kremou

Μaybe your old car have specific problems.

I don't think Mercedes is really trying to go back to the good old days,because this time change all the cars to a technology called Blue Efficiency and CGI engines,which already must have to a 2 years old release car,in ahead of competition .

C300PO

I can't speak about the W203's reliability, handling or ride comfort because I never owned one...
What I CAN speak about is the design which I never liked. I never did like the older S-Class design so a "baby S-Class" C design didn't appeal to me either...
I do however LOVE the recent S-Class design and therefore the recent "baby S-Class" design DOES appeal to me...
I have always had Lexus cars until I saw this new C-Class design. I was drawn to this car because of its looks and all the hype about how meticulous MB was in it's design and build quality, literally rebuilding the companies legendary quality reputation on this car (which had in recent years dropped CONSIDERABLY largely because of problems with the W203) ...
I have been extremely pleased with my C-300 after nearly a year of ownership and over 11,000 miles...
Every bit as good as any Lexus I have owned and in some ways even better...
If it wasn't for the redesign of the C-Class, I would be driving a new Lexus IS300 right now...

e1000

It's ok, pretty nice and clean, weather is good most of the year except for a couple months when it turns into hell on earth.

Some of you guys crack me up. The purchase of Chrysler had absolutely NO influence on the W203 or any other Mercedes-Benz model for that fact. Parts were borrowed from Mercedes to Chrysler but not the other way around. Not 1 part. There were actually very few cars that shared more than a simple chassis, even then it was usually a chassis that was a generation behind. If you really want to argue the point, the w204 was developed during the combined Diamler-Chrysler, not the w203.

The w203 had some MAJOR updates to it over the years. It went from D2B to MOST and underwent a lot of other significant changes.

I still don't understand why this discussion is taking place. They don't make w203's anymore. In saying this however, the statement that the w204 is superior to the w203 is also closed minded and uninformed.

FrankW

that actually would be a false.

The most problematic MB in the past few years has been the ML and the E class. The C-class did not by far have nearly enough problems those two had.

most of the answers in this thread is pretty much stating the obvious. no one that bought the w204 will say they wish they had their w203 back. why? because as consumers EVERYONE likes to justify their purchase even if there are faults that they really don't like. They just can't admit it. and those that didn't have the 203 before of course they wouldn't say the 203 was better because they never even bought one.

am I happy with the 204 C350? yes, it feels more solid with the chassi and handles great with the proper tires. am I completely satisfied with it? no. The front suspension makes a creaking noise when backing up, the sunroof switch already fixed twice within first month of having the car, the rear pads was garbage which needed to be replaced. good thing they have the TSB on it. wind noise on the freeway is louder than w203, etc. I've already gone back to the dealership more than the first 3 years of owning the C32 not including the trips for schedule maintenance.

Glyn M Ruck

+1 - and the E class was also computer simulated endurance tested - employed an untried Bosch braking system that was a disaster - This was a German F/U - The ML was an American F/U - badly designed and badly built! Anyway the new ML is great.

MB-JIM

I owned a 2001 and 2002 C320 and liked them both but the seats were very hard. I then bought a 2006 C350 which was the face lifted model. In every way it seemed like a much finer car than the earlier models. I have the leather interior and the seats are very comfortable. The C350 engine doesn't have the throttle lag that I had with the 320's. I'm completely satisfied with the performance, handling and comfort.

I don't own a W204 but have spent several days driving both W04 C350's and C300's that were loaners when I have had my car in for service. I was planning to buy a W204 but have held up for the following reasons:

I didn't like the ride in the Sport versions and I couldn't get the 350 engine in the Luxury model.
The vinyl interior on the doors and dash looked very cheap to me compared to my 06 C350.

The W204 design is obviously a significant technological advance over the W203's but why ruin it for those of us in America by deciding we don't need the performance of the 350 if we buy the luxury model?

Yes, I still hope to buy a W204, but I'm not willing to give up the fine performance of my 350 engine. I'm hoping that with the mid-term face lift will improve the W204's just as they did with the W203's.

For those who moved up from a C230, the W204's have to be a giant improvement so I understand the many very positive comments about the W204's

e1000

hey jim we still have to meet up for lunch or something soon

Glyn M Ruck

Yep - Vinyl door panels & no engine choice is an American problem. I'm sure if you could get a full leather C350 Elegance (Luxury) like we do in SA you would love it.

benzlvr2500

wanna know what the general population thinks? go to a busy mall with a w203 and w204 and see which one turns more heads

len56

I think the W203 is not cool, unless you give it a bodykit.

I think the W204 is the best looking car under 70k

len56

...and thats the whole point of a mercedes!

couldn't have said it better myself

OpAmp

My personal comparison and opinion is based upon my own experience, and is mostly about the build quality and reliability of the two cars. I had a 2006 W203, so I'm guessing then that I had the most recent updates as you say.

My personal problems with my 06 C230 made me believe that Mercedes, for whatever reason (Chrysler influence or not) had allowed its build quality to decline. The w204 on the other hand makes me believe that Mercedes-Benz is going back to its roots, which is a good thing.

Glyn M Ruck

Well - if the newer of the two did not turn heads MB would have made a big F/U That's not a clever comment - The W203 is 10 years old

benzlvr2500

true, but its happened before where the older car was liked more...look at BMW, ask most people and they will say they HATE the bangleized cars compared to old classic ones of the 90's...it happens u kno

kremou

....but also people hate all BMW facelift models for design or quality degrade,but they like Mercedes facelift ones for the opossite.
So people who like old W203 fashion style or quality,must look forward, because W203 not produced anymore.

joebenz

FrankW

the whole point of a Mercedes is SAFETY and prestige of the brand name. a new Camaro or 370Z will easily turn more heads than the 203 or 204.

I'm willing to bet $100 that my W203 will turn more heads at any populated shopping mall and/or college campus then my W204. my friend has drove my C32 on UCI campus and has even said that it gets more attention than his e92 M3.

FrankW

yea, this reminded me why the heck only the full leather packaged W204 gets the leather door panel trim. I wouldn't even mind they are MB-tex, but at least use some sort of leather in the middle section instead of exposed plastic.

C300Kid

Yeah the door panels are pretty pathetic. I hope mb fixes them soon.

C300Kid

Again, this was not intended to be a w203 bash. I just read/hear a lot of negative comments about the w204, mostly from w203 owners, and I dont understand why.

kremou

Maybe because some W203 owners don't like current W204 for some points.For me every opinion is welcome too,hoping Mercedes reading these

Glyn M Ruck

It's crazy - We even have full leather on the C180 Elegance. In fact an Elegance is an Elegance - does not matter which Engine. 350 gets more rubber i.e. wider tyres.

TB5...

pops had a C320 about 4-5 years ago...

at the time it was nice...

the 204 is 100x better... all around from the drive to the esthetics... imo.

Moto_Guzzi

I never owned a W203, but driven one for about 200KM. One thing I immediately noticed was the dumb/numb steering feeling.Not a bother, but immediately noticible.

When the W204 was announced the rear seemed like a problem from photos, but now that I own one, its no problem, just the opposite, I like it.The steering is much better now.

I ordered one as soon as i saw the difference in shape between normal Avantgarde and AMG pack. I yet to meet somebody telling me it's an ugly car. Today about 300km from home a petrol attendant come up to me, looked the car over and say "Sir this is the most beautifull car", and I could see he meant it from the heart, and they see a lot of cars. I would say this car appeals to some people very strongly.

The real test:Will I swop my W204 AMG-P for an W203........Never.

C300Sport

As far as driving dynamics, I test drove both the 202 and 203 many, many times but never really cared much for them...at least not enough to buy one. As far as interiors, the 203 was OK and I really didn't like the 204 initially. It has grown on me quickly...not perfect but very functional with a high quality feel.
As far as looks, I really like the 204's stronger stance and get a lot of positive comments from strangers...certainly more than I ever expected.