how low can benz go? NYTimes review of C-coupé
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GLB 250 4matic
how low can benz go? NYTimes review of C-coupé
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http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/au...es/24AUTO.html
chart that goes w/ the article
a funny quote from the article - <b>"While the company has billed this as a car that resulted from engineers' letting "their hair down," it left me with a different impression: that this is what middle-aged German engineers think is youthful and fun."</b>
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/au...es/24AUTO.html
chart that goes w/ the article
a funny quote from the article - <b>"While the company has billed this as a car that resulted from engineers' letting "their hair down," it left me with a different impression: that this is what middle-aged German engineers think is youthful and fun."</b>
Last edited by young; Feb 23, 2002 at 11:18 AM.
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From: CT
Much of the negative perspective is about styling or trim. These two comments indicate the value of the coupe:
"There is no denying that the C230 shares the painstaking engineering and vaultlike construction of bigger Mercedes models. The steering is precise, the ride is comfortable and the handling is responsive. The braking is among the best in the class."
"And the C230 has more safety fatures than any other $25,000 car. All four seat positions have three-point safety belts and head restraints; there are dual front air bags (with the BabySmart system that recognizes when a child seatis in use); side air bags in front and rear; and inflatable side curtains that protect occupants' heads. Also standard are antilock brakes; electronic brake assistance, for panic stops; and stability control, to prevent skids."
"There is no denying that the C230 shares the painstaking engineering and vaultlike construction of bigger Mercedes models. The steering is precise, the ride is comfortable and the handling is responsive. The braking is among the best in the class."
"And the C230 has more safety fatures than any other $25,000 car. All four seat positions have three-point safety belts and head restraints; there are dual front air bags (with the BabySmart system that recognizes when a child seatis in use); side air bags in front and rear; and inflatable side curtains that protect occupants' heads. Also standard are antilock brakes; electronic brake assistance, for panic stops; and stability control, to prevent skids."
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C230 Coupe
My thoughts exactly Dr. Mike. The entire first column of the article is devoted to warning MB, Jaguar and BMW that they are doomed to failure by offering down-market vehicles.
Ms. Kreb doesn't offer a substantive comment about the coupe until the tenth paragraph when she grudgingly admits that:
"there is no denying thet the C230 shares the painstaking engineering and vaultlike construction of bigger Mercedes models."
Other than being snobbish and catty throughout the article, I thought that her statement about the back seat not being roomy was just flat out wrong. As someone who has driven several small cars, including a 4 door civic, I am very impressed at the size of the Coupe's back seat.
My take on this is that she was ticked that she drew this assignment rather than getting something like BMW's new 700 class. She whined about the absence of leather, but , hey, there's really a good car in there somewhere.
Ms. Kreb doesn't offer a substantive comment about the coupe until the tenth paragraph when she grudgingly admits that:
"there is no denying thet the C230 shares the painstaking engineering and vaultlike construction of bigger Mercedes models."
Other than being snobbish and catty throughout the article, I thought that her statement about the back seat not being roomy was just flat out wrong. As someone who has driven several small cars, including a 4 door civic, I am very impressed at the size of the Coupe's back seat.
My take on this is that she was ticked that she drew this assignment rather than getting something like BMW's new 700 class. She whined about the absence of leather, but , hey, there's really a good car in there somewhere.
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'05 c240 4matic wagon
Big Dog, I think you hit the nail dead-on - she's miffed about something, like she decided not to like the car. To each her own, but I have to be honest here - the car is a thrill to drive, and I'm apparently not alone. Check out this quote:
"The engine is Mercedes's 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder Kompressor (German for supercharged). This power plant, which is also used in the SLK roadster, is not one of the company's finest. Although rated at 192 horsepower, it felt sluggish in my test car, which had the optional ($1,300) five-speed automatic transmission. The shifts on the automatic, which allows for manual gear shifting, were abrupt. I did not drive a car equipped with the standard six-speed manual, but I do not have fond memories of other sloppy Mercedes six-speeds."
Sluggish?! She musta been wearing platform clogs so her foot got stuck when pushing the accelerator. And we'll never find out if she's any good at driving a stick, period. Her memories aren't of the fond kind.
Good thing I bought mine before her review was published.
Dennis Semanaitis of Road & Track did it more justice.
"The engine is Mercedes's 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder Kompressor (German for supercharged). This power plant, which is also used in the SLK roadster, is not one of the company's finest. Although rated at 192 horsepower, it felt sluggish in my test car, which had the optional ($1,300) five-speed automatic transmission. The shifts on the automatic, which allows for manual gear shifting, were abrupt. I did not drive a car equipped with the standard six-speed manual, but I do not have fond memories of other sloppy Mercedes six-speeds."
Sluggish?! She musta been wearing platform clogs so her foot got stuck when pushing the accelerator. And we'll never find out if she's any good at driving a stick, period. Her memories aren't of the fond kind.
Good thing I bought mine before her review was published.
Dennis Semanaitis of Road & Track did it more justice.
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