Does ANYONE like the W204 better than the W203?
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
just a note on why I think the W204 although feels more solid than the W203 it was still cheapened by MB.
for anyone with the W204, feel free to crawl under your rear bumper and look up. There is no impact resistance material as seen in the 203 and traditional MBz. The rear bumper is basically a hollow shell.
for anyone with the W204, feel free to crawl under your rear bumper and look up. There is no impact resistance material as seen in the 203 and traditional MBz. The rear bumper is basically a hollow shell.
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From: South Coast Metro/Cerritos/Yorba Linda California
'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
nope, one reason no memory seats. My W203 has it, but I'm the only one that drive it. I hate driving the w204 evertime I get in I shake my head. At 1st it didn't bother me much but now it pisses me off. Its amazing how one little feature means so much.
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 75
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
[quote]
This feeling happened only with extra cost seats.
May be it is just my feeling, yet it seems Mercedes does improve the chassis ridigity in the W204 -- from the moment closing the doors to driving over parking-entrance in angle with speed.
Angle in parking is bad due the tail of W204.When cars turns on,cheap feeling steering and the bad design tail,not help the driver to be stable,except have extra cost sport package or extra cost parametric function in steering.
See Command of new E class which probably will be in W204's facelift.
New command how looks like, is much different than the easy of use.
Also about rest electronics,just check climate of W204 and compared with W203 facelift one,except if quality of the internal air means nothing for some drivers.
My wife had a 2006 W203 C230 Sport and now have a 2009 W204 C350 Sport.
The first impression when sitting inside the W204 is that, there is a little more shoulder room. A welcome change.
Another impression of the W204 is its less body-roll when cornering. I think it is due to the new dual-damping suspension. I can corner with more confident, and the car feels more sporty.
The first impression when sitting inside the W204 is that, there is a little more shoulder room. A welcome change.
Another impression of the W204 is its less body-roll when cornering. I think it is due to the new dual-damping suspension. I can corner with more confident, and the car feels more sporty.
May be it is just my feeling, yet it seems Mercedes does improve the chassis ridigity in the W204 -- from the moment closing the doors to driving over parking-entrance in angle with speed.
The Command / Navigation is probably the most welcome change to me personally. In my W203 Navigation, it has a little knob that goes only up, down, left, right to let me input the GPS destination. While in the W204, it has voice control that actually works very well. The bird's view mode and lane-assit in the GPS are also a nice plus.
New command how looks like, is much different than the easy of use.
Also about rest electronics,just check climate of W204 and compared with W203 facelift one,except if quality of the internal air means nothing for some drivers.
Last edited by kremou; May 28, 2009 at 10:50 AM.
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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From: S.F. Bay Area
2008 C300 Sport, 2010 RX350 AWD
Didn't w203 went through quite a few different engines along the way?
Facelift did give w203 a better look, but the main difference that made w203 stand out are the new engines & 7-speed at that was put in toward the end of the production run for me...
Back to the topic of w204...I actually think w204 w FULL LEATHER PACKAGE is a better car than w203 in term of interior quality...my only buyers remorse is not getting leather..
The upgraded leather handle bars & door panels really does the trick for w204 in term of the whole interior feel..
Don't really care about leather seats, as I like MB-tex, they are easier to maintain and last longer..
Facelift did give w203 a better look, but the main difference that made w203 stand out are the new engines & 7-speed at that was put in toward the end of the production run for me...
Back to the topic of w204...I actually think w204 w FULL LEATHER PACKAGE is a better car than w203 in term of interior quality...my only buyers remorse is not getting leather..
The upgraded leather handle bars & door panels really does the trick for w204 in term of the whole interior feel..
Don't really care about leather seats, as I like MB-tex, they are easier to maintain and last longer..
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
I'm not sure as I have read this....W203 facelift front is 10cm fat than pre-facelift cars.
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
I will write again my impressions vs W204 as soon as possible,because need time to complete something other first.
Last edited by kremou; Jun 22, 2009 at 06:06 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Sweden
S213
[quote=kremou;3546767]
See Command of new E class which probably will be in W204's facelift.
New command how looks like, is much different than the easy of use.
What are you talking about?, the COMAND system in the W212 looks almost exactly like the W204.
Its the same system.
See Command of new E class which probably will be in W204's facelift.
New command how looks like, is much different than the easy of use.
What are you talking about?, the COMAND system in the W212 looks almost exactly like the W204.
Its the same system.
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From: Toronto, Canada
09 C300S 4M
Its all subjective to ones tastes. I've hated all C-classes my entire life until the W204 was released. I really mean hate, I thought the W203 was downright disgusting. Even when I see a W203 now, it makes me cringe. Am I wrong? No. Is someone wrong to think the W203 is better than a W204? No. Is there a point to this thread? Not that I can see! You can't really argue someone's preferences towards a body style. 
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
For me facelift W203 driving quality is almost similar than W204 (except noise of old mirrors).
Quallity of interior and lighting,W203 facelift is far better.
For me this opinion will be change in W204 facelift as mercedes always do,following each time the new E class quality.
Take a closer look.It's new system.New buttons and now it's more easy to roll functions.
Also have more bright flat screen and more detail graphics.
There is bigger screen in basic audio system too,plus audio50 now supports 2D maps.
Quallity of interior and lighting,W203 facelift is far better.
For me this opinion will be change in W204 facelift as mercedes always do,following each time the new E class quality.
Also have more bright flat screen and more detail graphics.
There is bigger screen in basic audio system too,plus audio50 now supports 2D maps.
Last edited by kremou; Jul 9, 2009 at 12:06 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
We have both & both have their strong points. As a 10 year newer design the 204 should be a better car & it is in some respects. I agree the facelift is worth waiting for. One thing in the 204 that needs attention apart from toys is noise in the rear vs the 203. They have to damp the boot/trunk area better on the 204.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jul 9, 2009 at 04:13 PM.
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From: Sweden
S213
For me facelift W203 driving quality is almost similar than W204 (except noise of old mirrors).
Quallity of interior and lighting,W203 facelift is far better.
For me this opinion will be change in W204 facelift as mercedes always do,following each time the new E class quality.
Take a closer look.It's new system.New buttons and now it's more easy to roll functions.
Also have more bright flat screen and more detail graphics.
There is bigger screen in basic audio system too,plus audio50 now
supports 2D maps.
Quallity of interior and lighting,W203 facelift is far better.
For me this opinion will be change in W204 facelift as mercedes always do,following each time the new E class quality.
Take a closer look.It's new system.New buttons and now it's more easy to roll functions.
Also have more bright flat screen and more detail graphics.
There is bigger screen in basic audio system too,plus audio50 now
supports 2D maps.
What new buttons?, its still the same NTG4 system as in the 204.
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
This also happened to me during my summer vacation in Spain.
Basic a/c of C-class lacks ability to control direct sun.Even in thermotronic climate version,there is not any reference if do this in W204,against perfomance of W203 facelift version thermotronic.
This maybe also changed in W204 facelift if follow again new E class interior design.New E class climate in luxury version,has more features,sensors too.
Basic a/c of C-class lacks ability to control direct sun.Even in thermotronic climate version,there is not any reference if do this in W204,against perfomance of W203 facelift version thermotronic.
This maybe also changed in W204 facelift if follow again new E class interior design.New E class climate in luxury version,has more features,sensors too.
Last edited by kremou; Aug 25, 2009 at 07:35 PM.
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From: On the road Brussels-Budapest
W204-C350-2008
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W204
Had an '07 C280 before the '08 C300 I'm driving now. I miss the fold down backseats that let me store larger/longer items in the trunk, and I also miss the memory seats dearly as I'm much bigger than my wife and she uses the car on occasion. Having said that, I love the looks on the C300 inside and out. The BT and voice command are both great touches, and I love the new pop-up display. I would say it's a way better car than the C280, but I just miss those memory seats .... If only I knew what '09 would bring... 
If there is any way at all to get memory seats (even just on the driver's side) on the '08, I'd buy that tipster a beer.
If there is any way at all to get memory seats (even just on the driver's side) on the '08, I'd buy that tipster a beer.
Last edited by kurosen; Sep 3, 2009 at 01:27 PM.
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2014 C250 sport
The W203 absorbed road impacts better and filtered more of the harshness out. The 204 has a lighter feeling to the ride and handling. It doesnt quite have the "soundness" of chassis like the 203 (mainly 05-07) had. With that said, I still love my 204 
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I believe this perception is created by three things:
Overboosted power steering
Lower profile tyres creating a more harsh ride - Fit 16" wheels with 55 profile tyres and this increases comfort & lowers noise. Has a negative effect on handling.
Inadequate sound deadening in the trunk area of the car
Overboosted power steering
Lower profile tyres creating a more harsh ride - Fit 16" wheels with 55 profile tyres and this increases comfort & lowers noise. Has a negative effect on handling.
Inadequate sound deadening in the trunk area of the car
