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Convince me to buy the C-230 Coupe!!!!

8214 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Beavis, 
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OK, This can be taken many ways, but I really didnt know how else to approach the subject.

I am buying a new car within 3 weeks. I have done some research and have narrowed it down to 3 cars.

2003 323ci BMW
2003 1.8T AUDI
2003 C-230 coupe MB

I am looking for opinions of the car,( C-230 ) And wether or not it met/aceeded your exspectations. I am a 22 y/o student that is in the fortunate position to own a car of this class early in my life. But I am looking for reasons that made you say * I have to have that car*

I am reading a few forums, adn trying to play the research role, but this may be a more direct way to get info.

Also, I'd love to see your C-230 and maybe list a few interesting stand out options.

Thanks so much, Scott K
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We shouldn't need to convince you to buy the car. Take the car out for a test drive and let it convince you on its own. If it doesn't convince you, honestly, don't buy it!
There are just too many pros about this car to list. So i'll just repost my earlier posting:

My $0.02.

JourneyS, a Benz is a Benz. An Acura is and Acura. If you think that the c230 is overpriced, by all means check out all the complete mercedes line-up and you will find that this car is an awesome buy for it's price. You sit inside the c230 and you definetely know it's a benz. The first time I test drived one, I couldn't beleive that it had such a low price tag. It has the same rock solid feel and workmanship as my S500 and that sells for over $100k. My c-class feels even more solid than my M-class and that sells for about $60k (I'm actually very dissapointed with the M-class, but that's a completely different topic). So if you feel that the c230 is overpriced, I think you need to reconsider that. When I sit inside an RSX, it still feels like a Honda to me. Don't get me wrong, the RSX is a great car if that is what you are looking for. But the Benz at this price, is also a great car for what it offers.

I'm not biased in the sense that I think that everyone should only be driving a benz, as I have a honda and a toyota, but I beleive that you should get the car that you feel the most comfortable and enjoyable in. I've considered a bunch of cars including the RSX, Celica, Solara and the S2000, but I liked the c230 the best. If you like the feel of driving a Mercedes (which I defeinetely do), get the c230. If you like the extremely sporty and racing feel in a Japanese car (which many of my friends do), get the RSX. The car and the enjoyment (and the money!!!) is yours so don't take any trash from anyone and pick the car that you like the best. The rest of us can give you an opinion of what they have experienced and it is a guide to help you decide whether the c230 is for you or not. Good luck with your decision and I'm really sorry for the long post!
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Let us know what you decide on and how the 3 cars compare ! :wink: [/url]
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DizzyDwarf, schedule back to back to back test drives of the three cars. Drive each one for at least 45 minutes on a variety of roads. Buy the one you like the best.

If your selection is the C230k, the must have options are the Panorama roof available with either the C2 or C5 option packages, and the C7 wheel package. C7 is especially important if you get a six speed.
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For pics check out http://www.csportcoupe.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=6

One additional note on the C230 Coupe, not everybody has one.
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J
prima facie case for a 230

Convince you to buy a c230?

Well, it’s up to you guy. I’ve owned a 911SC, RX-7, Jetta, Pathfinder, Acura Legend Coupe and then Sedan and some others thrown in for fun like a samurai (which was a riot off road).

By far the best car I’ve ever owned is this little coupe.

It’s not one thing in particular. It’s not performance certainly, because a ton of other cars can leave you behind. (If playing king of the hill is really your thing you should look elsewhere.) It’s the whole neat little package, designed by a genius in my opinion, that we all adore.

Looks great, feels great, drives great, stops great… it’s just great. (And Scott, believe an older guy who’s seen the years you’re just about to live, -that little car works on twenty-something babes like nothing I’ve owned before).

Why buy this car? Evidence abounds. Look around you here. People are spending their precious time typing away to strangers in the dark not about sex, money, power or politics, but a CAR. A car! Coupe drivers come to love this little car so much that we develop an immediate and nearly indelible affinity with all others that have this car too. It’s an absurd brotherhood, all of us trading stories, tips, anything that validates and reinforces our singular obsession with this little benz coupe.

Yes it’s a little alarming, and perhaps a little deviant, but all too common. Check out the MBWORLD forums and you’ll see that the C class (W203) http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=3 has just over 57,000 posts, 44,000 more than the next most popular forum. - People just love this car.

And chances are that you would too. If you buy a coupe, I’m sure I’ll be reading about your stereo upgrade or new 19 inch rims here in a few months.

Audi’s a fine car, but what do you need a four door for? And it’s a little austere. It’s a “Dad” car.
And the Bemer, well frankly, in my home town most Bemers are piloted by A-holes. Maybe not where you live, but around Toronto it’s pretty much the rule. BMW = “The ego has landed”. (No wise-cracks from our Calgary membership please!)

Whatever you buy, just don’t kill yourself in it, or somebody else for that matter. Good luck and take it easy.
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johnn
After reading, three C230 Coupe forums for over a year, what you wrote is the best damn description of our Coupes and why we like them that I have read. Well done. I am 59 going on 60 and raced back in the 70's and have driven a lot of quality cars over the years, but the Coupe sums up all those years in one nice afordable fun package.
Tom
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Thank you all to who replied

On Thursday I go for test drives of the Audi, and the C230.

I am predjudice already to the C230 because of the support I am receiving, and the fun that comes with owning a C230.


Scott
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oh come on johnn us folks in Calgary have to jab at TO egos when given the chance, come on...what I will say is all the benz owners I know in TO are way more down-to-earth then the bimmer owners...or at least as down to earth as folks get in TO :)
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C
Does BMW still make the 323Ci? I think 2000 was the last year, maybe they market it in places where people are less than 6 foot, the car had zero headroom. Maybe you shouldn't for go the Benz for now, at 22 you would have less to look forward to later in life. On the other hand if you did go for it now, your memories would be better. :wink:
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:idea: The C230 is more easily tuned than either of the others you are considering. Less than a grand can get you an additional 50 hp and then this littled car is truly wonderful! Get the C7 package with a 6-speed.
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freds733 said:
:idea: The C230 is more easily tuned than either of the others you are considering. Less than a grand can get you an additional 50 hp and then this littled car is truly wonderful! Get the C7 package with a 6-speed.
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The Audi 1.8T is much more easily tuned than than a C230k, especially a 2003 C230k. There are currently no parts available for the M271 engine.
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Lynn said:
freds733 said:
:idea: The C230 is more easily tuned than either of the others you are considering. Less than a grand can get you an additional 50 hp and then this littled car is truly wonderful! Get the C7 package with a 6-speed.
Click to expand...
The Audi 1.8T is much more easily tuned than than a C230k, especially a 2003 C230k. There are currently no parts available for the M271 engine.
Click to expand...
On the 2003, youre SOL currently- although an intercooler and exhaust could probably net you 15-20HP.

The 2002, OTOH has just about the best HP vs $ upgrade path around.

The VW1.8T is a great motor if you just want to turn up the boost and make gobs of HP! But its a sedan...you'll have plenty of time later in life to drive a 4 door :)
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hey I'm new here and I'm also tryin to decide between a benz and a vw motor, but mine comes i the form of a gti not an a4. for 35 grand canadian I can walk out the door with a fully loaded (leather sunroof spoiler sport exhaust auto dimming mirrors heated seats and tax included) gti or I could pony up and pay for the extras and get the m benz. They are both coupes, but the gti vr6 is a 6.4 second car. a full second faster than the m-benz. I'm all for mercedes style and qaulity but ( and I realize this is a biased group) in what ways do you feel the mercedes is worth the 6-7 grand extra it would be for a comprably equiped c239 coupe?

(holy run on sentence batman) that was a long questin but I thought I'd make my first one a good one.
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Benz is all about safety, great brakes, style, reliability, respect...


8)
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Also resale value, and far and few between, it's nice to be different
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If you are going to get a GTI, get the 1.8 Turbo. It can be turned into a rocket for just a few bucks. It is much cheaper and easier to tune than the V6.

For me the VW, along with several other cars, was eliminated from consideration as soon as I discovered several RWD cars in my price range.
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Even though these posts are rather old.. I must echo Johnn's response. I went through some serious thought before buying the C230K. Mostly, because I drive 100 miles/day commuting and my 2000 Jetta TDI gave me great mileage and was very dependable.
I gave in to my wants and traded for the C230K, and haven't looked back. This car is awesome! Great power, great handling (especially with the C7 package), and the comfort and ammenities abound. Economy is still respectable enough for the commute. And the bottom line is... it's a Benz.
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Even though these posts are rather old.. I must echo Johnn's response. I went through some serious thought before buying the C230K. Mostly, because I drive 100 miles/day commuting and my 2000 Jetta TDI gave me great mileage and was very dependable.
I gave in to my wants and traded for the C230K, and haven't looked back. This car is awesome! Great power, great handling (especially with the C7 package), and the comfort and ammenities abound. Economy is still respectable enough for the commute. And the bottom line is... it's a Benz.
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