First car? c230k

The European Union has far tougher crash tests than the US Department of Transportation or the insurance companies. Only two cars have scored five stars on those crash tests, and one is the Mercedes C-class. The other car is not sold in the US. If you buy the the C230k, you will be driving the safest car in the United States. As far as too small, the car is the exact same car as the sedans with 7" of trunk removed. The car weighs over 3300 pounds. Don't forget that Mercedes Benz invented energy absorbing crumple zones.

The somewhat shorter size shouldn't be a problem. One of our members, timmyboyC230, was stopped when he was hit from behind by a loaded oil tanker doing 40 mph. He only suffered some minor injuries, and the car was not totaled. It was rebuilt.

Some of the safety features of this car include the Electronic Stability Program which reduces the likelyhood of skids and spins, and a brake system which has more than just anti-lock brakes. It has a feature which senses panic stops and takes over from the driver to stop the car in extremely short distances, much shorter than even the best driver can accomplish. The car has not just two airbags for frontal collisions, but two in each door and one on each side of the rear seats to provide protection against side impacts and roll overs. It also has automatic seatbelt tensioners which tighten the belts when an impact is sensed.

Going back to crash ratings, I believe the Audi scores poorly on the EU tests. The RSX won't offer the crash protecton of the MB nor will the VW. They are fine cars, but don't have the safety features. The Camry is an old folks car. And I mean old folks compared to my 50 years of age.

The rear blind spots are caused by the large C pillars which form part of the roll over structure. The blind spots can be reduced or eliminated by the proper adjustment of the side mirrors.

Your parents want you in the safest possible car and you want an attractive, sporty yet practical car. The C230k is the best choice. And, no, I am not employed by MB or any dealers, not do I have any investments in the same. I am just a very pleased owner of a C230k.

Welcome to the board, and good luck on your car buying experience.

Thanks Lynn

Its interesting to hear the differences between Europe and North America. Sounds like you guys generally get treated pretty well even though you don't have the full range of engines available (who wants less than the 230K anyway though!).

I'm having some argy bargy with my dealer at the moment as although Mercedes have dropped the base price of the C230K by around £1,200 in the UK, they have changed the spec and option prices so that for me to take away the car that I want I now have to pay an additional £1,100 for the extras - therefore price cut is pretty irrelevant. Am v angry, especially as the dealer is also trying to stiff me on the trade in price for my old car. Have basically made my demands and told him I'll walk away and leave him with a £30,000 car that he'll struggle to sell (as its built to my spec) if I have to (which I actually will). Pretty sure he'll come round but if not - oh well. I can always wait six months and get a TVR or a cheapish Porsche!!

Any advice on how to pressure the dealer would be much appreciated, though he did seem to be panicking slightly when I spoke to him yesterday!

Good news.

After the doom and gloom of my previous messages, my dealer finally got back to me today and after a major turn around has accomodated me on just about everything I wanted deal wise on my new car - I knew I wasn't being unreasonable!!

They confirmed that my car is now in the UK at the dealership (do I sneak round there at the weekend and ruin the surprise or not?!) and they are putting together the finishing touches such as the paint/interior protection.

So, subject to me approving the Sequentronic gearbox (mentioned very positively in an article linked by a message on another topic on this board) I shall be driving off in my new toy in just over three weeks time 8O

Even more astonishing is that my insurance company has also pulled its socks up and dropped £400 of the insurance quote they gave me three days ago. Must be something in the summer air - either that or there's a bus waiting round the corner to run me over - things are just going too well! :wink:

Anyway, will fill you in on the juicy details once I pick the car up. How can I post pictures on the board? - thought you might like to see the Evolution AMG trim in the flesh.

GUY

Hey,

I too am in the exact same position as you in that I am looking for a car in the 25k range. My options have been:

The Celica GTS - Overpriced
The Subaru WRX - Ugly
VW GTI - Shoebox on wheels

And I have narrowed it down to these:

MBZ C230K
Acura RSX Type S
Nissan 350Z

The Nissan seems to be the most powerful, but goes for well over MSRP right now. The MBZ is not very powerful, but makes up with luxury. And the Acura seems like a nice blend of each.

I will only take a manual (once you have one, you never go back), so the Acura may be the best choice for me in the end. Also, just by skimming this forum, I have noticed a LOT of complaints on this car. RSX forums are not this bad AT ALL! ( www.clubrsx.com + www.rsxworld.com ).

Dont get me wrong, I am not saying that this is not a good car. I have pulled up next to one in my SUV quite a few times and they do sound nice indeed. Plus the luxury of a MBZ at a price many can afford is also an added incentive.

I say to test drive the cars that appeal to you and read up all that you can. I have to say after reading what I have, I am not so impressed with the Kompressor as I think I should have been. Oh well, it all comes down to those magical 10 minutes where youre in control. Find out EXACTLY what car you are looking for and take it from there. I honestly suggest that you look farther into the RSX though. The type S can smoke a Kompressor easy (but then again, MBZ doesnt claim to make performance cars), but that may not be what you are looking for.

Best of luck

Journey5 said:

Hey,

I too am in the exact same position as you in that I am looking for a car in the 25k range. My options have been:

The Celica GTS - Overpriced
The Subaru WRX - Ugly
VW GTI - Shoebox on wheels

And I have narrowed it down to these:

MBZ C230K
Acura RSX Type S
Nissan 350Z

The Nissan seems to be the most powerful, but goes for well over MSRP right now. The MBZ is not very powerful, but makes up with luxury. And the Acura seems like a nice blend of each.

I will only take a manual (once you have one, you never go back), so the Acura may be the best choice for me in the end. Also, just by skimming this forum, I have noticed a LOT of complaints on this car. RSX forums are not this bad AT ALL! ( www.clubrsx.com + www.rsxworld.com ).

Dont get me wrong, I am not saying that this is not a good car. I have pulled up next to one in my SUV quite a few times and they do sound nice indeed. Plus the luxury of a MBZ at a price many can afford is also an added incentive.

I say to test drive the cars that appeal to you and read up all that you can. I have to say after reading what I have, I am not so impressed with the Kompressor as I think I should have been. Oh well, it all comes down to those magical 10 minutes where youre in control. Find out EXACTLY what car you are looking for and take it from there. I honestly suggest that you look farther into the RSX though. The type S can smoke a Kompressor easy (but then again, MBZ doesnt claim to make performance cars), but that may not be what you are looking for.

Best of luck

Click to expand...

Journey5,

You might want to rethink your decision about the RSX-S. I own a 2002 RSX Type S and I can't wait to get rid of it. Sure, it's a blast to drive...when it's working right. I have had nothing but problems with the 6-speed transmission as have most other Type S owners. Check the Service Bulletin for the tranny that was issued back in July @ http://www.rsxworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2738 You'll see my posting on that site too under this same ID. I had this TSB applied to my car and it worked great for about 10 miles and then went back to the way it was before the TSB was applied. The 6'er, on many of the Type S's, grinds when you shift from 1st-2nd. Mine is really bad. Basically it is the worst shifting car that I have ever owned, and I have been driving a variety of stickshifts for 12+ years. My Type S has also had an oil leaked that I have had repaired 3 times unsuccessfully and I think that it is leaking again now. The SRS light for the passenger airbag comes on constantly too. The ride in the Type-S, while sporty, is EXTREMELY uncomfortable on trips longer than 1 hour. YOU FEEL EVERY CRACK IN THE ROAD. You have to test drive it to understand what I am talking about. I can tell you that I have driven this car up to the red line many times and it absolutely loves it. It is very harsh on the driver and occupants though. VERY loud, stiff, and jarring. The stereo is awful on this car too. No bass at all. The sub in the truck is only 5.5" and is almost totally unheard/felt except when at a stop light or when the engine is off. The excessive road noise completely kills the stereo. Might as well turn it off if driving over 80mph.

Sure the RSX has 200hp. But that is only achieved at 7400rpm and its weak 142lbft of torque is only reached at 6000rpm. The engine almost chokes at anything less than 3000rpm. The C230K has only 11hp less, but 50lbft more torque and at a much lower rpm. I have not driven a C230K but I am VERY much looking forward to it.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the RSX.

I dont claim to know everything, and I easily may be wrong.

I thought the problems with the RSX were in a SPECIFIC VIN range, therfore causing me to think that the new ones were good to go. Besides, if I do get one, I will want a 2003 since they are not too far around the corner.

The thing that REALLY turns me off about the Mercedes is that leather is 1.5k more after an already steep MSRP. The RSX is loaded at 24k. The equivalent model C230 is 29k...over 4k difference. Now I am not saying that it is a bad car, by all means no. But you have to consider the pricing. I refuse to lease and I dont want to pay such high monthly costs if a similar car is so much less.

Ideally id own the 350Z, C230K AND the RSX Type S. But that isnt going to happen. I think after a test drive I will make up my mind. But driving in a piece of shit (cloth and no moonroof) will not be the best of times. Also, this car is not my main one. I also have a Camry and an Explorer, so I doubt I will do many Hour+ trips.

The only problem I see with the RSX is the EXTREMELY short shifts. Blowing your engine does not seem difficult at all, and for someone who is not a pro at driving, this worries me. However, it is a nice car on the whole and I believe it is DEFINITELY worth it.

If I could get a MBZ with navigation system, moonroof, and leather for under 25k it would be a very very strong contender. Hell, id probably buy it in an instant. However, I can get the RSX Type S for 21.5-22.5k, saving myself quite a bit of money.

Sure the car may be better, but if money doesnt count, then id be driving a 1000HP Viper, trust me.

Please do let me know the exact problems with your RSX and if it did fall into the category of "problematic VINs"

Heh, well this is MY first car. Parents have decided that I can get one as soon as I get my license and needless to say, I have done my research.

For a first car, this seems excellent. Keep in mind im not looking to get the best fucken car out on the market...just one that can suit me as a daily driver AND provide me with some racing capabilities.

Im surprised you dont like the RSX. It is an amazing value for the dollar, and that is what makes it great. Plus its Acura...not Subaru which is a big difference. (WRX owners, sorry if you take it the wrong way, but I wouldnt even CONSIDER driving one...let alone owning one. True you may have the faster car, but I look for more in my car than just speed.)

I suppose I may consider the Mercedes IF AND ONLY IF I can get moonroof, navigation system, and leather for under 25k...but that doesnt seem very likely. So I think I will get an RSX Type S and in all honesty, thats perfectly fine with me.

Besides, I like BMWs more than Mercedes (in general) anyway. True Mercedes has status, but an M5....enough said.

Sorry to Mercedes and WRX owners that may have taken this the wrong way. I dont wanna start a flame war and if one does come up, im not participating lol .

Ideally id take a BMW X5 or an M3, but those are far out of my price range...so it leaves me back to this classic debate upon which we have started lol. I was actually debating between leasing an X5 and owning a Type S...in the end i figured owning was the way to go.

Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts...