2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
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Used C-Class for sale
Appraise This CarMercedes-Benz C-Class model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- State-of-the-art safety and luxury features, three body styles to choose from, pleasing power from top V6 engine.
Cons
- Can get pricey for its segment, small backseat, no standard CD player.
What’s new
Sport coupes get standard 17-inch wheels and tires, three-spoke sport steering wheel, leather-wrapped gearshift, aluminum pedals and large chrome exhaust outlet. Sport sedans get similar upgrades, as well as new front brakes featuring four-piston calipers and drilled rotors, sport shift manual transmission, lowered sport suspension, a free-flow exhaust and new five-spoke alloy wheels.
Edmunds says
A variety of body styles and trims assure that you're bound to find one to your liking, but none can match the Audi A4 for interior style or the BMW 3 Series for athleticism.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 2dr Sport Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$240/mo for C-Class C230
C-Class C230
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
5 star(82%)
4 star(10%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(3%)
215 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
MBZ C240 4 matic: Great Snow Car
Roger B, 08/20/2016
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C240 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (2.6L 6cyl 5A)
The car with 126K rides like new. Quiet, good sound system, capable performer. 5-speed helps with the modest HP of 170. 27-30 mpg on the highway on mid-grade. Has been a very good car. Only extra maintenance has been replacing a water pump.
5 out of 5 stars
Great Commuter
K RIchart, 03/23/2016
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
I purchased this car to be a daily commuter for a one hour one way daily commute. I paid about blue-book wholesale price then spent about $2000 to get all service updates. Almost 50K miles later this car has been fantastic. Comfortable, 30MPG and very quiet on the Interstate. It does like to eat tires and due to the front and rear wheel size difference it is expensive to rotate tires. I … am really glad I decided to buy this car over a comparable Camry or Accord
4.75 out of 5 stars
It's The Bomb
clutcharies, 06/29/2013
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
Have a 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. I'm the original owner and have 257,000 miles on the car. I bought the car for reasons of safety, endurance, looks, and a sporty feel. It's given me everything I wanted. As long as I follow maintenance schedules I expect to exceed 400,000 miles. I've not had any major problems with the car.
This is the best car I've had in my life.
4 out of 5 stars
Fun little sedan - but ...
bpierce, 10/05/2014
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
I purchased this 2004 C230 Sedan Sport one year ago with about 56K miles on it. Within a month the CEL came on and required a new engine harness and two O2 sensors to repair. The 1.8L engine had a cam sensor design flaw which leaked oil into the harness (cam sensor seals were replaced under a MB recall by previous owner, but not the oil saturated harness). A month later a coolant pipe … began leaking at the rear of the cylinder head (I replaced this myself). Since then, the car has run nicely - although I do get high speed vibration on certain stretches of highway (probably due the the low profile tires). Recently purchased an extended warranty - just in case. Update 10/6/19: In the spring of this year the car was hit while parked in a lot. The rear end damage was extensive enough for the insurance company to declare it totaled. In the five years I drove it, the only major repairs were what I described previously. Overall a positive experience.
An update: Car now has 72,000 miles on it. Still running strong although I did use the extended warranty last year. Had a a/c compressor kit installed. Expensive (over $2K), but warranty covered all but $150.
Update April 2016: Overall I have been pleased with this car. I performed routine maintenance and inspections since the CEL issues I had shortly after I purchased the car. I serviced front and rear brakes (purchased OEM parts online) - a relatively straightforward job. I discovered a small crack in one of the rear wheels which was replaced with one I purchased used online. So far, I have not had need to use the extended warranty.
Update October 2016: Just turned 68K miles. No issues since last update - still running strong.
2004 C-Class Highlights
Sedan
C230
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $29,250 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $240/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the C-Class include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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