C230 Kompressor

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jastutte

Well-known member
Nov 10, 2009
467
75
When my daughter's '04 died(driveshaft to the transmission) we picked up a '02 C230 for cheap. fun little car.

Rear wheel drive with some traction control. I haven't driven a sedan/hatchback in 20 years, so I'm not used to sitting so low. Feels a little vunerable versus the Discovery's high stance and heavy, lumbering body. Still, great to drive around town and open up on the highway.

It's interesting to see German luxury( i know, the C230 was entry level) vs English luxury.
Of course, my only comparison is a '02 Kompressor and 2000 Range Rover. But the MB just seems a little more refined.

Anyone else have any experience with these little cars? Any maintenance issues or quirks similar to the D2s?
 
Blue

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,057
869
AZ
My wife had a C230 K from about the same era. Fun little car. She drove it like she stole it. Only issues were frequently burnt-out taillight bulbs from what I recall.
 
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pinkytoe69

pinkytoe69

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2012
1,692
183
minnesota
I had an '03 ML55 for about 30k miles...got rid of it at 220k.

I don't have experience with the 70's-90's heyday of Mercedes quality, but this certainly seemed a bit short of that reputation.

The engine was sweet, but the overall quality of the body and interior felt like the Chrysler influence was creeping in.

How is the engine? It's a turbo 4 right?
 
J

jastutte

Well-known member
Nov 10, 2009
467
75
pinkytoe69 said:
I had an '03 ML55 for about 30k miles...got rid of it at 220k.

I don't have experience with the 70's-90's heyday of Mercedes quality, but this certainly seemed a bit short of that reputation.

The engine was sweet, but the overall quality of the body and interior felt like the Chrysler influence was creeping in.

How is the engine? It's a turbo 4 right?
Click to expand...
engine is great. so, far. no turbo. the Kompressor is a supercharger.
i am having an issue where every 2-3 weeks the battery is too weak to start the car. really strange. guess i'll need to dive in with a multimeter.
from what I've read this is often caused by the power seats ecu not shutting down. but, this car has manual seats, so no easy unplug fix here.
 
Eliot

Eliot

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2008
736
47
Bozeman, MT
pinkytoe69 said:
I had an '03 ML55 for about 30k miles...got rid of it at 220k.

I don't have experience with the 70's-90's heyday of Mercedes quality, but this certainly seemed a bit short of that reputation.

The engine was sweet, but the overall quality of the body and interior felt like the Chrysler influence was creeping in.

How is the engine? It's a turbo 4 right?
Click to expand...

My first car was a W124, I've never seen another car that well built, or that well designed. From the cabin visibility, to the placement of the turn signal stalk, which was perfectly positioned for your fingers to flip, as you turned the wheel, to the button that flipped the rear headrest down, they thought of everything, and came up with what felt like the best solution.

My brother's daily driver is a 90, and the interior, it still looks brand new. Despite all the miles.
 
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B

bovw

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2006
3,129
13
54
Orange, VA
Here at the house, we currently have 2 Mercedes. A W202 C280 Sport that we got for our youngest son a couple years ago, has almost 280k on it, paid 1200. Daughter is driving it now that son bought a W210 E55 AMG. Both of these still have very nice interiors, unlike the D2 or the Jetta TDI. We’ve also been through 2 E39 BMW’s, both with manual transmissions. Both total led by deer, but great cars up that point. Second one had over 380k when it was hauled off.
 
B

bovw

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2006
3,129
13
54
Orange, VA
pinkytoe69 said:
I had a feeling it was not going to be a V8 😆

Did you start getting oil consumption at some point? Asking cuz I'm going through about a quart like every 800 miles in a 200k M54.
Click to expand...
No, it was running great. That car came from Will Tillery, and had been driven by a BMW regional manager on the east coast. I can’t speak to before I got it, which was over 300k. I’ve been told by my wife, if she ever gets another 5 speed E39, I’m not allowed to drive it. I was behind the wheel both times the deer were hit.
 
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