SedanMercedes-Benz59% by Neofiliac Team

Mercedes-Benz C-class W203

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Product Overview

Mercedes-Benz C-class W203 is a compact executive sedan in production from 2000 to 2004, whereupon it received a facelift. It was available with a range of inline-4, V6, and inline-5 engines that displaced 1.8 to 3.2 liters.

Unfortunately, this was the generation of Mercedes vehicles that suffered the most from cost-cutting. As a result, the powertrain, chassis and suspension, and build quality all worsened. Notably, whereas the W202 used double-wishbone front suspensions, the W203 reverted to MacPherson strut. The pre-facelift model also lost the V8 engine. History has shown that these were the years that rusted the most.

To compensate for these, Mercedes offered AWD (marketed as "4MATIC"), which is really unnecessary for a RWD vehicle. The only diesel AMG was also offered in the C 30 CDI AMG guise. This engine has been said by some to be the worst engine to ever bear an AMG badge.

Mercedes-Benz has made a good effort in aerodynamics, with a decent 0.26 coefficient of drag to show for it.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 59%

Pros

Rather reliable diesel engine range
Great 5G-TRONIC auto box
Good 0.26 drag coefficient
Good towing capacity

Cons

RUST
Loss of V8
Stuck with MacPherson struts in the front
Questionable styling

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Specifications

Variants shown:

C 30 CDI AMG

C 32 AMG

C 180 MT

C 180

C 180 Kompressor MT

C 180 Kompressor

C 200 CDI 116hp MT

C 200 CDI 116hp

C 200 CDI 122hp MT

C 200 CDI 122hp

C 200 CGI MT

C 200 Kompressor MT

C 200 Kompressor MT 02+

C 200 Kompressor

C 200 Kompressor 02+

C 220 CDI MT

C 220 CDI MT 03+

C 220 CDI 03+

C 220 CDI

C 240 MT

C 240 4MATIC

C 240

C 270 CDI MT

C 270 CDI

C 320 MT

C 320 4MATIC

C 320

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