silberrosa

I am sure this has been discussed, but it looks like there will not be a 204 C-Coupe (CL204)

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000110044304/

jedcred

Yes it has been discussed, but that's okay, thanks for the link

This dropping of these two models shows the utter and total unbalance of the Mercedes lineup. Comparing it to the BMW lineup, it makes no sense.

For example, if you want a low-end BMW, you get a 325i. However, if you want a coupe, as opposed to a sedan, you get a 325Ci for a few grand more (say you don't need the room that the sedan offers). Same story for the convertible; few grand more, convert at your liesure. Same with Mustangs, same with most any car you would like to buy.

In the Mercedes lineup, no such thing exists. You want a low-end Merc, you get a C230k. You want the coupe of the C? You can get the hatchback for a little less, but if you want a REAL coupe, you have to pay about 16k more for a CLK 320 (which is sort of the coupe for the C, btw, I know it's unfair to compare the 230 with the 320, but lets just look at it from a basic choice angle, shall we?). Convertible? Another 8k on top of that. The thing is, the CLK should be the coupe for the C, and the hatchback should be optional for people who want hatchbacks for their unique advantages, just as BMW does it (or used to, as they don't have the 318ti here anymore). Unfortunately, Mercs have always been expensive luxury automobiles, so they really have no conception of the low-end lineup. Hopefully they'll get it right in a few cycles.

At least they weren't silly enough to offer a real coupe of the C based on the C sport sedan. Then no one would buy a CLK. Why should they? They could get basically the same car for under 30k. Either that, or they'd have to reprice the CLK, showing people how much they overpaid :p

MB-BOB

I think you first made a statement, then answered your comment with the last paragraph.

jedcred

As opposed to? I was just trying to make a point about how it's silly that the CLK 320 exists at that price point, whereas MB is willing to sell the C230 coupe for more than 15k less. They could make a CLK230k, price it at 32k, and move on. Instead they offer a hatchback at 28k, a sedan at 30k, and a "real" coupe at 46k (never mind the engine sizes, just base models for body styles). It's just a little silly, isn't it?

What I meant to say was that I hope that they adjust the CLK class and make it a real C coupe class, instead of treating it as a seperate class they can sell for more.

Saprissa

so what of the C320 Coupe ! Where does/did that fit ????

amdeutsch

Remember that a lot of this has to do with the way the CLK is built and optioned by MBUSA on behest of the American public. There are plenty of threads on this forum about "Please don't bring the car in this way. It would cheapen the exclusivity I enjoy. " Looking at the rest of the world you will not find that exact attitude. Even in Germany the CLK is a little more than the darkside coupe but compared equally against each other in most major magazines.

Outland

I don't think this will make any difference. Cordes is already backing away from earlier claims that MB will fix its quality problems. He sounds like kind of a ****. Well, we got to enjoy Benz at its freewheeling best. The next few years MB will be in the same identity crisis that BMW just went thru.

No new Coupe. Current CLK is way too overpriced. Well...next car will be a BMW then.

silberrosa

Jedcred - I could not have said it better myself. The CLK should function as the 3er coupe does for the sedan. MB would probably sell 2x as many if priced at a reasonable premium to the sedan - a la BMW. Problem was, the C-Coupe was always in the way and was not needed. Now perhaps a better strategy can be developed where a real coupe would be logically placed in the C-Class lineup. With the CLS already stealing away the CLK500 thunder, why not a V6 only stratgey, again a la BMW, with the 3 and 3.5 liter engines. Save the V8 for the AMG if needed. Please, no crying from the CL203 owners - these are fine cars if a bit out of place (and moreso price) in the US market. One look at the Scion Tc and the forthcoming Civic Si (thanks Honda for getting it right) tell you all you need to know about the market for these cars. Low price and high content - never the forte of MB - rule the day. Sure MB could do it again, but why? Yes, they would sell a few of these cars and they would be nice. But I would suggest the efforts are better spent elsewhere.