YANKYFN

Not quite sure what you mean by "knew who they were attracting" but I'm just expressing FACT. The 203 interior didn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as a 3 series. The 204 converted me. I bet you think the 2009 E class is nicer than the 2010 too? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C300Sport

I love how this spew is coming from a guy that can't spell and lists his car as an "E350 AMG".

K-A

"AMG Sport". It's the name of the package.

Don't be offended, of course I wasn't speaking of every C-Class owner.

K-A

Oh man.

Yeah I do think mine looks nicer than the upsetting 2010.

I'll bet you let corporations think for you and will jump on the bandwagon of anything "new", as it makes you feel better about yourself?

I've had more seat time in a 204 than I'll bet you have (considering you said you just ordered one, and I've had one on a consistent basis for about a month at one point), I think the biggest upset in the 204 is the awful interior, to me, there's no way the 203's interior is anything less than massively better than the 204's.

To each their own.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - but you're a YANK With taste where the sun doesn't shine.

This problem pervades the 204 forum not the 203 forum. As FrankW observed the other day - the only MBWorld forum that mimics the BMW forums. If the cap fits wear it & apologies to 204 members that actually have someting useful to say.

C300Sport

Just curious as I have not been on any BMW forums; are they full of one-upping, slang spewing, boyee racers? I would think the younger crowd(relative to other Benz models) would draw in a bit more of that but it seems for the most part pretty calm over here...much better than the Audi forums...guess I need to spend a little more time on the other forums to be able to gauge things.

C300Sport

I think Benz took a different approach to the 204 vs. the 203. The 203 has a more "styled" exterior and interior while the 204 is a bit more spartan and squared off. I admit the blocky look of the 204 interior was off putting the first time I drove it, but I was still impressed with the solid feel of things.
It looks like Benz stepped back and said let's make it simple and straightforward(except for the motorized screen) but lets make it "well". Anyhow, I have come to enjoy my "austere" surrounding since nothing has broken, quit working or fallen off....quality and reliability has improved over the 203 so let's hope the next iteration will include a little more "style"....yeah, and maybe just a little bit smaller star up front would look a bit more refined as well....

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - the "my dick is bigger than yours" brigade

Merc-IN-the-Dez

What's the difference between a porcupine and a bmw owner??

K-A

Very much agreed. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if M-B made the Star a bit smaller and classed-up for the Face-Lift (maybe).

Don't get me wrong, I think the W204 is a great looking car, and is ROCK SOLID. The interior just puts me off, every time I drive one, I can't help but think "why did M-B sans all luxury and elegance in this thing"? And when I get back in my car, it's honestly like getting into a Rolls Royce. Maybe I'm just not the "target" for the car, and maybe the austerity and hardness/spartan vibe of the interior is the whole essence and charm of the car, which I'm not catching.

The W203 indeed was more about a refined and elegantly styled look, and the 204 is more character driven, kind of here to battle the Bangle-Era BMW's. It too is styled, this time with lines galore (yet not a fussy mess like the new E-Class) and enough to keep your eyes busy, but all in all, the whole vibe is more about rugged and strong, than fanciness.

My opinion of its angles:

Front: Looks great, best angle of the car, it's all about the pronounced grille.
Side: Hit or miss, all in all I like it and the lines and sheet-metal work are very sculpted and defined, yet it's a bit blocky and Japanese-y (i.e the "durable look") at the same time.
Rear: Worst angle of the car by far, tail-lights look cheap, generic, Japanese-y, already "dated" IMO, and it just lacks character. But M-B have been wrecking the rear ends of their designs a lot lately, new E's is awful, it's the worst angle on the CLS, and the W221's is nice, but a bit fussy at some angles.

Anyway, that's my dissertation, lol.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes

K-A

YANKYFN

[quote=Glyn M Ruck;3764593]Yes - but you're a YANK With taste where the sun doesn't shine.

This problem pervades the 204 forum not the 203 forum. As FrankW observed the other day - the only MBWorld forum that mimics the BMW forums. If the cap fits wear it & apologies to 204 members that actually have someting useful to say.[/quote]


Wow, you're a real rocket scientist. You actually found OPINIONS in an OPINION thread? duh

YANKYFN

You are seriously on crack if you think this "AC Delco" GM looking W203 crap interior holds a candle to the new W204 interior. Give me a break. It's not even close.......

Sportstick

Hey Glyn,

Not positive where he's from, but his screen name does tell us he's a fan of the NY Yankees baseball team. He could be a Canadian disappointed in the Blue Jays!

I'm sure (at least I hope I'm sure) you don't think all of us state-side have our taste so located !

Glyn M Ruck

[QUOTE=YANKYFN;3765480]

"How obnoxious is that star on the sport package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Not the only thing that is obnoxious!

Glyn M Ruck

Hey Sportstick - certainly not ! All societies suffer a few rotten apples.

YANKYFN

In that case, condolences to the people of South Africa..... and Sportstick, are you sure your name isn't "Glynstick"? Cuz it sure sounds like you're on "it"............

Aloha888

W203 - Noisy than W204. However, W204 is the latest model who know what is the noise level after a couple of years

W203 - back seats more roomily

Style - Subjective I like W204 more

Options - W204 the P2 package voice command system is a clean winner

Performance - Steering of W203 is more firm and responsive.

Power - W204 has more power compare against C240 and C300

I have both car in my garage

Sportstick

I was merely interceding on your behalf to explain your screen name did not necessarily indicate your nationality, and the limitations of a generalization. A contraction of "Yankee Fan" would likely not be self-explanatory beyond our borders. I am not sure if you're making a joke or attempting some type of insult...neither is clear as written. Does my explanation somehow trouble you?

K-A

Dude, you're a riot. You use M-B Press pics of the 204's interior, which are the only thing that can make it look refined and/or luxurious, and bad quality pics up close to a PRE FACE LIFT 203 (F.L got a much nicer interior).

Enjoy your car, but face it, the interior is its weak point, actually worst in its class IMO. Durable, tough, strong, yes. However its austerity, hardness, lack of refinement and elegance put it a step down from the 203's, it is sportier and maybe more geared toward a younger audience, but to me, an interior has to be a bit luxurious.

jaeguyoon

I've been looking at interior pics of w203 after reading ur comment. but I fail to see how it's more luxurious if it is even at all than the w204. no pun intended, just stating that in my eyes w204 interior looks 100 times better than the w203. But again, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Also, I've had friends come into my car who drives the new bmw 3 series, is250, and they love the w204's interior. the back seat could be a little roomier. and my brother who drives a 08 e550 loves my interior.

K-A

True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me the design of the 204's interior is far too sparse and austere, along with having way too many hard and cheap feeling materials (cheap in a refinement way, everything feels sturdy though) and looks even "80's" to me in a weird way, but that's subjective. I think they could have made it at least a bit elegant.

I mean more-so the overall feel inside. The face-lifted 203's feels like I'd imagine an M-B's should for their entry level, lowest prices model, the 204's interior is just bizarrely underwhelming to me. I'm not trying to bash the car, I like the 204, I'm just displeased and critical toward what M-B did with that interior. I had my GF and her friend in my 204 Loaner a while back, and they were feeling around and kept saying that they couldn't believe it was an M-B they were sitting in, reminded them of a "Honda's interior", "low rent", etc.

Glyn M Ruck

We have both - Fully specced full leather, Bix, Parktronic etc. W203 C240 Elegance & W204 C350 Elegance. Both have their good points & a 10 year newer design should have something going for it.
I'm sure the 204 true facelift will address global moans about the interior, noise levels from the undamped trunk & the tail design.

C280 Sport

I like the W203 better. I think it is the only C Class that they did right. The W202 was a poor car and the W204 looks great but the interior is cheap like the 202's.