View Poll Results: Will you be upgrading your current 'C' to the new 2012 C-Class Coupe/Sedan
Yes! 30% + efficient gas mileage, new interior, & refresh in lights + Coupe option is worth it!
11
31.43%
No! I'm perfectly happy with my current C. The changes are not enough for me to upgrade.
24
68.57%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
New 2012 C-Class Lights
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
2008 C300 Sport Sedan: Panarama Roof, P2, Multimedia
New 2012 C-Class Lights
When I first saw the 2012 refresh, I didn't like the front headlights. I have to admit, now it's starting to grow on me. The front LED turn signal and the curved headlight gives it a more aggressive look.
What do you guys think?
Do you guys think the new LED tail lights will be plug and play?
The new LED brake/parking taillights are noticeably different.
What do you guys think?
Do you guys think the new LED tail lights will be plug and play?
The new LED brake/parking taillights are noticeably different.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
Front headlights - does MB have this huge INFERIORITY COMPLEX trying to IMITATE both BMW "cat's eyes" and the stupid Audi "LED frown" in a single unit? Where is the elegance and the originality here? Their German competition is just LMAO. (LTAO?).
As long as Mercedes Benz was copying almost identically the 2012 CLS interior, why not use the same CLS headlamp design, which is both elegant, and VERY BENZ?
Tail lights, here again even the 2011 VW Jetta has the same "candy look". Besides Audi & BMW in their 2010s.
Would have been better the BLAZING LEDS with dozens of tiny circles. I am always amazed by how bright the yellow LED turn signals are against the conventional bulb stop lights. Every once in a while I push the emergency flashers and have a look just to make sure I wasn't imagining how BRiGHT the yellow LEDs are. The red brake lights should be the same way, some are on sale in eBay which look MUCH better than these "refreshes".
As long as Mercedes Benz was copying almost identically the 2012 CLS interior, why not use the same CLS headlamp design, which is both elegant, and VERY BENZ?
Tail lights, here again even the 2011 VW Jetta has the same "candy look". Besides Audi & BMW in their 2010s.
Would have been better the BLAZING LEDS with dozens of tiny circles. I am always amazed by how bright the yellow LED turn signals are against the conventional bulb stop lights. Every once in a while I push the emergency flashers and have a look just to make sure I wasn't imagining how BRiGHT the yellow LEDs are. The red brake lights should be the same way, some are on sale in eBay which look MUCH better than these "refreshes".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Front headlights - does MB have this huge INFERIORITY COMPLEX trying to IMITATE both BMW "cat's eyes" and the stupid Audi "LED frown" in a single unit? Where is the elegance and the originality here? Their German competition is just LMAO. (LTAO?).
As long as Mercedes Benz was copying almost identically the 2012 CLS interior, why not use the same CLS headlamp design, which is both elegant, and VERY BENZ?
Tail lights, here again even the 2011 VW Jetta has the same "candy look". Besides Audi & BMW in their 2010s.
Would have been better the BLAZING LEDS with dozens of tiny circles. I am always amazed by how bright the yellow LED turn signals are against the conventional bulb stop lights. Every once in a while I push the emergency flashers and have a look just to make sure I wasn't imagining how BRiGHT the yellow LEDs are. The red brake lights should be the same way, some are on sale in eBay which look MUCH better than these "refreshes".
As long as Mercedes Benz was copying almost identically the 2012 CLS interior, why not use the same CLS headlamp design, which is both elegant, and VERY BENZ?
Tail lights, here again even the 2011 VW Jetta has the same "candy look". Besides Audi & BMW in their 2010s.
Would have been better the BLAZING LEDS with dozens of tiny circles. I am always amazed by how bright the yellow LED turn signals are against the conventional bulb stop lights. Every once in a while I push the emergency flashers and have a look just to make sure I wasn't imagining how BRiGHT the yellow LEDs are. The red brake lights should be the same way, some are on sale in eBay which look MUCH better than these "refreshes".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
The W204s sold in Mexico are German built and have the Euro2 package which includes the rear yellow LED turn signals. Also includes items not used much in Mexico, like the headlight washers.
A nice touch is that the center console cupholders are hidden by a retractible cover, the seats have C63-size bolsters, and the steering wheel paddle shifters are standard. Nicely accessoried W204 actually, unfortunately the Radios are all the Audio20 except for the C63 AMG with HK, and none have COMMAND or navigation.
All C Sports come AMG trim equipped, including front bumper, driving lights, carpets, door sills and dash trim. Plus twin six-spoke AMG rims, and Michelin Primacy HP tires, a truly deluxe tire.
A nice touch is that the center console cupholders are hidden by a retractible cover, the seats have C63-size bolsters, and the steering wheel paddle shifters are standard. Nicely accessoried W204 actually, unfortunately the Radios are all the Audio20 except for the C63 AMG with HK, and none have COMMAND or navigation.
All C Sports come AMG trim equipped, including front bumper, driving lights, carpets, door sills and dash trim. Plus twin six-spoke AMG rims, and Michelin Primacy HP tires, a truly deluxe tire.
Last edited by Acapulco Bill; Mar 17, 2011 at 09:15 PM. Reason: corrected error
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Lamp swapping
The W204s sold in Mexico are German built and have the Euro2 package which includes the rear yellow LED turn signals. Also includes items not used much in Mexico, like the headlight washers.
A nice touch is that the center console cupholders are hidden by a retractible cover, the seats have C63-size bolsters, and the steering wheel paddle shifters are standard. Nicely accessoried W204 actually, unfortunately the Radios are all the Audio20 except for the C63 AMG with HK, and none have COMMAND or navigation.
All C Sports come AMG trim equipped, including front bumper, driving lights, carpets, door sills and dash trim. Plus twin six-spoke AMG rims, and Michelin Primacy HP tires, a truly deluxe tire.
A nice touch is that the center console cupholders are hidden by a retractible cover, the seats have C63-size bolsters, and the steering wheel paddle shifters are standard. Nicely accessoried W204 actually, unfortunately the Radios are all the Audio20 except for the C63 AMG with HK, and none have COMMAND or navigation.
All C Sports come AMG trim equipped, including front bumper, driving lights, carpets, door sills and dash trim. Plus twin six-spoke AMG rims, and Michelin Primacy HP tires, a truly deluxe tire.
The technical question will be whether the all-LED units will be ignored by the lamp-out module or not. The turn lights are not monitored so swapping with a non-P2 car is plug and play but the tail lights are monitored. The only way to know would be for someone to plug in a W204's tail light cable to the new unit and see what happens. This is something I will ask the seller to do before I plunk my money down.
None of this can happen until the W205 parts become available in Europe.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
I also think that buying into the 30% improvement in fuel mileage is silly since no other German manufacturer makes such claims about their new DI engines. Porsche which went DI several years ago says about a 20% improvement under ideal conditions.
That's engine to engine. Old 3.5 to new 3.5, not old 3.5 to new 4-cylinder which MIGHT be where the 30% idea came from and I'm thinking that wasn't from MB anyway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 19
From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
@RLE: do your tail lights have the air vents around the edge? If so you may be able to purchase the Euro tail lights, they may have a jumper resistor to fool the light continuity sensors into thinking its a conventional bulb. With your VIN and the European part number, your dealer should be able to determine if the LEDs tail light can be used in your particular W204.
As for engines, had the C250 been available in Mexico at the end of 2009 when I purchased my W204, I may have opted for the 1.8L twin turbo. MB reports a slower 0-60 time, but this engine actually produces more torque than the current C300. For the appreciable difference in MPG, and the far lower price for the C250 vs C300, we will see if US W204 buyers in 2012 go for the "less is more" philosophy.
As for engines, had the C250 been available in Mexico at the end of 2009 when I purchased my W204, I may have opted for the 1.8L twin turbo. MB reports a slower 0-60 time, but this engine actually produces more torque than the current C300. For the appreciable difference in MPG, and the far lower price for the C250 vs C300, we will see if US W204 buyers in 2012 go for the "less is more" philosophy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
@RLE: do your tail lights have the air vents around the edge? If so you may be able to purchase the Euro tail lights, they may have a jumper resistor to fool the light continuity sensors into thinking its a conventional bulb. With your VIN and the European part number, your dealer should be able to determine if the LEDs tail light can be used in your particular W204.
As for engines, had the C250 been available in Mexico at the end of 2009 when I purchased my W204, I may have opted for the 1.8L twin turbo. MB reports a slower 0-60 time, but this engine actually produces more torque than the current C300. For the appreciable difference in MPG, and the far lower price for the C250 vs C300, we will see if US W204 buyers in 2012 go for the "less is more" philosophy.
As for engines, had the C250 been available in Mexico at the end of 2009 when I purchased my W204, I may have opted for the 1.8L twin turbo. MB reports a slower 0-60 time, but this engine actually produces more torque than the current C300. For the appreciable difference in MPG, and the far lower price for the C250 vs C300, we will see if US W204 buyers in 2012 go for the "less is more" philosophy.
As to a 4-cylinder engine, I'd have to drive one. When I had my W202 1995 C280 with the M104 inline six, I drove several 4-cylinder version service loaners and those engines were nasty. Noisy, not smooth at all and slow. Ruined the car, in fact. Of course, the M272 in my car is quieter and smoother than even the M104, without the design defects and oil leaks.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I will keep my C, and it will probably be my last Mercedes, as they are dropping manual transmissions. Of course, if the new F30 generation BMW 3 series is too tempting in 2013.......
BTW, I still think the 30% is a misunderstood claim which truly only applies to the improvement in the new 4 cylinder base engine versus the prior 6 cylinder base.
BTW, I still think the 30% is a misunderstood claim which truly only applies to the improvement in the new 4 cylinder base engine versus the prior 6 cylinder base.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
C250,GLK350
