Considering trading EVO X for C300: my impressions
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Lancer Evolution X
Considering trading EVO X for C300: my impressions
Hi guys, I have been lurking for a few days as we have been researching trading our 2010 Evo X MR Touring for a new C300. The Evo has served us well for the three years we have had it. Our only real "complaint" is the gas mileage. The harsh ride and sub-par interior come with the territory and aren't really problems with the car, rather it is what it is. So we have been researching the C300 and while it would not hold a candle to the Evo when it comes to performance, the upgrades in luxury and comfort seem like a fair trade for us. My biggest question for all of you current owners is in regards to the HID lights on theses cars. I have called several MB dealerships and found that the lighting package on these cars is near impossible to find. I was told by one dealership that the Halogen lights will be just as good as the current HID lights that are on the Evo. Any truth to this?? I can't imagine going backwards in this regard. I would expect a 40k+ luxury car to have the better lighting system right off the bat. Are there any other suggestions or comments you guys might have for us? Thank you.
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From: Ohio
C300
The C300 isn't exactly a gas sipper either, so if your only complaint with the Evo is that, I'd imagine the cost of taxes alone would offset a big chunk of the gas savings.
I agree the new C class not having projectors is ridiculous. At least with the earlier ones, we have projectors that are easier to retrofit HID's into. I drove a 2013 C300 4Matic loaner while my 2010 was being serviced, and while I liked the interior upgrades and better performance, the lackluster headlamps was a big annoyance.
I agree the new C class not having projectors is ridiculous. At least with the earlier ones, we have projectors that are easier to retrofit HID's into. I drove a 2013 C300 4Matic loaner while my 2010 was being serviced, and while I liked the interior upgrades and better performance, the lackluster headlamps was a big annoyance.
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2010 E350
Perhaps...just maybe...a wee bit exaggerated? I did change my brand of halogen bulb, but have been driving around for four years with these C Class halogen lamps, and can see quite well at night, and am doing just fine, thanks! I would never think of skipping an entire car just for Xenon!
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Although it may sound exaggerated I'm serious. If it had halogen projectors I'd be happy to throw in a DDM hid kit but the no projector look is why I bought my 2010 over a brand new 2012. It only had 12k miles on it so it was all but new. I dislike them immensely. All personal taste of course
Silly me! I was mostly concerned about how they light up the road!! 
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2010 C300
totally agree! still don't understand why people put in "HID" into a housing that wasn't meant for it in the first place. i'd rather have my lights yellowish and be able to see the road than to have the lights be more white or blue that doesn't even light up the road. Those scatter so much that it lights up the trees on the streets rather than the road itself.
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Lancer Evolution X
Thanks for the replies guys and the input on the headlights. I talked with a few dealers yesterday and one told me "Most Mercedes owners do not place Xenon lights as a top priority." I am still in disbelief. Isn't it only a $1,300 option? My wife daily drives the Evo and I can't imagine her stepping back in time with the difference in lighting. Heck, the Evo even has a height-adjustment dial to fine tune the lights from the driver's seat. We will give the halogens a chance for a night-time test drive but at this point, it's looking like a special order is going to be the best bet if we want the lighting package.
Have any of you gone from Xenon lights (in MB or another brand of car) to halogens?
Have any of you gone from Xenon lights (in MB or another brand of car) to halogens?
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From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is the light on my car? It's white, it is self adjustable, the high/low beam can be set for automatic, iluminates the corners when you curve in low speed and it is darn bright. I might be mistaken but I think it is HID or Xenon. It's not the old fashion yellow ones.
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With the bulbs I installed (see my sig content list below), the lights illuminate the road extremely well...even throw, great distance, works very well. Why pay more for a need I don't have, plus the costs of repair/replace if damaged?
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Thank you for creating the comparison, but this seems like a very minor detail to me......a grain of sand more or less on a beach. You could walk 100 people by both of those cars and one or two might notice.
With the bulbs I installed (see my sig content list below), the lights illuminate the road extremely well...even throw, great distance, works very well. Why pay more for a need I don't have, plus the costs of repair/replace if damaged?
With the bulbs I installed (see my sig content list below), the lights illuminate the road extremely well...even throw, great distance, works very well. Why pay more for a need I don't have, plus the costs of repair/replace if damaged?
The 2012+ halogens are a yellowish color temparature and have a less focused beam. The Xenons are a more neutral color temp, have a more focused beam, have active high beam assist and have the active cornering lamps integrated into the light assembly. Add the bright, large and full length LED integrated turn signals and headlamp washers - at $1,300 they are a relative bargain.
From an aesthetics standpoint, the reflector lights on the 2012+ cheapen the look of the car significantly IMO.
Having driven both the 2011 and down and 2012 halogens, and compared to the Xenons on my 2012 - don't go back to the halogens... I had to wait 6 months and am thankful for it every night.
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It's a huge difference. You can't compare the 2008-2011 projector beam halogens to the 2012+ reflector based halogens - they are two very different lighting systems with vastly different characteristics.
The 2012+ halogens are a yellowish color temparature and have a less focused beam. The Xenons are a more neutral color temp, have a more focused beam, have active high beam assist and have the active cornering lamps integrated into the light assembly. Add the bright, large and full length LED integrated turn signals and headlamp washers - at $1,300 they are a relative bargain.
From an aesthetics standpoint, the reflector lights on the 2012+ cheapen the look of the car significantly IMO.
Having driven both the 2011 and down and 2012 halogens, and compared to the Xenons on my 2012 - don't go back to the halogens... I had to wait 6 months and am thankful for it every night.
The 2012+ halogens are a yellowish color temparature and have a less focused beam. The Xenons are a more neutral color temp, have a more focused beam, have active high beam assist and have the active cornering lamps integrated into the light assembly. Add the bright, large and full length LED integrated turn signals and headlamp washers - at $1,300 they are a relative bargain.
From an aesthetics standpoint, the reflector lights on the 2012+ cheapen the look of the car significantly IMO.
Having driven both the 2011 and down and 2012 halogens, and compared to the Xenons on my 2012 - don't go back to the halogens... I had to wait 6 months and am thankful for it every night.
As to lighting the road, the Philips Xtreme H7 do quite well. There are no noticeable deficits which needs correction. The other "active" features may be interesting, but they are, at most, "nice to have" and far from essential, as four easy years without can support. I would not reject an entire car due to their absence...not even close, as apparently most MB buyers also feel.
If money is not endless, the thousand I spent to upgrade the antisway bars was a far greater value and made the car far more pleasing than a different headlamp system over an extremely competent base system.
Some like chocolate...some like strawberry...choose your pleasure!!
Last edited by Sportstick; Nov 28, 2012 at 02:24 PM.
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Lancer Evolution X
Thanks guys, we drove the C300 tonight. It's a beautiful car, but the difference in performance was much more than we thought. As far as the lights, there is a huge difference between the Evo HID headlights and the C300 halogens as we experienced tonight. The lighting package is absolutely worth the money, I still can't believe it's not standard on these cars.
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Thanks guys, we drove the C300 tonight. It's a beautiful car, but the difference in performance was much more than we thought. As far as the lights, there is a huge difference between the Evo HID headlights and the C300 halogens as we experienced tonight. The lighting package is absolutely worth the money, I still can't believe it's not standard on these cars.
Most of the cool mercedes features are non standard on the lower model cars. You have to pay to play so to speak.
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2012 c250
maybe the C250?? of course its never going to be as good as the evo performance wise, but gas mileage is great with the same luxury as c300. unless you're planning on the 4matic.
i personally prefer a car with xenon. everyone i know that has driven a car with xenons say that they can never drive one without it n e more.
keep your evo and wait a couple more years. a new c class is soon to arrive.
i personally prefer a car with xenon. everyone i know that has driven a car with xenons say that they can never drive one without it n e more.
keep your evo and wait a couple more years. a new c class is soon to arrive.
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Lancer Evolution X
maybe the C250?? of course its never going to be as good as the evo performance wise, but gas mileage is great with the same luxury as c300. unless you're planning on the 4matic.
i personally prefer a car with xenon. everyone i know that has driven a car with xenons say that they can never drive one without it n e more.
keep your evo and wait a couple more years. a new c class is soon to arrive.
i personally prefer a car with xenon. everyone i know that has driven a car with xenons say that they can never drive one without it n e more.
keep your evo and wait a couple more years. a new c class is soon to arrive.
