2010 C300 228HP Loaner review

DubVBenz · 05-22-2010, 12:36 AM

I'm going to get the worst part out of the way... someone who was really into pipe tobacco or cigars completely ruined the car for me in terms of interior comfort...

Otherwise...

What a great little car! I felt like I was driving a 330i. The suspension was very responsive and it handled very well. I felt so much ground noise and feedback that it really did feel like more of a beemer than MB. The 228HP 3 liter was a nice, high revving little devil. I used the loaner as a chance to teach myself the limits of the 7-speed in manual mode. Red-lining at 6800 RPM is fun compared to my bluetec, which does the same at 3600 RPM! The interior materials were a bit low, but I was in a baseline. My major complaint(s): Perhaps the steering wheel telescopes, but I couldn't figure it out.. ; Why move the staple of MB design which every single mfr has copied in the last 30 years out of sight?! Of course, i'm referring to the seat buttons. I'm not a small or huge guy, but fitting my arm between the door and seat to adjust the seats really really sucked...

The tiptronic did well in manual mode. I was "playing" with an m3 (I would have lost in a real competition), but I felt compelled to give him a run for his money in every situation possible on the beltway, just to try it....

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QuadBenz · 05-22-2010, 02:23 AM

On the bottom of the steering wheel, there's a latch that you pull out to adjust the wheel with. Also, on the higher optioned models with memory seats, the seat controls are moved from the seat to the door.

snarlingchicken · 05-22-2010, 03:50 AM

It felt like a motorcycle..? Well then, dang, that may be the best compliment in terms of handing that the C ever got. Lol. Nice to see you enjoyed it. In terms of interior quality. It's not bad. MB tex is a love it/hate it thing I guess, but I admit, I like the soft/smooth leather of the IS350 and G37.

DubVBenz · 05-22-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarlingchicken

It felt like a motorcycle..? Well then, dang, that may be the best compliment in terms of handing that the C ever got. Lol. Nice to see you enjoyed it. In terms of interior quality. It's not bad. MB tex is a love it/hate it thing I guess, but I admit, I like the soft/smooth leather of the IS350 and G37.

Not quite sure how you gleaned that I thought it was like a motorcycle, I've never driven one!

MB Tex is a winner though. I have an 84 300SD with it, and it still looks great. My current E class also has it, which I view as a plus for long term durability. Soft leather looks and feels nice, but it bunches up and cracks. They don't make leather seats like they did in the 80s and early 90s, they soften it too much which makes it bunch up and wear too easily.

snarlingchicken · 05-22-2010, 02:10 PM

Haha. Sorry. It's just some wordplay I guess. In the BMW world, Beamer and Beemer are nicknames for BMW motorcycles while Bimmer is a nickname for BMW cars. :3. And it's probably true about the MBTex thing. Most leathers these days stretch and crack from overuse. MBTex amazingly pops right back into place.

MB300AMG · 05-22-2010, 04:28 PM

Since you guys are talking about the benefits of MBTex, I recall a number of people have said on here that they don't think like MBTex because it isn't luxurious and luxury cars should always have leather.

For the record my car has MBTex and I don't really think there's much of a difference to my dad's leather, and since i'm looking at new cars i'm debating on whether to get it again or not. Also, the leather in my dad's '08 ML doesn't seem "too soft" as you guys have mentioned. It has some slight wear at 46,000 miles but nothing really noticeable (though he has since gotten rid of it).
I was wondering two things:

1. What do you guys think? Do you think having MBTex detracts from the idea of a luxury car?

2. Would you guys buy MBTex if you were to purchase another Mercedes in the near future?

jcash60 · 05-22-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB300AMG

Since you guys are talking about the benefits of MBTex, I recall a number of people have said on here that they don't think like MBTex because it isn't luxurious and luxury cars should always have leather.

For the record my car has MBTex and I don't really think there's much of a difference to my dad's leather, and since i'm looking at new cars i'm debating on whether to get it again or not. Also, the leather in my dad's '08 ML doesn't seem "too soft" as you guys have mentioned. It has some slight wear at 46,000 miles but nothing really noticeable (though he has since gotten rid of it).
I was wondering two things:

1. What do you guys think? Do you think having MBTex detracts from the idea of a luxury car?

2. Would you guys buy MBTex if you were to purchase another Mercedes in the near future?

I had 5 Mercedes with leather, this is the first with Tex. I`d buy it again in a heartbeat, of coarse I don`t care what anyone else thinks about it. I have a sport utility that has fabric interior, that is the most comfortable seats I ever had.

Don`t take this the wrong way but I think the question "if Tex detracts from the idea of luxury" is a silly question. Do you really think whether a Mercedes has leather or Tex defines luxury or not.

MB300AMG · 05-22-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcash60

I had 5 Mercedes with leather, this is the first with Tex. I`d buy it again in a heartbeat, of coarse I don`t care what anyone else thinks about it. I have a sport utility that has fabric interior, that is the most comfortable seats I ever had.

Don`t take this the wrong way but I think the question "if Tex detracts from the idea of luxury" is a silly question. Do you really think whether a Mercedes has leather or Tex defines luxury or not.

It's not me who thinks that, because I also have MBTex in my C300 and I like it very much and can't really tell the difference. I was just wondering what you guys thought because those in the MBTex vs. Leather debates used that reasoning as an excuse for choosing leather over MBTex.

alexlev · 05-22-2010, 08:22 PM

I can't say that I prefer one over the other, nor can I tell you that my *** could tell the difference between the two, and that in itself says a lot.

From a sales point of view, MBTex sells itself. 10 years down the line the interior is going to look the way it had from day one. I've seen leather in cars 10 years later and god is it awful. Yes, the owners failed to put any consideration into maintaining the leather, but of course 80% of the population wouldn't either.

From your pockets point of view, the leather just isn't worth the extra $1000+. Yes, everyone who has gotten the leather option is going to tell you how much more luxurious their car is and how if your MB doesn't have leather then you might as well have gotten a KIA, but we need to get past that materialistic state of mind and level ourselves. If you have the money then do it, if you're on a budget, I am sure you could find the $1000 worth investing into something else.

joshg1001 · 05-22-2010, 09:00 PM

I would have gotten leather if I could afford it. And you might be thinking, why not just shell out the extra 1300 or whatever, since I already am paying 40+. Well, it would have pushed the OTD price past the 50 mark, and that wasnt acceptable to me for a C class.

I dont mind the material covering the seats, but the door panels are hideous with leather.

and it kind of bothers me that the camry that pulls up next to you at the light as double stitched leather for half the cost

jctevere · 05-23-2010, 02:24 PM

My Father's SL has Leather, being that it is an 03' it has some significant wear on them and just doesn't look "nice"

I absolutely love the MBTex in my car, nobody realizes that its not leather. I would get it again in a heartbeat, especially since I am buying this car. If I was leasing I would still probably go with MBTex, but would possibly consider leather.

jcash60 · 05-23-2010, 05:35 PM

Another plus for MBTex, leather is very inconsistent one panel in a seat may not be as good as the others and it will wear differently there is a color problem also with leathers as they age. The drivers side seat will get vertical puckers from front to back [ ridges that stick up ]from stretching and they do it early. The finish on leather wares and gets glossy.

Lets say a person doesn`t know anything about leather or MBTex, he goes into a showroom 2 cars sitting side by side one leather and one MBTex. The salesman says this MBTex will look new far,far longer, it`s much more durable, consistent in color and doesn`t scratch nearly as much as leather and for coarse it`s $1000 cheaper. It`s a no brainier.

05-22-2010, 02:23 AM	#2
QuadBenz MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,221 Drives: ML63 \| S500 \| SL550	On the bottom of the steering wheel, there's a latch that you pull out to adjust the wheel with. Also, on the higher optioned models with memory seats, the seat controls are moved from the seat to the door. __________________

05-22-2010, 03:50 AM	#3
snarlingchicken MBWorld Fanatic! 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,350 Drives: 2009 C350	It felt like a motorcycle..? Well then, dang, that may be the best compliment in terms of handing that the C ever got. Lol. Nice to see you enjoyed it. In terms of interior quality. It's not bad. MB tex is a love it/hate it thing I guess, but I admit, I like the soft/smooth leather of the IS350 and G37. Last edited by snarlingchicken; 05-22-2010 at 03:57 AM.

05-22-2010, 04:28 PM	#6
MB300AMG Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Massachusetts, United States Posts: 229 Drives: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300W Sport	Since you guys are talking about the benefits of MBTex, I recall a number of people have said on here that they don't think like MBTex because it isn't luxurious and luxury cars should always have leather. For the record my car has MBTex and I don't really think there's much of a difference to my dad's leather, and since i'm looking at new cars i'm debating on whether to get it again or not. Also, the leather in my dad's '08 ML doesn't seem "too soft" as you guys have mentioned. It has some slight wear at 46,000 miles but nothing really noticeable (though he has since gotten rid of it). I was wondering two things: 1. What do you guys think? Do you think having MBTex detracts from the idea of a luxury car? 2. Would you guys buy MBTex if you were to purchase another Mercedes in the near future? __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a Ride!" When life throws you a curve, downshift and take it vigorously. Boston University Class of 2012

05-22-2010, 08:22 PM	#9
alexlev Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: br00klynnn. Posts: 778 Drives: C204	I can't say that I prefer one over the other, nor can I tell you that my *** could tell the difference between the two, and that in itself says a lot. From a sales point of view, MBTex sells itself. 10 years down the line the interior is going to look the way it had from day one. I've seen leather in cars 10 years later and god is it awful. Yes, the owners failed to put any consideration into maintaining the leather, but of course 80% of the population wouldn't either. From your pockets point of view, the leather just isn't worth the extra $1000+. Yes, everyone who has gotten the leather option is going to tell you how much more luxurious their car is and how if your MB doesn't have leather then you might as well have gotten a KIA, but we need to get past that materialistic state of mind and level ourselves. If you have the money then do it, if you're on a budget, I am sure you could find the $1000 worth investing into something else. __________________ facebook.com/levitin.alex

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05-22-2010, 02:10 PM	#5
snarlingchicken MBWorld Fanatic! 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,350 Drives: 2009 C350	Haha. Sorry. It's just some wordplay I guess. In the BMW world, Beamer and Beemer are nicknames for BMW motorcycles while Bimmer is a nickname for BMW cars. :3. And it's probably true about the MBTex thing. Most leathers these days stretch and crack from overuse. MBTex amazingly pops right back into place.

05-22-2010, 09:00 PM	#10
joshg1001 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,060 Drives: 2009 C350	I would have gotten leather if I could afford it. And you might be thinking, why not just shell out the extra 1300 or whatever, since I already am paying 40+. Well, it would have pushed the OTD price past the 50 mark, and that wasnt acceptable to me for a C class. I dont mind the material covering the seats, but the door panels are hideous with leather. and it kind of bothers me that the camry that pulls up next to you at the light as double stitched leather for half the cost

05-23-2010, 02:24 PM	#11
jctevere MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dix Hills, New York Posts: 2,070 Drives: 2012 C250 Coupe	My Father's SL has Leather, being that it is an 03' it has some significant wear on them and just doesn't look "nice" I absolutely love the MBTex in my car, nobody realizes that its not leather. I would get it again in a heartbeat, especially since I am buying this car. If I was leasing I would still probably go with MBTex, but would possibly consider leather.

05-23-2010, 05:35 PM	#12
jcash60 Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 119 Drives: 2009 c300 sport 4 matic	Another plus for MBTex, leather is very inconsistent one panel in a seat may not be as good as the others and it will wear differently there is a color problem also with leathers as they age. The drivers side seat will get vertical puckers from front to back [ ridges that stick up ]from stretching and they do it early. The finish on leather wares and gets glossy. Lets say a person doesn`t know anything about leather or MBTex, he goes into a showroom 2 cars sitting side by side one leather and one MBTex. The salesman says this MBTex will look new far,far longer, it`s much more durable, consistent in color and doesn`t scratch nearly as much as leather and for coarse it`s $1000 cheaper. It`s a no brainier.

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