Azn_C300

Just a sidebar, Frank, there's a TSB out for this issue.
-Front strut bushings popping as per "P-B-33.15/20B"-

kremou

If drive more a car,maybe love it more than other.This doesn't mean that one car is better than other.Also there are differences between facelift models.So driving or quality feeling is different too for many people.

About positive comments from stragers,that's happened because the car is new design,not a lot in the streets, and all time newer mean better in people mind.

For me car usuall damages caused by use,is better test for which car is better. In that point I think quality is similar as most W203 facelift models after 2 years use,,keeping all these are read in many forums. (plus
W204 technology in small engines stayed similar untill this summer-changes announced)

ulovemybenzo

damn u guys got it bad... my **** still runs like the first day i got the ride... and i got 21k miles on it already

C300Sport

I don't think you understand my point. I did not like the feel of the W203 so I did not buy it. It is not something I would have grown to like. I did however like the solid, tight and comfortable feel of the W204 and knew that that would only grow more to my liking.
I have had several first year models of some fairly nice cars and have never gotten anywhere near the number of people going out of there way to say how much they love the car.
Anyhow, not trying to take anything away from the 203, but simply feel the W204 raised the bar considerably.

C300Kid

I'm not talking about preferences. I'm talking about uninformed w203 owners saying "oh, MB really cheapened the new C Class" when that's clearly not the case.

sleewell

i love my 06, i've owned it for 7 months now and have had no issues yet. i do like the look of the W204' a lot though. haven't driven one but just based on looks they get a thumbs up in my book.

Glyn M Ruck

And so it should vs a 10-11 year old design.

C300Sport

Lol...yeah you would hope those fabled German engineer's could make an improvement or 2 in more than a decade...

kremou

That's correct about old design of W203 and improvements in W204.
But the similar someone can tell us when W204 facelift comes out in the market,for todays model.
So design and the feeling how every driver likes a car is strickly personal.

Devastator187

I have never driven a W203, but looks/style wise, the W204 is by far way superior than it's predecessor - HANDS DOWN!

W203 looks uncharismatic
W204 Superior, W203 Inferior

LOL

FrankW

cool, i'll have my SA check it out.

FrankW

i'll put my 203 next to your 204 see which one gets more look.

NJBNZ

I'm a former w203 (97 C280 4Matic) owner and can say I like my W204 MUCH better. It's not really fair to compare my old and new car though. My W203 didn't have the sport package and my W204 does...so the design, comfort, ride quality is going ot be vastly different simply based on that. Yes the W204 is going to have a harsher ride and be noiser...it's the sport model with sport suspension...compared to my non-sport W203. In terms of styling I think the W204 wins HANDS DOWN. In terms of interior COMFORT and quality I'd say the W203 was more comfy...but then again that goes down to it being the luxury model not the sport package

Devastator187

With all the effort, time and $$$ spent on mods, I hope your 203 gets more look. As for between bone-stock 203 and 204, which one do you think gets more look??

FrankW

with bixenon on both 2007 C350 vs 2008 C350 in terms of look it's about the same at least to me. there are something i like and don't like on both car.

RLE

I understand why. Sour grapes.

After 7.5 years in a W203 C320, I would say that only the terminally numb wouldn't say the W204 is a better package overall. Except for the missing memory seats and the funny steering wheel angle to which I have finally become accustomed.

tivoboy

I can assure you, the chrysler relationship had nothing to do with it.

aowhaus

W204 without a doubt is vastly improved over the W203, if it isn't why go through a major redesign?
Besides the updated styling, most of the improvements lies in the engineering, so you don't really notice all of the improvements just by looking.
The suspension on the Sport models is noticably stiffer than the W203, which some people may not like.
The interior looks and feels much more upgraded in the W204. There is nicer texture and feel of the plastics and trim, and the buttons and controls has a quality feel and action.
There is more standard comfort and safety features (and options) on the W204.
And based on what I've read about the engineering, MB has taken great strides in improving the quality and durability on the W204.

Granted many comments could be rather subjective and the responses really depends on who you ask. The C is targeted to a specific demographic and there will be people, especially those not in that demographic, who will have some gripes about the W204. You can not please everyone.

woofwoofz

Another plus for W204 is the better transmission (or the shifting algorithm). Both my W203 and W204 have the 7-speed transmission. The one on W204 is noticeable smoother and I have no more abrupt downshift.

-DW

Glyn M Ruck

That's purely a software load to make them identical

K-A

It's a toss up for me, but I prefer the W203 I think all in all.

The 204 is a rock solid chassis, durable car with a sronger/tougher/"go head, I can take the abuse" look, but the 203 is far more classy and elegant, and even sometimes sportier looking to me. When I see a loaded up, super clean version of both, I can look and appreciate what they have to offer, but the 203's sleekness wins for me over the 204's more edgy and what appears to me personally some Japanese-ish styling hints in parts of the rear and side profile. The 204 has a much hotter front end though, M-B did a great job with the front clip of the C.

Interior wise, no contest, the 203, I absolutely abhor the 204's interior, everyone who has ridden in the Loaners I've had (I'm driving one now) can't believe it's a Benz. Too austere, cheaply made IMO, hard, and lacking in elegance. Very noisy for an M-B too IMO, especially on the FWY at 70+ (wind).

I was driving today and feeling around the A-Pillar and rooflining (hard sandpaper-y material), and knocking on the dash and other materials, and just not met with a great return in sound and feel. Plus, the non-nave Radio display to me has a kind of cheesy low-fi graphic look to it (kinda looks like they're going for the old-fashioned radio style look or something).

Then again, I think M-B is starting to lose their way with some of their new designs and ideas, etc.

Just IMO.

KA8

+1 Not that because I own w203 but I like the exterior style of it especially sport sedans. I also like the interior of the w203's. I'm sure w204's are better cars but I just can't get over the ugly rear end of w204's.

K-A

+1, if I was in the market for something of that size even, the rear lights and interior of the 204 would be a deal breaker for me, I'm not crazy about the 3-Series but I might have been tempted that way.... dunno.

The 204 is leagues more solid than the 203 indeed, but lacks its elegance and refined vibe. I've seen a bajillion 203's in my life and have never even considered myself a fan of them, but every time I see a clean late model Sport Package one, I still stare and appreciate the clean and sleek design, and notice how even 2 years into the new body-style, a newer 203 doesn't look dated one bit. The general public probably have no idea when they see one that it isn't still a current body-style.

ismeto

+1 this quote is the best view for rear design of w204 w204's face is amazing nice but rear is real ugly ***

FrankW

i'll agree. my quad made a lot of difference, but still certain angle just doesn't look right.