samkimg

Had the dealership drop off a loaner while my 2014 E350 went in for a service visit and they parked the 2015 C class right next to mine. I grabbed this picture to show how the two different models look so similar.

I'm disappointed in the sameness MB is pushing out and feel the loss of individualism between models is a loss across the industry.

If you can't tell, the C is on the left and the E is on the right.

belarus27

same with bimmers too , they 3 , 5 and 7 series look so identical that sometimes its hard to tell the difference , and this ofcoarse makes me upset... i wonder how audis are , never really paid attention , except that new S8 lol

El Cid

Another reason why I will hang on to my 2010 "E" for as long as possible. When I replace it, probably will not be with anything made by MB.

rediesel

Too bad you didn't have a CLS to park to the right of the E and a CLA to park to the left of the C.

petee1997

Manufacturers are going back to their roots, "same sausage, different lengths".

KEY08

Yes, and they call it "branding".

thefisch

branding or boring?

belarus27

BorDing lol

beejAMG

id say its DNA, I see the similarities but if you cant tell the difference...

DJ Hellfire

Completely agree. Extremely hard to differentiate Benz's and BMW models.

DC-IT

The Asian and American Car Manufacturers are doing a better job in differentiating their different models than the Germans e.g. Accord/Civic, Camry/Corolla, Legacy/Impreza, Chrysler 300/200 etc.
The owner of an S class must not be too happy as from the rear it looks like a C Class!

DerekACS

Yes, I would agree if I owned a S Class. Fortunately, the current W212 has its own distinctive look from most angles, the front especially so when the full Led light package is lit up. The rear also stands out from any other German sedan, including the W205.

Unfortunately, the next generation W213, if the spy shots are accurate, appears that it too will mimic the S Class styling.

Johnny Rad

It's a pendulum: the mfg's models morph into the "same sausage, different lengths" (feel free to call it design identity, design language, etc) and then the mfg's models separate into their own only to come back together again. Rinse and repeat.

In my own recent automotive memory, Audi lived this to a T. Audi had a winning look imho, but it eventually grew old so Audi gave each model more separation.

Merc is definitely bringing the sedan family "together" right now. The side-by-side pic above is really eye opening and drives it home.

The current Lexus ES and GS gens are fairly similar right now, too. If you squint and set aside the size difference, the LS also bears a strong resemblance.

If it's a winning look, I say go for it. If the mfg chooses to keep the models separated by design instead, they still have to be ready to do something bold in the near future. Either way, we grow weary of too much of anything. Sitting pat ain't going to cut it.

beejAMG

if its really "disappointing", hyundai makes different shapes for different models. sometimes I cant even tell if its hyundai, kia or bmw. but being able to distinguish a merc from the rest from afar. i reckon thats not "disappointing". where do you guys think the 212 got the wide flares on the rear? a ponton. where do you think the first gen SLK and the C63 W204 got the 2 humps on the bonnet from? a gullwing. thats DNA. C, E, and S may not have the night and day difference, but to an enthusiasts eye they are worlds apart.

whats "disappointing" (if I can even call it that) are people saying they will never trade a pre facelift 212 to a facelift 212. I mean I LOVE the shape of my '10 212 but if I come across a great deal for a facelift that I can "afford", then I wouldnt have second thoughts. Im pretty sure it goes the same for most of us.

Arrie

+1


4 lights with the hockey sticks is a combo none of the new ones come close to.

hyperion667

you have to be a fanboy

RNBRAD

Totally agree, especially when I saw the commercial on the C. You shouldn't have to be an enthusiast or fan to distinguish the difference. I'm both and have to take a close long look before I can tell. I use to love the brand but I think I'm moving on for my next vehicle. Two air bladder (airmatic) replacements in 5 years with less than 12k miles might be the straw for me. More on that later, don't want to bomb this thread.

Rock

Same problem with the AMG line. Even non-AMGs look like AMGs.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...wards-you.html

El Cid

I really miss the four distinctive headlights on the 2010-2013 "E." It really made the car stand out from other MB's.
Also not a fan of the two huge, non-functional holes on either side of lower bumper cover.
Incidentally, the Hyundai Genesis had a much more impressive front end than the new "E," but Hyundai has bought into the "family branding" and now it looks like a Sonata.

michael61

For some reason I couldn't care less if people mistake a C for an E for an S. Frankly most non-MB aficionados trip over the whole "X-Class" naming nomenclature anyway.

beejAMG

Sorry mate just wanna be sure. We talkin about these front ends right?










If you think that the genesis looks better than the E, then i guess, beauty indeed, is in the eye of the beholder.

pamiboy

very well said..... .

hyperion667

just the fact that it's hyndai turns me off......and plus, both front ends on the cars above look fawking way better than any hyndai I've seen

DJ Hellfire

Hyundai gets a bad rap for no reason. I had a 2002 Elantra for about 10 years and put about 150,000 miles on it before out-growing it and trading it in for a 2012 Durango R/T. Never really had to do much other than regular maintenance on it. They really aren't any less quality than any other cars in there class (Honda, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, etc). The main issue I've seen with them is that the pricing was so low that they were sold to people who couldn't afford to properly maintain them. So they got the reputation of becoming the POS's that they were treated like. Now they aren't that cheap at all and the quality is even better and they look much better. As an auto technician for over 10 years, in my experience, Fords, some Chrylers and some GM's were way worse in quality.

fintail

Just MHO - Genesis is a big value proposition to the right buyer, but design wise - first one was a parallel universe BMW E60, new one is a Fauxdi.

Sonata is now pleasantly bland and inoffensive, previous one was wildly overstyled and looks dated already. Not seeing the similarity to a W212.