Test Before you Buy/Lease
09-02-2014, 11:51 PM
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2020 CLA 250 4Matic Black
Test Before you Buy/Lease
The C Class is no longer in its current configuration a mid $40,000 car unless you take it in its basic version of either White or Black and if you can find one. For a car that will be in the mid $50 to $60,000s you should test drive both.
The difference between the C300 and the C400 are truly night and day.
Both cars I drove at varying speeds with different Agility settings and manual shifting.
My first up was the C400 and coming from a 2012 C300 it took a bit of time to get used to the very responsive throttle. It can certainly get all those 329 horses to the pavement. The low end torque will surprise you and its quite noisy in Sport or Sport + mode. Its a very throaty sound so gear heads will love it. It was raining slightly so 4Matic made no slippage at even brisk take off speed.
Note you can change Agility while moving or at a stopped position.
They kept Break Hold which was something that I am used to and love so thanks MB for that. I did switch from Comfort to Sport while on break hold and the car made a thump as it went from D2 to D1 and it felt like it slipped forward just a tad or perhaps just rocked forward not sure but it was a bit unsettling and unexpected.
I have a feeling that the Touchpad is going to be problematic on the early Cs because on neither of the C's I drove did the touch PAD work .
The C400 does feel heavy and while the steering on these new C's is better than last Gen you feel the weight on a left turn on the C400, its almost like a toe in sensation not under or over steer.
The C300 was a complete surprise. Quieter even in Sport+ mode. Power and drive felt familiar but better than my current C. Lots of low end torque and you are more isolated from the sensation of speed so you will find yourself speeding along in both versions. The C300 had a more balanced feeling to the whole driving experience. Its was the better car in my opinion it reminded me a lot of an S Class ride except the seats did not hug me around turns.
The C300 black plastic gear shifters was very cheap looking compared to the ones in the C400 I tested and the passenger do not get that lumbar support like in the C400.
Since stop and go was active on both cars it came on at the usual times like holding the breaks for a few seconds or putting the breaks on HOLD but it also did it on left turns on stop and go traffic even if I only had them pressed for a second or two. You can certainly hear and feel the engine roar to life, its not loud but not seamless. I think its something you will get used to in no time.
There is a very slight delay on both models at start from stop, its not very noticeable but its there.
I could not detect any turbo lags. In hard stomps of the gas pedal. It might be that I could not tell the difference between turbo lag and gear down shifts.
I love my 2012 C300 but I think I am going to love the new C Class a lot more.
The difference between the C300 and the C400 are truly night and day.
Both cars I drove at varying speeds with different Agility settings and manual shifting.
My first up was the C400 and coming from a 2012 C300 it took a bit of time to get used to the very responsive throttle. It can certainly get all those 329 horses to the pavement. The low end torque will surprise you and its quite noisy in Sport or Sport + mode. Its a very throaty sound so gear heads will love it. It was raining slightly so 4Matic made no slippage at even brisk take off speed.
Note you can change Agility while moving or at a stopped position.
They kept Break Hold which was something that I am used to and love so thanks MB for that. I did switch from Comfort to Sport while on break hold and the car made a thump as it went from D2 to D1 and it felt like it slipped forward just a tad or perhaps just rocked forward not sure but it was a bit unsettling and unexpected.
I have a feeling that the Touchpad is going to be problematic on the early Cs because on neither of the C's I drove did the touch PAD work .
The C400 does feel heavy and while the steering on these new C's is better than last Gen you feel the weight on a left turn on the C400, its almost like a toe in sensation not under or over steer.
The C300 was a complete surprise. Quieter even in Sport+ mode. Power and drive felt familiar but better than my current C. Lots of low end torque and you are more isolated from the sensation of speed so you will find yourself speeding along in both versions. The C300 had a more balanced feeling to the whole driving experience. Its was the better car in my opinion it reminded me a lot of an S Class ride except the seats did not hug me around turns.
The C300 black plastic gear shifters was very cheap looking compared to the ones in the C400 I tested and the passenger do not get that lumbar support like in the C400.
Since stop and go was active on both cars it came on at the usual times like holding the breaks for a few seconds or putting the breaks on HOLD but it also did it on left turns on stop and go traffic even if I only had them pressed for a second or two. You can certainly hear and feel the engine roar to life, its not loud but not seamless. I think its something you will get used to in no time.
There is a very slight delay on both models at start from stop, its not very noticeable but its there.
I could not detect any turbo lags. In hard stomps of the gas pedal. It might be that I could not tell the difference between turbo lag and gear down shifts.
I love my 2012 C300 but I think I am going to love the new C Class a lot more.
Last edited by Leslielp; 09-03-2014 at 09:50 PM. Reason: spelling and margin issues
09-03-2014, 09:24 AM
#2
awesome overview! when I started reading, I thought you weren't gonna like the 300 after driving the 400.
I figured "night and day" was going to mean the c400 is better like night and day.
if I ever upgrade, I would go for the c300.
I figured "night and day" was going to mean the c400 is better like night and day.
if I ever upgrade, I would go for the c300.
09-03-2014, 10:23 AM
#4
Senior Member
Nice review...I also have had the opportunity to drive both models. I was preferable to the C400...but could actually be satisfied with either. FYI...the infotainment display is not designed to be touch screen...at least here in the US. It will however take some getting used to navigating around all the different screens. I did try the brake HOLD feature and having never used it before felt a little uneasy as the car was in D and my foot was off the brake...but again that's just a matter of getting comfortable with the feature. Well all I have to do now is wait till early November for delivery...
09-03-2014, 12:24 PM
#6
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09-03-2014, 06:04 PM
#7
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The RWD C400 is very special. In comparison the 4Cyl models don't cut it.
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09-03-2014, 07:05 PM
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2020 CLA 250 4Matic Black
As a matter of fact my order which I have not given the go ahead is for the C300.
I had my colour of choice as the Diamond Grey but I have to see one in person before I close the deal.
The Iridium Grey looks like a good second choice IMO.
I also took the bite and added the Airmatic which was recently added to the list of options for the C. Along with the Luxury Package.
I had my colour of choice as the Diamond Grey but I have to see one in person before I close the deal.
The Iridium Grey looks like a good second choice IMO.
I also took the bite and added the Airmatic which was recently added to the list of options for the C. Along with the Luxury Package.
09-03-2014, 07:11 PM
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2020 CLA 250 4Matic Black
If I were to choose the speedier C400 it would have to come with 4Matic.
Horsepower is one thing but all that low end torque would only be useful in an all wheel drive setup.
I am sure the C400 will surprise a lot of BMW Audi folks when the pull up to one expecting a C350 type response
