dozier08

My local Benz dealer has a Black on Black C230 coming in a few weeks and I have a small deposit on it. I like the ones I have test driven and love the look. I chose the MB over the BMW because the comfort was better for me and I don't like the new design.

However now I am wondering if I should of taken a closer look at the Lexus IS250. I feel the reliability of the IS will be slightly better, but would the C230 be considered unreliable? They sound like they have worked out the kinks in the C230 over the years and I like its exterior and interior apperance more.

I have noticed from this board that the problems with most people C-classes have been fixed under warranty and I could get an extended warranty, so an unreliable car would just mean annoying time at a dealer and not having my car, in most cases.

I want to get a car I can keep for a long time and want to make a good investment. I would apprecaite opinions. Would I be buying problems if I stick with the C230 instead of the IS250?

rlee02135

def. get the c230.
the IS250 is just a fancy toyota.

e1000

in general, reliability of a Lexus is better than that of an MB, but in your comparison, the C230 is almost to the end of it's product life-cycle. Reliability of the C class has improved dramatically and most of the outstanding issues are small electrical problems.

It is yet unknown how reliable or unreliable the IS250/350 will be. Although it IS a Lexus, it is a completley new car, with a new engine.

I wouldn't be suprised if the 2006 C230 is more reliable than a 2006 IS250

MHPHOCKEY

The C may have a few issues over the year, but they will be covered under the warranty. I have a 06 C 230 and love it. No issues thus far. Personally I dont think the IS is a good looking car, but that is a matter of personal preference. As for future value, they are very similar, but as rlee said, it is a Toyota. Good luck!

altezzajovy

Just the thread that im looking for. . . I just posted the same thread in LEXUS forums. So i want to get an idea what you guys think . . .

blume

the IS is a newer looking car, but i know nothing more about it. i have a friend with the 230 and he really likes it. drive both, buy one, and never look back!

14cue

IMHO the new IS looks like a fancy Mazda. Looks wise, def. the c230. Performance, not too sure...
best of luck/

mkaresh

With currently available information, it's hard to get a sense of how much reliability truly differs from car to car. I think that many people overestimate how large the difference actually is. Hopefully it will be clearer by the end of the year, once I start getting data on a large enough number of cars.

Off the top of my head, I'd think the C would fare well compared to other Mercedes for the simple reason that it's not as packed with electronics.

diamondblak05

Typical answer you'll find here at mbworld. Most of the people here are highly ingrained that an MB is a superior car to any Japanese car...perhaps true in performance and status but not in terms of other things like reliability, depreciation, maintenance, dealer service...so if you're looking for some honest answers or opinions, you probably won't find it. I simply bought mine based on pure looks and status. Other than that, I know that down the road (after warranty expires), it'll probably cost me an arm and a leg to keep it running properly. If you plan to keep it for awhile, buy the Lexus. If you're planning on leasing it or keeping it for only a few years, buy the MB. But in the end, it's all about personal perferences and money. It's your call.

emxgarcia

Well, for me the C Class has a very perennial design.. ever wonder why they did not change the E-Class too much... the design is very nice.
The IS looks good but for example, not as classy as the prev-gen IS300, why? I dunno I think it is just my taste.
This new design seems too flashy and we might all get tired soon.

dozier08

Should the new C230 body style coming out soon (do we know when?) be a reason to avoid the C230 and go with the IS230?

altezzajovy

Yes I want to see the new model too before I decide to buy a new car. Its between a BMW 330, Mercedes c230 or LEXUS IS250. . .

TruTaing

Im gonna have to agree that the new line of vehicles the lexus IS line will probably sone unforseen problems because it is new as opposed to the 06 C-class. I personally think both cars look good. If MB can cover you on all of your issues w/ an extended warranty, I would imagine that lexus would offer something similiar.

I just figure w/ any MB, you will spend just as much money to maintain as any other vehicle, but that the MB will have problems less often, but cost more to fix as opposed to other vehicles that will have problems more often but will cost less to fix. I guess TIME is what you save w/ a MB in my opinion.

I dont think you can go wrong with either car though.. minus the fact that you might miss out on the mb community of modders and forum ******

r3v1ls

Not exactly, the MB's are more likely to have more problems and they usually only cost time... lots of it. When something does go wrong it's usually a hassle of going back to the dealer over and over.

TA-9FF

I'm a total forum *****!

vraa

Bump up to the IS350 if you can. Except for the AMG / M variants it is the best you can get currently.

TruTaing

Im gettin there too, im still kinda new here... but i think over the past month ive gone from like... 0 posts to 70ish? i do alot of reading on here, lots of good stuff. I dont know how the lexus community is... wouldnt doubt that it would be good though! couldnt be as good as this one though

e1000

oh, you just wait until you're "Tired" of it......

digital_b

and youre a moron. at least come up with a valid reason for not buying a lexus. idiot.

digital_b

match feature for feature and power vs power. also factor in reliability. put price into the equation too. if you can still find a way to be on the fence after driving the IS 250 then let it come down to looks. which ever way it falls will be in your head anyway. I priced a loaded c350 and compared it to the IS 350. the price difference was ridiculous considering all the options. having once owned a benz and having mercedes employees tell me to avoid the C class were big factors. once I drove the IS and experienced it, it was all over. I love my 350 but I dont know that I would love a 250. power means a lot to me in a car. yeah the IS is new but I am not worried at all about reliability. lexus is number one in the segment for reliability and their customer service is far superior to mbusa. but then so is probably hyundai since mbusa sucks. drive the cars. then you decide. its only fair.

blkc230k

unless its an IS350, then its not worth getting...
C230 hands down. although might be a bit slower, but if you dont care about that.. its really a good car w/ a top end treatment!

MoMocedes230

Test drive is the only answer. The new IS is nice but you have to factor in resale value which is known that both have pretty good residual value. Also look at customer service because with my experince with MB it made me question what my next car will be but if I've tried Lexus before and they did have much better customer service than MB. Good luck and don't rush it.


moe

carlssoncclass

I'd get the IS 250 for sure. The 2005 c230 sedan is nice, but the w203 is getting old.

Nico

guhvies

You should take a look at the IS250 & IS350 if you can stretch to it. Note that they are in short supply, so if you decide on one, make sure you can drive of the lot with it the day you go in for it. Else, you might have up to a four month wait. Also remember that with any new model there are problems and Lexus as had their fair share of them. Since you want to keep the car for a long time, the extended warranty makes sense. MB owners are also sticklers for perfection. If one thread on the carpet is outta place, we want to return and get a new one. Owners of other brands are more forgiving.

mick1

my view is if you are truly undecided, go for the Lexus.

Lexus has a better reliability history and is less expensive to service and repair.

I went for the Mercedes because it's what I wanted.