Please help me think this through. I like the C230 and am tempted by the 185 HP. My wife doesnt like my car. Says its not classy enough. 98 A4 1.8 Q Tip Sports (melange)

I had a MB C-200 Kompressor sedan (192 HP). It is a good car of course, but, if you like fast driving, its handling is simply not comparable to the A4 handling capability.<br>I had new 225/45-17" tyres on my C-200K, and I wished to get sport suspensions (Eibach - Bilstein), but I still had not, when I destroyed the car slipping away on a freeway (it was heavy rainy).<br>You are driving a Quattro now, and you should take care if swapping with a rear wheel drive.<br>Oh yes I was driving fast (about 150 Kph), but the car slipped suddenly and heavily.<br>Buy the Mercedes, but BE SURE to get ESP anti-spin system included or, at least, ASR anti-skid system (I had not, just electronic auto-lock diff).<p> A4 1.8TQ 210HP<p>

My hygienist just drove one two days ago. She and her husband decided that it didn't have the smoothness of a 2.8 NOR did it have any power. She thought it was whimpy and HATED the seats. She thought they were very uncomfortable. Also, the size wasn't that great, too small, but in comparison to an A4 that would not be an issue. <p>As for class, unless you live in a small town, the bottom of the line Mercedes kind of has a negative class effect. Many think just the opposite. Not that "oh they drive a nice car, or nice Mercedes" instead, "oh they drive the SMALL, or CHEAP, Mercedes" Now, I may be wrong, but this is what I get from the people I know.<p>Kirk

nt<br>

What help do you want, if you want a sports car then you should get one. But why an SLK, wait for the TT or get the S2000 and save some money either way.

sometimes getting me to see the obvious is like trying to pull teeth...Wait..I actually do that pretty well...ANYWAY, that was quite clever of you to pick up on. Hmmmm, Dr. Joe sure has the marketing angle down.<p>Kirk<br>(BA-Business Admin '93, DDS '98 Univ of Washington, Seattle)