Drove a CLA250 yesterday
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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2013 C63 Coupe
I think the MB strategy was to make an affordable entry level car for first time car buyers (20 somethings) to lure them away from VW, Honda, etc...like the 190. The idea is you'll trade up into the other models as you get older and earn more. So the price point has to be precise.
Its obvious many of you are not first time buyers so mercedes offers high end optional packages for us that can't necessarily get into a E class... #peace #donthate
Its obvious many of you are not first time buyers so mercedes offers high end optional packages for us that can't necessarily get into a E class... #peace #donthate
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2013 C63 Coupe
C63 did not get rid of the hood buldges; at least not in the 2013's. Just bought a 2013 C63 4 days ago...they're still there. Maybe 2014s, not sure.
the rear end sort of looks like the last gen of the 5 series that melted in the sun and the front a bit like a Dodge Charger. I do like the 2 bulges on the hood and not sure why the C63 got rid of them. Not sure about the look of the car, might take some time to like, an acquired taste?. When the W204 came out I thought it looked out of proportion but after the first year I began to like the look and made our cars look tired. Now that there is a return to curves our w203 may not look as old again
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2013 C63 Coupe
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From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
Have to agree. I passed one on the motorway a couple months back and it looked tiny, and I was in a Ford Focus which isn't exactly spacious.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,266
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
While I am more cautious now, since I now know that MB will release crap, have serious problems, and then not support the customer.
But overall, I find at least in the case of my C230 Coupe,
the car has held up well , after getting all the bugs out under warranty.
I like the way they put things together, like wiring harnesses that each connector is different so you can't plug the wrong thing in the wrong place.
I'd be looknig to another mercedes if I was in the market for another car, but I do not have any illusions as to who and what Mercedes is and isn't.
When I bought my C Coupe, I didn't even check to see what was up with Mercedes at the time (they were in deep water, with 1 B in warranty repairs around that time). All I "knew" was that they had the best engineered cars in the world...well, that wasn't entirely true, especially when Chrysler got thrown in the mix.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I drove by my dealership and had a look at one CLA... $39.8k and no sunroof, no Xenon. WTH ?! Two 20-somethings were seriously considering that exact car O_o
Looks nice from outside.
Did anyone else notice some kind of light-brown goop they put on the strut tower bolts and rear suspension fasteners? Is it some anti-corrosion deal?
Looks nice from outside.
Did anyone else notice some kind of light-brown goop they put on the strut tower bolts and rear suspension fasteners? Is it some anti-corrosion deal?
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 688
Likes: 14
2013 C63 Coupe
Agree the C230K turned out to be a fantastic car and the styling still holds its own today.
Well, to some degree it's worked with me.
While I am more cautious now, since I now know that MB will release crap, have serious problems, and then not support the customer.
But overall, I find at least in the case of my C230 Coupe,
the car has held up well , after getting all the bugs out under warranty.
I like the way they put things together, like wiring harnesses that each connector is different so you can't plug the wrong thing in the wrong place.
I'd be looknig to another mercedes if I was in the market for another car, but I do not have any illusions as to who and what Mercedes is and isn't.
When I bought my C Coupe, I didn't even check to see what was up with Mercedes at the time (they were in deep water, with 1 B in warranty repairs around that time). All I "knew" was that they had the best engineered cars in the world...well, that wasn't entirely true, especially when Chrysler got thrown in the mix.
While I am more cautious now, since I now know that MB will release crap, have serious problems, and then not support the customer.
But overall, I find at least in the case of my C230 Coupe,
the car has held up well , after getting all the bugs out under warranty.
I like the way they put things together, like wiring harnesses that each connector is different so you can't plug the wrong thing in the wrong place.
I'd be looknig to another mercedes if I was in the market for another car, but I do not have any illusions as to who and what Mercedes is and isn't.
When I bought my C Coupe, I didn't even check to see what was up with Mercedes at the time (they were in deep water, with 1 B in warranty repairs around that time). All I "knew" was that they had the best engineered cars in the world...well, that wasn't entirely true, especially when Chrysler got thrown in the mix.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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2013 C63 Coupe
Well you're right that nearly 40K is alot for first time buyers and the Mb strategy may backfire.. I just looked up the VW Jetta 1.8l, one can get one under 25k...
I drove by my dealership and had a look at one CLA... $39.8k and no sunroof, no Xenon. WTH ?! Two 20-somethings were seriously considering that exact car O_o
Looks nice from outside.
Did anyone else notice some kind of light-brown goop they put on the strut tower bolts and rear suspension fasteners? Is it some anti-corrosion deal?
Looks nice from outside.
Did anyone else notice some kind of light-brown goop they put on the strut tower bolts and rear suspension fasteners? Is it some anti-corrosion deal?
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
One of my friends bought a Jetta S for $18k in 2011, and VW has this free maintenance deal. They have just flushed the brake fluid and what-not for free, as part of the 30k mile service.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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sl500
I went to parts.com and could not find the Chrome diamond-block grille. do you happen to have the link that you went to. I'm buying a CLA but it does not have this grill and I don't want to spend $2500 on the sport package just to get it. Thanks for your input
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,266
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I disagree.
The CLA is a beautiful car in it's own right, and a true Mercedes.
And if you don't crazy on the overpriced options, a really good value.
I personally wouldn't want an E class and the S is overly complicated, ie high maint.
The higher end Benz's these days are basically exotic cars and have all the same problems.
The CLA is a beautiful car in it's own right, and a true Mercedes.
And if you don't crazy on the overpriced options, a really good value.
I personally wouldn't want an E class and the S is overly complicated, ie high maint.
The higher end Benz's these days are basically exotic cars and have all the same problems.
I think the MB strategy was to make an affordable entry level car for first time car buyers (20 somethings) to lure them away from VW, Honda, etc...like the 190. The idea is you'll trade up into the other models as you get older and earn more. So the price point has to be precise.
Its obvious many of you are not first time buyers so mercedes offers high end optional packages for us that can't necessarily get into a E class... #peace #donthate
Its obvious many of you are not first time buyers so mercedes offers high end optional packages for us that can't necessarily get into a E class... #peace #donthate
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
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From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
It's never free. It was paid for by the owner somewhere in the price. If you look on an equipment list for an MB or other brand with the maintenance package it will show the price of it.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I guess so. But even with the embedded costs it was still one of the cheapest new cars to buy, and I am not sure if Toyota or Honda offer "free" maintenance like that.
At the end, it comes to the "total amount you spent over 3 year period". With that deal (I understand it's nation-wide), you only spend the amount equal to the price of the car.
At the end, it comes to the "total amount you spent over 3 year period". With that deal (I understand it's nation-wide), you only spend the amount equal to the price of the car.
Last edited by VVF; Oct 30, 2013 at 10:22 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Yes and no. Of course it's not free but my previous Benz came with 4 years TOTAL maintenance and there was no line item on the invoice. TINSTAAFL
