I just got back from a Mercedes “C Spot Drive” event where invited participants get to check out the entire range of C Class offerings from the C230 Sports Coupe to the C320 4-Matic Wagon. It's the sort of event that automakers either do for a launch of an impressive new car or as a way to improve flagging sales (the latter seems true of the C Class).
The event itself was very well done. The people were wonderful and the atmoshpere was supurb. We were invited to test drive the entire C Class range through a roadcourse coned off in a large parking lot as well as check out some of the gadgets that come with the cars. Now onto the cars…
I was most interested in the C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe as it's the closest to a MINI in price. I could concievable see some cross shopping being done at that level. The C230 is an attractive car with an upmarket feel starting under $26K.
The first thing I noticed upon entering the cabin of the C230 were it's materials. It seems to suffer from a similar fate as the current MINI. Parts of the interior were very well done and felt great to the touch while others seemed like mere afterthoughts that made the car feel cheap. The ambiance was nice with the large dual sunroof (similar to what the MINI offers). But as soon as the door closed I could tell more corners were cut than just small pieces of interior trim. Throughout the day I continually had the feeling that Mercedes number crunchers were constantly looking at ways to improve the bottom line during the development of the C Class.
Drive dynamics were to say the least “lazy”. The best way to put it is that the C230 (and the larger engined C320 for that matter) are comfortable stylish cars and nothing more. Pushing the car around the corners quickly activated the stability control (or what MB calls ESP). If you think the DSC (or ASC for that matter) on the MINI is not a overly smooth or transparent system wait until you try ESP. It seemed to be activated much easier and stayed on for longer than I'm used to with the MINI or other BMW products.
However It was cornering where the C230 Sports Coupe really dissapointed. The steering had an initial feeling of numbness which really didn't give way to decent feedback until well into the turn. I never was really sure where the car was in terms of dynamics in the tighter turns. Of course the standard Continental tires didn't help the situation. That being said the highlight of the session had to be getting a C240 4-Matic (all wheel drive) to do a four wheel drift through a wet tight turn.
All in all it was a great event that left me feeling even more excited to get in my MINI at the end of the day.
<p>Once upon a time when you bought a new Benz, you got a real Benz. These cars were built to last, with exemplary world class engineering, enduring quality and commanding levels of exclusivity and prestige.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Mercedes Benz today has become just another ordinary car company with a diluted image (Which explains the return of the Maybach nameplate as the Mercedes Benz name has become too mundane to be considered the pinnacle of the luxury car world anymore) that produces cars of dubious quality (Just look at the hideous Alabama built M-class which is in reality more closely related to a Jeep Liberty than a G-class truck) with cheap interiors, run of the mill performance (Except the AMG models and some of the upper crust coupes, sedans and roadsters) and generally mundane looking save a few exceptions.</p>
<p>The C-Klasse coupe is the prime example of everything that is wrong with the Daimler group today. An ill conceived car, with a pedestrian platform, so-so build quality an interior materials but the worst this car has to offers is the total dilution of the MB brand. When they first came out, I went to check 'em out and what a dissapoitment…this car feels more like a souped up Chrysler Sebring coupe than a real Benz. No wonder the car has been a total sales flop and I would not be surprised if MB pulls the cord on it fairly soon.</p>
<p>Sorry but after seeing the C-Klasse sport coupe the MINI is a much superior car that raises the bar in terms of engineering, design, performance/handling dynamics, product desirability, market presence and resale value, virtues that are solely missing in the MB's rendition of the Benz for the 'masses'.</p>
<p>BMW got it perfectly right with the MINI (Look at the resounding success of the car in worldwide markets) while the C-Klasse sports coupe is just another mediocre attempt at capturing an entry level market that only hurts MB's eroding exclusivity and product perception…too bad.</p>
<p>My wife last year decided she wanted a Mercedes when her Honda lease ran out, and was attracted by the pricing of the C230.
But a test drive was enough to put her off – it might have the badge but it is not what you expect from Mercedes.</p>
<p>But parked next to it was a used SLK230 which caught her eye … and that is the car she now drives!
It is surprising how getting in the SLK feels smaller than the MINI :)</p>
<p>The C-Klasse sports coupe is one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen. I can't believe you even concider comparing the MINI with this gorilla a… :-)</p>
<p>I wouldn't but I'm sure it's been done before by some out there.</p>
<p>The only reason you are talking trash about the C230 is because you are a BMW/MINi Fan. Did you think to ever ask anyone that ownes the car what they think about there C230. Everyone including my self that owns the car loves it. I think you are just in love with the MINI and would say that you have the best car on the road which is not true by along shot.</p>
<p>I think anyone who read the review fully would understand that I'm in no way “trashing” the C-Class. I'm merely stating similar ideas that every review I've ever read has stated. It has absolsutely nothing to do with me owning a MINI. I think what Frank said in the first comment is exactly the issue with C-Class and MB these days</p>
<p>It's obvious that if you love the car you probably appreciate things that I don't particluarly need or look for. To each their own.</p>
<p>c230mb2003 is correct, I was trying to read a comparison. There is hardly any Mini comments, 99% of the story is how you would not buy a Mercedes. Please post positive as well as negative.</p>
<p>I guess I'm a little confused at what you mean. If you want positives about the MINI I'd recommend reading the entire site as it's pretty much dedicated to that. If your looking for positives regarding the C230 unfortunately I just didn't have many. </p>
<p>In regards to the comparison I didn't want to repeat a full review of the MINI as thats already very prevelent on this site. This is basically my take – as a MINI owner – on the C230 Sports Coupe.</p>
<p>How can you compare the MINI to the C230?? The MINI is hideous looking. The only reason it gets people's attention is because it's made by BMW (and it's very inexpensive). What frills does it have? It has no style, power or leg room.</p>
<p>I can see you've never driven a MINI then since most of what you say is obviously incorrect.</p>
<p>The Mini and C-Coupe are so vastly different I'm not sure a comparison is even viable but let me try.</p>
<p>Let's start with the Engines. The Mini “S” has 1.6liter 163hp Iron Block and the Benz Has a 1.8liter 189hp Alloy Block. Although the Benz has 26 more hp the little Mini has a 1/2 sec. quicker 0-60 time which means don't try to race one on even ground. Wait till you're on a hill because the Benz also has 37 more lb-ft torque.</p>
<p>Both cars come standard with a 6 speed manual. However, the Benz also has the option of a Touch Shift Manually Interactive and driver adaptive transmission as well. (This comes in handy when in traffic)</p>
<p>Both cars have Vehicle Stability Programs that work in the same way. However, the Benz is Rear wheel drive so the ESP will initiate sooner and stay on longer to gain and maintain traction in the rear wheels. Also the Benz comes standard with electronic brake assist which is not offered in the Mini. </p>
<p>The Mini and the Benz both have a variety of luxury items available most of which come standard on the Benz and many are not even available on the Mini but these are very different cars. </p>
<p>Quick and nimble is the Mini. Shifting is very precise and accurate. Although I would have liked to see it in a rear wheel drive configuration I think the suspension and cornering is great. The Benz is a combination of Sport and luxury so you sacrifice one for the other. You can complain about the decline in MB products all you want but the fact remains that the Coupe has the same components found their other cars worth twice as much. </p>
<p>I own a C-Coupe and am very happy with it. I get a little luxury with a little sportiness and am never wanting for power, Of course I would like to have the Mini's performance and control but thats what the BMW 3 series is for. =)</p>
<p>I own a 03 c230 coupe evo. and i will say it is the best car i have ever had i love every bit of it….Its very sporty and classy. I love how my car can be pushed and handle yet i can still have a smooth ride. People also under estimate these cars, my car is a feb 03 and has not had a single problem since new. I am very pleased and it has never left me wanting more. The c230 and the mini should not be compared they are 2 dif. breeds.</p>
<p>I recently traded my Honda S2000 for an MB C230. What a big difference. Yes, I agree that it's not as peppy as my little red roadster, however, it feels very luxurious inside. My ride to work this morning turned out to be very pleasant and comfortable. I was impressed when I first test drove the C230 this weekend….. “very nice”.. what a beautiful car… It has all the assets of a Mercedes Benz product line… poooo on the Mini… The Mini looks rather “ugly” and impractical.. sorry Mini aficionados.. you've got taken!</p>
<p>as a benz person I'll admit the c coupe isn't all that sporty but when sporty doesn't matter and a nice, safe ride does the benz is much nicer. having driven them both i understand the mini is more exciting to drive but if thats what you care about shake loose with a few bucks and buy a real car such as a slk350, or for you bmw people a m3. you can't argue about the sportness of cheap cars. if you can't afford to do that then suck it up and shut up. daily i'm driving a e55 and having driven the c coupe i can say it's a fine car. it has some fun to it and with the 6 it's sporty enough for any city or suburb most of us drive in. my weekend car is a sl500 and still the c coupe keeps me happy enough…moreover the c class is the highest in production and has the least amount of problems which makes it great because it's very reliable…mini can't boast that and no one wants to pay bmw repairs (if you've had one with any problem you understand me)</p>