Got a '06 C280 4-Matic loaner...some thoughts
07-19-2006, 10:49 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Got a '06 C280 4-Matic loaner...some thoughts
Dropped my A4 off for maintenance and got a '06 C280 4-Matic with 5700 miles as a loaner :p For the record, my dealer has both Audi and MB, across the street from one another, so they share loaners. Usually get an A4 or A6 as a loaner so this was a nice change.
The new 3.0 engine is pretty nice...good power and pick up. Definitely has the power to pull and is more than enough for a daily commuter, imo. The engine produces a nice healthy sound when pushed. Driving a turbo engine vs NA, you notice the differences right away. With the A4, it takes a second for the turbo to spool up and propel whereas the 3.0 power comes on linearly.
The only other time i've driven an '05+ w203 was at the ML event last year, C230 Sport.
The interior space is a bit smaller than my A4. The A4 is wider in the cabin, doesn't feel as "tight" as the C280. Materials were nice, solid touch to everything. It seems to be solidly built. Though, I'm not a fan of the climate control...you'd think MB would be able to provide a digital climate control for the amount of money the car costs. The stereo was nice, I'm not sure if its the HK system (no markings) but sounds were good, nice bass provided.
I found it interesting that the movement of the seat forward and backward was manual and the seat height adjustment was electric.
The ride is typical MB ride, nice and plush. Absorbs bumps pretty well. My A4 has the sport suspension, so it's a bit more "choppy" in terms of the ride, so can't really compare sport suspension for sport suspension. Handles in turns pretty well for a non-sport.
The standard issue 5-speed does it's job pretty well, holding gears going up hill, downshifts fairly quickly when stepped on. Touch-shift does well, upshifts when hitting redline, though shifts could be a tad quicker. I wish MB "rev-matches" when downshifting using touch-shift.
It's been a while since having an MB to drive for a day, since I bought my A4 really. Have driven other MB's in the family for errands or whatnot but not another C-Class to compare with my A4. Also, my first 4-matic test vs Quattro. It's dry outside so can't really comment on the two systems with a comparison in snowy or wet weather. Overall, the C280 is a nice car. Materials are nice, solid, good ride. Definitely different than my A4, as they are different cars with different characteristics.
The new 3.0 engine is pretty nice...good power and pick up. Definitely has the power to pull and is more than enough for a daily commuter, imo. The engine produces a nice healthy sound when pushed. Driving a turbo engine vs NA, you notice the differences right away. With the A4, it takes a second for the turbo to spool up and propel whereas the 3.0 power comes on linearly.
The only other time i've driven an '05+ w203 was at the ML event last year, C230 Sport.
The interior space is a bit smaller than my A4. The A4 is wider in the cabin, doesn't feel as "tight" as the C280. Materials were nice, solid touch to everything. It seems to be solidly built. Though, I'm not a fan of the climate control...you'd think MB would be able to provide a digital climate control for the amount of money the car costs. The stereo was nice, I'm not sure if its the HK system (no markings) but sounds were good, nice bass provided.
I found it interesting that the movement of the seat forward and backward was manual and the seat height adjustment was electric.
The ride is typical MB ride, nice and plush. Absorbs bumps pretty well. My A4 has the sport suspension, so it's a bit more "choppy" in terms of the ride, so can't really compare sport suspension for sport suspension. Handles in turns pretty well for a non-sport.
The standard issue 5-speed does it's job pretty well, holding gears going up hill, downshifts fairly quickly when stepped on. Touch-shift does well, upshifts when hitting redline, though shifts could be a tad quicker. I wish MB "rev-matches" when downshifting using touch-shift.
It's been a while since having an MB to drive for a day, since I bought my A4 really. Have driven other MB's in the family for errands or whatnot but not another C-Class to compare with my A4. Also, my first 4-matic test vs Quattro. It's dry outside so can't really comment on the two systems with a comparison in snowy or wet weather. Overall, the C280 is a nice car. Materials are nice, solid, good ride. Definitely different than my A4, as they are different cars with different characteristics.
07-20-2006, 03:31 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Thanks! Every car company has their strengths and weaknesses...having driven both brands, can't really bash one or the other :p The MB does its thing and my Audi does its thing in their own ways.
07-20-2006, 10:04 PM
#6
Senior Member
Got a 2006 C280 4-matic loaner. It was surprisingly quieter than my Kompressor with a more sedate ride. It somehow does not give you the urge to thrash it but rather move at a civilized pace and it rewards you with a stately ride. The steering was also a lot lighter than the C230. A nice car but I still prefer my Komp!
