jjmacaskill

I am buying a c350 artic white with black interior. The dealer is offering me a better deal if I take the 2008, is there any changes to the 09 that I would be missing if i took the 08?

ps im leasing

Ape

The items that I am aware o that you would be giving up on the ’09 are memory seats/steering wheel for driver, puddle lights on the outside mirrors, a slightly larger HD for the MM, a compass in the rear view mirror, and a WHOPPING $1300 increase to the base price. If memory seats are not a need of yours, you would not really be missing much from the ’09.
My wife and I are in the mist of a heated debate on the ’09 price increase, I want to cancel my order and look at other cars and she wants me to keep the order C350 because she likes it the car. Keeps telling me to quit being a cheap a** all the time.

amdeutsch

How cheap can you be if you married her? (j/k)

Lets look at the EURO vs $ and the extra equipment. IMHO the price increase is reasonable.

Ape

If it were a new product to the market then I would agree, but the way I look at it is as follows: MB is suppose to be a luxury name, but the C-Class did not have memory seats available in ’08 for whatever reason. I would have bought an ’08 if that option had been available, however I needed to wait for an ’09 for what I consider a standard option on a lux car to be available.
So really the way I look at it, is that I am paying $1300 for the memory seats that should be standard on a $40,000 plus car. Shame on MB for not having that option in the first place.
I challenge you to name another lux car that does not have memory seats as standard or at least as an option.

The mistake I made was letting the wife go car shopping with me in the first place.

xntrek

Damn right! Hell, my Memory Seats cost me an extra $AUD 2670 ($USD 2,553) as an option!

Ron Jr

09's loose the electric folding mirrors for some reason.

rs1985

talk about memory seat
lol
a bimmer 325 don't have power seat as standard
a audi A4 is not standard
you guys have power seat as standard
that's not too bad
ahhahaa
most of the lower end euros won't have memory as standard
I am not saying that it is right for them to not offer it last year, but most of the big euro brands do not have memory seat as standard. Also, I don't want to be an *** on teh forum, but C Class isn't as expensive as before, you can say that mercedes are expensive cars, but you are buying the entry level, you can't ask for much.
This is my 2cents, hope i don't get flame

PS to OP, there is a paddle shifter and a new handling package too

yxc145

You don't need the memory seats.. it's your baby, how often are you gonna let others driving it? I would say, go with the 08 and save yourself a few thousands (which you can put towards some nice Mods!!!!!)

PHYBENZ

Does anyone know if '09 loses LED talights with the lighting package?

Ape

But the question is it an option on those cars? As far as entry level, that is true but that is no excuse as to why that feature was not an option for the US when other countries had it available. It is not a question of willing to pay for it, we were not given the choice of paying for it in 2008. I would bet that it would not have been a $1300 price tag as a stand alone option, but I could be wrong.

rs1985

ya
i agree with you
i am not sure, but maybe the price tag in US is cheaper than the rest of the world for some reason
but ya, i think that's stupid not to be given an option to buy it, well you get it this year, I think it is very important to buy the 09 since is not that much more, when you sell your car, your car is 09 over 08, you get you money back that way

mb_horseshoe

Couldn't. Agree. More.

I learned the hard way also

Chisand

This is interesting! I spoke to a dealer last month and he said the 09 would give up the folding mirrors for the memory seats but said nothing of a $1300 price increase!!! If you subtract the folding mirrors and add the price increase it seems that those memory seats are REAL pricey!

joshg1001

i thought we established that folding mirrors are now standard on the 09...but i might be wrong.

also, if you were looking for features for a good price, then going japan is the only way. IS350 gets more power, more features, for less price. you just lose the price of the three pointed star

yxc145

My brother's got a IS. that car is small though... very crowded interior..

Lakerz4sho

i heard the 18" AMG wheels are standard on the 350 in 09.. can anybody confirm?

if so, i think that's worth it.

normally it was 1000 to add the wheels..

so for 300 extra bucks u get the memory seats, compass, etc.

yxc145

those 18" upgrade wheels aren't worth $1000. You can get a whole new set of good quality AMG 19" replica for less than that!!

Ape

I don't believe that is tha case at least here in the US. When you go to the build your car on the MBUSA web site it still lists the '17 inch rims for the C350 with the 18' being an option.

Ape

I agree; the TL I have had 1 option to choose which was the Nav package. Car drives great, good gas mileage, no problems with it, which is why I am keeping it for my winter car. Unfortunately in my line of work (Corporate and International Banker) there is a level of expectation regarding the car you drive, where you live, the golf course you belong to, the clubs you belong to, etc.
I just had lunch with an attorney and he made the same comment, he is looking at getting rid of his Jeep and getting a MB/BMW/Lexus because as a partner it is expected that he have something that says “success”. I know VERY SHALLOW, but that is the world I live in.
The C350 gets me the 3 point star, most people will not know a C vs. S class, they just know the star.

yxc145

i am sorry Ape.... Acura are good car though.

aprince2die4

not standard...new price $1010

yxc145

GO with 2008 model. you can bargain more on them. possibly save yourself $3 to 5 G.

451/443=EW

Ok, lets see...
MB sales are through the roof on 2008 C class.
The car is priced cheaper the ever before.
The car has WAY more advancements in it.
MB does a 3 1/2 yr run before a facelift. And then another 3 1/2 yrs.

Now think for a second... do they not know what they are doing?
Every yr we as consumers want more, so they hold some stuff back to make the next model more equipt. Look at what you get in the car already.
Just cus you cant see it and push a button doesn't mean the car has a lack of equipment. You cant see ABS, or Air bags but there in the car and you wont buy a car with out them. Go to the secrets thread to see some of the things the car does for you that maybe you are not be aware of or giving credit for. Here in Canada the loaded Honda Accord cost more then the new starting price of a C. The Items you want in your car are coming next yr and the price will go up cus the car offers more. That is not unreasonable in my opinion. Dont you guys love all the little things your car does for you like the dimming of the radio or the soft close of the grab handles on the roof? I cant get into all it does but im just saying be reasonable and under stand that you got alot for your money. After all you did shell out the money so I know you agree.

jjmacaskill

Thanks for the input, im going to stick with the 08 and save the money. No one else will be driving the car so forget the power seats, plus i like the folding mirrors. And im getting nav so dont need the compass.

yxc145

Oh Jim. you are getting the power seats. Just not the memory seats. Good decision going with 08. Put the money towards better use. buying some gifts for your wife.... or SOME MODIFICATIONS ON THE CAR!!!!