In fact, it's a hatchback, just like the cheap economy cars that were so popular in the 1980s and early '90s. And, although the brilliant Mercedes marketing department named the C230 a "sports coupe," don't be fooled - it's not a coupe. Even the paltry Ford Focus hatchback comes with a six-disc changer.Īnother cost cutter is the C230's back end, which was chopped seven inches shorter than the C-class sedan that costs $5,000 more. Worst of all, especially considering that the C230 is aimed at a younger crowd, it doesn't come with a standard CD player. It also retains some of the big Benzes' idiosyncrasies, like a door lock switch on the center console and power window switches low on the door. Leather seats, which still don't feel as supple as the cowhide on high-end models, add $1,410 to the price. So where did Mercedes cut corners? The most obvious answer is in the interior, where cheap-looking plastics cover the dash and manually adjusted cloth seats are standard. A total of eight air bags protect front- and rear-seat passengers - two front air bags, two side air curtains and four side air bags. Mercedes-Benz obviously had to cut some corners to keep the price so low, but it retains the vault-like feel and top-of-the-line safety features expected in a high-end hatchback. A slick six-speed manual gearbox is available to please purist drivers. Aggressive thrusts on the accelerator bring aggressive shifts that let the engine wind up, while more lethargic driving is met with earlier shifts that save fuel. A five-speed automatic, which adds $1,300 to the sticker price, is capable of monitoring the driver's habits and shifting accordingly. Two transmissions are offered, both of which lean toward the sporty side. A noisy, metallic clicking sound during acceleration seems very undignified for a car with such a luxurious nameplate. But if the engine's feel is French cuisine, its sound is more like Mickey D's. The 192-horsepower, supercharged four-cylinder engine sends plenty of force to the rear wheels, with power coming smooth and even throughout the rev range. Its suspension is fairly soft, but it still injects confidence for spirited driving or emergency lane changes. The expensive Benzes sometimes feel like they're riding atop a giant marshmallow, but the little hatchback version has a much more intimate feel on the road. This emphasis on youth goes beyond price, as the C230 feels much livelier than its big cousins. The 2002 C230 Kompressor starts at an affordable $24,950, a price perfect for young professionals more interested in the big game than in big stock portfolios. Just mentioning the name conjures up images of supreme luxury - palatial houses, courteous servants, fine wine - the best of everything.īut the Mercedes vernacular is changing from "please pass the caviar" to "yo, wassup" as the carmaker courts younger buyers who don't have deep pockets. No issues since last update - still running strong.If ever a brand had cachet, it would be Mercedes-Benz. Update October 2016: Just turned 68K miles. So far, I have not had need to use the extended warranty. I discovered a small crack in one of the rear wheels which was replaced with one I purchased used online. I serviced front and rear brakes (purchased OEM parts online) - a relatively straightforward job. I performed routine maintenance and inspections since the CEL issues I had shortly after I purchased the car. Update April 2016: Overall I have been pleased with this car. Expensive (over $2K), but warranty covered all but $150. Still running strong although I did use the extended warranty last year. Overall a positive experience.Īn update: Car now has 72,000 miles on it. In the five years I drove it, the only major repairs were what I described previously. The rear end damage was extensive enough for the insurance company to declare it totaled. Update 10/6/19: In the spring of this year the car was hit while parked in a lot. Recently purchased an extended warranty - just in case. Since then, the car has run nicely - although I do get high speed vibration on certain stretches of highway (probably due the the low profile tires). A month later a coolant pipe … began leaking at the rear of the cylinder head (I replaced this myself). The 1.8L engine had a cam sensor design flaw which leaked oil into the harness (cam sensor seals were replaced under a MB recall by previous owner, but not the oil saturated harness). Within a month the CEL came on and required a new engine harness and two O2 sensors to repair. I purchased this 2004 C230 Sedan Sport one year ago with about 56K miles on it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |