(exception to my temporary self-imposed MS hiatis)

im thinking about upgrading my W202, and am soliciting for advice/opinions about:

C-280 sport VS C-230-komp sport

more exactly, I6/V6 vs 4-komp, and the 5-speed autobox.

my current W202 is a 95 C-280 with I6 and 4-speed abox at 96K miles.
it got the M104 head gasket treatment (dealer) at approx 60K,
and it has a suspect looking (but no probs) wiring harness.
its a good car: great mech and visual condition,
good performance and economy, rides like a dream on hwy.

however, it does lack a few items that i would like to have,
but would be cost prohibitive to retro-fit.

1- sport suspension items
2- side air-bags
3- traction
4- glass roof
5- two-tone "sport" interior
6- keyless entry and remote trunk release

these are the choices:

96- same mech (inline 6 with 4-speed)
97- 5-speed autobox available
98-00 V6 engine/5-speed (M???) and airbags
or
C-230-k with 4-banger kompressor engine (M???)

im not crazy about the carbon fiber trim, except that
it is ABSOLUTELY *****in when paired with the 2-tone "sport" interior.

ive driven inline MB's for over 12 years:
300-D-turbo, W124, and my current W202. (and BMW 535-i)

i am unsure about the V-6 and somewhat uneasy the K-4,
and have read unflattering comments about the "adaptive" (possibly only early?) 5-speed autobox.

any suggestions or sage advice?

thanks, - benton

got a '00 C230 SE that we love. Sport suspension, 2-tone interior, all the goodies. It's been a great car so far with 58k miles on it.

clarification: 230 komp sedan, not coupe

if anyone is feeling generous enough to add the $ differential...

i will gladly add C-43 AMG to my shopping list!

my current W202

Attached Thumbnails

 

I had a 2000 C240 sport auto and it was a great car. Did about 60k miles in 18 months without any problems. The V-6 makes a nice noise, was smooth enough for me (I'd traded up from a C200 sport), and the 5sp transmission was excellent (mine had tipfunction but it's the same box). My car had black leather (part perforated) and the mock carbon fibre trim. I liked that. The door trims on the side air bag models are not as nice as the eralier ones.

Here it is:




I far preferred the V-6 to the I-4 kompressor in my mother's SLK; although that is a very torquey motor it is not very refined and becomes a little tiresome after a while.

However, there is a post in the tech help section about harmonic balancer failure on the V-6 (mainly 3.2litre motors, though). I've also heard the V-6 is less smooth than the I-6. That said, the V-6 won numerous awards on its release including Ward's Best Engine.

__________________
JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190