2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review
Fuel Economy
16 - 23 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com 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.
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 for 2004
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.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Be prepared for regular mechanic visits
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C320 Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Best feature that attracted me is the comfort. Sitting in the car is almost as enjoyable as my living room couch (makes all the difference sitting in LA traffic). However by now I can probably write a book about all my mechanical visits (cheapest one being $450) ranging from transmission to power steering pump to sensor malfunction. I'll never buy a Mercedes in the future due to reliability issues because I know it's just a matter of time before my next break-down. P.S. The car has 65K miles, I am the original owner and I take great care of it.
Favorite Features
Comfortable ride
Suggested Improvements
Reliability
Best Car I Ever Won!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
Review
I won this car in a casino drawing in Laughlin, Nevada in December of 2005. The car was "new" (but already 2 model years old) but did have about 800 miles on it. I have really enjoyed this great surprise "gift" and drive it mostly on trips from my home in Bullhead City, AZ to Vegas, Southern CA and the Bay Area. Car does perform GREAT on the highway. with 28-31 MPG. City MPG 21-25. Supercharger is awesome for passing. City performance a bit sluggish. Interior pretty comfy, but I could see it would be a bit cramped for very large or tall people. Exterior styling on this model is beautiful and classic. Very few minor problems so far so I am quite pleased. Worth every penny I paid!
Favorite Features
Exterior styling, nice dash displays, steering wheel controls, great sounding stereo, great A/C system (very important for our 110+ degree summer heat here in AZ), great fuel economy and excellent highway power and performance
Suggested Improvements
Could be a bit more "zippy" off the highway.
LOVE THIS BENZ
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 2dr Sport Coupe (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
Review
Using it for state to state trips and it is a pleasure to drive. It stores quite a bit of cargo with the back seats folded down. The car seems to fit you when you are driving long hours and miles. To be honest I bought it for its looks but when I got it I had to suddenly press it into long distance trips and it excelled. I have had no problems but maybe the tires seem to be wearing out a little early but if that is the only drawback I will gladly by new tires. It is fast and turns on a dime and brakes with the best.
Favorite Features
The power and it is as smooth as silk on the highways with no wobble when trucks past it but with the engine I never had that issue unless I was just loafing in the right lane. Braking is quick and smooth.
Suggested Improvements
better placement of the window switches. better storage compartment up front. more spacious glove compartment too.
Exceptional Vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
Review
I have really enjoyed this car. It has been incredibly reliable and comfortable on long road trips. Short drives are enjoyable also.
Favorite Features
My favorite features would be rain sensing windshield wipers, panerama roof, rear sun shade and easy entry assist.
Suggested Improvements
I have not suggestments for improvement. I think this car is absolutely perfect as it is.
Amazingly great car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C230 Kompressor Rwd 4dr Sport Sedan (1.8L 4cyl S/C 6M)
Review
I bought this car a few months ago and love it. This car gets awsome gas mileage at 23 mpg city-33 mpg hwy and is very comfortable to sit in on long trips, not to mention it turns a lot of heads.
Favorite Features
My favorite feature is the how quiet of a ride it is and how quiet the doors sound when you shut them. Before this I owned an Acura TSX and they are very very loud inside while you are driving. Everyone always asked if my windows were down!
Suggested Improvements
I have seen the new ones and have nothing at this point to add as a change because this I would have said have already been done.
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