Moneymike

I think it is a GREAT car....looks great as well....I'm just a bit dissapointed that I traded in my 03 C320 and it had features that my brand new 08 C300 doesn't have...

Just to name a few:
memory seats
passanger side mirror lowers during reverse
reverse camera in command

Dema

I bet you live in US. People get these options in other countries.

Moneymike

yep I live in the US....this sucks..

chilledbenz

Thats the price you have to pay for wanting something brand new. I'm sure by the 09 model year they will offer or make standard all the Canadian options on the U.S. versions. Also have to realize when they do this, the base price will jump up as well, I think thats why they left options off, so they could bring to market a brand new car for less money than the outgoing model. Just curious has anyone figured out the price difference between a base model Canadian C 300 and a base model U.S. C 300?

U.S. Base C 300 Sport = $31,975

Moneymike

I just wish they would have given me the option to upgrade...I had to problem paying for it

amdeutsch

You must've added that because that wasn't an OEM option in a MY03 C320.

Moneymike

sorry I didn't have that on my 03....I didn't even have COMMAND but I thought with COMMAND that would be a feature installed

amdeutsch

In that case be careful what you state or you'll get

Moneymike

I really just feel like I got shammed by not being informed of options that are available when building my W204...

jrct9454

I couldn't be happier with our car, after 3 months and 5200 miles.

"Features" don't make the driving experience for me; this is one great touring car, probably the best we've ever owned.

Chi-Benz

Moneymike

don't see what is so funny

Shake

I'll trade you cars if you are dissapointed

Moneymike

now THAT was funny...

CarGuru

Don't have any gripes here really but....


> I miss the hidden style, or fold-away rear head restraints from the W203. The new cars aren't really in the way like on some cars, it just looks cleaner and more up-scale IMO when they fold away when not in use.

> I am surprised there is no tilt function for the sideview mirror.

> The 3.0L provides smooth & assertive passing, mid and high-end power, but wish it put down a little more grunt off the line.

> I wish the traction control system could completely be turned off.

> I wish the "Sport" featured paddle style shifting.

> HID and LED lighting ought to be standard in this segment.

> I wish the 3.0L was designed to run on 87 octane as opposed to premium.

> I'm still not sure why a folding rear seat is an option?

> As aforementioned why is there no memory seating?

I'm done.

-Ryan

qwerty1024

I don't care much for lack of the bells-and-whistles type of options (well, with the exception of one listed below). I do, however, wish the W204 C350 had the following:

1.) Improved steering-wheel feedback and more resitance during turning. The steering is very precise, very responsive and quick - and that is absolutely great. However, what I find missing is the lack of feedback: regardless of the speed or how much the the steering is deflected, it always feels to me like a video game console type of steering wheel. A bit more resistance while turning that increases with the amount of deflection, would help. And if I can't describe well enough of what I think is missing, suffice it then to say I wish it would mimmic the steering in a 3-series. Wishful thinking on my part, though, as I doubt this will ever change for C-class since most drivers are very happy with it as it is.

2.) Manual tranmission for C350. Or, at least column-mounted paddle shifters.

3.) Varrying degrees of ESP (such as separate modes for wet and dry conditions) as well as option to disable it entirely.

Other things I could think of, are not worth noting - the car, overall, is great!

CarGuru

I hate that the 3-Series has become cliche for sublime steering feel. Almost every automotive journalist & publication has complained that every iteration of the 3-Series steering since the E36 has been getting softer, over-assisted and more disconnected. I guess I agree with you since you did not indicate which generation 3er you are comparing the W204's steering feel to? I've driven every 3er since the E30 and agree E30 & E36 steering are better than the W204 in every way, but the rest of those two cars are miles away from the W204 when it comes to chassis dynamics & engineering. It would suffice to say the W204 chassis is like a vault with independent control arms connecting to tires & wheels. The only complaint I have about the steering feel is that at times the steering feels a bit heavy, albeit the car itself is no lightweight.

-Ryan

qwerty1024

Well, I anticipated striking a nerve when opining that the 3 series had better steering feel. Admitedly so, it was the E36 I was thinking of as I haven't driven anything newer of the 3s. Anyways, I mentioned it because what I think is an otherwise great W204, the steering, which heck, it's what one does the most anyways, could be improved and the E36 has, in my opinion, very good steering feel/feedback - don't know about the E90.

oblu

My e90 had better steering feel than the w204, by a massive magnitude. But watch what you wish for in the way of "feedback". Feeling every road surface through the steering wheel gets tiring in a commuter car.

The difference is best described this way: I can take corners quickly in the W204 with ease; I knew in the e90 that I could easily take the corner quickly.

There's just a lack of intuitiveness and feedback in the W204 steering, but it works very well. But it wasn't built as a race car. I'm more than happy giving up some of the feedback for lazy commuting. Every 3 series I've ever had has gotten on my nerves after about 2yrs of driving, then I trade it for something different, and then I start to miss it so I buy a new one.

I'm hoping the W204 can break the cycle.

MBTex

Only 250 miles on it thus far, but not disappointed in the least. In fact, I'm liking it more and more as I figure out how everything works.

That MM system is a must though IMO.

Chaz00Blue

MBTex,

I'm glad you said "That MM system is a must though IMO". That is the reason that I decided to order and wait, and the wait is killing me.

qwerty1024

Regarding the steering - you sure make a good point given that you've driven 3 series for a number of years. I've only driven one occasionally, in fact, very rarely, and never had to "live with it" for any extended period of time. So as a daily driver, on various surfaces, maybe the W204 is approaching the best compromise. And ultimately, it's what most of the drivers want, I guess, and it's what MB is delivering.

I want it a bit more like

MBTex

Chaz,

That's why I waited as well. They tried to sell me some on the lot without the MM and I never even considered it. I am very happy with what it can do.

am2121

I agree that MM is a must. Its one of the great features of this car. I too waited when I ordered with MM and very happy I did.

rb23lb

definitely a must... i spent all weekend, read or flipped through all 700+ pages of documentation the car came with and now i am an absolute expert on all of the cars features and almost memorized every multimedia command...

any car without navigation is wack, IMO