salesmen are pretty nomadic and you're bound to get some jerks anywhere. You should complain to the management of the dealership. I believe that Mercedes-Benz strives for a higher standard and they shouldn't tolerate the bad PR.
If you decide to buy the sedan - enjoy it, and let us know how you like it.
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just got my c230 sport sedan
I love the car. I hope it is reliable. I bought from laguna Niguel by el toro in cali. The sales people were ok but they tried screwing me in apr. luckily i got private financing and could tell them to take a hike. I think i got the car for a good deal. I got a black ex with charcoal int, automatic, and a c2 package for 30k before taxes. Its a sweet car.
Late
I love the car. I hope it is reliable. I bought from laguna Niguel by el toro in cali. The sales people were ok but they tried screwing me in apr. luckily i got private financing and could tell them to take a hike. I think i got the car for a good deal. I got a black ex with charcoal int, automatic, and a c2 package for 30k before taxes. Its a sweet car.
Late
Re: just got my c230 sport sedan
Congrats on the car! I can't believe how much stuff they give you in the new Sports Sedan and I can't think of any logical reason to buy the more expensive, but less powerful C240. BTW: The dealership I went to was South Bay Mercedes on PCH (SoCal) and the salesman was an Armenian guy who seemed too busy to be bothered with customers.
Congrats on the car! I can't believe how much stuff they give you in the new Sports Sedan and I can't think of any logical reason to buy the more expensive, but less powerful C240. BTW: The dealership I went to was South Bay Mercedes on PCH (SoCal) and the salesman was an Armenian guy who seemed too busy to be bothered with customers.
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that is funny, because the sales man i dealt with was armenian too. He seemed like a decent person though. The weasel out of all of this was the finance person. In the end it did not matter.
Go for it!!!
Unfortunatly, I dont have mine yet, only a few more weeks I was all set to buy a c240 when these came in. I drove it and what can I say the rest is history. IMO it's much better than the 240. Unlike others I thought if I was going to spend that much for the car I might as well wait and get the bi-xenon lights. Sure you can get them afterwards but w/ no self leveling and a bill of about $1000 (just for the lights). anyhow only a month and a half wait (they were able to change a car the week before it started production).
Apart from me, everyone I have heard about is completly impressed and love their 230k sedan. To date I have only heard great things however, it still is a new car and lynn is right, not many people own them yet. But after their new commercial I think that might be changing.
Best of luck!
Unfortunatly, I dont have mine yet, only a few more weeks
I was all set to buy a c240 when these came in. I drove it and what can I say the rest is history. IMO it's much better than the 240. Unlike others I thought if I was going to spend that much for the car I might as well wait and get the bi-xenon lights. Sure you can get them afterwards but w/ no self leveling and a bill of about $1000 (just for the lights). anyhow only a month and a half wait (they were able to change a car the week before it started production). Apart from me, everyone I have heard about is completly impressed and love their 230k sedan. To date I have only heard great things however, it still is a new car and lynn is right, not many people own them yet. But after their new commercial I think that might be changing.
Best of luck!
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