Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor

Pros: Steering, handling, solidity, safety features, refinement
Cons: C230 power just adequate, pricey

“If you really want to play, you’ve got to get serious.” Thus I titled my review of the 2001 C240. Mercedes promoted the car as a true BMW 3-series competitor in terms of handling and overall driving enjoyment. My test drive of a C240 with ...

Pros: It has the whole package: looks, comfort, fun amenities, and zippiness
Cons: Repair and maintenance costs can be astronomical.

It’s easy to write a glowing automobile review during the honeymoon phase… you know, the first four years before the car starts breaking and costing lots of money. This isn’t one of those reviews. My Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport ...

Pros: Panoramic Sunroof, compact yet cool, great steering - easy u-turns and parking, gas mileage
Cons: cup holders, tires need to be replaced frequently, 2 doors

I bought my C230 Coupe in December 2004 and have almost all great things to say about it. First, it is a joy to drive. If you haven't test driven a Mercedes, try it. I felt like it was much more solid than most other cars I drove. The ...

Pros: Style, substance, comfort and THIRTY FOUR MILES PER GALLON
Cons: Some cheap interior switchgear, supercharger only rated to 100K, expensive MB service

A while back I wrote a review on the 2001 C240 that I purchased used. I drove that car for a bit less than two years and a bit less than 50,000 miles. When I sold it, it was almost seven-years-old, had 106,000 miles on the odometer, and still looked ...

Pros: GREAT cache, beautiful styling, power badge, great sound system anad navigation
Cons: Expensive, smallish, hard back seats

Last week I purchased a 2007 C230 sport. I traded in a 2004 Acura TL. Initial impressions: this car is very sporty and handles like a dream. It has very low profile tires (the tires on the back are actually larger than the ones on the front) and a ...

Pros: World Class Performance, Great ergonomics/Interior, Highly reliable, A well dressed Sleeper.
Cons: Do not drive in the snow, Free tune-up/oil change ends @ 50K

Bought the 2003 W/Auto Tranny, Leather, Pano-Sunroof, And some other minor options. After market add-ons/Mod's consist of only a drop in K&N filter, And staggered 17" wheel's. First I must say I owned a Performance shop, Raced on the street and track, As ...

Pros: Great response, fast, stylish, comfortable ride and very quiet and smooth.
Cons: Needs Cup holder redesign, needs BLUE TOOTH enabled as standard feature.

What a great upgrade from the 2005-2006 versions. Standard Kompressor engine, body, character all in one! I bought the 2007 MB C230 SPORT last october 2006. It's a great ride and the number one feature I was looking for is ROOM! I'm 6'1" 237lbs and I ...

Pros: Fast, reliable, sporty, and good gas mileage.
Cons: Poor visibility, back seats hard to get into

The car runs smoothly, has nice pickup and fun features. The back seat is roomy but tough to get in, so don't pick this model if you plan to use it much. I LOVE hatchback/fold down seats for utility when shopping or loading. There are visibility issues in terms of seeing what's behind you or on the sides, so use extreme caution when backing up or changing lanes! I had a BMW 318ti and thought it was superior, but as it went the way of the dodo, this is natural next step. Great gas mileage!

Note to Mercedes: Please put in more durable cup holders!!!! Americans like to drink and eat in their cars.

Pros: Acceleration
Handling
Quite Ride
Comfortable
Great Gas Mileage
Cons: Initial Electrical problems were a bit worrysome

I bought my 2004 C230K this summer and after an initial issue with some  electrical stuff have had no problems and really enjoy driving this car.  I am 6'2" and fit nicely into the drivers seat.  The back seat legroom, however, is tight but not to the point of being unuseable. The stereo system (6 disc CD changer in glovebox) has a great sound to it and is easy to use.  The car is very quiet inside with road noise at a minimum.  It handles great, has good acceleration and is really fun to drive.  The trunk offers a lot of room for a car of it's size and accomodates my golf clubs easily.  I traded in a BMW 328ic and feel this car has considerably more power and handles much better than my BMW did.  The controls on the steering wheel took a little getting used to but now all the info you need is literally at your fingertips.  On the highway I average about 32 mpg and get about 28 in town.  To say I am very happy is an understatement!

Pros: Nice looking exterior design, but lack-luster interior.
Cons: Rear-wheel drive is unstable. The interior has a cheap feel. Lacks basic ergonomics.

This entry-level Mercedes really is truly their "low end". I was very disappointed in driving this on a road trip as the feel, trim, quality and performance were unimaginative and lacking. Maybe the rule of thumb "you get what you pay for" should be expected. I'm glad I hadn't made the decision to purchase a C-class. Our 2004 Volvo has more pep and betterfuel economy versus. Treat yourself better unless you must have the Mercedes-Benz image (though I'd look into a pre-owned first).

Pros: supercharged 4cyl, gas mileage, sound system, MB styling
Cons: the infamous cupholder, novel idea, but a little flimsy.

I - love - this car. I drive it even when I have nowhere to go, because with this car the journey is truly what its all about and even when you get to your destination, you'll be having withdrawal about getting out of the driver's seat. Don't worry about having to stop for gas alot either, because with the 16.4 gal tank and up to 30mpg highway (i've actually gotten that at REAL highway speeds of 70-80mph, 32mpg is you slow it down a few to around 60) you can go 450miles, thats central VA to downstate NY to give you an idea. It is also a dangerous car... with the police, not the driver with your front and side airbags and MB's great record of manufacturing safe cars. Do 90mph without even realizing it; a radar detector should come standard. You'll have a hard time not stepping on the gas just to hear the glorious sound of its engine. Everything else is pretty nice too, the MB-tex seats could be a little more comfortable but leather probably solves that, and the fake/blank buttons on the console... not very attractive for the pricetag. But those are slight things.

Pros: nice look, smooth ride, lots of gadgets, great MPG (over 30)
Cons: mushy shifter

I bought this 2004 C230 used with 10,000 miles. The person before me used it for short commutes on a regular basis (confirmed by the computer). He missed out on some of the best features. This car is a great cruiser. Plenty of power, great gas mileage, stable at speed, comfortable, quiet, and just fun to drive. The 6 speed shifter is a bit mushy but forgiving. Everything works. The power band is a bit narrow (just starts at 3000, good at 4000 and tops out at 6000), but with a 6 speed you can run through it pretty quick and be flying in no time (not sure of 0-60, maybe about 7). I paid $16,000. Let's see, Ford Focus or 10,000 mile used MBZ with warranty and maintenance for a while. Can you get a Ford Focus with black leather, auto headlights, panorama sun roof, 6 disc cd in glovebox, stability control, abs, 17" wheels, on board computer, for $16,000?

Pros: Stylish, fun to drive, responsive.
Cons: Plagued with frequent multiple recurring electronic gremlins

Purchased the vehicle new from Mercedes Benz of Bedford. From day one the vehicle has been plagued with electronic gremlins. True the car is stylish, fun to drive responsive, but unless you like adding "one more thing" to your "to do list"---like taking the car into the dealer (again and again)We would recommend avoidance of this automobile like the plague. In between regular services (scheduled maint.)We found taking the car in again-- on multiple occasions for various problems, seemed to compound the situation, in that, the more we took it in, the more problems surfaced. Particularly annoying if you have a busy schedule and an already loaded "to-do" list. A leading consumer magazine recommends the BMW 3 series over this vehicle, too bad we didn't see it until we purchased the C230 Kompressor. Although we already own two Mercedes Benz Products. We doubt seriously replacing the older C220 with another Benz Product, given our unfortunate set of circumstances sustained with this problematic automobile.

Pros: Safe, Sporty, Reliable, Comfortable
Cons: Cruise Control

I have a 2005 Mercedes C230 Sedan, and I purchased this car in November of 2005. I bought it used, but with low mileage on it. I was initially intrigued by the design of the car, and the overall look stood out to me. As I gained more and more information, I decided this was the perfect car for me. Having eight airbags, the second I put my foot on the gas, I couldn't have felt more safety and security. Along with the beautiful interior, the leather is still in PERFECT condition today, having this car for almost three years already. I have also saved money on gas at 24 MPG, while my last car only got 16 MPG. I also am a strong supporter that this is an extremely reliable car, having had no problems within the time I've owned this car. I plan on keeping this car for many years to come knowing that my C230 is without a doubt, the best purchase I have made in many years! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE!