Underrated track car. Mercedes C230 Kompressor
Discussion
So I do Trackdays on a budget. As a ex Mercedes mechanic I’m fairly loyal to the star. I didn’t go down the 3 series route. I didn’t want front wheel drive. So for the money I picked up a lightly modded C230 Kompressor for £600. For that price it came with CL 500 front brakes. Slightly lowered and a few tweaks under the bonnet. Once in my hands it had 18 inch wheels fitted wrapped in some new AD08r tyres. All interior removed. Seat and harness fitted. The springs were chopped, some metal wider arches fitted. Cheap plastic windows fitted with all door gubbins removed. Small battery fitted to rear.
Updated crank pulley, remapped , got it weighed at 1250 kg, probably helped by the rust !!!
She gets some looks for the wrong reasons when I turn up at my local track of brands hatch but always performs mixing it up with almost everything there apart from really fast stuff. I can play with lesser powerful caterhams, Typer R, all the Clio’s, the odd Genneta and plenty more. 0:58 at the moment but when the season restart I’ll be trying some slicks. Maybe gain another second per lap !!!
All in all she stands me in at about £1500 and I have the best day every time. By the end of the day many people pass by and ask what I’m running. It’s probably only 220 bhp but the handling is very surprising. With a LSD I should iron out picking up on the inside wheel.
She done 178000 miles and takes everything I throw at it. Good old German engineering.
I know people won’t get it, I know there is nothing to purchase to modify it like there is BMs but it just works and is fast. Maybe I’ve just created a one off.
I seriously don’t think anything for 5 or 6k would be any better.
Look out for me at Brands. You won’t miss it.
Updated crank pulley, remapped , got it weighed at 1250 kg, probably helped by the rust !!!
She gets some looks for the wrong reasons when I turn up at my local track of brands hatch but always performs mixing it up with almost everything there apart from really fast stuff. I can play with lesser powerful caterhams, Typer R, all the Clio’s, the odd Genneta and plenty more. 0:58 at the moment but when the season restart I’ll be trying some slicks. Maybe gain another second per lap !!!
All in all she stands me in at about £1500 and I have the best day every time. By the end of the day many people pass by and ask what I’m running. It’s probably only 220 bhp but the handling is very surprising. With a LSD I should iron out picking up on the inside wheel.
She done 178000 miles and takes everything I throw at it. Good old German engineering.
I know people won’t get it, I know there is nothing to purchase to modify it like there is BMs but it just works and is fast. Maybe I’ve just created a one off.
I seriously don’t think anything for 5 or 6k would be any better.
Look out for me at Brands. You won’t miss it.
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