FrankW

well, i got a C320 Wagon as a loaner from the dealer when i took my car in for service today.

to my surprise, the C320 Wagon is not that slow. it might be a little under power at high end but it sure has some grunt at low end. the ride was firm and very stable at high speed (took it up to 120mph). the seats are comfortable, but lack of lateral support. there are less road noise than my C32 (i guess the less road noise is because of the smaller rims and tires). i can feel that the steering is not as responsive as my own car (because of the AMG tuned suspension on the C32). the last thing is that the braking is on the soft side. I need to apply more pressure for it to stop. over all i think MB made a nice little wagon.

although the Desert Silver/Sand combo is a little odd to me, the C320 Wagon is a great car to drive.

greg230

i too brought my car in for service, and somehow ended up with a volvo s60 (i am pretty sure thats it) suprisingly it reminds me a lot of my parents volvo wagon.... that was 15 years ago.

How did i end up with a volvo??? you got me

r_1_c32

Frank, did you go for scheduled serrvice? How much mileage you have on your car?

Norm C32

I just took mine in for A-service and got a C-coupe. I have been in before and they give me a C240(what a dog). Though the 4-cylinder is a bit noisy in the coupe, the supercharger gives it plenty of grunt and makes it quicker than the C240's 2.6L V6.

Steering is nice and light but a bit over senstive on-center and tends to be a bit vague mid-turn. It could be the all-season tires. But the car is definitely lighter than the C32. The Pan. roof is neat with no wind noise at cruise. Overall a fun car.

Norm

FrankW

i took the car in to get the right air intake duct replaced (it is somehow deformed and will not fit in properly) and to get the windshield washer's tank replace (one of the plastic part that is suppose to hold the screw is broken, cause some clunking noise sometime).

btw mine has 6400 miles so far after almost 4 months.

FrankW

damn it ...i'm supposed to get my car back the afternoon on the day i took the car in. Today is the second day already, and while i was not home the service guy called my dad and tell him that the parts we ordered did not arrive yet, again. So, i'll have to wait till tomorrow afternoon. damn it.

btw i'm starting to enjoy the C320 Wagon. i can say that "wow, that is one fast wagon" since the C32 AMG wagon is not available in the states.

BlackC230Coupe

when i brought my CLK430 in for service i got a C240 and i cant belive how slow it was. I winded up flooring it everywhere and it stll bairly moved. Some how my c coupe felt 10 times faster. I did not feel like comparing it to my CLK430 though.

raymond

When we were going though our troubles with the C230, the only highlight of the experience was the C320 Wagon loaner. I think it is one of the nicest cars I've driven, and tried to do a deal with MB to get one, but they wouldn't play nicely.

FrankW

yup the Wagon has the performance of a car and space of a small SUV. just check the 02 catalog, the 0-60 mph time for the C320 Wagon is 7.0 seconds. "pretty fast for a Wagon"

Kal Rubinson

The C320 wagon is a too-well-kept secret. After a series of Saabs (for the hatchback capacity), we drove the competing wagons including the IS300 (too pimply street racer), the A4 (very nice and well-equiped but too common, especially in silver) and the Passat (decent handling but sluggish engine). There was no contest: the C320 had everything (except 4motion in the '02) and it was cheaper (to lease) than the Passat!!!

MarkL

Try a C240 6-spd -- there's a world of difference...

CHECKMATE

More than happy with mine-zero problems, lots of features, good looks, don't see a lot on SOCAL roads (not so in Europe) and a "Q" ship performance wise. IMHO-for some reason the best kept C-class secret.

Accord

It's the C-cret .

FrankW

C-cret...i never thought of that.

MarkL: i think the loaner car from MB dealer only comes in auto.

MR325iT

Checkmate-

I'd agree...the euro-wagons are a very well-kept secret, plus they are nearly invisible to the local CHP.

How do you like your 530 wagon? Before getting my 325 I considered a used (E34?) 525 or 530 wagon - they just seem like an ideal size, and they look great, too.

BlackC230Coupe

Unfortinitly i think the dealers only give autos for loners. Its obvious because most people dont know how to drive sticks unless u have one. Not to mention most mercedes are and only come in autos.

Although it would be fun to have a manual in a loaner.

steve s

nah...the best sleeper is my volvo 850 turbowagon...and it'll carry more and it'll run circles around ur c320 wagon =)...now...if they had sent over a c32 wagon or e55 wagon.... (homer drooling)

MR325iT

test drove an 850glt (light turbo) once - the power was a big surprise. The 850R model was outrageous, too. Volvo's got the most comfortable seats in the business. I kinda miss the boxy 850 body.

FrankW

just got my C32 back today, i think now i know why i miss my car so much.

CHECKMATE

I like the 530T a lot, comfortable, good power and handles well. Did have to replace the tranny at 106K (ouch!!) and the double slide roof is an engineering nightmare. My biggest complaint has been BMW service. Too much "easter egging" to locate problems and more $$$$ than MB for routine service and repairs. With only limited time living with the 320C wagon I much prefer it to the BMW

MarkL

You're right-- you probably wouldn't get a manual loaner. I guess I was just making a point that the 6-spd C240 is more lively and responsive than the auto, as is true when comparing most auto/manual vehicle versions...

BlackC230Coupe

I would actually like to drive the C240 manual to see how it feels.

I have never drivin any mercedes with a manual tranny yet.

FrankW

when i picked up my car yesterday, i finally sat in a new W211 E-class. the way the buttoms look and feel great. the back seat was very comfortable. I also saw two E500 sport with the Panorama roof. Unfortunally the E-class Sport package is no longer using the AMG bodykits like they were for the W210. the Sport package rims from the E500 are made by Carlsson.

Vader13

Dude, I always wanted to try to drift the wagon, pm me....muhuhwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....let's get in some Mischief...

CclassRun

Took my car in for service and got a Dodge Dakota extended cab. My stealer doesn't even offer mb loaners. Kinda lame huh?