Skyline45

Agreed. ^.^ However, I do have to say, the luxury model look is growing on me with ever passing day. Looking down the hood to see the old school hood emblem design make me giddy everytime I drive it lol. I still wish it had the lower ground effects though, but I've decided the grill defiantly stays. With some possible modification to light it up with LED's like the new models xD

aboutdamntime

I second the LED star! That's why I opted for the Sport grill on my Luxury model.

Skyline45

I was thinking about doing the same thing, but can't bring myself to get rid of the hood ornament now. And having two stars might be a little overboard lol. I was considering putting the LED's on my 87 560 though due to the grill almost looking exactly like the C300 sport model. You know, a touch of new on something classic xD

kev10

I am with you, although I am in my 40s. I tried different versions of MBs and a few other brands before deciding on C300 Luxury model. I love the car! The elegant look and the comfortable ride are what I think MB is about.

I also see Sportstick's point. It does seem that MB made a wrong call by producing 90% on sport model. One of my friends who drove my car a few times went to 3 dealerships trying to get a Luxury model and had to settle with A4 after failing to do so. There was also one time in an outing that my car parked next to a C350. A common friend who didn't know much about MB pointed to the C350 and asked, "Is this a cheaper version of MB?". It was hilarious!

Khan28

I also wouldn't be surprised if a good chunk of people who bought and own a C300/C350 sport even know that 2 models are available. If there is one thing the C Class has done is make an MB product affordable to the masses and I think for a good chunk of people who own them just want it for the badge and all the supposed bragging rights and elegance the name suggests. The W204 has been an absolute hit though, I see tons everyday and I don't quite recollect seeing that many W203s like 7 or 8 years ago on the road.

kev10

Agree on the popularity. It is also a common sense that brand and elegance will always play a weight on people's choice.

Skyline45

You make a very good point. With the W204 being so popular, it makes me even more happy that I choose the Luxury model. I, like you, see the Sport models all over, but I've only seen a few Luxury models here and there other than my own. It's kind of become a game when I spot one from the rear to guess which model it is ^.^

SCTinkering

When my wife and I met, I had a '88 Saab 900 w/SPG suspension. It was a lot firmer than her whirlpool, I mean Camry, but didn't get too many complaints.


I bought a Sport because frankly I really don't care for the looks of the Luxury.


On some of California's less than smooth roads, my C250 Sport can cause her to unleash a torrent of obscenities. 18" AMG wheels and OEM Conti ProContacts don't help. Fingers crossed that ExtremeContact DWS can take enough of the edge off so that the frequency of said torrents is decreased :P

Sportstick

Suggest you look at new Michelin AS3 instead and get Powerwheels Pro design of your preference in 17". For what you can sell your 18s for, you should be in good financial shape at the end of this deal. That one inch will make quite a difference toward calming her down! And just about no one will be taking a micrometer to measure the difference in your wheel diameter!

AusMB87

To add an Australian perspective to the conversation:

The only difference between sport and luxury here is the body kit, steering wheel and base trim level. For example, my 2010 C200cgi is a luxury but it came factory with the big star grill, hood ornament delete and staggered rims. Pretty much everything here is optional choice so you get a lot of variation form car to car. You can almost tell a dealer's ex-demo car by sight, simply because it's the only one on the road with absolutely all standard options.

'luxury' is called Classic over here and equates more to the 'poverty pack' or base model trim package. Avantgarde is our 'sport' package which typically has larger, AMG inspired rims and bit sof aluminium and carbon fibre. Then we have the Elegance which is the same body kit as the Classic but with chrome all over it and an interior finished in polished wood inserts and more chrome all over.

Personally, I wish mine had the sport body kit, but that is because it is aggressive and I like that image of the C63 that it mirrors. If C63s weren't as dear as poison down here, I would have one in a heart beat. I equally like the luxury image presented in an E or S class but, at prices over au$200k, that just isn't happening for me any time soon.

AusMB87

She gets to ride around in a beautiful Mercedes! Go buy her a Japanese sports car and she will realise how good she has it