CPanda

For some reason the tail lights of the new C series just doesn't seem to blend well into the rest of the car. If it looked like the S series tail lights, that would be pretty sick.

I'm debating between the C class and the 2009 Audi A4. No big hurry, as I'm not buying until next year anyway. If not for the tail lights, I wouldn't be considering the A4 nearly as much...

Lakerz4sho

have u seen the car in person? everybody says that they "don't like the back" .. but seeing the car in person is a totally different look than seeing it in pictures.. so my advice is to go look at it yourself first before making that decision. the back, and all the rest of it, look very nice.

CY

If the new C looked any better (S class type lights) it might outsell other MB's...Im not a huge C class fan but the new one is very nice IMO.

omgitselaine

yes i must admit that the taillights on the new C's look soo much like the rear of a camry but not for nothing i wont be looking at my rear too often all in all its a very pretty ride

CPanda

Right, I love everything else about the new C styling, just not so much the taillights. (And for the most part, on the road, people will see your tail lights far more than they will see your grill). The new C (Sport, I still don't like the luxury grill aka classic MB grill) is the *first* Mercedes benz design that I actually like, believe it or not. I absolutely abhor all BMW cars (can't understand why anyone would want one) based on design.

CPanda

Actually shouldn't the C class outsell the other MBs anyway? Because it's targeted at a price segment reachable by more consumers. (For instance the Camry will outsell their Avalons, etc).

alphad

Absolutely!!

peabers

Yes, you are correct.... theoretically, the C should be the volume leader for MB (but I think it's a close tie with the E, in actual fact). The intention as others have mentioned is to bring new drivers into MB ownership, and hopefully they will move up to the larger vehicles (more profit).

As for the taillights, I had my doubts when I first saw the car... but found the rear-end to be quite tidy when viewed in-person. The top of the lights match up to the trim line, which may not come across on pictures.

Krytech

I also thought the rear end & taillights looked plain from the pictures. When seeing it person however I think it flows nice and is actually quite classy. That's not to say I wouldn't rather have the taillights from the S class on there...

AsianML

I'm trying to imagine the W221 tail lights on the W204, and IMHO, it looks like it would visually make the rear end of the W204 disproportionate to the rest of the body...too big...bubble butt...badonkadonk....

JimPap

They do look a little too much like the Camry, but if I were to guess, I'd bet the Camry copied the MB.

What is strange also is if you look at the car in person (not just photos) the tail lights by themself from certain angles are not that impressive, but when viewed with the rest of the car, they fit in nicely. It may be that they're more 3 dimentional and can best be appreciated when walking around the back of the car.

CPanda

That's true, but I think only what other drivers on the road behind you see is what matters. The Camry definitely copied the MB taillights. The MB design hasn't changed in ages, but the Camry has a few model years that look very very similar to the MB design (though the new 2007 doesn't, thank god).

Now the biggest question is... is there *anything* that can be done about this once you purchase the car? Any modifications? This might be the one thing that pushes me towards the Audi though.

alphad

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=brabus

i think the back looks much better with a lid

chilledbenz

Can always chrome them to change them up a bit.

http://www.formymercedes.com/mb_resu...20Light%20Trim

chiggy

I've been debating to to switch up to the new C as well. Everything is subjective, but like you I currently think that the rear lights look off. Although, I was at the dealership yesterday and saw a Mars red one and the car totally made sense. Eveything blended seemlessly. Good luck.

chilledbenz

Thought I might add that if you get the P2 package, the tail lights have a strip of led's in the middle. They are still the same design, but the led's make it look more classy. I imagine if you have a base car or a p1 car, you could go to the parts department and order the led tail lights as replacement parts seeing how both are just tail lights that plug into a plug. I'm willing to bet they would be quite pricey. The after market people will no doubt make some as well, the led tail lights for an ML run $249 so thats not too bad.

Krytech

I hadn't even noticed that. Will have to take a look next time I'm at the dealership.

chilledbenz

Here are two pics, first one is from Carguru with P1. Second one is from Smorris and his P2. I got these pics from the picture thread, hope no one is angry for reusing them.

peabers

The LED turn signal on Smorris' P2 is way cool.

CPanda

I just saw a c 350 in person at night! I just have to say ugh! the rear looked plain, the taillights just looked boring and dull. I pretty much just crossed the c300 off my list...

itcrashed

I have an A4, and the tail lights of the B7 A4 look awful...almost exactly like the little bat wing reflectors on a Honda Civic. I prefer the look of the B6 A4 tail lights.

But compared against the W204 - the W204 looks light years better than an A4. Everyone has their own opinion...but I hope tail lights aren't the sole reason why you would buy one car over another.

B7 A4:


Honda Civic:


B6 A4:

CPanda

The 2009 A4 is a B8

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/ne...e_gallery.html

But your right, the B6 definitely had a better looking taillight than the B7. I took a look at that chrome trimmed mod, and the brabus side skirts do look very nice.

peabers

I guess we'll see you on Fourtitude.com then.

Ummm... don't just a car by its taillights. Not sure if you have driven the W204 yet. To be honest, the car was not even on my list when I first started shopping. It was the E90 vs. IS vs. G vs. B7 (Preference was in that order, descending). But I dropped into the dealership to see a friend, went for a drive on the C350 and I was sold... needless to say that was an expensive visit.

Besides, the only people looking at the tailing are the losers whom you have just somked.

2-many-carz

I was leaning towards the BMW 3 series, an '06 330i to be exact, but couldn't get past the taillights. Also everything inside seemed like such a stretch to reach. The C350 interior fit me much better, and the taillights beat the BMW hands down. In person, the taillights fit the car quite nicely. If you haven't seen them up close and personal, go take a look. It will change your perspective.

chilledbenz

You can't see the tail lights from the drivers seat anyway.