How rare/unusual is ... ?

[philharve]

Hi All

I have often reported that I have only ever seen one other C230K like mine, an automatic. All the other examples I've encountered have been manuals.

Just how rare/unusual is it to have a small sports saloon with an automatic gearbox? I am thinking primarily of Mercedes models.

'Sport' tends to equate to 'manual' but I have found that a supercharged engine mated to an automatic gearbox is a delightful combination. Furthermore, such a combination may be longer-lived and require less maintenance.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[jberks]

I'm surprised Phil. I've rarely seen a manual C. Most of the C's I've seen 202s and 203s, aside from maybe the 180 classic where cost will have been an issue, have all been auto.
That said, it was a £1400 option from memory so I guess those specifying the 230k and not the more relaxed 240/280 were more sportily inclined.

 

[philharve]

Not rare/unusual after all!

I'm surprised Phil. I've rarely seen a manual C. Most of the C's I've seen 202s and 203s, aside from maybe the 180 classic where cost will have been an issue, have all been auto.
That said, it was a £1400 option from memory so I guess those specifying the 230k and not the more relaxed 240/280 were more sportily inclined.

Hi jberks

I bow to your superior knowledge. Maybe if I were to reverse the question ... how rare/unusual are manual C230Ks?

I have no idea why manual C230Ks are, apparently, far more common in my part of the UK, west Cornwall??? I have also noticed that the C230K automatic is missing from at least one of the better-known used car guides. I assume an automatic C230K is more desirable than a manual and therefore more valuable? I suppose it was this omission and the apparently rarity of automatic C230Ks in Cornwall that made me think I had a rare/unusual model. I even thought it might be a special order by the original purchaser. Now I learn it is in no way special. I'm not disappointed because I now appreciate the wider picture.

REGARDS

Phil

REGARDS

Phil

 

[verytalldave]

MOST C Class Mercedes of all types are auto. Very few are manuals, and of those that are, I would take a further guess and suggest most of them would be budget spec company supplied C180's.
With the exception of the A and possibly, the B class, most Mercs are autos.

 

[jberks]

got me thinking so I had a scan of autotrader.
Of the Cs for sale
model manual
180 19.2%
200 15%
230k 27%
240 3.1%
280 1.7%

So pretty much as we'd expect with the lower models having more manuals though reducing as the models go up. The ratio on the 230k surprised me but probably explains Phils perception.

 

[Andrew Rymer]

Does anyone know the percentage of 230 clk Kompressors are auto's?

 

[paul c]

I have a c240 manual and i must say i have not seen another on w203 its ok but i somtimes wish for a auto its not the best gearbox but i had been used to hot hatchs before and most of these have very close ratio gear boxes.

 

[jberks]

Does anyone know the percentage of 230 clk Kompressors are auto's?

www.autotrader.co.uk
put in the details and once selected, there is an auto/manual option that tells you how many in each category. Dead easy. Of course its only a random sample but I daree say it will be representative.

 

[philharve]

In search of 'automatics'

www.autotrader.co.uk
put in the details and once selected, there is an auto/manual option that tells you how many in each category. Dead easy. Of course its only a random sample but I daree say it will be representative.

Hi jberks

That link could prove very useful.

My brother is looking for a small car but he is adamant it must be another automatic. His previous car, a Renault Megane 1.6, P reg., was an automatic, the first after driving manuals since passing the Driving Test. But finding a small automatic is not easy as they are still a comparative rarity although I understand they are becoming more common due to advances in engine & transmission technology.

I would like him to choose a small Mercedes saloon, an automatic, but with a budget of just GBP3,500 his choices are somewhat limited. I expect he will eventually purchase a Golf or other small hatchback because low running costs is another of his prerequisites. I did wonder whether a 190 would suit him - my neighbor has one - but as he is looking for a vehicle manufactured around the Millenium, it's unlikely to be a Mercedes although I do see loads of well maintained examples of the 190 around. They may be old but they do last. My brother believes that 'age' equates to 'unreliability' and scarcity of parts, hence potentially high running costs. He is correct?

The www.autotrader.co.uk link might make his searching that much easier. Thanks.

REGARDS

Phil