Bought a C300 today ... interior is still cheap looking FTW.
09-25-2007, 09:37 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
Bought a C300 today ... interior is still cheap looking FTW.
Not a great lease deal, but not awful either.
I get to say the interior is cheap a$$ looking, and you can't call me a bmw fanboy now.
I get to say the interior is cheap a$$ looking, and you can't call me a bmw fanboy now.
09-25-2007, 10:21 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'08 C 300 Sport, '01 SL 500 & '08 Nissan Frontier SE Crew Cab 4WD
My wife loves the dash material…. Her words this past weekend.. “I just love how they made the dash kind of resemble leather” (Me) Really babe? You really like it…? This is my wife whom drove my lifted ’05 Dodge 2500 Turbo diesel and her car we got rid of last year an ’06 Pontiac G6 GT. So in her eyes and I would imagine the 85% of the female race whom this car is targeted at thinks it’s fine. I think it’s just so so, not bad but not great, definitely wouldn’t have been a deal breaker. I think it looks better overall and of higher craftsmanship than of my 996 TT but whatever, what ever….
-Ryan
-Ryan
09-25-2007, 10:35 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Interior2
<<I get to say the interior is cheap a$$ looking>>
Black, is it?
_____
I should have, could have, added that I am driving a dealer service loaner today since my '01 C320 is having it's rear window shade and front flex disc replaced as sort of a last gasp before it morphs into my C300 in three weeks.
It's a new 2007 C230 Sport and it's guess what, silver with a black tex interior. Looks like a teutonic coal mine inside what with all that black plastic. The post facelift instrument panel looks better but in daylight, wearing sunglasses, the instruments are hard to read particularly the tiny water temp gauge. I hope to God the 204 dash is backlit someway. But, the car has guess what SEAT MEMORY, and a real lever to move the column up and down. Goodbye to that bit of luxury.
I don't know which engine this thing has (no owner's manual) but it's a real slug, seven speed auto or not. My C320 would run away from it.
Ah well, it's free except for gas.
Black, is it?
_____
I should have, could have, added that I am driving a dealer service loaner today since my '01 C320 is having it's rear window shade and front flex disc replaced as sort of a last gasp before it morphs into my C300 in three weeks.
It's a new 2007 C230 Sport and it's guess what, silver with a black tex interior. Looks like a teutonic coal mine inside what with all that black plastic. The post facelift instrument panel looks better but in daylight, wearing sunglasses, the instruments are hard to read particularly the tiny water temp gauge. I hope to God the 204 dash is backlit someway. But, the car has guess what SEAT MEMORY, and a real lever to move the column up and down. Goodbye to that bit of luxury.
I don't know which engine this thing has (no owner's manual) but it's a real slug, seven speed auto or not. My C320 would run away from it.
Ah well, it's free except for gas.
09-25-2007, 10:43 PM
#6
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 Mercedes C350 Sport
<<I get to say the interior is cheap a$$ looking>>
Black, is it?
_____
I should have, could have, added that I am driving a dealer service loaner today since my '01 C320 is having it's rear window shade and front flex disc replaced as sort of a last gasp before it morphs into my C300 in three weeks.
It's a new 2007 C230 Sport and it's guess what, silver with a black tex interior. Looks like a teutonic coal mine inside what with all that black plastic. The post facelift instrument panel looks better but in daylight, wearing sunglasses, the instruments are hard to read particularly the tiny water temp gauge. I hope to God the 204 dash is backlit someway. But, the car has guess what SEAT MEMORY, and a real lever to move the column up and down. Goodbye to that bit of luxury.
I don't know which engine this thing has (no owner's manual) but it's a real slug, seven speed auto or not. My C320 would run away from it.
Ah well, it's free except for gas.
Black, is it?
_____
I should have, could have, added that I am driving a dealer service loaner today since my '01 C320 is having it's rear window shade and front flex disc replaced as sort of a last gasp before it morphs into my C300 in three weeks.
It's a new 2007 C230 Sport and it's guess what, silver with a black tex interior. Looks like a teutonic coal mine inside what with all that black plastic. The post facelift instrument panel looks better but in daylight, wearing sunglasses, the instruments are hard to read particularly the tiny water temp gauge. I hope to God the 204 dash is backlit someway. But, the car has guess what SEAT MEMORY, and a real lever to move the column up and down. Goodbye to that bit of luxury.
I don't know which engine this thing has (no owner's manual) but it's a real slug, seven speed auto or not. My C320 would run away from it.
Ah well, it's free except for gas.
09-25-2007, 11:25 PM
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
Didn't say I didn't like the car. Just said interior is cheap looking.
Besides, it's my first benz ... what do I know?
Bottom line, for 37k in german sedans I get to pick from A4 2.0T (great engine in the GTI/A3, not that great in the A4, and I've already owned a B6 A4, so I didn't really want one again), BMW 328i (already have a 330i, don't want another e90 no matter how much power it has eq. 335) or C300. Between the three, C300 is the clear winner for me.
Still doesn't mean the interior doesn't look cheap.
Besides, it's my first benz ... what do I know?
Bottom line, for 37k in german sedans I get to pick from A4 2.0T (great engine in the GTI/A3, not that great in the A4, and I've already owned a B6 A4, so I didn't really want one again), BMW 328i (already have a 330i, don't want another e90 no matter how much power it has eq. 335) or C300. Between the three, C300 is the clear winner for me.
Still doesn't mean the interior doesn't look cheap.
Trending Topics
09-25-2007, 11:31 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC Metro Area, NJ
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2000 BMW X5
i think I have to agree, but I don't agree that we need 2 threads about the interior looking cheap...
I get the joke your making by reading the other thread, and you did get an audible chuckle when I realized why you made a new one...
I get the joke your making by reading the other thread, and you did get an audible chuckle when I realized why you made a new one...
09-26-2007, 10:19 AM
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 C350
So is it the aluminum trim you don't like? The dash? Or the whole package?
For me I much prefer the wood trim in the 350 to the aluminum trim. In fact, I really like the 300 Lux interior (burl walnut with beige dash and seats) over all, but it didn't come in a 350 so black birdseye maple with black/grey interior it is...
For me I much prefer the wood trim in the 350 to the aluminum trim. In fact, I really like the 300 Lux interior (burl walnut with beige dash and seats) over all, but it didn't come in a 350 so black birdseye maple with black/grey interior it is...
09-26-2007, 12:19 PM
#12
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
So is it the aluminum trim you don't like? The dash? Or the whole package?
For me I much prefer the wood trim in the 350 to the aluminum trim. In fact, I really like the 300 Lux interior (burl walnut with beige dash and seats) over all, but it didn't come in a 350 so black birdseye maple with black/grey interior it is...
For me I much prefer the wood trim in the 350 to the aluminum trim. In fact, I really like the 300 Lux interior (burl walnut with beige dash and seats) over all, but it didn't come in a 350 so black birdseye maple with black/grey interior it is...
But I like those gauges. Love those gauges for some reason.
09-26-2007, 01:16 PM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 C350
OK, I see.
I understand those concerns...you just expect everything to "feel" like an MB. For me I just remind myself that it is the entry level model and it gives me something to aspire to. If every car felt like an S-Class inside I can only imagine how MB's profit margin would drop on the expensive models.
I like the gauges too.
I understand those concerns...you just expect everything to "feel" like an MB. For me I just remind myself that it is the entry level model and it gives me something to aspire to. If every car felt like an S-Class inside I can only imagine how MB's profit margin would drop on the expensive models.
I like the gauges too.
09-26-2007, 03:15 PM
#14
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-26-2007, 04:36 PM
#15
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
I didn't even think the W211 I almost bought felt that great inside ... but that's an old design.
re: Lease deal. Just standard advertised, msrp 61% .00315 @ 39mo. Both dealers I talked to wanted a HUGE mark up on the MF. One at .00469 and this one started me at .00355 but they were willing to talk. First dealer wouldn't even discuss, they had no interest in leasing me the car. So not great, but not completely awful ... strike that, it's pretty awful.
The big issue was my trade because I just don't feel like I've got the time to worry about selling it right now. Too many things going on. And they gave me appropriate money and didn't insult me with a 3k back of book offer.
One thing I noticed that was interesting. At dealer #1, lets just call them the 'white shirts' because they acted like Chrysler sales people from that AE show, each time I was in the showroom there were very few customers buying cars. Or getting cars delivered. Ghost town. Dealer #2, while I was in there I counted 8 people demoing C300s. And a few of them were in offices talking #'s.
Point is, I didn't get the impression that the demand for the car is going to slack off to the point where MB financial is going to push any incentive lease deals anytime soon.
Or that's what I'm going to tell myself so I don't feel totally ripped off.
re: Lease deal. Just standard advertised, msrp 61% .00315 @ 39mo. Both dealers I talked to wanted a HUGE mark up on the MF. One at .00469 and this one started me at .00355 but they were willing to talk. First dealer wouldn't even discuss, they had no interest in leasing me the car. So not great, but not completely awful ... strike that, it's pretty awful.
The big issue was my trade because I just don't feel like I've got the time to worry about selling it right now. Too many things going on. And they gave me appropriate money and didn't insult me with a 3k back of book offer.
One thing I noticed that was interesting. At dealer #1, lets just call them the 'white shirts' because they acted like Chrysler sales people from that AE show, each time I was in the showroom there were very few customers buying cars. Or getting cars delivered. Ghost town. Dealer #2, while I was in there I counted 8 people demoing C300s. And a few of them were in offices talking #'s.
Point is, I didn't get the impression that the demand for the car is going to slack off to the point where MB financial is going to push any incentive lease deals anytime soon.
Or that's what I'm going to tell myself so I don't feel totally ripped off.
09-26-2007, 05:21 PM
#16
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'08 E350 Sport, '03 Lexus GX470
That's one way of looking at it, but my 03 C320's interior material didn't look any less than the E-class of that same year. Still, I've grown to like the new C interior. My old C (with it's wood trim and conservative styling) made me feel like I was driving a car built for someone 20 years older than me. The new C is more hip -- inside and out. The center console isn't overdone with a myriad of buttons and overall, the interior looks cleaner and more spacious. The only thing that looks "entry-level" is the steering wheel and the plastic material used for the dash.
09-26-2007, 09:59 PM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 C350
That's one way of looking at it, but my 03 C320's interior material didn't look any less than the E-class of that same year. Still, I've grown to like the new C interior. My old C (with it's wood trim and conservative styling) made me feel like I was driving a car built for someone 20 years older than me. The new C is more hip -- inside and out. The center console isn't overdone with a myriad of buttons and overall, the interior looks cleaner and more spacious. The only thing that looks "entry-level" is the steering wheel and the plastic material used for the dash.
I think I am going to love the new E and will "aspire" to move up to it when it is out, but my point is generally toward the fact that the C (or E for that matter) can't be as nice as the S. Since the S is THE MB it has to be superior to the C and E or MB wouldn't have the rep it has...
09-26-2007, 10:16 PM
#18
Super Moderator Alumni
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
5 Posts
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
A lot of the positive comments like this, that I've seen, have come from women. Before the official release date, they had one at a mall in Orange County that I took pics of and this girl stopped her boyfriend, walked over to the w204 on display and her exact words were, "It's adorable!"...
Can we say then that the w204=New chick car, maybe replacing the Jetta as the new 4 door chick car? No offense to you new w204 owners. I'm just having a little fun at the end of the work day.
Can we say then that the w204=New chick car, maybe replacing the Jetta as the new 4 door chick car?
No offense to you new w204 owners. I'm just having a little fun at the end of the work day.
10-01-2007, 05:44 PM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: South Coast Metro/Cerritos/Yorba Linda California
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
A lot of the positive comments like this, that I've seen, have come from women. Before the official release date, they had one at a mall in Orange County that I took pics of and this girl stopped her boyfriend, walked over to the w204 on display and her exact words were, "It's adorable!"...
Can we say then that the w204=New chick car, maybe replacing the Jetta as the new 4 door chick car? No offense to you new w204 owners. I'm just having a little fun at the end of the work day.
Can we say then that the w204=New chick car, maybe replacing the Jetta as the new 4 door chick car?
No offense to you new w204 owners. I'm just having a little fun at the end of the work day. Hopefully when I'm done it won't resemble a chick car
10-01-2007, 05:54 PM
#20
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
The nice thing about chick cars ... chicks notice them. I'd much rather get chatted up about my car by a chick than by random dudes.
PS. All of the people I mentioned in dealer #2 demoing the C were women. So I think you're actually onto something.
PS. All of the people I mentioned in dealer #2 demoing the C were women. So I think you're actually onto something.
10-02-2007, 12:53 AM
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
I've notice several women eyeing my new C300 and warming up to me that wouldn't have given me the time of day in my Buick LeSabra. ...and we're only talking about since last Friday. The LaSabra was, well lets see, I think the word is "practical". The C300 is anything but....
For the record, I thought the aluminum details looked cheap also and had been plotting on replacing it with some exotic woods once I got mine in. Even thought it might make an interesting side business to sell it to other C300 owners, once I got mine in, the aluminum grew on me and now I have no desire to replace it with wood. From a design standpoint, it probably serves to help create an illusion of a deeper space.
For the record, I thought the aluminum details looked cheap also and had been plotting on replacing it with some exotic woods once I got mine in. Even thought it might make an interesting side business to sell it to other C300 owners, once I got mine in, the aluminum grew on me and now I have no desire to replace it with wood. From a design standpoint, it probably serves to help create an illusion of a deeper space.
10-02-2007, 02:40 AM
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
talking about cheap interior, i thought our 2000 X5 4.4i sport w/ $60k+ MSRP 7 yrs ago was a piece of junk. it was fun to be one of the first people in northern california to have that car(i bought it from LA b/c the norcal bmw dealers wanted $5k-$10k markup), but for the money it was a very disappointing experience.
to start, most of the silver looking aluminum pieces were actually silver paint over plastic - and they started peeling right away. also, the leather on the seats were very hard - you might has well get vinyl...what happened to supple leather? perhaps for $30k on a chrysler jeep that might be ok, but for $60k that's just wrong.
btw, i rode in a bmw 335i coupe today...not sure if it was optional leather, but the interior did look pretty nice. it still had the silver painting on plastic, but i think this time it looks like it might stick better.
to start, most of the silver looking aluminum pieces were actually silver paint over plastic - and they started peeling right away. also, the leather on the seats were very hard - you might has well get vinyl...what happened to supple leather? perhaps for $30k on a chrysler jeep that might be ok, but for $60k that's just wrong.
btw, i rode in a bmw 335i coupe today...not sure if it was optional leather, but the interior did look pretty nice. it still had the silver painting on plastic, but i think this time it looks like it might stick better.
10-02-2007, 05:15 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Turkiye
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Waiting for W204 Facelift
Interior, but What part of the interior ?
I tested Test Drive Car . Yes interior cheap ! but not MB text seems much cheap.
I think The console -front-you call it Dash Board?- of the car seem much Cheaper and you see it every time while driving .It is boring
other interior parts are not so important to me .
I think The console -front-you call it Dash Board?- of the car seem much Cheaper and you see it every time while driving .It is boring
other interior parts are not so important to me .
10-03-2007, 08:40 AM
#24
Super Member
Well not sure what that equates to as a monthly payment... but my dealer just offered our family (a family of C-class drivers) incentives on the new '08 C-class of $379/month if I recall correctly.... didn't seem that bad of a deal for a lease. I replied, "Call me when it gets a facelift - and have you noticed that I can get power seats and power steering column w/ easy entry/exit in just about any other car?" :P... but enjoy! :-)
- Eric
- Eric
Last edited by dalazernet; 10-03-2007 at 08:44 AM.
10-03-2007, 11:57 AM
#25
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
c300
Either lease rates changed drastically on Oct 1, that's for an absolute base model C300 or he didn't tell you what that would require as a down payment.
