2003 Mercedes 230C Kompressor excellent running condition

A 2003 Mercedes Kompressor Hatchback coupe with the supercharged 1.8 liter engine, n extended front to rear sun roof, speed automatic transmission, limate control, igital speedometer, speaker AM/FM/weather band (cassette) stereo.
This car is a bargain, espite its age and mileage, hen you consider how it performs and drives, nd play around with the engineering that has gone into it.
Most of the C class sedans had a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. Attaching a supercharger to the coupe: making the Kompressor, llowed them to shrink the engine to 1.8 liters, ncrease gas mileage (to 24 -28 mpg), nd lighten the car.
That also made the coupe a real pleasure to drive. The light front end (it's rear wheel drive) and short turning ratio, ombined with the driver's position (arm rest at mid steering wheel level), llows you to cut across multiple traffic lanes with a flick of the wrist. The surge from the supercharger makes it effortless to pass any normal car or truck at almost any speed on any grade (not to mention getting out ahead at standing stops).
It has wonderful ergonomics. It is somewhat awkward to get in and out, ut once seated: the front seat platform elevates and descends. then tilts backward and forward, hile the back rest and head rest adjust separately. Both the steering wheel and gear shifter end up at a place your arm and hand want to rest anyway. The shifter has a short throw and is very precise. Manually shifting the automatic up or down through the gears is simple: just nudge the shifter in its slot to the left or right.
Here is the bad:
This particular car has some obvious body and interior defects: the front bumper and fender on the passenger side is scraped, ented, nd slightly askew. The thin front trim lights where the bumper wraps around both sides are not functional. There is a gouge in the hood at the passenger side front near the grill (see image). The plastic covering the high and low speakers in the drivers door are cracked, plit and coming apart. The digital odometer shows 186,900 miles. That odometer is in the dot matrix digital display at the center of the speedometer (surrounded by analog speed, achometer, nd gas gauges). The digital display, nfortunately, s only visible in the mornings and fades as the car warms inside. If the new one I ordered arrives from Hong Kong, will install it before the car is delivered.
Here is the good:
The fading display shows the computer is working fine. It shows the correct current speed, he mileage, he engine temperature and oil level. It warns when head lights, top lights, nd running lights are burnt out, nd monitors the seat restraints, ir bags, nd battery charging circuits.
The engine has been properly serviced and maintained during its lifetime thus far. The computer odometer shows almost 187,000 miles, ut it fires up on the first or second starter rotation, nd runs quietly and very smoothly whether ice cold or warm. Idle speed is a remarkably consistent 600 RPM, t all temperatures. At all times during idle, he engine is vibration less and muted, early silent.
The 6 speed automatic transmission shifts well without nose, mells, r leaks.
The brakes stop the car evenly and immediately, ith no fade, nd no squeaking. I had the front wheel off on the passengers side, nd the rotor and disk pads are nearly new. The tires all look new and have at least 80% tread. Three are identical 205 55 R16 Michelins, nd on the passenger side front, premium Goodyear of the same size.
The car tracks amazingly well, here's no tire noise, himmying, r other looseness.
The sunroof runs smoothly though 4 set positions as well as user controlled positions. controlled by pushing the master button around in a kind of video game orbit. This control is in the center of the upper console that contains reading lights above the rear view mirror. The power windows also run just as smoothly and precisely on their tracks.
Even with the scrapes and damage, here are no rattles within the car. Even over major bumps! Traffic noise is minimal. The radio is very sensitive: pulling up stations and short wave weather well out of our area. The rear seats are actually easier to access than the front. Pulling up on a recessed handle at the outer corners of the front seats automatically tilts the back rests forward, nd slides the seats forward on their tracks. Pull the handle again to return the back rests and seats to their former position.
The climate control is a marvel. It has 2 separate temperature zones, or the driver and passenger. It has 4 different sets of vents including a rear seat air conditioning-heating vent. Each temperature adjustment and all air diversion: defrost to upper to lower to rear vent sets are accomplished by 270 degree dials with tactile click sets. At first I was tempted to play with them, ut have learned not to: just find a favorite air pattern, et the control to auto, nd dial in a temperature.