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

Does ANYONE like the W204 better than the W203?

Old Sep 17, 2009 | 09:10 AM
  #201  
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I don't like the AMGs ugly protruding rear bumper.
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 09:18 AM
  #202  
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I actually like the rearview of the 204. I know a lot of you don't like the protruding rump but it does improve aerodynamics as well as potentially keeping repair costs down by giving the bumper more crush space before you get to the sheetmetal. It think it gives the car a little of the "fastback" look...just a little but I think it makes the car look "fast"...not like some of the old Continentals and Sevilles
I think the interior is a little bland and could use a few more curves and "bright" touches but at least it is solid, made from quality materials and has been rattle and problem free.
The sport models ride a little too rough given the handling limits but it is a pretty decent balance IMO.
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 12:21 AM
  #203  
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hmmmm, i like the arctic white, mine is calcite, not too white a white if you get what i mean.........

Last edited by Merc-IN-the-Dez; Sep 18, 2009 at 12:21 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 03:39 AM
  #204  
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Originally Posted by C300Sport
I actually like the rearview of the 204. I know a lot of you don't like the protruding rump but it does improve aerodynamics as well as potentially keeping repair costs down by giving the bumper more crush space before you get to the sheetmetal. It think it gives the car a little of the "fastback" look...just a little but I think it makes the car look "fast"...not like some of the old Continentals and Sevilles
I think the interior is a little bland and could use a few more curves and "bright" touches but at least it is solid, made from quality materials and has been rattle and problem free.
The sport models ride a little too rough given the handling limits but it is a pretty decent balance IMO.
I think people are referring to how the trunk looks, not the bumper. at least that's the case for me. without the trunk spoiler the rear really looks pretty bad. unlike the 202 or 203 where you don't feel the trunk spoiler is a must.

Originally Posted by Merc-IN-the-Dez
hmmmm, i like the arctic white, mine is calcite, not too white a white if you get what i mean.........
I think that's the same color? arctic white is just what MBUSA calls it as they love to come up with names that they "think" it sounds better for marketing.
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 09:14 PM
  #205  
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Frank - I think the standard bumper is balanced nicely by the trunk spoiler. The minute you go the AMG protruding lump it unbalances the rear again & looks ridiculous side on.
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 10:36 PM
  #206  
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Originally Posted by FrankW
I think that's the same color? arctic white is just what MBUSA calls it as they love to come up with names that they "think" it sounds better for marketing.
I can understand Arctic White, what with all that snow up there but where does Arctic Silver come from? Porsche has a Seal Gray, same color as you know what and my C300 is Barolo Red which is an Italian wine. Some of the names make little sense.

One of my favorites is Indium Gray and i have no idea what Indium may be.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:48 AM
  #207  
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I have always felt the w204 to be too "americanized" it looks a lot sportier than it really is. You see this aggressive looking car coming and then it's some old lady driving. At least with most of the stock w203 you expected that. The styling for the w203 just seems more european and classier, more like a mercedes should IMO.

Last edited by zcurtis00; Oct 11, 2009 at 01:26 AM.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #208  
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Originally Posted by C300Sport
I actually like the rearview of the 204. I know a lot of you don't like the protruding rump but it does improve aerodynamics as well as potentially keeping repair costs down by giving the bumper more crush space before you get to the sheetmetal. It think it gives the car a little of the "fastback" look...just a little but I think it makes the car look "fast"...not like some of the old Continentals and Sevilles
I think the interior is a little bland and could use a few more curves and "bright" touches but at least it is solid, made from quality materials and has been rattle and problem free.
The sport models ride a little too rough given the handling limits but it is a pretty decent balance IMO.
FYI, MB had to use all the trick parts (tail lights with vents) on the W204 just to match the low coefficient of drag of the W203
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 02:33 AM
  #209  
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Originally Posted by zcurtis00
I have always felt the w204 to be too "americanized" it looks a lot sportier than it really is. You see this aggressive looking car coming and then it's some old lady driving. At least with most of the stock w203 you expected that. The styling for the w203 just seems more european and classier, more like a mercedes should IMO.
Honestly I've never seen an old lady in a W204..no one elderly at all actually. The sport models in particular are usually driven by young, yet classy, people around here.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 02:41 AM
  #210  
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old people a plenty in the W204 here.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 02:41 AM
  #211  
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Well to be honest, there are a few people where I'm from that are younger classy or not. But, the majority of people are old women, I don't really understand it, they either drive c300 4matic w204s or w221 s550s. I've even seen a lady in her 70's or 80's driving an sl65 lol. I just live in a weird place I guess.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 07:26 AM
  #212  
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Originally Posted by e1000
FYI, MB had to use all the trick parts (tail lights with vents) on the W204 just to match the low coefficient of drag of the W203
Pretty impressive feat considering the more upright grill, reduced tumblehome and larger, more useful mirrors.

Last edited by C300Sport; Oct 11, 2009 at 07:28 AM.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 08:47 AM
  #213  
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Wouldn't the reduced tumblehome actually help aerodynamics? I do know when I look at both cars, the overall shape of the 203 seems more aero, but that's more-so due to the lines as opposed to the overall outlines of the car. Now it makes more sense, as they had to do those "tricks" to get the 204 matching the C/D.

Where I live there are tons of W204's, driven by seeming average Joe's and Jane's, all literally identical to each other (Sport Packages) with maybe a couple of different colors. I kind of wish M-B had a more exclusive styling package which would keep some of them looking unique from one another, besides the C63 of course. Funny thing is the Luxury Package usually grabs my attention much more, as it's a lot more "rare".

I will say, the W204 isn't an ideal "old persons car" at all, too Sporty/hard, and the interior isn't very coddling or serene.... At least not for an old geezer I'd think.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:39 PM
  #214  
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Originally Posted by zcurtis00
Well to be honest, there are a few people where I'm from that are younger classy or not. But, the majority of people are old women, I don't really understand it, they either drive c300 4matic w204s or w221 s550s. I've even seen a lady in her 70's or 80's driving an sl65 lol. I just live in a weird place I guess.
Geez, I'm an old fart then. I have a 2005 C240 4MATIC...I'm older than my years...
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 02:47 PM
  #215  
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Originally Posted by K-A
Wouldn't the reduced tumblehome actually help aerodynamics? I do know when I look at both cars, the overall shape of the 203 seems more aero, but that's more-so due to the lines as opposed to the overall outlines of the car. Now it makes more sense, as they had to do those "tricks" to get the 204 matching the C/D.

Where I live there are tons of W204's, driven by seeming average Joe's and Jane's, all literally identical to each other (Sport Packages) with maybe a couple of different colors. I kind of wish M-B had a more exclusive styling package which would keep some of them looking unique from one another, besides the C63 of course. Funny thing is the Luxury Package usually grabs my attention much more, as it's a lot more "rare".

I will say, the W204 isn't an ideal "old persons car" at all, too Sporty/hard, and the interior isn't very coddling or serene.... At least not for an old geezer I'd think.
Please (carefully) define "old geezer"
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 09:51 PM
  #216  
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Originally Posted by Sportstick
Please (carefully) define "old geezer"
Lol. You know, the cranky wrinkled guy/gal who chases after you, cane swinging, yelling for you to "turn that racket down".
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 10:34 PM
  #217  
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I like your thinking - I don't qualify - I'm 58 & make more noise with loud music than any kid in our street. 340 lbs of high output amps in my audio room.
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 10:43 PM
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Haha, nice.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 07:03 AM
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Yesterday, I saw a steel gray C350, and I was watching who was going to come out and drive it away. I was expecting a man in his 20s or 30s, but the person who actually came out and left in it was an old lady around the age of 70.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 08:44 AM
  #220  
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Another round of ICE
Originally Posted by K-A
Lol. You know, the cranky wrinkled guy/gal who chases after you, cane swinging, yelling for you to "turn that racket down".
Good Save!!

For a moment, I thought all of us over 55 who aren't wrinkled and like loud music were going to have to come after you with our canes...
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 09:35 AM
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or FBH - (BH = Big Hammer) a favoured Mercedes tool.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 10:54 PM
  #222  
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Originally Posted by Sportstick
Good Save!!

For a moment, I thought all of us over 55 who aren't wrinkled and like loud music were going to have to come after you with our canes...
Haha. No no, I'm preparing myself to one day be one of those 55+'ers who like you folks, are mighty mighty far from "throwing in the towel".
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 02:46 AM
  #223  
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Does this mean that the 204 has a much broader appeal to older folks than thought off at first?
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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This will be my first Benz (2010 c300 4 Matic Sport, I pick it up on monday!) and I can say without a doubt, I would have NEVER ordered a w203. It was cheeeeeeze. My friend had one and it didn't hold a candle to my bimmer. The interior was straight out of a ford contour! I went with the 3 series instead but now I have jumped ship from bimmer to benzy for the w204. The 204 styling is REdiculous! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How obnoxious is that star on the sport package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Benzy hit a home run on this one, watch out bimmer..............(oh and the 2010 mirrors look 10 times better no too!)..........
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by YANKYFN
This will be my first Benz (2010 c300 4 Matic Sport, I pick it up on monday!) and I can say without a doubt, I would have NEVER ordered a w203. It was cheeeeeeze. My friend had one and it didn't hold a candle to my bimmer. The interior was straight out of a ford contour! I went with the 3 series instead but now I have jumped ship from bimmer to benzy for the w204. The 204 styling is REdiculous! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How obnoxious is that star on the sport package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Benzy hit a home run on this one, watch out bimmer..............(oh and the 2010 mirrors look 10 times better no too!)..........
OMG, This is why I avoid the C-Section so much of the time.

"cheeeeze", explain? If the 203 has a Ford Countours interior, than the 204's is straight out of an Escort.

Seems M-B knew who they were attracting with that obnoxious Star!!
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