rh71

This vehicle will be replacing a '97 Eagle Talon. I currently drive an 08 X5 so while I'm familiar with BMW I'm only getting to know MB as of yesterday doing research. Test drove the C300 sport last night and was impressed by the overall pkg it offers. I've always felt the current 3-series was a little bland even if it does drive a bit better. When we sat down and ran options & numbers, the dealer couldn't find any '09s left in the combo of white on gray/black with the multimedia pkg (like the big screen over the tiny one) and no premium pkg (things we don't really need) so we will have to "custom" order a 2010. Didn't see any big changes to '10 that I wanted a part of except the nicer mirror turn signals.

Also, I'd like to know:
1) if anyone has pics of the gray/black interior, preferably with white exterior to help our decision so we're not stuck with something we never saw in person. Should we go with just black - does it make it much hotter inside? Never owned an all-black interior.
2) premium pkg seems to be a requirement for 2010 if we want the multimedia package, so I suppose we're stuck with it... this wasn't true for '09? Dealer didn't say so... or maybe that's why he couldn't find any?
3) is the universal media interface (small nav) useful at all? It looked pretty 3rd rate considering it's going into a luxury vehicle so we wanted the multimedia pkg instead.
4) annual oil change costs (since maintenance is not included like BMW)? What about other costs you've typically had to deal with? We plan to keep it for as long as possible.
5) I noticed in the literature there was also blind spot monitoring... dealer didn't know anything about it - is this part of a pkg?

justthinking

There are not much changes between 2009 and 2010 model..the only major difference is the addition of dynamic handling package..
If you are not planning on ordering the dynamic handling package, why not just look for a 09 C350 w/ MM?? You should have no problem find a 09 C350 at lower the price comparing to order a new 2010 model and have to wait for it..
C350 already comes w/ P1 and even if you ended up ordering a new C300, getting P1 will help the resale value down the road..

Ted17

Justthinking- could you (or anyone else) give me your opinion of the UMI? I'm not interested in the Nav or the 6 disc changer. I just want to be able to view the playlist when plugging in an ipod. Also, I plan to get the HK speaker upgrade, if that makes a difference...

paladiumonblack

Nav is awesome on the C as is the HK system thats was part of MM on 09's.

BenTrovato

I didn't get the nav. Recently I went into the dealership to talk about the UMI. For that price, it isn't worth it for me. When you can make 650mb discs full of mp3's and access it with the knob, that will suit me just fine! But you have to decide what will make you happy and go for it.

rh71

interesting thought. The C350 will come out about $3-4k more still but if we can get the dealer to give us a bigger break on an 09 then maybe it's the way we should go. All this pending the idea that P1 is required for MM on a '10 C300.

justthinking

Don't forget, HK speaker upgrade is now a seperate $800 option for 2010 C300 and you also need to add $1,500 for auto transmission..

2009 C350 w/ MM has MSRP of $43,575 includes destination charge
2010 C300 w/ Auto & P1 & MM & HK Speaker comes out $42,435

Ted17

I've assembled several combinations of options/packages available on the '10, and MM requires the P1 package... If you don't want P1, you can opt for the UMI instead of MM. However, if you want the HK Sound option, you're required to also select either the MM or the COMAND pkg - both of which require P1. And if you want P2 you also have to select P1. -It's kind of like being forced to pay for 60+ cable channels, when all you want are 2 or 3...