Review: Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class sedan (2000-07)

Review: Mercedes-Benz W203.I C-Class sedan (2000-04)

Overview

Released in November 2000, the Mercedes-Benz W203 Series I (W203.I) C-Class was a compact, executive sedan. Manufactured in South Africa, the rear-wheel drive C-Class range initially consisted of the C 180, C 200 Kompressor, C 240 and C 320. In March 2001, the range was expanded with the introduction of the C 220 CDI (March) and C 32 (November). In October 2002, the C 180 Kompressor replaced the C 180 as the entry-level model and the C 200 Kompressor was fitted with a 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder engine.

Please note that the Mercedes W203 C 32 and C 55 AMG have been reviewed separately.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to its W202 C-Class predecessor, the W203 C-Class was 39 mm longer (at 4526 mm), 8 mm wider (1728 mm), 12 mm taller (1426 mm) and had a 25 mm longer wheelbase (2715 mm); the W203 chassis also achieved a 26 per cent increase in torsional rigidity. Furthermore, the W203 C-Class introduced rack and pinion steering, MacPherson strut front suspension with three links and independent, multi-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class sedan included dual front airbags (with two-stage deployment), door-mounted front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front and outer rear seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2002 Mercedes-Benz W203 C 180 sedan received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.69 – this result, however, included two points for seatbelt reminders which were only introduced in Australian models in 2004. In the frontal offset impact test, protection from serious chest injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, a curtain airbag deployed but did not open fully and there was a slight risk of serious abdomen injury for the driver.

Features: Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Classic

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Classic included a seven speaker sound system with a single CD player, ‘ Thermatic’ climate control air conditioning, leather/Tex upholstery, cruise control with variable speed limiter (‘Speedtronic’), front and rear fog lights, automatic headlights, multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, green tinted and heat-insulating windows, front vanity mirrors, ‘Calyptus Linea’ wood trim, trip computer and immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Class Elegance and Avantgarde had additional features (see below), though the C 320 was fitted with leather seats and door linings as standard.

Features: C-Class Elegance and Avantgarde

Compared to the Classic variants, both the Elegance and Avantgarde variants were further equipped with ‘Thermotronic’ luxury climate control (which accounted for sun position, humidity and air pollutants), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, front door exit lights, a height adjustable front armrest, chrome side rub strips, interior-coloured seat belts, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, body-coloured door handles with chrome strips, bumpers with chrome strips and aluminium roof trim strips and window guides.

Beyond this, the Elegance variants were further distinguished by their 15-inch seven-hole alloy wheels, Laurel high-grade wood trim and ‘atlas grey’ radiator grille. The Avantgarde variants, however, had 16-inch five-hole alloy wheels with 205/55 R 16 wider profile tyres, ‘Derby’ fabric design, ‘Alu-quadra’ textured aluminium interior trim, a high-gloss black radiator, unique side sill covers and blue tinted heat-insulating glass.

Review: Mercedes-Benz W203.II C-Class sedan (2004-07)

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Mercedes-Benz W203 Series II (W203.II) C-Class sedan introduced a revised range, mechanical upgrades and an improved manual transmission with improved shift quality. As such, the W203.II C-Class sedan was fitted with newly developed front and rear axle bearings which provided greater cornering agility, a more direct steering ratio and revised suspension settings.

Visually, the W203.II C-Class sedan could be identified by its clear-lens headlamps, new front bumper with a larger lower air intake and radiator grille with three more obliquely angled transverse slats. Inside, there was a new instrument cluster in a chronometer design with chrome surrounds, centre console with chrome trim, new climate controls and switchgear.

Features

Compared to their W203.I predecessors, standard features for the W203.II C-Class sedan included a new six speaker Audio 20 sound system. Furthermore, the C 240 was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels while the C 320 was further equipped with COMAND APS, including satellite navigation and a six-disc CD player, power adjustable front seats with memory settings.

Features: C-Class Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde

Beyond the standard features, the Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde variants were also revised. The Classic variants featured new olive-ash exotic wood trim and twin leather seat upholstery, while the Elegance had a vertically structured upholstery design and single-tone door lining panels; furthermore, both the Classic and Elegance were fitted with the side skirts and rear bumper of the Avantgarde.

The Avantgarde variants featured combination ‘Coventry’ fabric (in black or alpaca grey) combined with synthetic ‘Artico’ leather, ‘aluminium linea’ trim (or optional bird’s-eye maple), leather-wrapped gear shift with chrome cap and synthetic leather door linings.

Sports and AMG Sports packages

With the exception of the C 55 AMG, all models in the W203.II C-Class range could be optioned with a Sports or AMG Sports package. The Sports package included 17-inch alloy wheels, 225/45 R17 front and 245/40 R17 rear tyres, sports suspension, contoured sports seats, stainless steel exhaust pipes (chrome tail-pipes for the C 220 CDI), ventilated front brake discs, a three-spoke steering wheel, an instrument cluster with forward-inclined tubes, reduced shift travel, stainless steel pedals with rubber studs. Beyond this, the AMG Sports package added 17-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels and AMG body-styling for the front and rear aprons and side skirts.

February 2005: C-Class sedan update

From February 2005, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors (‘Parktronic’) were standard across the range; for the C 200 Kompressor and above, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift were also fitted as standard.

August 2005: C-Class sedan update

The C-Class range was updated in August 2005, with the C 240 and C 320 replaced by the C 230 and C 350, with the new models both fitted with a seven-speed automatic transmission (Mercedes-Benz’s ‘7G-Tronic’). Furthermore, active front seat head restraints (‘Neck-Pro’) were fitted as standard across the range.

Standard features for the C 180 Kompressor were extended to include 16-inch alloy wheels, while all V6 models were fitted with speed-sensitive steering (‘parameter’ steering). The C 55 AMG also gained a Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system and tyre pressure monitoring.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Kompressor Sport Edition

In June 2005, a Sport Edition of the C 200 Kompressor was released. The Sport Edition added 17-inch wheels (225/45 front and 245/40 rear), sports suspension, upgraded brakes, Thermotronic climate control, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights with cornering function, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift buttons, a power-operated glass sunroof, AMG body-styling, silver-painted radiator grille and chromed tailpipes.

January 2006: Sport Edition + package

In January 2006, an optional ‘Sport Edition +’ package was introduced; the package included 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels, larger perforated front brake discs, sports suspension, bi-xenon headlights with washers, polished exhaust pipes and AMG body-styling. Inside, there were contoured sports seats, black twin leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and silver instrument dials with white lighting.

2007 Mercedes-Benz C 180 Kompressor Super Sport Edition

In January 2007, a Super Sport Edition of the C 180 Kompressor was released, which built upon the features of the pre-existing optional Sports Package. Beyond this, the Super Sport edition added 17-inch six-spoke light alloy wheels, steering wheel gearshift buttons (‘Touchshift’), AMG bodykit (front and rear aprons, side skirt), self-cleaning bi-xenon headlights, glass sliding power sunroof, silver front radiator grille with chrome trim, aluminium interior highlights and black velour floor mats.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mercedes-Benz W203.II C-Class Sedan (International) (July 2005)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class