C300Kid

I keep reading/hearing about how MB has "cheapened the C-Class" with the W204. Then when I was at the MB dealer recently this lady in the waiting room was talking about the new C-Class being much worse than her 2006 C230.

I don't get it. I think the W204 is so superior to the W203. I even think the often-criticized interior is a lot nicer than what was in the old model. Yeah the plastics are harder..but the design, ergonomics, and fit and finish seem drastically improved.

I was never a fan of MB, and I think the old C-Class was anything but impressive....the new C though, I love. Am I alone, or are any of you with me?

It's frustrating to see people hating on a product because it's not typical MB in execution.

cbcharlie

I personally think the W203 is ugly.

akbro93704

I've had MANY W203 2006 and 2007 C230 sports as loaners...they feel a lot different than my W204. My car is a lot noisier (road, wind, and engine) than the W203. It rides harsher as well, and isn't as quiet and "bank-vault"-like over bumps like the W203 was. All in all, the W204 is an improvement in design, but I don't see it being "engineered" any better than the '05-'07 W203.

I love my car though

FrankW

you're posting this in the W204 forum what the hell do you think the answers will be?

Mr Enigma

lol

justthinking

W204 sport > W203 > W204 Luxury as far as exterior look IMO..
While I feel the interior build quality is abou the same for W203 and W204, I do think W203 is quieter w/ less windnoise..
Besides the windnoise problem, I think W204 is a clear step up over W203 especially the re-designed center console is a lot slick and easier to use..
W204 is also a lot of fun to drive and handles better than W203..

jagass

Probably yes...W204 is much better...

jrct9454

Good grief...this one is easy. The W204 is superior in every respect except absolute ride quality, and our C300 is so much more solid than our C240 that I don't notice the firmer ride [but do appreciate the nicer handling]. Our '02 C was always needing me to chase down small noises in the interior; by contrast, our '08 has been solid as a rock from the get-go, and so far [16k miles, 20 months] trouble-free as well.

At first, I was less than enthused about the styling of the new car, but even that's started to grow on me as the months have passed. Otherwise, the new car has the old one beaten in every aspect that matters.

Note I've owned them all, from the original 190E in 1983 right on through the current car - I have lots of experience with the smaller MBs, and this car is easily their best effort.

TanMan350

w204 hands down.... traded in my old w203 and havent looked backed since... I fugre its because of the MM package and the 350 engine......

Glyn M Ruck

Our Family owns both & the W204 is a better car in most respects. It's also a lot better sorted out than the W203 was in it's early generations. Benz took a lot more trouble endurance testing the W204 before launch. W203 was tested by computer simulation mostly & early versions were troublesome. People are trying to compare a thouroughly sorted mature chassis with a new one.

Styling is personal so let's not go there - many think the W203 & S Class that it's styling was based on was a high point for Benz styling.

I think the W204 is a great car & I will personally buy one when it's been in production a little longer - US models are a little built down to price but there is nothing wrong with the quality other than subjective look & feel.

I'm an early adopter with electronics, the life cycles are so short, but a late adopter with cars because it just makes sense to let the OEM debug them & learn to build them.

I'm a traditionalist & will buy a C300 or 350 Elegance fully loaded. I do however like the younger look with the star in grill for those that want that.

Don't fret - there is nothing wrong with the W204

woofwoofz

I have a W203 just before I got my W204. The W203 is a rear wheel drive C280 and the W204 is the C300 4Matic Sport. The moment I dropped off the C280 and drove the C300 off the dealer log, I certainly felt that W204 is better built. The noise level is about the same (both have identical engine) but I found the handling is better and the car feel more solid. The ergonomics is also better and it easier to get in and out. Also, my kids find the back has more room than the previous C280. I like additional standard features such as the Bi-Xeon headlight, CD changer and the bluetooth integration. However, I have two complaints: wheel alignment (still not tracking straight) and the standard audio system (slow when swithcing CD, no support for DVD audio and the dial button is not well implemented).

Just my 3 cents.

-DW

tanktube67

I like the W203 and of course mostly all the replies will tell you the W204 is better and that’s the way is going to be in this forum.
You should ask this questions on different forums.

kremou

Ιf W204 was better than W203 why changed so soon ? replaced by CGI Βlue Efficiency technology (includes many external improvements),so there are great offers for buying exist C series this period.The question is about Mercedes market policy.

EU fuel emmisions standards are changed for more green planet.So Euro5 comes 2-3 years sooner than expected.Car manufacturers knew it,so I don't understand why Mercedes prefered to present a new car like W204 with same techology as older W203 model have.

All these against competition main from BMW and Audi cars,which introduced same period eco technology in their cars.Other EU derectives also introduced some new standards in safe like day-lights,more powerfull eco climate and main console, Mercedes didn't in W204 till now.So the car looks cheaper in quality than older facelift model,except front design.

Also it's common known that C class follows everytime the new E class quality in interior or exterior standards.This happened for many years since first C class introduced in 1994.Why buyers of C class must always wait facelift models to buy a total car,because all real improvements always happened since new E class presented them each time?

e1000

do I smell a whif of insecurity in the w204 forum??????

I don't think it's really fair to compare a early w203 to a new, sport package equiped w204. I wonder how you guys would feel if you had a chance to compare a w203 C350 vs a w204 C350.

The w204 is a great car, and if you want a new MB, it's the only choice now. I don't see what the purpose of this discussion is really.

C300Kid

Many w204 owners are former w203 owners. I thought it was a valid question

C300Kid

No insecurity. I really don't like the W203 (just not my taste), love the W204..and I can't understand people that think the old one was a better car.

hazee

Hahahaha ...

eminnet

I like more the look and cushion feeling of w203.
I like more the electronics and gadgets of W204.

OpAmp

I had a 2006 C230 before my current C300 sport. The W203 had really bad build quality probabaly due to the partnetship with Chrysler at the time. The electronics failed on me once, so the car wouldn't start anymore. The brakes would always make a very loud/sharp squeeking noise everytime I was moving in reverse....something which the technicians at the dealer could never emulate apparently, so it was never fixed.... Overall, it really lowered my opinion of Mercedes Benz.

Let's just say I was glad when I finally got rid of that car.


When I drove the C300 for the first time it felt like a MUCH better car. Acceleration, braking, steering were all improved. So far I haven't had a single problem with my 2009 C300, and I also think that compared to the W203 the W204 looks MUCH better in appearance as well.

Nuru

Same here, I had a 2004 C230 and I really like my current car, big improvement in stability, I used to feel like I was bouncing occasionally in the C230, it seemed kinda light in the rear - and was absolutely horrible on slightly slippery roads.

Nuru

Well of course to help everyone be even more satisfied by their choice by seeing others say "Hell Yeah" LOL!

BTW, how is Chandler, AZ? I was there a while back and was just wondering.

Glyn M Ruck

Chrysler had nothing to do with Mercedes Benz cars

Glyn M Ruck

+1

Glyn M Ruck

Says he now driving a 4Matic

OpAmp

I don't know if they did or not, but the dependibility and consumer satisfcation ratings of mercedes benz did take a dive in recent years, and the w203, as I later found out, had a lot of negativity around it. But it seems that starting with the W204, Mercedes is really trying to go back to the good old days of solid engineering and reliable build quality.