Pros :
- Comfortable ride.
- Fun rear-wheel-drive handling.
- Cheapest entry ticket to the world of Mercedes Benz.
- Unique options such as all-glass roof.
- Mercedes image and prestige.
Cons :
- Unjustifiably high base price.
- New 1.8L engine is lower on power and torque than previous 2.3L.
- Rubbery manual shifter.
- Poor rearward visibility.
- Very heavy for such a small car.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
The fun-to-drive 2002 model shares components with the C-Class sedan and has the same 106.9-inch wheelbase. No body panels are interchangeable between the C-Class sedan and coupe. One of few shared items are sideview mirrors with turn signal repeaters. Also, the C230 is 7.3 inches shorter overall, with almost all the curtailed length coming from the coupe's shorter rear overhang. Thus, little passenger room is sacrificed.
In fact, the rear-wheel-drive C230 easily seats four 6-footers. Front seats slide back to allow good access to the rear, although some passengers back there may complain that seatbacks cause them to recline too much. The roomy cargo area has a low, wide opening and can be greatly enlarged by flipping the rear seatbacks forward.
The C-Class sedan has a conventional trunk, but the C230 is a 2-door hatchback, which is an odd Mercedes body style to Americans; they've never a Mercedes here without a conventional trunk. Mercedes is taking a chance by offering the C230 as a hatchback because most Americans associate such a body style with the low-priced entry-level economy cars sold here years ago. Luxury hatchbacks just haven't been on the menu in America.
To add spice, Mercedes offers the C230 with a panorama sunroof option that uses two expansive glass panels that provide an almost uninterrupted view of the sky from the windshield to the rear seat. A large glass panel slides rearward over the roof when opened. The solid C230 drives like a bigger Mercedes and has been cleverly designed. For instance, it has a high tail with an integrated rear spoiler that normally would block some rear vision. But a tinted polycarbonate panel below the spoiler and between the taillights allows extra vision to help in maneuvering and parking. The racy 1970s Lamborghini Espada and Maserati Khamsin had similar rear glass areas.
Besides, everyone loves a bargain, which is precisely what the C230 appears to be. For instance, it has a fine amount of standard equipment, including dual-zone climate control with rear-seat outlets, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, supportive sports seats, AM/FM/cassette, aluminum interior trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Safety features include side curtain airbags that span front and rear passenger compartments, anti-skid stability control system, and anti-lock brakes with an assist feature that reduces braking distances during emergency stops.
However, you can quickly run up the price with seductive options such as $1,225 power front "memory" seats, $2,190 integrated digital telephone and CD changer with voice control, and a $2,700 premium package that contains the panorama sunroof feature with rain sensor, Bose sound system and leather upholstery.
The engine works best with the manual gearbox because the $1,300 five-speed automatic transmission emphasizes supercharger lag that is hardly felt with the manual. On the other hand, the manual shifter has a rubbery, uncertain feel and the clutch doesn't allow smooth takeoffs unless a driver is careful about coordinating throttle-clutch action. Still, acceleration is virtually the same with either the manual or automatic, which has a manual shift feature.
The coupe has low aerodynamic drag, which enhances fuel economy, but is fairly heavy and that lowers mpg figures. Steering is rather slow and has a numb feel. The ride is supple, but is almost too soft for such a sporty car. The brake pedal has a satisfyingly linear feel. While handling is reassuring, the C230 has noticeable understeer—or front-end "plow"—when making sharp turns even at fairly low speeds with the standard 55-series tires and.16-inch wheels. Higher tire inflation may erase some understeer and eliminate accompanying tire squeal in that situation, because recommended front pressures seem too low at 28 psi. Optional 45-series tires on bigger 17-inch wheels sharpen handling.
Carpoint.com
History:
2002-2003 Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
2,295 cc / 192 hp / 200 lb-ft / 3305-3340 lbs / 0-60 mph 7.5 sec.
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