The Troublemaking Mercedes-Benz C230

The Troublemaking Mercedes-Benz C230

The Mercedes Benz C230 is a solid luxury car which belongs to the Mercedes Benz division of the Daimler AG. The C320 is one of the versions of Mercedes Benz compact executive-sized sedan C-Class series. This car was first introduced in 1997 and was manufactured as a sports-oriented vehicle in year 1999 and 2000. The C320 versions of the C-Class are quite reliable vehicles but with a few electrical problems. 1997 Models: In some cases the EC indicator of the 1997 C320, lighted up and lead into problems relating to air conditioner refrigerant. This can be easily repaired by replacing the refrigerant pressure sensor. 1998 Models: Some 1998 C-Class models like C320 were fitted with batteries from popular car accessory producer Hoppecke. Later, these batteries caused huge problems in the car. The schedule of maintenance of the battery may be less than it required to keep the correct electrolyte levels that the element required. When the electrolyte level was low, it resulted in speeding up of battery grid growth, which in turn increased the chances of battery damage, flashing and bursting.

The dealers will replace the battery under the factory recall. They will also fix a schedule to the battery chamber so that you don't forget about its maintenance. 1999 Models: The 1999 C320 series also suffered from the same battery related problems as the 1998 models. This problem required immediate battery replacement and a proper schedule allotment. 2000 Models: Fortunately, no major defects were reported in the 2000 C320 models. There were always some problems with the mass air flow sensor in any Mercedes C320 model. This problem resulted in glowing of the "Check Engine" light and it also caused other problems in the car which were related to its performance. It also caused off-idle hesitations during winters or cold conditions. In these cases it is required replace the mass air flow sensor. The biggest conclusion that we can draw from the above statements is the fact that this series of C-Class models manufactured by Mercedes Benz would require a very costly maintenance regime. However, these problems are mostly avoidable. A C-Class can be purchased at a comparatively lower price because they have a low resale value than other models. Sports loving people may look for the very stylish Kompresser model. If you are interested in buying any C230 version then just check the CARFAX report before sealing the best deal.

Prime competitors for the all-wheel-drive C300 are the BMW 430i xDrive, the Cadillac ATS coupe AWD, the Audi A5 Sport, and the Infiniti Q60 2.0t AWD (the Lexus RC200t doesn鈥檛 offer AWD). 2000鈥攁nd mass to the curb weight. On our scales, the C300 tested here weighed 3789 pounds, up 157 from the rear-drive model. This Benz also weighs at least 100 pounds more than the aforementioned competitors from BMW and Cadillac. Don鈥檛 mistake the C300鈥檚 high style for an indication that it鈥檚 a tire-burning pulse pounder in the mold of the similar-looking C-class AMGs; rather, its sleek lines denote a more genteel personality. Under the hood is an intercooled turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. That鈥檚 routed through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Throttle response seems sluggish, particularly given that the transmission can be reluctant to kick down a gear, but the drivetrain performs well enough for people seeking more luxury than thrill.

The C300 4MATIC also ran through our quarter-mile test 0.2-second quicker than the base coupe, in 14.5 seconds at 96 mph. Like other new C-class coupes, this one feels nimbler and more agile than previous generations. The steering is nicely weighted, and turn-in is precise. The solid chassis and suspension absorb road irregularities well, although this car had the Sport package as well as 4MATIC, so the ride quality tilted toward the firm end of the spectrum. With a small-displacement turbocharged engine comes the expectation that it gets acceptable fuel economy. We observed 22 mpg during our time with the car, matching what we recorded in the four-door version but short of the EPA combined rating of 25 mpg. During our 200-mile highway test at 75 mph, it scored 29 mpg, which is spot on the EPA highway figure. The as-tested price on our heavily optioned Benz highlights the choices available to the C-class shopper.