OMG the horror, new facelift rumor.
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
I want hockey stick LEDs though...and I want them NOW lol
and why would they update their website already? shouldnt this be a 2011 model change since the 2010s are already out?
and why would they update their website already? shouldnt this be a 2011 model change since the 2010s are already out?
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
Well if I remember correctly didn't the C-Class come in as a 2007 model year in Europe? Because if that's the case then 2010 would be the 4th model year (I think), so it would be right on time...
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
and I always though 2012 model year should actually be face lift. Why?
Mercedes traditionally goes 4 years with new model, and then 3 years with face lift.
Example:
W203
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
FL - 2005, 2006, 2007
R171
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
FL - 2009, 2010, 2011?
W204
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ??
See, they normally have 4 Model Years, before facelift. People get over anxious here
Mercedes traditionally goes 4 years with new model, and then 3 years with face lift.
Example:
W203
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
FL - 2005, 2006, 2007
R171
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
FL - 2009, 2010, 2011?
W204
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ??
See, they normally have 4 Model Years, before facelift. People get over anxious here
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2012 C350 4matic
However, someone had mentioned that the LEDs would be a changeover starting in December '09 production. Not sure how true this is, but it would make sense!
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Keep in mind with the awful economy world wide, some manufacturers have opted to change models sooner than they normally would in hopes of getting more buyers. Honda has officially announced taking this approach, but I haven't heard of any others officially taking this stance. It wouldn't surprise me to see more follow as car sales aren't exactly great and anything to increase traffic into dealerships at this point must be tried. But it could come at the cost of making your current customers angry, as mentioned above that someone felt their car would look "old" too quickly.
This isn't new to Benz though, they typically do updates to models by just changing head lights/tail lights, wheels, and interior bits. They just seem to be coming sooner than they normally would in hopes of mustering up some sales.
This isn't new to Benz though, they typically do updates to models by just changing head lights/tail lights, wheels, and interior bits. They just seem to be coming sooner than they normally would in hopes of mustering up some sales.
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
An old boot is always more comfortable 
I keep my cars for about 15 years & have become more attached to them as they age. They usually are passed on to the children after that . I am therefore very keen to maintain them myself in top condition. This in my first MB so it will be interesting to see whether this policy is still viable for me with the modern car !!
I keep my cars for about 15 years & have become more attached to them as they age. They usually are passed on to the children after that . I am therefore very keen to maintain them myself in top condition. This in my first MB so it will be interesting to see whether this policy is still viable for me with the modern car !!I have been watching a lot of Auto Trader and Wheeler Dealers. I love it when Mike and his mechanic refresh older European cars. It is just very rewarding. I am considering dumping my W204 in favor of a 1999 -2002, 911 Carrera.
And, that facelift does look too much like a BMW. I hope it's not accurate.
Last edited by Derspeed; Nov 24, 2009 at 04:03 PM.
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From: Davenport IA
C350
I found a few new pictures on the official German MB website. Check out the rear bumper. Is it me or it looks a bit different without the black portion on the lower part by the exhaust tips? Or is that just what the current Luxury version without the sport pkg looks like anyway?
I hope its the 2011, keeping the awesome look of the car while adding little touches. I don't like the 'angry' eyebrows in the first pic in the thread
I just want to keep that part above the exhausts black though... (probably will be on the sport model)
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Expect a fairly drastic facelift - The test cars running around here are heavily disguised both back & front. This is an important car for Benz bread & butter income & economies of scale. I predict an end to the MB hood/bonnet emblem even on the Lux/Elegance. Time will tell. This won't be some minor bolt on bits upgrade.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Nov 29, 2009 at 03:20 AM.
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
Expect a fairly drastic facelift - The test cars running around here are heavily disguised both back & front. This is an important car for Benz bread & butter income & economies of scale. I predict an end to the MB hood/bonnet emblem even on the Lux/Elegance. Time will tell. This won't be some minor bolt on bits upgrade.
Do you mind elaborating on 'heavily disguised', especially interior-wise?
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From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
Am I the only person that thinks the car could use some minor restyling without hurting the design? The current headlights are classy but a little too big and bland..as well as the grille. The whole front is a little too flat and boxy. I particularly notice this when viewed head on..like if a C-Class is driving behind me on the road. It doesnt scream sexy. Sleeker headlights and a downsized grille would do wonders. Not sure I love that chop, but I doubt it's 100% accurate anyway. I also love the LEDs.
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From: Dallas
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
Am I the only person that thinks the car could use some minor restyling without hurting the design? The current headlights are classy but a little too big and bland..as well as the grille. The whole front is a little too flat and boxy. I particularly notice this when viewed head on..like if a C-Class is driving behind me on the road. It doesnt scream sexy. Sleeker headlights and a downsized grille would do wonders. Not sure I love that chop, but I doubt it's 100% accurate anyway. I also love the LEDs.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The thing is though is that the C-Class already looks very handsome as it is, so any major changes may potentially detract from its good looks. I cannot possibly see it changing so drastically as any major changes would likely be negative (just like that pic at the beginning of this thread).
Do you mind elaborating on 'heavily disguised', especially interior-wise?
Do you mind elaborating on 'heavily disguised', especially interior-wise?
Test cars here have interior completely covered. Nose & tail have bolt/screw on plastic covers to distort what they look like. The rear covers make me think that the tailights might be extended into the trunk lid like the CLC. I think the 2012 MY design is probably pretty much locked in. The interim minor 2010 facelift has had a mediocre reaction.
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
I don't think they'll go under that fast. They have two all-new models coming out next year..one being the 9-5 and the other being the 9-4X suv. Both look to be very competitive..best new Saabs in probably a decade. I doubt GM would pull the plug after investing so much. They'll probably let these new products live out their lifespans then kill the brand if still necessary.
I think Saab has a lot of potential and GM would be stupid to kill it. The reason it's in such trouble now is solely because of GMs poor management. The only thing GM has done right is the 9-3. Saab's bread and butter 9-5 range has been left dying for years and is a complete joke and the rebadged Imprezas and Trailblazers they passed off as Saabs were even worse.
It looks like GM finally embraced the brand and the upcoming models are really great. It'd be a shame.
I think Saab has a lot of potential and GM would be stupid to kill it. The reason it's in such trouble now is solely because of GMs poor management. The only thing GM has done right is the 9-3. Saab's bread and butter 9-5 range has been left dying for years and is a complete joke and the rebadged Imprezas and Trailblazers they passed off as Saabs were even worse.
It looks like GM finally embraced the brand and the upcoming models are really great. It'd be a shame.
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2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
I don't think they'll go under that fast. They have two all-new models coming out next year..one being the 9-5 and the other being the 9-4X suv. Both look to be very competitive..best new Saabs in probably a decade. I doubt GM would pull the plug after investing so much. They'll probably let these new products live out their lifespans then kill the brand if still necessary.
I think Saab has a lot of potential and GM would be stupid to kill it. The reason it's in such trouble now is solely because of GMs poor management. The only thing GM has done right is the 9-3. Saab's bread and butter 9-5 range has been left dying for years and is a complete joke and the rebadged Imprezas and Trailblazers they passed off as Saabs were even worse.
It looks like GM finally embraced the brand and the upcoming models are really great. It'd be a shame.
I think Saab has a lot of potential and GM would be stupid to kill it. The reason it's in such trouble now is solely because of GMs poor management. The only thing GM has done right is the 9-3. Saab's bread and butter 9-5 range has been left dying for years and is a complete joke and the rebadged Imprezas and Trailblazers they passed off as Saabs were even worse.
It looks like GM finally embraced the brand and the upcoming models are really great. It'd be a shame.
G.M. will do well to keep themselves afloat much less Saab. Unless this is strategy for another automaker to get Saab for nothing, then we'll see Saab sail into the sunset.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - with Koenigsegg, the government & the Chinese out of the bidding it does not look good.
I remember a few years back those idiots at GM saying that survival of the Auto Industry was dependent on mergers. BMW, Benz, Toyota & Honda correctly suggested that they must be mad & that 60 year old business practice had no place in the modern automotive world.
I remember a few years back those idiots at GM saying that survival of the Auto Industry was dependent on mergers. BMW, Benz, Toyota & Honda correctly suggested that they must be mad & that 60 year old business practice had no place in the modern automotive world.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The fog lights are integrated into the headlight clusters. The LEDs are not a fad. They are a cost effective, low power consuming way of providing daytime running lights to meet European legislation.
