another hypothetical upgrad to 350 available... 07 or 08?
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I think, all opinions aside, the first year of a new model will always have problems. As the last build year of the w203, the '07 should be completely ironed out.
My biased view, of course, prefers the w203. The biggest thing bugging me lately is the rear of the car. From profile, the 203 is nice and raked, and the spoiler on the '07 accentuates this. The 204 looks like it has a saggy a$$ to me. The bumper protrudes and is so low... not a fan. I like driving the 204, though. The car feels lighter and more agile, but as a result feels cheaper, somehow. The 203 feels alot more solid.
Just my opinion, though. I can find pros and cons in both.
My biased view, of course, prefers the w203. The biggest thing bugging me lately is the rear of the car. From profile, the 203 is nice and raked, and the spoiler on the '07 accentuates this. The 204 looks like it has a saggy a$$ to me. The bumper protrudes and is so low... not a fan. I like driving the 204, though. The car feels lighter and more agile, but as a result feels cheaper, somehow. The 203 feels alot more solid.
Just my opinion, though. I can find pros and cons in both.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I think, all opinions aside, the first year of a new model will always have problems. As the last build year of the w203, the '07 should be completely ironed out.
My biased view, of course, prefers the w203. The biggest thing bugging me lately is the rear of the car. From profile, the 203 is nice and raked, and the spoiler on the '07 accentuates this. The 204 looks like it has a saggy a$$ to me. The bumper protrudes and is so low... not a fan. I like driving the 204, though. The car feels lighter and more agile, but as a result feels cheaper, somehow. The 203 feels alot more solid.
Just my opinion, though. I can find pros and cons in both.
My biased view, of course, prefers the w203. The biggest thing bugging me lately is the rear of the car. From profile, the 203 is nice and raked, and the spoiler on the '07 accentuates this. The 204 looks like it has a saggy a$$ to me. The bumper protrudes and is so low... not a fan. I like driving the 204, though. The car feels lighter and more agile, but as a result feels cheaper, somehow. The 203 feels alot more solid.
Just my opinion, though. I can find pros and cons in both.
the 204 feels a lot more solid to drive to me vs all the w203 that I've driven over the years. steering is more direct, but feels too light sometimes.
Last edited by FrankW; Oct 20, 2010 at 08:28 PM.
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From: Queens, Ny
Nike Turbo Shox
Anyone who thinks the W204's interior is a step down from a pre-facelift W203's interior should put the pipe down and step away.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
I agree, I wanted to get a 08 C350 sport and that car is nice inside. The layout is clean and not over done. It's contemporary look so to say.
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From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
Anyone who thinks the W204's interior is a step down from a pre-facelift W203's interior should put the pipe down and step away.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
But the 204 feels too much like a BMW 3 series to me. Its like they were trying to save money on the interior, so they covered everything in that strange plastic. Also the pop up cover over the radio screams cheap (like a scion TC). While I am amazed at how smooth the 204 drives there is something not right with it, the 204 seems to sap all the fun out of driving, its much too good at isolating the driver.
All I know is that when people step into my 4matic 07 they go "wow this is a nice car" or "how many cows had to die to give you this interior?". You just don't get that kind of effect with a 204.
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
I'm not much of a BMW fan, so that isn't something I'd consider a compliment. I don't think I'd ever buy a BMW (or Audi for that matter). I still much prefer the W203's interior to the W204. I will be keeping my car for a very long time.
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From: Queens, Ny
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A Mercedes-benz feeling agile like a BMW is definately a compliment. They dont realize that you cant fix everything by throwing horsepower at it. I love BMW's. I plan to buy a 335i and then a M6 down the road.
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Anyone who thinks the W204's interior is a step down from a pre-facelift W203's interior should put the pipe down and step away.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
The W204s interior quality is higher than the W203 in my experience. The materials feel different to the touch in some instances but also seem more durable - that's a very fair trade to someone like me who uses the car extensively.
I dont know about the durability of the 204 interior, but I dont think the durability of the 203 interior is terrible either. But the styling and quality are a huge step down. To each their own I guess...
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Senior Member
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From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
But seriously if someone wants a 3 series then they should buy one. I would not go looking for a pale knockoff at the same price point. I'm sure the interior will last longer and hold up better to abuse then the 203's but its def not worth it.
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
When I drive a BMW I'm having too much fun to be poking around at plastics - which are not bad but not overly pleasing in the 135i but feel VERY high quality in the 3-series. I dunno how you guys are reaching such conclusions. Fit/finish and materials quality for BMW is top notch in the 3-series and up. The interior design of the pre-facelift W203 is horrific. And even the face-lift interior, which a huge step up from before, still looks like it was designed in the 1990s (because it was, mostly).
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I'll both agree with you and disagree with you at the same time.
BMWs have so much better feel for the driver, that the interior is not noticed as much. Unfortunately, that's a good thing, as I find their interiors very plain and cold.
I agree with the zerocover on the pop-up cover in the W204; velveeta would be lucky to be so cheesy.
BMWs have so much better feel for the driver, that the interior is not noticed as much. Unfortunately, that's a good thing, as I find their interiors very plain and cold.
I agree with the zerocover on the pop-up cover in the W204; velveeta would be lucky to be so cheesy.
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
haha oh cmon man. the bmw interior hasn't changed in like 20 years or something close to that...and its essentially the same in every model! although the materials may be better quality (although i doubt its much different) i mean i'll give it to bmw they did at the lil wheel cursor thing on the center console before anyone but still there is nothing to their interior thats really special or unique man.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
BMW's interiors are fine. Special or unique, I dunno. The cars themselves are special and unique and you never forget that when you drive one. That's all that matters. Design wise is in the eye of the beholder but materials quality is superb in the E90 and E92 and was in the E46 (where, I know from experience, it is highly durable too).
I agree with whoever said the pop-up cover in the W204 is stupid. But so is that gigantic vent/speaker housing in the middle of the W203's dash. I wouldn't say one is anymore stupid looking than the other.
I agree with whoever said the pop-up cover in the W204 is stupid. But so is that gigantic vent/speaker housing in the middle of the W203's dash. I wouldn't say one is anymore stupid looking than the other.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
haha oh cmon man. the bmw interior hasn't changed in like 20 years or something close to that...and its essentially the same in every model! although the materials may be better quality (although i doubt its much different) i mean i'll give it to bmw they did at the lil wheel cursor thing on the center console before anyone but still there is nothing to their interior thats really special or unique man.
BMW went through a major change in it's interior & exterior design during the Bangle-era.
it started with the E60 5-series and the then controversial 7-series and then into every other line-up. The design is completely different from the e36/46/39/38/30 where the center console has always been oriented towards the driver. The material they used in the car has been much better generation by generation.
the interior now in the new cars are all very nice. other than few cars in few areas, but overall are very good.
