Overall, how happy are you with your C-class??
#1
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Overall, how happy are you with your C-class??
I'm seriously considering buying a 1-2 yr old W204 either this winter or next spring. Q for current owners, are you very satisfied with your purchase, and will you buy one again?
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c300
Nope, can't wait till the lease is done; probably be getting serious about figuring out what it's going to cost me to get out of my lease toward the end of summer.
It's okay car, but it's not a great car. It's just a total exercise in mediocrity; I feel like it's a $28k car with $10k worth of pointed star badges.
Then again, with gas where it's at, I'm particularly unimpressed by the fuel mileage of the 3.0. I've had other cars in the past years with the same size, or bigger, engines that got a lot better mileage. (330i, A4 3.0 quattro ... even my A8L 4.2 V8 got better mileage around town and on the freeway)
It's okay car, but it's not a great car. It's just a total exercise in mediocrity; I feel like it's a $28k car with $10k worth of pointed star badges.
Then again, with gas where it's at, I'm particularly unimpressed by the fuel mileage of the 3.0. I've had other cars in the past years with the same size, or bigger, engines that got a lot better mileage. (330i, A4 3.0 quattro ... even my A8L 4.2 V8 got better mileage around town and on the freeway)
#7
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I have a C300 Sport 4matic P1, I've had it about five months now and have about 6k miles on it now but it feels as if its 5 years old. No mechanical or electrical problems to speak of but the build quality has been less than stellar. Creaks and pops from the interior and a over all feel that the materials used inside aren't going to hold up well over time. Some of my complaints could be the result of an early build as mine was one of the first 4matic cars produced.
I agree with the poster above with the fact that the C is clearly an average car pretending to be something its not. The fact of the matter is there are better cars in its class, costing less money and offering more for the value. This is however an entry level Benz and can be had for around $30k unequipped which is quite good. The problem is that when you start adding on the options it becomes less and less of a deal (not really Benz's fault as all the manufacturers are that way now). I would have never paid over $40k for this car though, mine came in at a sticker of $37k and paid a little less than that for it and still had a hard time bringing myself to pay that much.
Would I recommend this car to someone? First answer would be no, but then that would be a little harsh not knowing exactly what they were looking for. Honestly I could put someone in a Honda Accord, give them more room, better gas mileage, more options, and cost them less money. If they were looking for a Benz and only a Benz its not a bad starter car. It introduces you to the brand and gives you a glimpse of what a Benz could be. That said for the same amount of money you would spend on a well optioned C300 or C350 you can get a ML350 and get more room, more options, and almost the same mileage...scary isn't it. To be fair I haven't been in the market to purchase a C class but I would imagine by now they are getting heavily discounted so the last statement may or may not be 100% accurate.
I would love to trade mine in for a GLK when it hits show rooms here shortly. The GLK is based off the C class, but from the pictures floating around the net the interior looks to be massaged over and at least it appears as if your getting more car for the money (although that rear cargo area looks like a short coming). But as it stands I would lose too much money on this car, its paid for and I really don't feel the need to drop even more cash just to get out of it. I will however be looking at the second model year of the GLK or maybe another R class if its still around ha ha.
I agree with the poster above with the fact that the C is clearly an average car pretending to be something its not. The fact of the matter is there are better cars in its class, costing less money and offering more for the value. This is however an entry level Benz and can be had for around $30k unequipped which is quite good. The problem is that when you start adding on the options it becomes less and less of a deal (not really Benz's fault as all the manufacturers are that way now). I would have never paid over $40k for this car though, mine came in at a sticker of $37k and paid a little less than that for it and still had a hard time bringing myself to pay that much.
Would I recommend this car to someone? First answer would be no, but then that would be a little harsh not knowing exactly what they were looking for. Honestly I could put someone in a Honda Accord, give them more room, better gas mileage, more options, and cost them less money. If they were looking for a Benz and only a Benz its not a bad starter car. It introduces you to the brand and gives you a glimpse of what a Benz could be. That said for the same amount of money you would spend on a well optioned C300 or C350 you can get a ML350 and get more room, more options, and almost the same mileage...scary isn't it. To be fair I haven't been in the market to purchase a C class but I would imagine by now they are getting heavily discounted so the last statement may or may not be 100% accurate.
I would love to trade mine in for a GLK when it hits show rooms here shortly. The GLK is based off the C class, but from the pictures floating around the net the interior looks to be massaged over and at least it appears as if your getting more car for the money (although that rear cargo area looks like a short coming). But as it stands I would lose too much money on this car, its paid for and I really don't feel the need to drop even more cash just to get out of it. I will however be looking at the second model year of the GLK or maybe another R class if its still around ha ha.
Last edited by chilledbenz; 05-26-2008 at 10:42 PM.
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W212 2011 E-350 4Matic
its my 6th month owning the car and it feels great.
I've had no problems from the get go.
I own the C300 4matic. kept it in doors for parking both at work and at home.
I rarely park outside (usually if there aren't any lots)
but before anything I'd HIGHLY suggest looking at the competition market and what they can offer you. weather it be price, performance, looks, or brand.
and then get a test drive on each.
you really need to see it before anything. reading comments can only give you guidelines, but getting on the car, playing/ seeing the parts is a whole different ball game.
I've had no problems from the get go.
I own the C300 4matic. kept it in doors for parking both at work and at home.
I rarely park outside (usually if there aren't any lots)
but before anything I'd HIGHLY suggest looking at the competition market and what they can offer you. weather it be price, performance, looks, or brand.
and then get a test drive on each.
you really need to see it before anything. reading comments can only give you guidelines, but getting on the car, playing/ seeing the parts is a whole different ball game.
Last edited by syrAMG; 05-26-2008 at 11:05 PM.
#10
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wow thanks for the super headsup.. i appreciate your honesty & also courage for speaking up.. i mean who wants to diss their own ride that they just dropped 35-40g's on? for that i applaud you..
here's my plan, i really like the updated styling of the R230 SL-class, and will likely pick up one in a yr or so. SL is not perfect either, but for casual cruising and looking good in it the SL is hard to beat. and the worst resale value on land really makes buying one used very attractive.
and so i'll need a daily commuter, and 1-2 yr old C-class could be had for less than 30k, which is quite nice. with the SL in the garage i dont need something too fancy. perhaps the new updated A4 or bmw 3 series will look nice. i'll check out the honda accord & hyundai azera as well
here's my plan, i really like the updated styling of the R230 SL-class, and will likely pick up one in a yr or so. SL is not perfect either, but for casual cruising and looking good in it the SL is hard to beat. and the worst resale value on land really makes buying one used very attractive.
and so i'll need a daily commuter, and 1-2 yr old C-class could be had for less than 30k, which is quite nice. with the SL in the garage i dont need something too fancy. perhaps the new updated A4 or bmw 3 series will look nice. i'll check out the honda accord & hyundai azera as well
#14
On the scale from 1-10, with 10 being the highest in satisfaction,
I'd give it a 8.
Previous cars I owned were:
2002 Subaru WRX(Stg4): 6/10
E46 M3: 8/10
My C350 is a lovely car, it drives comfortably and gives the expected performance. Exactly what the car was advertised as.
What I do not understand is when people criticize the interior. It's not an E/S class sedan and the interior isn't that much inferior to a BMW E90. I have found that most interior complaints have come from C300 owners. Could it be that the black birdseye maple would do such a difference? Maybe. But I've had Audi A6, E46, and E92 owners compliment the interior. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Power wise, it's as expected from a 272hp motor. Those who are looking for more power easily have could got a 335i or a G Sedan.
Is this a car for everyone? Not even close, but consider the w204 to be the ipod of Apple. It gets someone who does not know much about Mercedes-Benz to look at their other products and that CL63 looks more and more beautiful each day to me. The C-Class is pure marketting genius for MB and seeing how sales on them are very good, and talking to the service manager about it's extremely high 1 year reliability, I'm definite it's a platform that MB will develop in terms of upgrades it's life cycle.
I'd give it a 8.
Previous cars I owned were:
2002 Subaru WRX(Stg4): 6/10
E46 M3: 8/10
My C350 is a lovely car, it drives comfortably and gives the expected performance. Exactly what the car was advertised as.
What I do not understand is when people criticize the interior. It's not an E/S class sedan and the interior isn't that much inferior to a BMW E90. I have found that most interior complaints have come from C300 owners. Could it be that the black birdseye maple would do such a difference? Maybe. But I've had Audi A6, E46, and E92 owners compliment the interior. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Power wise, it's as expected from a 272hp motor. Those who are looking for more power easily have could got a 335i or a G Sedan.
Is this a car for everyone? Not even close, but consider the w204 to be the ipod of Apple. It gets someone who does not know much about Mercedes-Benz to look at their other products and that CL63 looks more and more beautiful each day to me. The C-Class is pure marketting genius for MB and seeing how sales on them are very good, and talking to the service manager about it's extremely high 1 year reliability, I'm definite it's a platform that MB will develop in terms of upgrades it's life cycle.
#15
definitely, this is my second MB, nothing compares, MB is "class", you drive with style and elegance...its a MB!
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'14 GLK250 Diesel
Well, you can see my Mercedes history below, and there have been 50 other cars since 1962.
I would rank our C300 Lux in the top three or so cars we've ever had. Our '98 E was awfully nice, but it had more problems than the C300 - which has been without any issues after 10 months and 8300 miles.
I never buy a car like the C with a heavy option load - if I could have gotten a car with no options, I would have. In that sense, I agree this is not a $40-42k car, but then neither is an E90 BMW 3er. We paid $35k for our car in August of '07 - it was the first W204 delivered in the Pacific NW region - and at that price, I think this is a great car. It's a superb long-distance tourer, which is what I wanted and needed.
My only wish is that we could get the new 4 cyl turbo-diesel in our market - probably 2010, if it happens at all.
I would rank our C300 Lux in the top three or so cars we've ever had. Our '98 E was awfully nice, but it had more problems than the C300 - which has been without any issues after 10 months and 8300 miles.
I never buy a car like the C with a heavy option load - if I could have gotten a car with no options, I would have. In that sense, I agree this is not a $40-42k car, but then neither is an E90 BMW 3er. We paid $35k for our car in August of '07 - it was the first W204 delivered in the Pacific NW region - and at that price, I think this is a great car. It's a superb long-distance tourer, which is what I wanted and needed.
My only wish is that we could get the new 4 cyl turbo-diesel in our market - probably 2010, if it happens at all.
#17
Member
Very happy with mine.
It's got a very solid feel to it - very much like the benzes of old. Good old German engineering - not over-engineered at all and not stuffed with silly technology. They got the balance right.
There are a few things that I wished it had, but then again no other car would have been 100% perfect in that sense. I would have liked a bit more wood/alu trim around the centre console and passenger dash area. But hopefully some aftermarket kit will fix that. It's also a bit tight in the rear.
Looking at the 3-pointed star on the bonnet whilst driving is a great feeling. Only a benz can give you that.
It's got a very solid feel to it - very much like the benzes of old. Good old German engineering - not over-engineered at all and not stuffed with silly technology. They got the balance right.
There are a few things that I wished it had, but then again no other car would have been 100% perfect in that sense. I would have liked a bit more wood/alu trim around the centre console and passenger dash area. But hopefully some aftermarket kit will fix that. It's also a bit tight in the rear.
Looking at the 3-pointed star on the bonnet whilst driving is a great feeling. Only a benz can give you that.
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2008 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport
Love the ride but now I'm wanting soemthing with a little more power. Looking at the 2008 Audi S5....I hear its 8 months out though.
Last edited by C300-FIGHTER; 05-29-2008 at 05:24 PM.
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ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
9,000les and I really like the car, best handling auto I ever had. Get decent mileage avg about 23-24mpg. Easy to drive, smooth and quiet!
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ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
9,000 miles and I really like the car, best handling auto I ever had. Get decent mileage avg about 23-24mpg. Easy to drive, great looking car. Rides smooth and quiet!
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X3 and 2012 C coming soon
I like mine. I don't understand why people say it's an average car. I think it's quite stout. Look around at the Accords and other so-called competition. Japanese, and most American cars in the same price range do not compare in my opinion. It's as simple as closing the doors. The W204 is solid. The Audis I've driven are very nice, but the B7 really doesn't feel as sturdy as the 204. I hope the B8 is an improvement. For me, the 3 series didn't make me go "oh man, I want it." The W204 did. If a car doesn't give you that good gut feeling, it never will, and should be avoided.
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C300 Sport 4Matic, P1
I bought my C300 Sport in February and have just about 2,000 miles on it. I actually miss my Honda Accord! It felt more plush, didn't cost a million dollars for gasoline, and the back seat folded down without being an "option". I really like the looks of my C300 but that is just about it!!