Bought my first Merc today. Advice?

[Danith]

Hiya. I've just got home from picking up a 1998 C230 Kompressor sport saloon. It's not really what I'm used to but I've heard good things about these and I've got some 18" AMG's coming this weekend to get it how I want it looking (although the std 16"s are growing on me!).

It's the manual too.

Basically what are the general views on ownership of these cars - reliable, headache free ownership? Performance?

It's got a really good FSH with it and has all old receipts and MOT's and the handbook and both keys so really well looked after. No rust I can see and drives really smooth.

Thing is, what are general recommendations for where/how/ what to fit to give it the induction noise I'm after!? I can't see many kits available for it?
On my Clio 172 I just removed the cold air feeds and it sounded awesome.
Also, what suspension do people recommend? It doesn't half feel soft on the corners!

 

[Danith]

Oh yeah, the layouts of it all are so different to my other cars! Do these all come with cruise control? I thought this had it but I can't see it (not bothered really if not).
Also doesn't it have a trip computer with MPG and all that stuff on it?? Hard to believe it wouldn't have even that?!

 

[Danith]

Ignore me, I'm a retard. Why would it have cruise control being a manual!? Oops.

 

[LTD]

Welcome to the forum.

Mercedes do things with cars that other marques can take a decade to replicate.

Cruise control on a manual is nothing too unusual. Neither is rust - your main enemy

Find a good independent - tell us where you live and no doubt somebody local will point you in the right direction.

 

[Danith]

Cheers mate. It's good to see a good forum to go with the car! The Clio forum was huge but FULL of bitter and know it all people!
The Seat forum was completely dead!
The 106 GTi forum was full of kids.
Reading posts in this one fills me with much more confidence!

You can get cruise control in a manual? I don't think mine has - no biggie - I'm guessing this was an optional extra then?

There's no rust on it apart from a small bubble by the grille on the bonnet.

I live in Manchester city centre. I'm still jealous of the guy who parks next to me who runs Club V in town - he's got a CLK AMG 55 I think it is? 55 reg. NICE!!

Any pointers on fitting a nice (not OTT) sounding induction kit? I can hardly hear the supercharger! Are these not strictly a supercharger on these? In the way that a 'turbo' on a Golf 1.8T isn't really a proper turbo? (ie: low pressure unit).

 

[Danith]

Sorry, was that blasphemy!?

 

[AJA]

Welcome to MBclub matey.

 

[trapperjohn]

Welcome aboard.

 

[s500colin]

Hello and Welcome from Me too

 

[A210AMG]

Welcome

If you have cruise you will have another little stalk on the left thinner than the indicator stalk. I've had manuals with autos before (not merc) work fine.

I fitted a cai kit to one of my cars it used to suck in small animals and sounded ace there must be something similar for yours?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Danith]

cheers all! have you got a link of this said 'cai'? No cruise on mine, never mind. Getting used to how it drives now. Much different to the revvy, thrashable, snappy 172, gti's etc Ive had before. Got some real grunt in it tho midrange. Needs firming up though in the susp!

 

[grober]

Any pointers on fitting a nice (not OTT) sounding induction kit? I can hardly hear the supercharger! Are these not strictly a supercharger on these? In the way that a 'turbo' on a Golf 1.8T isn't really a proper turbo? (ie: low pressure unit).

Kompressor is German for Supercharger afaik the Merc Kompressor engines use an Eaton M-62 blower, which is a Roots-type supercharger - based on the same design as the ones used on pre-war Mercs and Bentleys---- these produce a broad range of torque starting very low down the rev range but tend to tail off at high revs. The demon tweak [ and really only tuning mod] is to alter the relative sizes of the kompressor drive pulleys to increase boost. There are several well engineered kits available to do this but not cheap. e.g. Kleemann Boost Kits

 

[Danith]

cheers. just been reading up on these on here. pulley seems to be best option but dont think its worth £1k! it's quick enough for me really. considering the price to buy, insure and mpg of it. when i need a quicker car i'll buy a quicker car!
really well put together though this, although Im surprised by the lack of toys! for a bag of sand its a lot of car though and fingers crossed - hassle free motoring!?
get the amg 18s tomorrow and hopefully stiffer susp after xmas.
i cant see any budget coilovers for these tho, so looks like replacement springs.

 

[mapleleaf]

Welcome. the 230k was my first merc too! I got one of the first auto versions though .
it had virtually nothing as standard - no radio , no rear hi mount brake light, nada!

anyway back then I treated myself to leather, sports suspension, and AMG 18" wheels - they are def a must imho.

But it was a cracking car, handled well, was fast enough and it was as fast as a v6 C280 IIRC and a lot less cost.

I am sure you will enjoy your new merc and your time on this superb forum-

 

[Danith]

Cool. What suspension have you got on yours? What springs do people rceommend?

I'd bought the AMG 18s before I even bought the car to be honest! Bargain on Ebay.

I know people slate the sound of these aswell, I will admit it doesn't sound as good as a 6cyl or 8cyl, but I don't think it sounds that bad.

My 328 sport e36 did sound sweet though, but had to try something different. Well chuffed with it so far.

Wouldn't mind one of those BMW e40 style lip spoilers instead of my std merc one aswell.

 

[mapleleaf]

I Sold the car a long time ago but it had the factory ordered MB AMG sports suspension kit - it was expensive but the car looked the business.

 

[Danith]

Sweet. I think I'm gonna go for some Eibachs, AMG stuff would be sweet but rare/pricey.

I'm guessing you're from the Canadian Manchester by the way?

 

[markjay]

Cheers mate. It's good to see a good forum to go with the car! The Clio forum was huge but FULL of bitter and know it all people!...

No wonder... my other car is a Renault. And I am very bitter about it... electrical gremlins no end.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Danith]

I'd never ever buy a Peugeot or Citroen again. But Renault aren't that bad. I've had 2 phase 1 Clio 172's and nothing ever went wrong with them. Best cars I've ever had!......so far.