C280 or C230 K?

[Randy]

Hey guys, Ive been lurking in the background of this website for a year or so now checking out the galleries, forums, ect. trying to get some idea of what I want to do with a W202 & I am finally ready to purchase a C Class, I am still as yet undecided as to the purchase of a C280 or C230 K, this is going to be a cruiser car, freeway miles mostly, (about 4K a month), I want power, but not compromise reliability, I'm planning on a black car, using the Reiger body kit with some SL 2 piece 18" wheels & lower it enough to tuck tire, but the running gear still has me undecided, what are the pro's & con's of each?, I'd like good low end torque without having to rev very high, I was contemplating maybe a C280 with intake, exhaust, chip & a mild NOS shot (50-75 H.P. or so). - I REALLY would appreciate any & all help on this subject & I dig how you guys are so helpfull / respectfull to each other & I'm looking forward to any SoCal meets you have coming up soon.

Randy
SoCal:cool:

[Kswiss]

if you plan on getting the real amg sl 2 piece prepared to do some major work. Those rims come in 18x10 in the back and will be very hard to fit as well as not rub..these are the exact rims i plan to get for my winter set, but may have to go replica in order for them to fit. However, i have seen pics of these rims on w202 before. I only got to see pics though and not in person. From the drop's i've seen with those rims, it makes me wonder how much more it sits when there are passengers in the back seat or maybe even a custom trunk. this can add to more rubbing.
As far which car, i have a c230 and the only reason i would want to have a c280 is for any upgrades as in swaps. I'm not too sure which one is more reliable though..
All in all, i say save up some more and get a c43. I definetly will own a c43 in my lifetime.

[nickc280]

never heard of NOS in a cruiser??? that is usually for race/track or fun

[jnenad16]

I would definitely go with C280(inline 6 tho). I had one for 4 years and I loved it. Infact, I'm looking for another one. It may not seem very powerful, but there is a lot of potential in it. It has more pep than the C230k, and the engine runs much smoother than that of C230/230k. as for the upgrades, there are quite a few, but most of mine were all fab'd by me. I usually went with the universal parts and made them work for me, it turned out good.
http://www.bnzsport.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8313&hl=powerdyne
http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5714&highlight=powerdyne
http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6182&highlight=powerdyne

nenad

[MrSpace]

I would go with the C230k

and I am telling exactly the opposite of neenad, I think the 230k has way more pep! Altough he his right that the V6 is much smoother.

Plus you can increase power easily for the C230k

But if your goal is only to look good, don't reallyc are about the power and you want the smoothest of both, take a C280.

Etienne

[Cschilderink]

I have a 1995 C280 (195hp) and I have driven my friend's 1999 C230k (256hp) and it was a lot more fun to drive.

Thats just my input but I still love my C280 none the less.

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by Cschilderink
I have a 1995 C280 (195hp) and I have driven my friend's 1999 C230k (256hp) and it was a lot more fun to drive.

Thats just my input but I still love my C280 none the less.
but you are comparing a souped up C230k with a stock C280. slap a SC on the 280 and you will have well over 300hp.

nenad

[Cschilderink]

Ya exactly well thats the difference between the C280 and the C230K is the kompressor. If you can get a C230K for the same as a C280 get the C230.

[MrSpace]

256hp at the crank or wheel?

if at the wheel, I want to know what he has done to it

Etienne

[Cschilderink]

First of all its a she... ya ik and she is hot so it all works out ha...
Secondly she has done no modifications and I beleive it is 256hp but I could be wrong... maybe her dad did some mods before he handed it over.

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by Cschilderink
First of all its a she... ya ik and she is hot so it all works out ha...
Secondly she has done no modifications and I beleive it is 256hp but I could be wrong... maybe her dad did some mods before he handed it over.
both C280 and C230k come stock with same or nearly similar HP. but the C230k already comes with a SC, thus limiting the upgrades possibilies to minor mods such as intake, exhaust, chip, pulleys... and the most you can squeeze out of it is around 250-270bhp(without NOS). C280, however, can be upgraded with a custom setup SC and the exhaust/intake, chip... and you can easily push 330bhp(without NOS, again).

nenad

[fever]

C230K is the easy choice. It's cheaper, faster and easier to modify.

The 2.3 is very strong and has plenty of room to handle these upgrades.

[Eiknujrac]

And the c280's, most of the time, are nicer cars.

Digi Climate control, and other small features that sometimes didn't come on the 230's. (motorized passenger seat, one touch starting, which by the way is so cool, and little stuff like that).

You could probably get most of that stuff as an option on the c230, but like I said, bare for bare, the c280 is more loaded with stuff.

[MrSpace]

C280 costs more, and more in insurance, and way more to modify

juste check the price for a pulley, headers, cats and exhaust for the C230k

then try and get that same power on the C280 for the same price.. good luck, just the headers on the C280 are like 2000$ instead of 630$ on the C230

If he's ready to shell $ for the C280 just to have the passenger seat electric then fine:P

The digi climate control is the only thing I'm missing from a C280.

Etienne

[UncleModjo]

C280 off course... researched/compared like hell b4 I bought the car 3 months back.. on paper.. very little difference other than the obvious.. the i6 and engine capacity..

but take a test drive.. stock ones .. C280s are smooooooooooothh... power delivery and transfer are miles better than C230K.. ESPECIALLY on the freeways hence d 2 extra cylinders.. fuel consumption is superb for a 2.8 litre engine.. even better than a C230K(correct me if I'm wrong :D ) and many moons better than my previous ride.. Subaru Forester Turbo...

potential...??? between a 230 supercharged and 280 NA.. ?? :D dont need to know bout cars to know d answer...:bunny: dats just logically speaking though...;) hope I'm not flat wrong:o

my two cents...:)

[fever]

^

Yes, the C280 I6 and V6 are certainly smoother than the blown 2.3. However, smoothness, in a 30-35K C class is not the most compelling feature, imo.

The C230 gets better mileage than the I6, 22-30 vs. 19-26.

Modifications-the C230 will be considerably cheaper and fairly faster than the I-6 or V6 C280 for the same money spent.

It does surprise me that you drove a Subaru Forester XT and feel that the C280 is not only adaquate but has more potential than the blown 2.3.

Regardless of preference the W202 is a fine little automobile; we have all made sound choices.

[UncleModjo]

Originally posted by fever
^


It does surprise me that you drove a Subaru Forester XT and feel that the C280 is not only adaquate but has more potential than the blown 2.3.

Regardless of preference the W202 is a fine little automobile; we have all made sound choices.

no doubt XT is a super and speedy ride(hence my soft spot for scoobies).. infact..mine was pumped up to about 280bhp on wheel.. with ease at that too.. but have been driving Jap cars all my life.. I can tell u.. it just doesnt have that character or the solid feel of a Merc.. I dont mind being couple seconds slower in a Merc.. coz I'd still get the chicks:D :D

cannot be anymore accurate wif ur last statement....:)