How fast is the Mercedes Benz c230 Kompressor?
By
Vroomouk
This blog will answer the following questions: How fast is the Mercedes Benz c230 Kompressor? What are the specifications of the C 230 Kompressor? What are the driver assistance systems in the C 230 Kompressor? What are the common problems in the C 230 Kompressor?
How fast is the Mercedes Benz C 230 Kompressor?
The Mercedes Benz C 230 has a top speed of 240 km/hr or 149 Mph. it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.1 seconds. It is not the fastest model in the C class but the 1.8-liter engine in the C 230 is supercharged and the power-to-weight ratio is 7.2 kg/hp. The C 230 Kompressor offered good performance in a compact body style.
Mercedes Benz launched the C230 Kompressor model in 2000, initially, it was powered by a 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder petrol engine. It was later replaced by a direct fuel injected 1.8 cylinder engine with a very marginal drop in power output.
The second generation of C class model series W203 also came in a 3-door hatchback coupe and a 5-door station wagon body style. The coupe model was faster than the sedan but it had very small space in the rear seat and the luggage space was also not good.
In 2004, Mercedes Benz launched the facelift model, some of the changes were updated interior styling and a new instrument cluster with a multifunction display. A sports package with 17-inch wheels and a Bluetooth module for iPhone connectivity was available as an optional extra.
The sports package also included an AMG front and rear bumper design with side skirts and a chrome exhaust muffler. The 5-speed automatic transmission also came with S and C or summer/cold driving modes. In C mode the transmission selected the second gear despite an inline 4 or V 6 engine, this helped to reduce the wheel spin in snow or icy conditions during start-off.
What are the specifications of the C 230 Kompressor?
The specifications of the C 230 Kompressor (W 203) are listed in the table below:
| Specifications | Mercedes Benz C 230 Kompressor |
| Launching price | 27,000 USD |
| Engine output | 189 hp and 260 Nm |
| transmission | 722.6 5 speed automatic/6-speed manual |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.4 gallons |
| Range | 433 miles |
| wheelbase | 271.5 cm |
| Width | 172.8 cm |
| height | 142.6 cm |
| Trunk capacity | 455 liters |
Mercedes Benz used a supercharged version of the M271 in the C 230 Kompressor. It was more refined thanks to a higher compression ratio and sequential fuel injection.
The supercharger in the C230 was an Eaton M65. compared to the M62 found in the 2.3-liter engine, the M65 had a much more compact design and minimum power loss at higher engine speeds.
The bypass valve in the M65 was again directed towards the inlet of the compressor so it reused the excess charged air, the turbines connected to a smaller pulley with an inbuilt magnetic clutch. The M271 was a more modern engine with two overhead camshafts driven by a timing chain connected to the crankshaft.
The engine also featured a camshaft adjustment or variable valve timing in order to improve the torque curve. Mercedes Benz used aluminum for the construction of the cylinder head and engine block and the connecting rods were based on the M111 Evo engine.
The compressed air from the supercharger is cooled in the intercooler before going into the intake manifold. The air quantity is measured with the help of an air mass sensor and a quantity control valve controls the pressure inside the fuel rail.
The chassis of the C 230 had a multi-link suspension setup on the rear axle and independent MacPherson struts on the front axle. The steering is hydraulic power steering, the handling of the C 230 is not good. There is a load of understeer and the traction control unit cuts the power to reduce the understeer.
The tire size of the C 230 Kompressor is 205/55 R 16 on front and rear wheels. All the brakes are ventilated disc brakes with a floating caliper setup. The 17-inch alloy wheels are only available in the C 230 Kompressor sports edition.
There is good interior equipment in the C 230 Kompressor. Heated and ventilated electric seats came as standard along with a rear electrically operated sunblind. 5 passengers could easily fit in the C 230 Kompressor but the third seat in the second row is a little bit cramped.
Cassette player came as standard and Mercedes Benz even offered a 6-disc CD changer, an optional extra CD player. The magazine for the CD player was integrated into the glove compartment along with pen holders. Cup holders are present in the center console for the front as well as rear seats.
What are the driver assistance and safety systems in the C 230 Kompressor?
The driver assistance and safety systems in the Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor are listed below.
- Electronic stability program with traction control
- Anti-lock brakes or ABS
- Seatbelts pre-tensioning device
- Airbags (front passenger, side bags, and window bags)
- Tow away protection with immobilizer function.
What are the common problems in the C 230 Kompressor?
The common problems in the C 230 Kompressor are given below, C 230 Kompressor is a reliable car however there are a few problems that lead to breakdowns or expensive repairs.
- Vehicle not starting
This problem occurs due to a fault in the crankshaft position sensor. The engine control unit provides a power supply to the CKP or crankshaft position sensor. The position of the crankshaft is required to determine the ignition angle and the fuel injection timing.
The CKP used in the C 230 is a hall effect type and the amplitude of the voltage signal varies depending on the speed of the flywheel connected to the crankshaft. There are two missing teeth on the flywheel to represent the completion of one full turn.
The engine control unit cannot determine the engine seed when the CKP is not working. There is also no fail-safe mode, hence the vehicle cannot start when the position of the crankshaft is not determined. The remedy is to replace the CKP or even the engine control unit if the fault occurs after replacing the crankshaft position sensor.
- The air conditioning not working
The refrigerant circuit in the C 230 leaks as the age of the vehicle increases. The leak is usually at the evaporator coil located inside the dashboard. The refrigerant or the AC gas leaks from the coil and pressure cannot be built up in the air conditioning system.
The only remedy is to renew the complete evaporator coil and refill the air conditioning system with appropriate refrigerant.
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Conclusion
The C 230 is a good car, especially in the sports trim. It is also a very reliable car and the engine will easily last for more than 100,000 miles. It is a good used car to buy as the prices are very low and the C 230 Kompressor is not expensive to maintain.
