Not long after the 20th century turned into the 21st century, Mercedes-Benz introduced the C230 Kompressor sports coupe to the world – a sleek, sexy car that one reviewer called it “the best-looking two-door hatchback on the market.”
So: A coupe. A hatchback. A Mercedes. Affordable, and just under 200 hp. With a manual transmission. Is there a problem here?
Good.
Some complained that the adjective “sport” was misplaced and that the C230 coupe was too much show and not enough go. In fact, the car had a rather delicate look and 192bhp might have been just good enough two decades ago. This “sport” coupe was never marketed as a muscle car and was in fact the opposite of either of those machines. It was ambitious, but not in the way that a Mustang was.
Perhaps Mercedes should have given the C230 more time to catch on: production of the car stopped in 2007.
Why is the Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor a future classic?
During the five years that the C230 Kompressor was on sale, it attracted, among others, the younger generation Golf owners who wanted to upgrade their driveway with a Mercedes, and curse the compromises. Like rear-wheel drive. A cramped backseat. A supercharger, shiny on paper but a devil to maintain.
But did we mention it was a Mercedes?
In 2002 (no relation to the BMW of that name), the C230 was the least expensive Benz on sale in the U.S. market, at around $26,000. Critics were outraged that a two-door hatchback undermined the marque’s “prestige quotient.” Buyers were apparently impressed nonetheless.
In sporty situations, the rear-wheel-drive coupe made for a playful ride, with 16-inch wheels and the six-speed manual transmission. The coupe inherited the SLK’s 192-horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) 2.3-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine, with a revised fuel-injection unit and streamlined exhaust, both of which were said to improve low-end torque. Torque wasn’t what you’d call plentiful, but it did come on low down, peaking at 200 pound-feet at 2,500 rpm.
Granted, the C230 was aimed at the suburbs, not the racetrack. Enthusiasts at the time may have thought that the AudiTT or BMW 325Ci were more viable options (for $5,000 more), but the target audience was happy with the Benz aura and apparently not too put off by the small rear seat and two doors. Cargo space also benefited from the hatch configuration: Pop it open and fold down the rear seat, and you’ve got 38 cubic feet of storage space for plenty of stuff.
And the look was undeniably handsome, a forward-leaning wedge that would still turn heads two decades after its arrival. Even those potential buyers who weren’t blown away by the short tail… well, it was the view from the front that counted: the three-pointed star on the hood.
What is the ideal example of the Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor?
Because the C230 had a short lifespan in America, what you saw when it was introduced was pretty much what you got when it was demised. Low mileage models are pretty hard to find.
The 2002 version, which was a variant of the CL203 C-Classwas initially powered by a 2.3-liter supercharged engine, but starting in the 2004 model year it received a 1.8-liter supercharged inline-four engine, which dropped output slightly to 189 hp at 5,800 rpm and 192 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm.
Since the manual transmission wasn’t smooth, consider buying a coupe with an automatic, which often came with leather and bumped the price to around $28,000. The $995 panoramic roof option could tilt and slide, relieving claustrophobia for those trapped in the back.
The interior was understated but tasteful and comfortable, at least for those sitting in the front. Also standard were aluminum dashboard trim, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescope steering wheel, electric windows and dual-zone climate control.
The color choices were many and varied. The reds seemed to suit the C230 well: over the years the Germans offered it in Paprika, Bordeaux Red and Magma Red. You may not want to check Citron Green in your search filter.
Make sure you check it out our used vehicle lists; they can be helpful in finding a good deal. You can narrow down the options to a radius around your zip code, and pay special attention to the deal rating of each listing to see how a vehicle compares to others in a similar area.
Are there any good alternatives to the Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor?
The above mentioned Audi’s and BMWs should be high on this list. Mustang and Camaros also play a role in the purchasing process, especially for drivers looking for more masculinity in the shape and more power in the drivetrain.
Certainly it should be taken into consideration that VW GTi and the Honda Accord Coupe.