MB C230 or Lexus IS250 (now I'm not so sure)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Patrick, being an audiophile like yourself, I used to own an E46 and I hated having the cd changer in the trunk. I had hope that bmw would move the cd changer to the glovebox for the E90 but they didn't. Now that I have an iPod, it doesn't matter anymore but it was one of things that turned me off about the E90.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
I forgot to mention, while the IS had an overall very nice interior, beautiful wood trim, etc. Quality construction. There was one thing that really bugged me. The dashboard material felt slightly less desirable and cheap. The Mercedes C Class doesn't have any offensive materials.
The IS dashboard isn't nearly as bad as the new SLK's dashboard material, it wasn't the rubbery SLK type stuff. Personally, I love the new SLK with its "witchcraft nose" (as my family calls it). However, the only thing stopping me from buying one is the dashboard material that is all over the doors and the dashboard. Even the AMG version has that lousy material.
The IS dashboard isn't nearly as bad as the new SLK's dashboard material, it wasn't the rubbery SLK type stuff. Personally, I love the new SLK with its "witchcraft nose" (as my family calls it). However, the only thing stopping me from buying one is the dashboard material that is all over the doors and the dashboard. Even the AMG version has that lousy material.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
..
Originally Posted by mick1
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder 
top pic, Lexus IS250
bottom pic, C-class sport sedan
top pic, Lexus IS250
bottom pic, C-class sport sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by sdsilverm3
You're right that beauty is in the eye of the beholder . However, when I sat in the C-Class (C55 included) I didn't say "Wow, this is nice" like I did when I sat in the IS. It has more bells and whistles than the C.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Originally Posted by mick1
Patrick, being an audiophile like yourself, I used to own an E46 and I hated having the cd changer in the trunk. I had hope that bmw would move the cd changer to the glovebox for the E90 but they didn't. Now that I have an iPod, it doesn't matter anymore but it was one of things that turned me off about the E90.
Mercedes is more user friendly and BMW is... well... more complicated. Think Macintosh versus PC. For a car, I want the macintosh.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Originally Posted by sdsilverm3
You're right that beauty is in the eye of the beholder . However, when I sat in the C-Class (C55 included) I didn't say "Wow, this is nice" like I did when I sat in the IS. It has more bells and whistles than the C.
The biggest difference can be found in the S500 and the S600. Sit inside an S500, then go into an S600. If you're a detail oriented person, then you'll notice it's an entirely different interior. Then again, you pay what, $40k more?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
In my big long post less than an hour ago, I forgot to add one thing.
The IS is also the only Lexus car I'd buy and for one simple reason. I have one huge strict requirement for all of my vehicles. The tachometer and the speedometer placement. I have to have the tachometer either towards the center of the car or dead center. If it's dead center, then the speedometer should be on the right.
So, on US cars, the tachometer HAS TO BE ON THE RIGHT (or dead center). Mercedes does this with most of their cars (currently only the G Wagon doesn't have this). BMW does this with all of their cars (from 1 series to 7 series). Lexus does this on only one on of their cars, the IS.
Many people ask me why I insist on this protocol. The reason is because when I drive, I try to look a bit more down the center of my hood. When I look down, the first thing I want to see is my tachometer. Because viewing priority for performance oriented drivers is the tachometer, then speed. Thus, I want to be able to see the tachometer as soon as possible. This is why I don't like the tachometer to be on the left side unless if it were a right hand drive car, then I'd insist upon it.
The IS is also the only Lexus car I'd buy and for one simple reason. I have one huge strict requirement for all of my vehicles. The tachometer and the speedometer placement. I have to have the tachometer either towards the center of the car or dead center. If it's dead center, then the speedometer should be on the right.
So, on US cars, the tachometer HAS TO BE ON THE RIGHT (or dead center). Mercedes does this with most of their cars (currently only the G Wagon doesn't have this). BMW does this with all of their cars (from 1 series to 7 series). Lexus does this on only one on of their cars, the IS.
Many people ask me why I insist on this protocol. The reason is because when I drive, I try to look a bit more down the center of my hood. When I look down, the first thing I want to see is my tachometer. Because viewing priority for performance oriented drivers is the tachometer, then speed. Thus, I want to be able to see the tachometer as soon as possible. This is why I don't like the tachometer to be on the left side unless if it were a right hand drive car, then I'd insist upon it.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by mick1
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder
top pic, Lexus IS250
bottom pic, C-class sport sedan
top pic, Lexus IS250
bottom pic, C-class sport sedan
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by patrick_y
Mercedes is more user friendly and BMW is... well... more complicated. Think Macintosh versus PC. For a car, I want the macintosh.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
..
Originally Posted by mick1
really? I wish I could order the C55 (or C32) seats for my C320. They look fantastic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Although as an audiophile, I don't like noise, I was expecting Mercedes cars to be noisy. The first thing that I said when I sat in the 2002 E320 was that the car was noisy. I've come to expect a car's noise. However, the IS 250 is much quieter.
Put it this way, I like my cars to be somewhat noisy. They have to come with a soundtrack of their own. That's the one thing I like about Infiniti cars, they have a nice exhaust rumble. The one thing that I don't like about the C230 Kompressor is that supercharger whine and the rear tires make a lot of noise. Still, on a windy mountain road, I switch over from the Mozart or a Puccini opera and I go to my single CD which has a rock track on it, sometimes roll down the window or open the moonroof a crack to also better hear the car when it's in the upper RPMs.
Even the S Class, still a much noisier car than even a Lexus LS430. I attribute this to the belief that Mercedes are driver cars. They're not numb like a Lexus. This is why I like the IS 350 so much. Although exhaust noise wise, it could be louder.
Best exhaust sound in the world in my opinion? Aston Martin. Ferrari is my favorite car overall, but Ferraris are high pitched. Aston Martin have that masculine growl. The Maserati Coupe even has a nicer exhaust than the Ferrari 360. One would not be crazy to buy the Maserati Coupe or the Aston for the exhaust note alone.
Put it this way, I like my cars to be somewhat noisy. They have to come with a soundtrack of their own. That's the one thing I like about Infiniti cars, they have a nice exhaust rumble. The one thing that I don't like about the C230 Kompressor is that supercharger whine and the rear tires make a lot of noise. Still, on a windy mountain road, I switch over from the Mozart or a Puccini opera and I go to my single CD which has a rock track on it, sometimes roll down the window or open the moonroof a crack to also better hear the car when it's in the upper RPMs.
Even the S Class, still a much noisier car than even a Lexus LS430. I attribute this to the belief that Mercedes are driver cars. They're not numb like a Lexus. This is why I like the IS 350 so much. Although exhaust noise wise, it could be louder.
Best exhaust sound in the world in my opinion? Aston Martin. Ferrari is my favorite car overall, but Ferraris are high pitched. Aston Martin have that masculine growl. The Maserati Coupe even has a nicer exhaust than the Ferrari 360. One would not be crazy to buy the Maserati Coupe or the Aston for the exhaust note alone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Originally Posted by sdsilverm3
Yeah, I mean they do look better compared to the regular C due to the stitching and feels better due to the side support but they're still pretty rough. Sit in an S55 and that's what they should all feel like. Feels like a leather recliner
Personally, I wouldn't buy the S55. Keep in mind, the S55 has less discount. Thus, i'd go for an S600, besides, as a sedan, you want the luxury afforded by the 600 series. Now, if I were looking at a two door Mercedes, such as the SL or the CL, then I'd get the AMG over the 600.
Under no circumstances would I get the 65 AMG. I think that's just... unethical.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Quote of E1000: Call me crazy but that (Lexus IS) steering wheel is a deal breaker for me.
I wear driving gloves, just to let you know, and I noticed that the IS's steering wheel had very sharp edges and it's more TRIANGULAR SHAPED. You can't really tell in the picture, but once you hold onto it, it's a bit weird. If you hold onto it at the thicker areas, it's a bit more natural feeling but still very triangular. The Mercedes steering wheels are almost perfectly round.
I'm not saying the steering wheel is in the shape of a triangle, I'm saying the grip itself is triangular. Hope I'm not confusing anybody.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
..
Originally Posted by Outland
Such as?
1)Dual climate controls that actually work the way they;re intended to.
2)Heated/air conditioned, ventilated seats
3)6 Dash in dash changer
4)Plays Mp3/WMA discs
5)LED map lights that look cool AND work well
6)shift light ring around the tach
Do you want me to go on regarding what our cars are lacking?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by MHPHOCKEY
Why in this picture does the car 1 have climatronic, and 2 have only 2 switches on the left door (windows) ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
As of May 15th: 2006 C230 Black on Black
Originally Posted by Outland
Such as?
Other than that Lexus has had the advantage in the bells and whistles for quite a while. The bigger disadvantage for MB seems to come in the higher classes when the lesser standard options become magnified.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: asdfasdf
One with 4 wheels
Originally Posted by sdsilverm3
Here's a Birdseye Maple version of the interior. Oh yeah, another gripe I have is that the MB NAV sucks when it comes to graphics and it never displays all of the street names.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Originally Posted by sdsilverm3
Here's a Birdseye Maple version of the interior. Oh yeah, another gripe I have is that the MB NAV sucks when it comes to graphics and it never displays all of the street names.
The Jaguar cars use the same supplier for navigations as Lexus, although theirs seems much more difficult to use.
Lexus, you should seriously consider the navigation. Mercedes, you can go either way. Notice the stitching on sdsilverm3's seats, white stitching, a perfect contrast. And the wood trim around the radio, the chrome strips. Beautiful. Makes a detail oriented person like me quite proud.
Sigh... I really need to get a Rolls Royce.
