Comfort level of the C class
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Victoria, Hong Kong
BMW E90, W204 C350
Comfort level of the C class
I now currently own the current generation of 325i
but everytime I have to drive the car move than 30 mins, my back started to hurt, I am wondering if anyone have an experience with the current 3 series ? Can anyone compare the comfort level of both cars ? Thanks
because i love my car
just i have to drive from Vancouver to Victoria a lot of times
IF you guys can post interior photo of you car
please put it here too
thanks guys
rs
but everytime I have to drive the car move than 30 mins, my back started to hurt, I am wondering if anyone have an experience with the current 3 series ? Can anyone compare the comfort level of both cars ? Thanks
because i love my car
just i have to drive from Vancouver to Victoria a lot of times
IF you guys can post interior photo of you car
please put it here too
thanks guys
rs
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 5
From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
I now currently own the current generation of 325i
but everytime I have to drive the car move than 30 mins, my back started to hurt, I am wondering if anyone have an experience with the current 3 series ? Can anyone compare the comfort level of both cars ? Thanks
because i love my car
just i have to drive from Vancouver to Victoria a lot of times
IF you guys can post interior photo of you car
please put it here too
thanks guys
rs
but everytime I have to drive the car move than 30 mins, my back started to hurt, I am wondering if anyone have an experience with the current 3 series ? Can anyone compare the comfort level of both cars ? Thanks
because i love my car
just i have to drive from Vancouver to Victoria a lot of times
IF you guys can post interior photo of you car
please put it here too
thanks guys
rs
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
07 G35 Sedan
I actually don't like the seats. I find it uncomfortable.
Maybe I'm used to my "semi-bucket" seats and stiff steering wheel which makes me feel safe and secured.
I know being comfortable is another story but if I feel loose in the car, I tend to move around a lot and my butt/back start being sore after a few hours.
The only thing is that in the w204, it feels like I'm very far away from the pedals at a comfortable position (good thing, meaning it has a lot of leg room). My car (07 G35) kinda feels cramped for me even with the seat all the way back.
Maybe I'm used to my "semi-bucket" seats and stiff steering wheel which makes me feel safe and secured.
I know being comfortable is another story but if I feel loose in the car, I tend to move around a lot and my butt/back start being sore after a few hours.
The only thing is that in the w204, it feels like I'm very far away from the pedals at a comfortable position (good thing, meaning it has a lot of leg room). My car (07 G35) kinda feels cramped for me even with the seat all the way back.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
c300
Had a 2006 e90 330i and went to a C300. You don't mention if you have the sport package seat or the normal seats ... I had sport package seats.
The length of the seat bottom, even with the thigh support extended wasn't as good as the mercedes seats. But the padding and shape were far superior. I was always comfortable in my 3 series, and took for granted that I would always be comfortable in any car I owned ... until I got the C. It's like a torture device.
I can be comfortable for about 10-15min ... the length of a test drive ... but after that my hips start to hurt no matter how I position the seat. Someone else pointed out that they thought it was due to the lack of bolstering and the hard seat cushion.
All I know is they'll get this car back with very few miles on it. I can't stand to be in it for more than daily commute.
The length of the seat bottom, even with the thigh support extended wasn't as good as the mercedes seats. But the padding and shape were far superior. I was always comfortable in my 3 series, and took for granted that I would always be comfortable in any car I owned ... until I got the C. It's like a torture device.
I can be comfortable for about 10-15min ... the length of a test drive ... but after that my hips start to hurt no matter how I position the seat. Someone else pointed out that they thought it was due to the lack of bolstering and the hard seat cushion.
All I know is they'll get this car back with very few miles on it. I can't stand to be in it for more than daily commute.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 923
Likes: 1
From: North Jerzeee
Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Theres been a few threads here with the OP complaining about how bad their backs or butts 
hurt after driving for awhile. Best thing to do is test drive the vehicle and perhaps ask the dealer if you can do an "extended' test drive for a day or two to make sure you can live with the seats. I sure hope you do as suggested or we'll be seeing your "bad back/butt" email soon 
Good luck
hurt after driving for awhile. Best thing to do is test drive the vehicle and perhaps ask the dealer if you can do an "extended' test drive for a day or two to make sure you can live with the seats. I sure hope you do as suggested or we'll be seeing your "bad back/butt" email soon Good luck
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
'08 C300 Sport, 7SpAuto, P1, MM, 18s, ipod kit.
I think torture device is a bit exaggerated. I have a 25 mile (30min) commute to work and I don't experience any pain at all... I must admit though, they are a little stiff, but flip on the heated seats and they become a tad bit softer. I have the MB Tex seats, so I don't know if that is significantly different that the "Genuine" leather seats.
If the pain is as bad as OBLU's, then I'd totally trade in the car and get something else. $40k is a lot of money to forego especially if the car gives you that kind of pain everytime you drive.
If the pain is as bad as OBLU's, then I'd totally trade in the car and get something else. $40k is a lot of money to forego especially if the car gives you that kind of pain everytime you drive.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Victoria, Hong Kong
BMW E90, W204 C350
to answer your question for Vancouver to Victoria
is about 20 mins ( no traffic ) from my house to the terminal
1 hr 40 mins from on to off the ferry
and than about 30 mins drive from ferry to my school
i do this once in 2 wks so is a long drrive
at least about 3 hrs on the car
is about 20 mins ( no traffic ) from my house to the terminal
1 hr 40 mins from on to off the ferry
and than about 30 mins drive from ferry to my school
i do this once in 2 wks so is a long drrive
at least about 3 hrs on the car
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
c300
Make sure you drive the car a good long time during your test drive.
I'm stuck in a lease, so I'll be driving this thing very little/hating it every minute until I can get rid of it. I like a lot of things about it, don't like others, but ultimately it's just not a comfortable car.
I'm 36, 5'11" and 175-180lbs and not horribly out of shape (could stand to hit the gym a little more often). I've never had any back, hip or joint pains (except for the blown knee) and never experienced this kind of discomfort from any car. I must just be shaped weird.
The ride/handling balance, I feel, is much better than the sport package BMWs though.
I'm stuck in a lease, so I'll be driving this thing very little/hating it every minute until I can get rid of it. I like a lot of things about it, don't like others, but ultimately it's just not a comfortable car.
I'm 36, 5'11" and 175-180lbs and not horribly out of shape (could stand to hit the gym a little more often). I've never had any back, hip or joint pains (except for the blown knee) and never experienced this kind of discomfort from any car. I must just be shaped weird.
The ride/handling balance, I feel, is much better than the sport package BMWs though.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
I really think this question is somewhat moot as comfort is subjective and very personal. ie My wife gets a bad back from the soft bed and I get a bad back from a hard bed.
I just got rid of my Impreza because the sports style seats were killing my hips and now I find the W204 seats are a perfect fit and just the right density. i travel 1 hour each way to work and did some really long stints when I first got the car and have not had any issues with the comfort or lateral support.
I have owned Porsche sport and non sport seats, Jaguar, Bmw and many other cars and these are as good as they get imo but they may not suit you as some others have expressed on here. Simply try before you buy is my best advice.
I just got rid of my Impreza because the sports style seats were killing my hips and now I find the W204 seats are a perfect fit and just the right density. i travel 1 hour each way to work and did some really long stints when I first got the car and have not had any issues with the comfort or lateral support.
I have owned Porsche sport and non sport seats, Jaguar, Bmw and many other cars and these are as good as they get imo but they may not suit you as some others have expressed on here. Simply try before you buy is my best advice.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 34
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2006 BMW 323i
I drive an E90 BMW with sport seats and I find those fantastic. I drove across the Canada in that car both ways and did a bunch of day trips while on that trip and the seats were absolutely top notch!
I sat in the new C at the Auto show and the seats seemed to feel pretty good to me. I couldn't adjust them because the power was off, but I could see that if you can't tilt the front of the seat bottom upwards (to make more of a bucket) that they could cause some hip pointers over longer runs. Can you adjust this aspect?
I sat in the new C at the Auto show and the seats seemed to feel pretty good to me. I couldn't adjust them because the power was off, but I could see that if you can't tilt the front of the seat bottom upwards (to make more of a bucket) that they could cause some hip pointers over longer runs. Can you adjust this aspect?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
07 G35 Sedan
to answer your question for Vancouver to Victoria
is about 20 mins ( no traffic ) from my house to the terminal
1 hr 40 mins from on to off the ferry
and than about 30 mins drive from ferry to my school
i do this once in 2 wks so is a long drrive
at least about 3 hrs on the car
is about 20 mins ( no traffic ) from my house to the terminal
1 hr 40 mins from on to off the ferry
and than about 30 mins drive from ferry to my school
i do this once in 2 wks so is a long drrive
at least about 3 hrs on the car
I do 3-5 hours every other day.
Anyways, I'd say go test drive one and good luck.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 221
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2011 E350 Sport 4matic
Today was my first day driving the C300 Sport 4matic. To be comfortable I needed to tilt up the front of the seat bottom almost all the way. By doing so the legs help support the body weight. If I don't do that, all my weight is supported by the tail bone. The issue seems to be similar to economy airline seats; they are designed for folks with shorter legs. With long legs, your knees are bent higher than the seat cushion.
So if you have long legs (and/or little butt padding) try tilting up the front cushion.
So if you have long legs (and/or little butt padding) try tilting up the front cushion.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
C350 4MATIC Premium Package Obsidian Black
Today was my first day driving the C300 Sport 4matic. To be comfortable I needed to tilt up the front of the seat bottom almost all the way. By doing so the legs help support the body weight. If I don't do that, all my weight is supported by the tail bone. The issue seems to be similar to economy airline seats; they are designed for folks with shorter legs. With long legs, your knees are bent higher than the seat cushion.
So if you have long legs (and/or little butt padding) try tilting up the front cushion.
So if you have long legs (and/or little butt padding) try tilting up the front cushion.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Victoria, Hong Kong
BMW E90, W204 C350
lol
i don't know
maybe i am too heavy
hahaa
I am 6 foot 3 250 pounds
that might be something about it
hahaha
but ya
i will try to go test drive it
any more opinion ?
i don't know
maybe i am too heavy
hahaa
I am 6 foot 3 250 pounds
that might be something about it
hahaha
but ya
i will try to go test drive it
any more opinion ?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
C350 4MATIC Premium Package Obsidian Black
you are a big guy 6ft3 250 this car will be a micro machine for you. you might want to look into a s class. for the record i do not think that i have ever sat in any vehicle that i found comfortable no matter of price. anything over an hour in car seats and it starts to be irritating. i hope you have an ipod full of music to keep your mind occupied.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
Seat comfort is very subjective to how your body is. Some people, including myself, say that the seats on the w204 are very comfortable. You wouldn't really be able to tell until you test drive one.
Doesn't sound like you test drove a w204 yet and that's the problem. I am 5'10" and with the seats set all the way low, my hair will hit the top of the car. I don't think you would find the w204 comfortable if you are 5 inches taller than I am.
Doesn't sound like you test drove a w204 yet and that's the problem. I am 5'10" and with the seats set all the way low, my hair will hit the top of the car. I don't think you would find the w204 comfortable if you are 5 inches taller than I am.
