BMW_Dude

What is it?

Until September, when the C180K arrives, the C200K is the entry-level C-class.
It comes with a supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182bhp (up 21bhp on the old C200K) and 184lb ft – up 7lb ft.
What’s it like?

Desirable. The new C-class looks compact, powerful and sharp. We prefer the chunkier styling of the Sport model to the classic looks of the Elegance model tested, but either way it’s a handsome machine.
In an attempt to woo both traditional Merc buyers and younger, trendier types, you can have your new C-class two ways – with softer suspension, a traditional multi-bar grille and bonnet-mounted Star, or with sportier suspension and a coupe-like grille.
The interior’s quite sharp, too, with lots of straight edges and a high-quality ambience. Slam the glovebox, for example, and it feels like you’re shutting the door of a safe.
Specification is good. Even the most basic stereo has a Bluetooth function to make your mobile phone hands-free plus a socket for your MP3 player. Climate control is standard and all C-classes get front, side and driver’s knee airbags, ESP, ASR and Merc’s ‘Pre-Safe’ system.
The 200K engine’s really rather good. It feels surprisingly fleet, the five-speed auto ’box (the six-cylinder petrols get a seven-speeder) making the best of the power. 0-62mph takes 8.8sec (8.6 for the six-speed manual).
Only in the mid-range does the engine occasionally seem to struggle with the C-class’s 1490kg bulk, as it kicks down through the gears. However, all of the torque is available from 2800rpm, and the engine revs quite freely.
The cabin is seriously hushed, even at motorway speeds. Sadly, however, there’s not masses of room for those in the back. It’s not cramped per se, but headroom is tight for those over six feet tall (and, indeed, tighter than in a 3-series).
Should I buy one?

It’s not cheap, at £25,312 plus options for the mid-spec C200K Elegance (the auto ’box is £1095). But while a similarly specced BMW 320i SE is £23,415, that only has 148bhp and 148lb ft (versus 182 and 184).
The Merc also emits 169g/km of CO2 (187 for the auto), next to the BMW’s 178g/km, so it will cost less in tax for company car users. Residual values are also predicted to be good.

Source = Autocar

The Artist

wow a verdict that gave it good points on price.. i guess its not really that much a diffrence..as the C packs alot of things standard..that comes as options with others..

Mirage77

The supercharged engine in the C200 is a good alternative (even competitor) to the 2L I4 in the 320i.

Silverado

Would the 323i be a better comparison with 174bhp @ 5800 rpm and 170 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm? Of course, the C200K doesn't have its silky smooth 6 cylinders and the 323i isn't available in the UK (yet?).

Strange that the BMW Hong Kong site claims the 323i produces 191bhp @ 5900 rpm and does 0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds - gross overstatement and understatement respectively!

cawimmer430

The C180K and C200K are actually quite refined engine wise. They feel like 6-cylinders in smoothness and sound. I've driven both.

Only at higher speeds does their 4-cylinder nature become apparent.

spykeyz

hi christian,

did u feel big difference between C180k & C200k ?

also at what speed the engine sound becomes very loud ?

thank u

cawimmer430

Hi Spykeys,

I didn't drive the W204 C-Class C180K and C200K. My experience with the C180K and C200K is limited to the W203 C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor as well as the CL203 C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor Sportcoupes.

Performance wise there's no real big difference between them. The C200K had obviously a bit more grunt, but not by much. In fact, I'd probably take a C180 Kompressor over the C200 Kompressor since the performance is more or less the same but with better fuel economy.

The engine becomes very loud at around 170 km/h+. I was able to deliver a used C180 Kompressor to Munich and I maxed this thing out on the Autobahn going there. At 170 km/h+, the engine starts to wail like a 4-cylinder. Past that speed it doesn't really get much louder, but it still wails and screams.

Hope this helps.

spykeyz

what a relief .. i barely reach 140 km so i guess the engine sound is no problem.

i think ill just go for C180K instead of C200K and get more toys.

thank u for the information .. very helpfull