![]() ![]() The front passenger-side air bags are deactivated when a BabySmart-compatible seat is detected. Of course, safety is always a high priority with Mercedes, so you’d expect front and side, door-mounted air bags, not to mention ABS and tract ion control. For that sum, your Mercedes will get larger 16-inch wheels, performance tires (205/55R16), leather front sport seats, an even firmer suspension and a telescoping steering wheel. Road noise was a little high as was tire noise on concrete surfaces.Īlthough the test vehicle wasn’t equipped with it, enthusiasts will want their C230 with the optional $890 Sport Package. The upside is cornering was great - the car handled the twisties as if it was riding on rails. The ride never became punishing, but this vehicle is not for those who like a soft ride. The ride was firm, revealing the pitiful state of most roads in Pennsylvania. The recirculating ball, power-assisted steering was responsive and direct, steering the car exactly where it was pointed. A good performance for a rear-drive automobile. Although the electronic stability program isn’t offered, the car never fishtailed, even in wet weather. Braking was excellent in all kinds of weather, with short straight stops. Traction control is standard as is four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Power is fed theough a five-speed automatic transmission that adopts its shifts to suit the driver’s driving style. With the exception of the engine noise, you’ll forget you’re driving a four. Power is well-controlled, with full power available closer to highway speeds. While not the quietest engine ever encountered, it lends the car a sporty edge. The engine initially seems every bit of four-cylinders, but the crankshaft-driven supercharger kicks in with a hearty whine and lots of power. It also makes this car a real alternative for someone looking for a car in the low 30s price range, something that couldn’t be said of its predescessor. That’s only 0.1 second slower than the more expensive six-cylinder model. Zero to 60 now takes a mere 8.1 seconds, two seconds quicker than last year and closer to other cars in this class. You’d expect double-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, but it’s the Eaton supercharger with an intercooler that adds the oomph. The numbers: 185 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque from a 2.3-liter in-line four-cylinder engine. That translates into a 37 horsepower increase and 38 pound-feet of torque increase. Thankfully, this year the standard engine comes from Mercedes Benz’s SLK coupe. When it debuted last year, the underpowered C230 came with a mere 148 horsepower, less than a Nissan Altima. Find out more about our advertising opportunities.After having redone its entry-level line for 1998, you’d think the folks at Mercedes Benz would leave well enough alone for their most affordable sedan, the C230.īut with increasing competition in the near-luxury class - those cars with base prices from $30,000 to $40,000 - the folks at M-B addressed one of the C230s biggest deficits: power. Advertise Advertising on is well-targeted, has unique benefits, and is highly successful. Looking for something lighter? Read our funny complaints to see people who found humor in a bad situation. Vehicle Problems Find out what cars to avoid, view the latest problem trends, or keep up-to-date with the most recently reported problems. Contact us with any comments or concerns. Car Problem Resources Around the Site Information Find out more about us in the press or read stories from drivers who praise our work.The complaints are organized into groups with data published by vehicle, vehicle component, and specific problem. ® is an online automotive complaint resource that uses graphs to show automotive defect patterns, based on complaint data submitted by visitors to the site. ![]()
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