Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz has long been a privilege reserved for the older and well-heeled, but times have changed. The company has forged a new identity as a multi-dimensional brand, offering a broad range of products, including a few that appeal to the less affluent among us.
The entry-level Mercedes-Benz in America, the C-Class, has much of the same visual appeal of its bigger brothers, and the similarities don't end just there. There's a "feel" to the automobiles from Stuttgart, a combination of mechanical integrity and appealing creature comfort, and the C-Class doesn't lack in either area.
Some critics saw Mercedes' move "downward" in the market as a mistake, that affordability would inevitably lead to a degeneration of the expected Mercedes values. Well, the execs at Mercedes are a savvy bunch, and the C-Class has worked wonders for the company's bottom line: 2003 sales figures place the C-Class as the best-selling vehicle in the M-B line, surpassing the popular E-Class by more than 10,000 units.
Available as a sedan, hatch or wagon, the C-Class is due for a facelift, but I find little wrong with our long-term C230 Kompressor Sport.
After tooling around in the sleek sedan for the past several months, I've come to appreciate, and dislike, aspects of its persona. The car's exterior is exquisitely sculpted and to my eye has supermodel appeal. The contours flow effortlessly and gracefully from front to rear, making this a car that looks good from any angle, which is no mean feat in current design. Even its sporty seven-spoke 17-in. alloy wheels (appropriately wrapped with 225/45 Michelin Pilots) factor well into the overall aesthetic.
The interior is a different story. Although it's fitted with well-bolstered front buckets and a comfy (yet tight on legroom) rear bench, it seems to lack elements you would expect from a car wearing the three-pointed star. Various controls and plastic trim along the dash and door panels are designed to look sporty, and do, but they also come off as a little cheap.
However, my 6 ft 5 in. frame has no problem getting comfortable in the car, even when I'm driving for long distances. A plus is the optional premium sound system and CD changer ($1,025), which offers impressive aural quality. I also enjoy the glass sunroof, part of an upgrade option ($1,640) that includes auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and a power rear sunshade. While on the topic of factory options, you might also consider the Comfort Package ($1,450), consisting of power front seats, memory package, garage door opener and visor vanity mirrors. Combined, these options (not on our car) would help make the car more accommodating and are worth the investment.
The "Sport" designation suggests performance, and with nearly 190 bhp and an impressive 192 lb-ft of torque, the supercharged 1.8-liter inline four backs it up. The engine feels most receptive around 3500 to 4000 rpm, where peak torque is reached, but the driver has to stay busy with the gear lever to access the heart of the powerband. Classified as a low emissions vehicle, the C230 also offers acceptable fuel economy, averaging 21 mpg city and 30 mpg hwy.
The new six-speed manual has sporty close ratios, but the box could use a bit of refinement, as it requires more than a bit of finesse to keep from bogging the engine or running up against the unambitious redline.
Braking is more than adequate, augmented by four-channel ABS along with Brake Assist and electronic brake proportioning. I actually prefer the feel of this less "sophisticated" brake system than the electronically assisted brakes found on other Mercedes' vehicles.
Boasting a sport-tuned suspension with all of Mercedes' stability-enhancing systems (as standard), the C230 exhibits spirited, responsive handling under most circumstances, hesitating only when pushed too hard. Comprised of two separate lower links with a strut, coil springs, twin tube gas shocks and stabilizer bar at the front, and independent multi-link with gas shocks at the rear, the system is well damped and surprisingly comfortable. The rack-and-pinion steering is also very good, providing direct driver feedback, but it's not quite up to the high standards of BMW's 3 Series.
In addition to various performance enhancements, we hear that mid 2004 Sport models will receive recalibrated shocks offering firmer suspension characteristics. (Watch for a First Look in an upcoming issue).
The C230 is a good value, especially considering the long list of standard equipment. Depending on options, the car can be found for under $27,000, so owning a new Mercedes is easier than ever, helping the company attract buyers it hadn't been able to attract in past years. Rather than undermining Mercedes' strategy, the C-Class has become an integral part of the action.