grifier

This weekend I had my c230 serviced and was given a c300 as a loaner. I had never driven the 300 and was considering upgrading because of the new body style. When they told me what the loaner would be I was estatic. Unfortunatly this faded fast. The only thing I like is the body style and that started to wear off. Granted this is the bottom of the line 300 with mb text and no options but it kind of seemed cheap compared to my c230. The door lock indicators on top of the door panel seemed like they were bought at the dollar store, the door panels were made out of some composite material, the bottom door sill just had a metal plate that said MB glued to the painted metal and the plastic dash looked like it should be in a Honda. As far as the ride it seemed ok not as smoothe as the 230 or as responsive. I did like the instriment panel and center console over the c230 but thats about it. I do like the look of the car but was very dissapointed with everything else. The service guy told me there is no comparison between the 300 and the old c230, he was right he just picked the wrong model.

BlackLiquorish8

how did the car performed?? havent driven a C300 yet and i want to. i'm taking my car in tomorrow b/c its still under warranty and having them fix that door lock pogo problem. Last summer my drivers door lock went now its the passenger side.... i'm hoping after the warranty the other 2 locks in the back dont do that.

hopefully they will get me a W204 the last time i went they still have me a C280 wtfff

Musikmann

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well you know the rest. The C300 is also a 1st model year car and those from any manufacturer are suspect. The C350 might be a different animal but I suspect not.

Buellwinkle

I've driven both the C300 and C350, both come standard with MB Tex and not leather, a feature that came about in 2006 with the C230's. Heck, even the E class does not get leather standard. Frankly I don't like leather and would like to see them use cloth like they did in the C230 coupes.

The new W204 is quieter and smoother than the W203. I didn't really notice a huge performance difference between the C300 and C350 but both are way better than a C230. The main different besides the engine is the C350 comes standard with the P1 package, AMG style wheels (both get 17") and a small rear spoiler. The harder plastic nubby dash is actually part of a new trend. This first came out in the SLK350 in 2005 and seems to be carried forward in the new models. I can understand why some people find it cheap but it's not cheap, it's just the new look.

Currently there's a $3,500 incentive from MB to get rid of 2008's and there are a lot of them to chose from. This means you can score a W204 for about $6,200 off from what I've seen. Or a stripped 2008 C300 in So Cal can be had for about $27K, or one with an automatic for about $28K, a C350 runs around $32K. Although leather is optional, many things that were optional in the C230 are now standard, for example, bluetooth, aux in, sunroof are all standard on the W204. When you look at what the C230 cost back in 2004 vs. what a similarly equipped C300 costs now, the prices have remained same which is amazing to me considering the devalued dollar.

wblynch

Maybe we can thank cheaper South African labor?

Imagine my surprise when I learned my 2008 C350 was built there

dmatre

I too, had a C300 loaner while my C230 was in shop.

Observations:
1) Car is very quiet and composed. It seems to be an improvement in structure and suspension from the W203.
2) Turn-in and cornering is far improved from the W203. I've even got C32 springs/shocks on my C230, but the new C300 (non-sport) was just far easier to point in to the apex. It was almost Miata-like (although it wasn't nearly as nimble) in its eagerness to tighten the radius in mid-corner.
3) It's bigger. Tougher to fit into my tight garage (2 kids = tons of stuff: bikes/boards/golf/baseball/etc).
4) Mileage sucks. For the bottom of the lineup (econo-choice, if you will), it got 22mpg on the same commute (both to and from work) that the C230 gets 27-30mpg. That's a loss of 25% for those who watch their fuel costs.
5) Using the trip computer requires relearning. While it appears to be similar to the W203, it's not. Good luck.
6) Tuning the radio . . . forget it. Never figured it out before turning the loaner in.
7) Brakes SUCK! First millimeter of pedal travel results in 50% braking power. Next 12 inches of pedal travel used for the remaining 50% braking. Feel is similar to pushing a pedal through a bowl of whipped cream, while that bowl is mounted on a subframe made of jello. MB probably out-sourced this brake booster from Oldsmobile or Cadillac.
8) Even though the car had a bigger V-6 (compared to my 1.8L I-4), and a 7-speed tranny, it was consistently running about 500rpm higher in any gear, at any time. Shifts were >2500rpm, even under light throttle, while the C230 will shift around 1700rpm if I light-foot it.

Summary: A nicer, bigger car . . . if I wanted a bigger car.

I'll be looking to Audi/BMW in a couple of years, if MB can't improve the economy and feel of the W204s.

wblynch

I got 29.4 mpg on my 50 mile commute through light LA traffic this morning.

Heavier traffic on the way home netted 25.3 mpg.

2008 C-350.

Keeps getting better.

patrick_y

Cars I've Driven: I have an 05 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan, I've driven the 06 and 07 C230 Sport Sedans with automatic, and I've driven the 08 C300 Sport sedan with 18 inch wheels. I've even had the pleasure of driving the C63 AMG about one month ago.

Fuel Economy: Fuel economy goes to the 05 C230 thanks to its smaller 1.8L 4 cylinder engine.

Power: Power delivery is decent in all cars, the C300 obviously has more power, but personally I've never gotten used to the new 7-speed transmission. The 5-speed transmission in the 05 C230 locks up very nicely, but the 7-speed has so many gears that it feels like one huge slush-box. A person switching from a 5-speed to a 7-speed will definitely take some time to get reacquainted.

Suspension Comfort and Steering: The 06 and 07 C230 vehicles seem a bit more comfortable than the 05 C230 sedans, due to what I suspect softer suspension tuning. The 05 C230 sport sedan received many complaints by US customers for being much too firm and for the steering to be much too heavy during parking lot maneuvers. The 06-07 vehicles seem to have a somewhat more supple suspension and the 07 seems to have a slightly lighter steering. The 08 C300 on the other hand has a much lighter steering with a much slower ratio. The steering wheel is also physically larger and subsequently less sporty when combined with the fact that it has a much slower ratio. Another member of my family who also drove an 08 C300 as a loaner said she thought the steering was perfect in every way; a good ratio, the slightly lighter weight, and a nice large steering wheel. In my opinion, I liked the heavy steering, quick ratio, and small steering wheel on the 05 C230.

Braking: The brakes on 05-07 cars feature a fixed 2 piston front caliper that is actually made by Brembo on behalf of Mercedes. The 08 car has a sliding caliper; this results in slightly poorer braking feel, but I disagree with dmatre's observation that the brakes feel like gelatin as I think the feel is only lightly affected.

Interior: The 08 C300 cabin has a new rubbery material (I call it pencil eraser) on the dashboard that I personally dislike. This is the trend as Buellwinkle stated, but it's a trend that I do not embrace. Sales agents at dealerships cite this as one of the most common complaints about the new C-Class. There are also many hard plastics to be found on the interior.

Looks: The previous C230 is indeed a very pretty car. The previous C230 looked especially attractive in black with the clear xenon lights, which seem to be almost jewel-like in their appearance (this black C230 with xenon lights was used in many promotional materials from 2005 onwards). The W204 C-Class looks like a "grown-up" version of the W203 C-Class. It no longer has a "pretty" look but a masculine look. In my opinion, the new W204 looks especially attractive in black, palladium silver (a gray), and in white (a cool, clean white) in the sport/avantgarde guise and in more luxurious colors (such as metallic blue) in the luxury/elegance guise. The interior is pleasant, except for the debatable use of hard plastics and rubberized materials on the dashboard.

Spirited Driving: The driving dynamic of the new C300 in my opinion is much better in terms of comfort than the previous 05-07 C230s, but not nearly as sporty as an 05-07 C230. The quick and far more accurate steering on the C230s allows me to turn in, hit the apex, and exit the turn in a much more controlled fashion. Note: The 06-07 C230s seem to understeer a bit more than the 05 C230 (probably due to the increase in weight). The C300 does feel as if it will understeer more than a C230. Overall handling of the C300 in sporty driving seems to be slightly less capable than the original C230. Keep in mind, the 06-07 C230s shared a suspension set-up that is very similar to the one found in the C32 AMG car; it's a very capable car.

FrankW

have both. nothing much to add since I agree on the "dash looks shiny and cheap, but the actual material is not" thing.

however, the w204 drives better than the w203. other than the C63. the 204s are not much heavier than the w203s yet the steering is more precise and "almost" 3-series like. The light weight feel of the steering like the 2007 tho I don't like too much. This is not comparing between my C32 to the C350, but compared with my friend's 2007 C230. He also agrees with me when he drove the C350 the day I had the window tinted. The brakes are not mushy nor it feels any different than the C230's.

although I'm still adjusting to look at the w204 (honestly it's not bad looking, but not as good looking at the 203 it replaced) I would say that the w204 does pose as an improvement over the 203, but not a great improvement if you already has the 2006-07 C230/350. If you are looking to replace the 06-07 I would suggest waiting for the 2010 which rumored to have more than 300hp in the C350 (or whatever it may be called) OR take a look at the new A4 or 3-series.

ooh...and 7G-tronic is the stupidest thing ever. gear hunting = except it is smooth.

wblynch

Unless you have some sort of real driving measurement you can not realistically make that statement.

An assumption based on engine size is only an assumption.

My wifes '04 C240 has a much smaller engine than my C350 yet the new car gets about 4 mpg better mileage. I believe the 7-speed transmission is a major contributor.

Buellwinkle

Having monitored the W204 since it's introduction, there have been complaints of poor gas mileage from the C300 and not the C350. This is sort of the C240/C320 problem again where the smaller C240 motor gets worse mileage than the C320. If you are getting a C300 with the P1 package anyway, pony up the extra $2K or so to get the C350.

grifier

Dont get me wrong I like the look of the c300 just not the interior. I expected it to be a major improvement over my 2006 c230. I did not mention my 230 is manual and the 300 was an automatic. This probably played a part in my overall opinion. I do feel the 2006 230 is a buch better ride and if I knew nothing about either car I would say the 230 is the more expensive of the 2.

Glyn M Ruck

Agree Frank & it's looks grow on you - The 7G-tronic is a pain with it's hunting - understand a fix is in the offing!! about time - it's multiple ratio change down causes some of the crap - If you can wait I would wait for the camless engines with solenoid fired valves that are in the wings

Glyn M Ruck

You had better hope MB launches the 4Cyl models in the US. They are great & economical, we have the whole range available in RSA apart from the 230 2.5V6 which sells in Europe. On the European Cycle the new cars are quite a bit more economical than the old 3 valve engines

Glyn M Ruck

You have a choice - W204s built in East London with South African labour or built in Germany with Turkish labour.

The South African plant frequently beats the German build cars in the QC round robin. The RSA cars are about 47% local content by weight and frequently use more durable materials. South African leather for one. Body pressings also better.

I'm sitting in my hotel room in Saudi Arabia. There is a new German assembled S Class on display in the foyer (white one) - I would not want it. Paint job is suspect & fit & finish average. Front doors have pressing ripples in both of them at the fender shut line & lower valences are out of alignment.

I think the best finished Mercs come from the CKD plant in Vietnam. The Vietnamese are fanatical about the assembly - run around all gaps with a dial gauge

wblynch

I surrender! Thanks for the encouraging response.

BTW,

My '08 C350 got 29.4 mpg on my commute to work yesterday. Light L.A. traffic, 49 miles, average speed 53 mph.

My wife's '04 C240 got 26.2 mpg this morning, slightly lighter traffic with an average speed of 54 mph.

I am very pleased with the fuel management of this car.

Glyn M Ruck

Fuel consumption is hell to compare on the road - slight changes in WIND direction much less driving style are enough to make huge differences. But directionally your findings compute - good luck with your new baby, they are a better car in all respects than the W203 - subjective issues excluded

dmatre

Thanks for your input. I'm hoping that they'll bring a 4-banger over the pond in the next years (in response to the higher gas prices). Although, it appears that the mileage of the 350 is actually better than the 300.

There may still be hope to stay in the MB family.

alpinweiss

You are absolutely correct, engine size is not necessarily related to mileage.

However, the EPA ratings on the 2005 C230K are about 10% better than the 2006 C230 (V6). The cars are identical except for the engine, and the EPA rating system is identical for those two years. Therefore, in this specific case, it appears the 4 cylinder is more economical than the 6 cylinder. Yes, I realize EPA ratings are not always accurate, but they can be used as a comparison.

Real world experience also seems to indicate the C230K (M271) gets very good mileage in comparison to other C-Class Mercedes; especially when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission. The V6 cars have their advantages, but if fuel economy is your top priority, you may want the C230K.

patrick_y

Thank you! We've someone who knows what they're talking about.

Most people are quite ignorant (or just not well informed) that just because it is made in Germany doesn't necessarily mean that it is made by German people. The German factories do employ a large amount of Turkish labour.

BMW and Mercedes both have production facilities in South Africa. Both BMW and Mercedes often realize that quality control is better among South African assembled vehicles than their German counterparts.

Japanese cars are also no exception. Japanese car factories employ large amounts of Brazilians. In fact, these car factories practically speak Portuguese.

My Italian designer shirts are actually mostly cut and assembled in Mexico; only the buttons are sewed on in Italy at the end of the production cycle.

Benzalot

My wife and I drove both the C300 and C350 and I was pretty set on geting either a C300 or C350. Then while at the dealer we saw a very low milage 2006 C230 and took it for test drive. The C230 had many options that were not available on the C300 and overall a very nice ride. My wife fell in love with everything about the C230. She actually felt it had more interior room that the C300 and thought the interior was much nicer. One down side of the 2008 was the sound system; I liked the HK 7.1 sound system but I was leary of the pop-up screen on the dash. I felt there were too many moving parts to present problems later on down the road. So, in the end, I came away with a like new CPO C230 with Xeons,HK sound system (without the silly pop-up screen), sunroof, leather inserts, memory seats and steering adjustment, rear shade, window tinting in the rear with only 16,000 miles on it for almost half the price of a 2008 with simular options. In addition, I was able to purchase MB warranty coverage until June of 2013. I have been most pleased with the performance and the MPG. It is truly a fun responsive car to drive; I think more so than the C300.

C230 Sport Coup

My buddy picked up a C300 sport for about 32K.
Pretty "stripped" down, but that means, a regular sunroof, not pano,
6 speed, and mbtex. It's a nice car.
Like someone said, built in BT, and he's got nav too, which pops out of the dash, not like the old TV screen thing.

I do need to have a little race with him and see who's faster.
He won't let me drive it.

I don't mind being a passenger. We're heading down to Carmel tonight just for the F of it. Track down a few ladies we met last week at the races who claim to hang there.