Showa

New here. Sorry I should use search but don't even know what key word I should use. I know C300 has been replaced by C250. Is 2012 C-class sedan a facelift or a totally brand new model? Are the 2012 interior similar to 2011? Thanks!

acr2001

My god man. Its been mentioned in a ton of threads. You could search for the very same words you used "2012 facelift" or "2012 model"

It is not a new model. It is a facelift. The interior is extremely different. The ONLY parts that are the same are the seats and the doors.
New headlights. New tail lights. New transmission software config. New engines (except C300). More advanced brakes (new hold option on top of the regular hill hold. brakes prime when you quickly release the throttle).

Glyn M Ruck

Patience Alex, patience! I know it comes hard to NYC'ers.

Sportstick

LOL....you are right, Glyn! I was born in Brooklyn, but moved west, among other reasons, for the more relaxed pace.....anyway, back to the car.

Some automotive trivia....technically, the change was called an "MCA".....mid-cycle action. The exterior changes are quite subtle...a new hood die, headlamp, tail lamp (within the same opening). Fascia tooling is a very good bargain for the changes which can be made. The platform architecture and principal locating points for framing are unchanged. On the inside, if you could imagine having X-ray vision, the interior is not all that different...it just looks different, as the Design Office did a lot with a little. Components are basically in the same location in space, but the top pad on the IP is different, and some A-surface trim has changed...new cluster, but all the hard points remained. Yes, there are some other minor upgrades scattered throughout the balance of the vehicle, but from an investment and tooling perspective, they get an A+ for creating a very good interior effect with not a lot of money.

ltcinf

So on this same note, and understanding the appearance is different, would there be a way to retrofit media components so that pre 2012 models could get the upgraded head unit to get upgraded NAV, HD radio, and media streaming? I sat in the 2012 and saw the difference in the radio trim but if the radio fits into the same place and wiring for the most part is unchanged, could this be done? I understand the HUD is different but could you get the newer head unit and hook it up to one of the after market 6 inch displays (for those of us with audio 20) and make it work?

I am asking because I am not sure I understand the magnitude of the changes underneath the trim.

hannes

As the entire dash has a different shape, including the COMAND system, and as these units are basically one-piece (not a standardized format with some trim-piece up front), it is very unlikely to get it to fit, even with some serious modification of the existing dash. If it will talk to the car at all, then only with some serious custom programming.

RLE

Which brings to mind..

If you live in NYC and you are not Jerry Seinfeld, where do you park your car? Seems like an awful place to have a nice car.

Sportstick

We do have to distinguish Manhattan from the other 4 boroughs of NYC, as Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx can be quite residential. I just returned from another visit, and have noticed a huge increase in the number of cars wearing heavy rubber "bibs" on the rear bumpers in Manhattan. Many cars do have scrapes/dents. Either underground or above ground structures are quite widespread, and overnight parking runs about $40 for a visitor, about $80 for valet at mid-town hotels. There are neighborhoods where residents strategically fight for on-street parking, and do have to abide by alternate side of the street rules, which force them to move their cars to allow for street sweepers. I don't have data, but car ownership is likely at a much lower rate than most of the country, with a wide proliferation of bike lanes and the avenues drowning in a sea of yellow taxis...of course, the buses and subways are usually packed as well. Other than limos, many private cars do seem to be in the B, C, and D segment. Large cars are quite rare.

DonjuanOriginal

Cmon 2014 new w205 can't wait. Defiantly gonna buy a diesel one.

jctevere

It would be an EXTREMELY massive undertaking. Beyond the obvious needed components, would be a new speedo cluster, new entire dashboard and trim, comand system, etc. Would be the needed parts behind it. Such as wiring harness, coding via star diagnostics. And probably many other behind the scenes hardware for many of the new features.

By the time you add up all the costs and unforseen issues, it would CERTAINLY be more cost-effective to simply trade your vehicle in and get a new 2012 model.

If you want the exterior look, that is fairly easy. All you would require are the new headlights, new front and rear bumpers and hood along with tailight to complete the entire conversion. I would imagine you would be able to get this done for near $2,500 relatively easily.

acr2001

And this is why I refuse to drive in Manhattan. In my sleep, if I have a nightmare, I am driving in Manhattan. I hate it that much. GPS doesn't even work because of the buildings. Brooklyn can also be a very major pain, but it pales in comparison.

jctevere

Yeah, definitely agree when it comes to manhattan. I live on Long Island but head into Manhattan on a daily basis to my boss' apartment. I now have him pay for a monthly parking which is EXPENSIVE ($600 for a car, $800 for his SUV per month)...

But it is well worth it, the first time I parked on the street I got a $65 ticket + tax for having the meter expire. (It was my first time there), and I wouldn't have cared if I was EXTREMELY late to the meter/car, but by the time I rode the elevator down and got to my car it was MAYBE 30 seconds at the most after the meter expired. And in those 30 seconds there already was a ticket on the windshield with NO cop in sight. Got me really aggravated because they must have already put in on the car and drove away before it was even expired or something... So I ended up paying $65 for 30 seconds of parking when it only costs 25 cents for 10 minutes...

The second time I parked on the street, I parked on the end, closest to a walkway so I would minimize risk of having cars on both ends. Someone STILL nudge into my car, leaving 2, 1" horizontal scratches on my rear bumper. VERY pissed, especially since the car was only a few months old.

After that I learned two things, whenever I have to go to Manhattan, I park in the garage, and make sure they put the "bib protectors" on the bumper. And if I ever have to park in the street, I will go out and buy one of those "DE-FENDERS" to hang out of my trunk over the bumper.

Mtl20v

It is just a facelift but the 2012 is In a diffrent league than the 2011. I had a 2010, 2011 and now a 2012 c3004m. The greatest feature is the interior and the headlights.

Glyn M Ruck

Buying a 2012 makes so much sense. It has been pleasantly updated. The model is now mature with most of the bugs ironed out, although the 204 has been a very reliable car compared with the early 203's.

I think people are going to like the W205 styling but I would not buy an early car. I'd rather wait for maturity in manufacture. An attitude I've long held when it comes to cars. I'm an early adopter in my Audio hobby & it always costs me in the long run.

MBRedux

Born in Queens, lived and worked in Manhattan, then landed in Brooklyn (Park Slope/Carol Gardens) for half of my life before relocating to Wash.DC... If the thieves don't get to your car first, the roads and the environment will... sooner or later... My two cents...

...and Showa, the 300 (3.0L) is still available (except in coupe form) and is the only engine available with 4Matic on a Sports Sedan in the USA. The Coupe has the 250 (1.8L turbo) and the 350 (3.5L) with the 350 coming with 4Matic in the spring.

acr2001

The roads here are certainly the most impressive. I believe gravel might be smoother. My 2012 is around 4 months old and the suspension is already beginning to make a few noises.

Our 2002 E class actually had the front passenger side wheel hub just snap right off from all the stress put on it - and at the time it decided to finally snap, we were driving 20 MPH on SMOOTH road!