C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Does ANYONE like the W204 better than the W203?

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Old 05-27-2009, 07:15 PM
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white and whiter
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.
Old 05-27-2009, 07:35 PM
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'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.
Old 05-28-2009, 10:21 AM
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W204-C350-2008
Originally Posted by ChrisBrown
I've totally forgotten that the W203 is close to 10 years old. I guess only because I have a 2005, I'm forgetting about the 2001 model year.

Wow, it really doesn't look 10 years old at all.
Facelift is the difference
Old 05-28-2009, 10:38 AM
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W204-C350-2008
[quote]
Originally Posted by axhoaxho
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.
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.

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.
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.

Last edited by kremou; 05-28-2009 at 10:50 AM.
Old 05-28-2009, 12:42 PM
  #155  
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Originally Posted by kremou
Facelift is the difference
I don't think the facelift is the difference. The basic body design was sound & if you pre facelift car had clear BiX & foglights etc then the differences are minor externally.
Old 05-28-2009, 03:13 PM
  #156  
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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..
Old 05-29-2009, 11:58 AM
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W204-C350-2008
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
I don't think the facelift is the difference. The basic body design was sound & if you pre facelift car had clear BiX & foglights etc then the differences are minor externally.
I'm not sure as I have read this....W203 facelift front is 10cm fat than pre-facelift cars.
Old 06-22-2009, 06:04 PM
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W204-C350-2008
Originally Posted by kremou
Next month I will be in Turkey for business.
I hope rent a w203 for a new compare.
Just came back from Turkey.I drove for 2 days a 2005 C200K.
I will write again my impressions vs W204 as soon as possible,because need time to complete something other first.

Last edited by kremou; 06-22-2009 at 06:06 PM.
Old 06-23-2009, 01:43 AM
  #159  
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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.
Old 06-23-2009, 09:50 AM
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C300, 330i, MDX
w203 was good at her prime... i maybe bias, but w204 is the new queen...
Old 06-23-2009, 12:03 PM
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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.
Old 07-09-2009, 11:54 AM
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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.

Originally Posted by vic viper

What are you talking about?, the COMAND system in the W212 looks almost exactly like the W204.

Its the same system.
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.

Last edited by kremou; 07-09-2009 at 12:06 PM.
Old 07-09-2009, 12:50 PM
  #163  
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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; 07-09-2009 at 04:13 PM.
Old 07-09-2009, 01:16 PM
  #164  
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S213
Originally Posted by kremou
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.

What new buttons?, its still the same NTG4 system as in the 204.
Old 07-09-2009, 06:11 PM
  #165  
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white and whiter
just found out today I can't see **** when the sun is directly on my a/c control on the 204. 100 degree day and can't tell what the hell is your a/c setup on is
Old 08-25-2009, 07:33 PM
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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.

Last edited by kremou; 08-25-2009 at 07:35 PM.
Old 08-25-2009, 07:36 PM
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W204-C350-2008
Originally Posted by vic viper
What new buttons?, its still the same NTG4 system as in the 204.
Operating system looks the same in new E class, but not the easy of use which is better in handle and viewing than W204

Last edited by kremou; 08-25-2009 at 07:39 PM.
Old 08-25-2009, 07:50 PM
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Arctic White W204 4MATIC, PolarG eyelids
W203 is not bad, but i love my W204!
Old 09-03-2009, 09:51 AM
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W204 looks much better. Older design did not work for me...
Old 09-03-2009, 11:32 AM
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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.

Last edited by kurosen; 09-03-2009 at 01:27 PM.
Old 09-03-2009, 12:03 PM
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2009 C350
duh......

Can't tell, never driven the 203, i like my 204 though
Old 09-04-2009, 06:42 PM
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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
Old 09-05-2009, 01:32 AM
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Originally Posted by akbro93704
TThe 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.
The W203 just felt heavier...lol
Old 09-05-2009, 07:39 AM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
.... And more absorbing of outside harshness. W204 is a "harsher" car.
Old 09-05-2009, 11:16 AM
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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


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