2005 Mercedes C Class Review

Specifications

Priorities of a More Practical Kind

I was on the road course next to the California Speedway, in Fontana last week, living out a car enthusiasts dream. I learned the track with the completely new Porsche Boxster, before moving up to a Tiptronic-equipped 911 Cabriolet. After that I did an autocross course in the new 911 Carrera S coupe, followed up by a run in the droptop version back on the race track. Finishing off the ideal sports car progression was the pièce de résistance, a gorgeous, all-powerful Carrera GT.

Of course, Mercedes would have something to say about my all-powerful comment. After all, the rival German manufacturer produces its own collection of sports cars starting with the Boxster-fighting SLK, followed up by the Tiptronic-equipped 911 Cabriolet-competitive SL 500. In the all-powerful department is its series of AMG sports cars, starting with the SLK55 AMG, then the SL55 AMG, and finally the SL65 AMG.

But I covered an AMG product last week, the compact C55. And unlike the ideal progression of slowest to fastest sports car I experienced on track with Porsche, the reason I decided to talk about this experience within a Mercedes-Benz review in the first place, I started out with the C55 and followed up with the C230 Kompressor; Mercedes-Benzs most basic ride.

From an acceleration point of view, the C230 is a bit disappointing… well, at least after getting out of the C55. If I had started with the C230, I dont think we would be having this conversation. But its just this type of situation that forces me to put aside any personal priorities regarding performance, and focus in on exactly why the C230 Kompressor exists, and its many merits.

First of all, its hardly slow. If we were to search back a decade or two ago, a compact M-B sedan featuring a supercharger that produced 189-horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque would have been designated with the AMG badge - well almost. It definitely would have been right up there with the most powerful 6-cylinder powered C-Class, BMW 3-Series or Audi A4. In comparison to whats available now, the base 1.8T-powered A4 makes 200-horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, while the BMW 320i makes a mere 168-horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque - ironically similar to BMW 325is figures of the mid-80s. There are others in the class that make more power in base form, such as the Infiniti G35 and Lexus IS 300, that offer better quality, according to reliable third party sources such as J. D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports, plus many more features for the money, but these are not German, so therefore dont qualify.

To Mercedes credit the C230 Kompressor starts out just over a thousand less than the Infiniti G35s $30,600, but about the same as the $29,735 Lexus IS 300 and $29,300 BMW 325i. The A4 is even cheaper at $25,800, although front-wheel drive for that paltry sum. Why do I mention this front-driver in the same sentence? Because if youre planning on going the cheap route with the C230 already, then performance is most likely not the priority.

After all, this side of the 362-horsepower C55, Mercedes offers its C320 featuring a 215-horsepower V6; a model which will soon be replace by the 268-horsepower C350. Its a great deal more expensive, starting out at $37,350, and therefore completely out of the question for entry-level buyers. I should also mention that Mercedes makes a less powerful variant of the C-Class than the C230, dubbed the C240. Its a six-cylinder model that produces only 168-horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, and ironically sells for more money than the C230, at $32,650. Confused yet?

Before I wrap myself up in my own “inconceivable” intelligence, and start to sound like Wallace Shawns Vizzini character from the movie A Princess Bride, lets just say that the cheapest Mercedes-Benz is not the least powerful. Its also finished similarly to the more expensive models, excluding the use of a high-quality “pleather” and leather mix throughout the interior. The 2005 models upgraded dash and center stack is as good as the top-line C55, however, also much better than last years C230.

My tester was equipped with an automatic transmission. While a top-grade 5-speed unit with manual shift mode, it seems odd that Mercedes didnt furnish base models 6-speed manual, considering there are few cars the automaker produces that feature a do-it-yourself gearbox and that the diminutive four-cylinder would perform much better with a stick shift. Nevertheless, the automatic actuates gear changes as seamlessly as can be expected with a high-revving inline-four, even when pushing the engines envelope. Zero to 60 mph arrives in a respectable 7.7 seconds when the 6-speed manual is installed, which is about three seconds slower than the C55 and more than a second quicker than the C240.

Its adequately sprung too, with a fully independent undercarriage featuring handling that rewards assertive, if not aggressive input. Driver aids, such as traction control and electronic stability control, keep all wheels within the target lanes lines if the softly set suspension gets out of sorts. Braking is also responsive thanks to reasonably large four-wheel discs all-round and standard ABS.

If youre looking for something a little sportier than the base C230 Kompressor, Mercedes offers a Sport version with upgraded styling modifications, including larger diameter wheels and tires, plus a tauter suspension.

Leaning to the more practical applications of the C230, its rear seat is quite accommodating if youre not exceptionally tall or width challenged. The seats are comfortable, back and front, and legroom is adequate, again depending on your height. If size is a problem in the C-Class, some of its competitors offer more space at around the same price point. Youll need to give up a little prestige, however.

And thats what the C230 Kompressor has in spades. For a little car, it looks a heck of a lot like a top-line Mercedes-Benz. Its grille is smaller for sure, as the S-Class version would look pretty silly pasted onto the front fascia of a compact car, but M-B details such as the turn signals integrated into the outside mirrors, chrome trimmed rub strips, triangular taillamps with clear inserts, as well as its generally elegant, wedged shape, give the little sedan an upscale, almost rich demeanor. In this class, only the C-Class imparts such self-importance, its three-pointed star perched proudly upon the front-most portion of its sloping hood. To me, while one of the most conservatively styled in its class, the C-Class is also among the most attractive. It bespeaks good taste; hardly flashy unless old money is flashy these days.

And even the well-heeled need to consider the current high cost of gasoline. If thats not a concern, perhaps a little German Green Party sympathy has filtered through and a desire to reduce emissions and conserve fossil fuels is a high priority on your list. To this end the C230 offers a reasonable 22.4 mpg in the city and 32.7 on the highway in manual trim, or an even better 23.1 mpg in the city and 33.1 on the highway when fitted with the 5-speed automatic.

I also like that a C230 buyer can equip the compact sedan with many top-of-the-range features normally only available with a brands V6- or V8-powered models, which means that those who want to show their environmental leadership by choosing the more efficient engine are sometimes prohibited from enjoying the many creature comforts a more powerful model offers. The C230, rather, allows buyers to purchase a top-tier Harmon/Kardon surround sound audio system, an integrated Motorola V60i tri-band digital portable cellular phone, Tele-Aid emergency calling system, M-Bs version of GMs OnStar, a voice recognition system for activating key functions more easily, rain sensing wipers, and bi-xenon headlights with headlight washers. A glass sunroof is also available, plus an anti-theft alarm system. If you add on all the extras the C230s will soon resemble that of the C320, maxing out at $43,644, but then again do the same with the C320 and the price will escalate into the $50K range.

Whether within the C-Class range or outside of the Mercedes-Benz family altogether, there are other compact sedans more powerfully equipped than the C230 Kompressor. There are others that offer more dynamic handling, others that are less expensive, and still others that offer better expected reliability; but no other includes Mercedes-Benz branding attached to its trunklid, and therefore few others hold their value as highly, will be on the road in prime condition twenty years from now, or give their owners as much long-term satisfaction as the C230. Its truly a fine car.