This question may sound foolish, but, what would you get for mare $15K (aka $13.5 K USD)

I am considering buying a 1999-2000 c230 Kmopressor, I have seen a few, ones with good body, ones with perfect body, ones with OK interior, ones with great interior, ones with perfect interior and OK body.......etc.. (I guess the engine should be excluded from the conversations).... etc... I think you get the idea.

I would like to know what anyone else thinks about getting a Mercedes C230 Kompressor as opposed to getting some other Mercedes (or) as opposed to getting something else.

It just seems that I am unable to make up my mind between a C230 K or something else (US vehicles are out of the question, except maybe a Mitsubishi or a Chrysler, maybe I am wrong). I definitely don't want a brand brand new vehicle because of obvious reasons (at least to me). I guess I am looking for the "holy grail" (not meant literally) which could be anything I guess (other than what is already excluded)....

Thanks to anyone who answers, I value the most bitter honesty utterly above sweetened lie/deception/fraud/counterfeit ....etc... I think you get the idea.

Thanks to all/any who reply.

Cheers.

I have a 99 c230k it's a great car has good power, handels well, and gets about 30mpg. You May want to check out www.club202.com its a good site for the w202 cars. Ross

Thanks for the suggesting club202.com, I searched their forums for "tranny" and "transmission" and read most of the threads.

I guess I would change the transmission fluid in my C230K (1999 or 2000) if I bought one but I guess this is no guaranty to prevent a premature failure. Peoples experiences documented in the treads (at club202.com) are insightful but bread more confusion in the mind of someone (like myself) who is considering buying a used C230K with (110000 km) ~62000 mil. on the clock.

I guess the automatic transmissions will never be as reliable as the standard ones.....

I think I am going to have to think about buying the C230K a little bit longer.

I wonder what it may cost to have a (just in case if it happens) a C230K transmission rebuilt at a independent shop which specializes in MB. I guess if that price is not to scary I will become more convinced that C230K is the right machine to get.

Cheers,

Christopher.

My W202 C280 has been with us from new. Aside from a leaking head gasket and faulty wiring harness, its been problem free. There was a flaw in the design of the head gasket, which can be corrected by replacing the original gasket with a re-designed one from MB. Im not sure if that was also a problem with the C230.

I have been thinking about getting another W202 myself, and after driving the 6cyl variant I have to say that i didnt like the way the C230K delivered its power- the four cylinder feels grainy and un-refined, where as the 6cyl is smoother and more athletic in its power delivery. While they both boast siimilar performance figures, they acheive these numbers very differently...

Before you decide on the C230K, try out a C280. MPG will be slightly less, but not by much. A c280 will feel much more refined, and perhaps more entertaining. I also like the slightly more toned grunt from the exhaust. Im definitely going to get anothher C280 if i get another W202. Either that or a C43!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


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