2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Consumer Reviews

Spend more up and get a bigger Mercedes

Written by: Doug on 01/20/2009

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Rwd 2dr Sports Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I had this as my first car. The car is very attractive. I have had numerous problems such as, alternator, batteries, serpentine belt. I would also note that I upgraded the drive train, supercharger belt, and the exhaust. This improved the gas mileage on the highway to 33-35. I would also like to note the faux leather placed on knobs and buttons have begun to fall apart. Outside of that the car is cool, also all of mercedeces cars during this time had trouble with fiberoptics, which were just being introduced. This could explain the "ghost" that seems to plague most mercedes of the early 2000's. I would recommend buying domestic because they are cheaper to repair

Favorite Features

Styling and fuel mileage

Suggested Improvements

Electronic system

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best car I've ever owned!

Written by: onequickcobra on 01/02/2009

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C320 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This car does everything well! Unparalled safety, even when compard to new cars today, great performance (I live at 9,000 ft. elevation in Colorado and run at 75-90 mph in the mountains between Denver and Breckenridge easily). It gets 27.5 mpg average hwy. if I hold it to 70. With 73,000 miles, total maintenance expense, other than tires, has been under $800. Oil changes are every 13,000 miles and it never uses a drop in between. No repair costs have been incurred in 6 years. Only one warranty claim was experienced 3 years ago for a slight transmisson fluid leak in -15 degree and below weather (a brittle o-ring). Having owned over 60 cars over the past 40 years, this is by far the best

Favorite Features

Traction, safety, performance, luxury, quiet, reliability, great outward vision!

Suggested Improvements

The new ones look even better!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Still Love it

Written by: c32amg2003 on 07/05/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C32 AMG Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl S/C 5A)

Review

This car is still a blast to drive. The fuel economy is good for the power available, but it depends on how you drive it. When you want the performance it is there, when you don't it is a fuel sipping V6. I considered getting a new car, but why, this car is still amazing. Every time I hit the gas from a stop a smile comes over my face. I had a couple of minor electrical issues that occurred just before the car was out of warranty (6 disk cd changer stopped working, drivers heated seat didn't heat, and the visor vanity mirror light would come on when the visor was lowered because the mirror cover would open slightly). The dealer took care of them and The car has been very reliable since.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, brakes, overall performance! Stability control... thankful when it steps in. One touch windows (all four and sunroof). Holds a family of four with ease when required. Doesn't seem to attract unwanted attention. Did I mention performance.

Suggested Improvements

The navigation system is poor, todays portable navigation systems are much better. The front rims extend past the sidewall of the tire which makes it easier to scuff them when parking next to curbs and car washes with wheel guides.

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Rating the C240

Written by: Bradsrq on 03/23/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C240 Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

We bought our C240 preowned back in Dec 07. So far, there have been several issues. Cup holder had to be replaced as well as both rear door outside handles. Now there is an issue with catalytic converter. Dealer says it may be defective. Car had 24K miles when we bought it. Now has 28K miles. Love the way the car looks and interior, but not sure about quality. Gas mileage not that great either. We traded in a 99 230 compressor which was a better overall car. Not sure if we would buy Merc Benz again.

Favorite Features

Styling is a plus, handling is good. Overall a nice looking car.

Suggested Improvements

Improve quality control!

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Love this little car!

Written by: JAG on 03/14/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Rwd 2dr Sports Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

Recently purchased this car for commute to and from work. Averaging 25 mpg, over 30 on the freeway! The car is sporty but not overly flashy, and is a lot of fun to drive. It is our second MB, and now I wonder why we ever drove anything else. It is a much stiffer ride than most MBs, but that just adds to the sporty feel of it. Bigger back seat than you would think for the size of the car, and the seats fold down so you can fit a surprising amount of cargo when necessary. This car is destined to be passed to our oldest when she begins driving.

Favorite Features

MB prestige, steering wheel controls, hatch back and folding seats, sporty feel

Suggested Improvements

On board computer menus are complicated

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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This is a Mercedes engine in a Chrysler

Written by: ReverendSmoke on 02/07/2008

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

Ever since Mercedes and Chrysler merged, the quality of Mercedes has dropped. This car can hit 150MPH (track) without tossing and turning. Acceleration is excellent. Fuel economy is amazing, even when driving city very fast, I average 17mpg or even 19mpg. The downside is the interior - cheap nasty plastic(of American design). No more German luxury. You dont realize it because you are excited about your new 'Benz'. After a few days you start to realize that this is not a Benz. A bBenz is about luxury. If you can't enjoy your Benz and show off to your friends, then what good is it? Exterior design is beautiful. Interior is terrible. Parts are ridiculously expensive. And they wear so fast and break

Favorite Features

Fuel economy is much better than even those slow hybrids that claim to save gas.

Suggested Improvements

Interior - But this car only if it is offered to you for like $7K or less, so you can spend like $3K to upgrade the interior to something aftermarket and more comfortable and pleasing to the eye. The engine also gives too many alerts - windshield washer fluid, coolant level, etc.. It is a headache.

2 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Watch out! Benz not what marketed...

Written by: jonatan on 11/19/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Rwd 2dr Sports Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I purchased this car used for 15,500 in Feb. 2007 with only 40,000 miles on it. It handled well but sucks gas like you cant believe. It doesn't help that every trip to the station requires 93 octane either. Regardless, 13,000 miles later (3000 off warantee) one morning, a complete suprise, the engine begins to shake. I take it to get the oil changed only to have the entire car give out 30 mins later. I had it towed to the dealership to find out that 2 pistons were bent 5' totaling a bill of 4800.00 dollars. This isn't the first time I've heard of this happening since I bought the car. Maybe thats why they stopped making this model?? left me with 8000 neg. equity for my next car. Thnks benz

Favorite Features

fast, especially when you kick into the auto-stick shifter.

Suggested Improvements

Make a more dependable car. IT SUCKS STAY AWAY!!!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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German Luxury?

Written by: drivemeee on 08/10/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C240 Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.6L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This car has been nothing but trouble. New torque converter, transmission service twice, new radiatior, seatbelt retractor, cam sensor, ecu unit, wiper motor, wiper control stalk and unit, valve rollers and sensor again, power window and lock control unit, a/c control unit, shift program controller, hard shift and grinding sound three times-ended up being upgraded spec auto transmission fluid.

Favorite Features

Driving experience when it was test driven, as everything else is bad.

Suggested Improvements

Build quality and reliability

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Drives nice but...

Written by: LISA on 07/11/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C320 4MATIC AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (3.2L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased this car in 2005 with only 9000 miles, luckily under warranty. Car is nice to drive but has had a lot of electrical issues. Tranny leaked but had a recall on that and so far so good on that issue. The problematic electrical seems to be ongoing though, now at 40K miles the moonroof switch does not work all the time. Probs with electrical have been: Cig lighter failed (dealer said from plugging in cell phone?) told me to use the one in the back..convenient!; front headbeam would work sometimes when it wanted to, now taillight is out; drivers headrest failed. Non-elec quality- back seat cover seam tear fixed 3X (still torn); carpet on floor came apart; both front struts blown at 20K

Favorite Features

Purchased an extended warranty for obvious reasons! Drives nice, corners well.

Suggested Improvements

Need to shoot the quality control person who okayed the electrical of these cars. Learn not to stress the small stuff....

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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I Love My C230 Kompressor Sport

Written by: MB Driver on 06/30/2007

Vehicle

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Rwd 2dr Sports Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

Traded my gas guzzling Range Rover in on this C-230 Sport sedan. Great driver, affordable MB. Eye catching style...I highly recommend this car!

Favorite Features

Style, design, fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

Just a bit more power would be great!

0 out 4 people found this review helpful

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