W204 moving to CLA Cutting costs for sure
#26
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2024 GLS450
They all suck compared to a proper built in screen or a retractable one like the pre facelift W204s.
Ps - check the spelling in your sig. There is no z in Mercedes
#27
You mean BMW with its "I think I'm retra... Oh wait, I'm not a retractable screen that just put of the dash?"
They all suck compared to a proper built in screen or a retractable one like the pre facelift W204s.
Ps - check the spelling in your sig. There is no z in Mercedes
They all suck compared to a proper built in screen or a retractable one like the pre facelift W204s.
Ps - check the spelling in your sig. There is no z in Mercedes
Yo!! Son $48K for CLA45 AMG, thats crazy. Thats C250 P1 and AMG wheels for that price. I knowwwww you signing up for that little dul-lup of power and putting your name on the list for that price $$$
#28
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No thank you. I'm quite happy with my paid in full $45k rear wheel drive with a longitudinal mounted engine and self supporting hood C250.
Last edited by MDMercedesGuy; 03-27-2013 at 10:58 PM.
#29
#30
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MB's idea is to not lure current or future C Class owners, but the Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford owners. Here are the latest CLA45 pix from yesterday's New York Auto Show:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...new-york-2013/
It is not a question of cutting costs, it is a question of a manufacturer's ability to meet it's global MPG and emissions goals, very strict in the EU. If 2 million CLA's are built in it's first iteration, and using a rod instead of two gas or silicon filled springs would add 2 pounds more, that is 4 million pounds added to Mercedes Benz' total weight to accelerate, move, start and stop. How much fuel does that take every day, driving, starting, stopping? So every bit of non-essential weight savings on a CLA250, means more CLA45's or even C63's can be produced.
You lust after a W205 C63? Well probably wont have the 6.2L naturally aspirated engine, but just the environmentally legal permission to produce one for 2015 depends in using a rod in the CLA. We should be grateful that MB is brave enough to make the "right" choice.
Myself, I will keep my W204 for a while, getting the horrible 7G transmission fitted with new valve bodies and TCU, plus a Kleemann ECU tune to bring my C300 to near C350 levels of performance, as soon as the warranty finishes next year.
It's my children who are thinking of selling their Bimmer's to buy a CLA. That is exactly the market segment, along with the millions who have never even driven a non-Japanese or American vehicle, that Mercedes Benz (and Audi with newly-announced 2015 A3 Sedan), are trying to tempt in the small hot-sedan class.
I will be actually able to drive a CLA250 Special Edition in a few days, and will let MBworld members know about the experience, also comparing it against the three BMW's still in the family.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...new-york-2013/
It is not a question of cutting costs, it is a question of a manufacturer's ability to meet it's global MPG and emissions goals, very strict in the EU. If 2 million CLA's are built in it's first iteration, and using a rod instead of two gas or silicon filled springs would add 2 pounds more, that is 4 million pounds added to Mercedes Benz' total weight to accelerate, move, start and stop. How much fuel does that take every day, driving, starting, stopping? So every bit of non-essential weight savings on a CLA250, means more CLA45's or even C63's can be produced.
You lust after a W205 C63? Well probably wont have the 6.2L naturally aspirated engine, but just the environmentally legal permission to produce one for 2015 depends in using a rod in the CLA. We should be grateful that MB is brave enough to make the "right" choice.
Myself, I will keep my W204 for a while, getting the horrible 7G transmission fitted with new valve bodies and TCU, plus a Kleemann ECU tune to bring my C300 to near C350 levels of performance, as soon as the warranty finishes next year.
It's my children who are thinking of selling their Bimmer's to buy a CLA. That is exactly the market segment, along with the millions who have never even driven a non-Japanese or American vehicle, that Mercedes Benz (and Audi with newly-announced 2015 A3 Sedan), are trying to tempt in the small hot-sedan class.
I will be actually able to drive a CLA250 Special Edition in a few days, and will let MBworld members know about the experience, also comparing it against the three BMW's still in the family.
#31
MB's idea is to not lure current or future C Class owners, but the Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford owners. Here are the latest CLA45 pix from yesterday's New York Auto Show:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...new-york-2013/
It is not a question of cutting costs, it is a question of a manufacturer's ability to meet it's global MPG and emissions goals, very strict in the EU. If 2 million CLA's are built in it's first iteration, and using a rod instead of two gas or silicon filled springs would add 2 pounds more, that is 4 million pounds added to Mercedes Benz' total weight to accelerate, move, start and stop. How much fuel does that take every day, driving, starting, stopping? So every bit of non-essential weight savings on a CLA250, means more CLA45's or even C63's can be produced.
You lust after a W205 C63? Well probably wont have the 6.2L naturally aspirated engine, but just the environmentally legal permission to produce one for 2015 depends in using a rod in the CLA. We should be grateful that MB is brave enough to make the "right" choice.
Myself, I will keep my W204 for a while, getting the horrible 7G transmission fitted with new valve bodies and TCU, plus a Kleemann ECU tune to bring my C300 to near C350 levels of performance, as soon as the warranty finishes next year.
It's my children who are thinking of selling their Bimmer's to buy a CLA. That is exactly the market segment, along with the millions who have never even driven a non-Japanese or American vehicle, that Mercedes Benz (and Audi with newly-announced 2015 A3 Sedan), are trying to tempt in the small hot-sedan class.
I will be actually able to drive a CLA250 Special Edition in a few days, and will let MBworld members know about the experience, also comparing it against the three BMW's still in the family.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...new-york-2013/
It is not a question of cutting costs, it is a question of a manufacturer's ability to meet it's global MPG and emissions goals, very strict in the EU. If 2 million CLA's are built in it's first iteration, and using a rod instead of two gas or silicon filled springs would add 2 pounds more, that is 4 million pounds added to Mercedes Benz' total weight to accelerate, move, start and stop. How much fuel does that take every day, driving, starting, stopping? So every bit of non-essential weight savings on a CLA250, means more CLA45's or even C63's can be produced.
You lust after a W205 C63? Well probably wont have the 6.2L naturally aspirated engine, but just the environmentally legal permission to produce one for 2015 depends in using a rod in the CLA. We should be grateful that MB is brave enough to make the "right" choice.
Myself, I will keep my W204 for a while, getting the horrible 7G transmission fitted with new valve bodies and TCU, plus a Kleemann ECU tune to bring my C300 to near C350 levels of performance, as soon as the warranty finishes next year.
It's my children who are thinking of selling their Bimmer's to buy a CLA. That is exactly the market segment, along with the millions who have never even driven a non-Japanese or American vehicle, that Mercedes Benz (and Audi with newly-announced 2015 A3 Sedan), are trying to tempt in the small hot-sedan class.
I will be actually able to drive a CLA250 Special Edition in a few days, and will let MBworld members know about the experience, also comparing it against the three BMW's still in the family.
My friend come on stop with this Oh MB save world with better MPG. Gas/Petrol in America is per gallon not liters so wayyyyyyy cheaper than the rest of the world and by saying so I do not want a ROD PROP to hold my hood up when I pay close to $50K for a car. Talk to India and China who use more oil than anyone else in the world before we go with OH MPG suck. If I wanted Prop Rod I would get me a Kia or a Honda oh!!! WAIT they do not have Prop Rods because they trying to be upscale like MB and Bimmers. To me its a down grade . We will see the US versions soon and go from there. Oh the guys who buy honda`s and Kia`s will not upgrade to a $30K MB CLA because if they did`nt do it before when the C-Class was $30K a few years ago they not going to now.
Last edited by livestrong191; 03-28-2013 at 09:26 AM.
#32
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Some would view the above post as cynical and selfish. We will see when our grandchildren face huge challenges as the ice melts, the oceans warm and the climate changes. Besides being out of petroleum.
Pray for the day when current performance can also give 80 MPG, mentioning also that the CLA250 will give near C350 performance because it's lighter and has a dual-clutch transmission, not the horrible 7G POS. Current speculation is that the CLA250 will be a full second faster than a C250, 0 to 60 MPH, and the steering is better also.
Pray for the day when current performance can also give 80 MPG, mentioning also that the CLA250 will give near C350 performance because it's lighter and has a dual-clutch transmission, not the horrible 7G POS. Current speculation is that the CLA250 will be a full second faster than a C250, 0 to 60 MPH, and the steering is better also.
#33
Some would view the above post as cynical and selfish. We will see when our grandchildren face huge challenges as the ice melts, the oceans warm and the climate changes. Besides being out of petroleum.
Pray for the day when current performance can also give 80 MPG, mentioning also that the CLA250 will give near C350 performance because it's lighter and has a dual-clutch transmission, not the horrible 7G POS. Current speculation is that the CLA250 will be a full second faster than a C250, 0 to 60 MPH, and the steering is better also.
Pray for the day when current performance can also give 80 MPG, mentioning also that the CLA250 will give near C350 performance because it's lighter and has a dual-clutch transmission, not the horrible 7G POS. Current speculation is that the CLA250 will be a full second faster than a C250, 0 to 60 MPH, and the steering is better also.
#34
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Agree entirely, and every little step towards efficiency and sane use of irreplaceable resources puts us all closer to eventual sustainability. Perhaps one should begin a thread about the horrible electric steering in the W204, which saves a full 0.1 MPG over standard hydraulic through weight and energy requirements, besides being numb and, frankly, life-threatening. "Spare the rod, spoil the child"
#35
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It's also putting its power down through the wrong wheels. As far as speculation over the steering - everything I have read and heard criticizes it, so I will believe it when I see it. Very few manufacturers can provide good steering feel and balance through a FWD chassis. I love MB to death, but since the days of recirculating ball steering they have not been known for good steering feel, and I have no confidence that they will perform some miracle with the CLA. I'm also quite alright with that... they didn't need to change a damn thing.
Unless this thing can maintain the neutral balance of the RWD W204 and oversteer when provoked like a RWD W204, it's hardly going to best it in the dynamics department.
#36
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Which is why we need to be a bit patient and assess the A3 (fwd/awd) and 2 Series (rwd/awd) to understand the new state of the art for premium German brand vehicles at the $30,000 price point, a newly developing segment. Somehow, I have a feeling the inevitable R&T, CandD, and MT road tests won't have the CLA in first place overall, but that's just a hunch, and I am going to wait and see.
#37
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Lighter... the Pagani Huayra and McLaren P1 are certainly hundreds of pounds lighter than the CLA250. While unsure of their crash ratings, the A, B, and now CLA use the novel sandwich floorpan which affords high safety with reduced weight. In a front end crash the engine and drivetrain are designed to absorb energy and deflect under the passenger compartment, leaving the cabin intact. This is another advantage of the transverse-mounted configuration for FWD Mercedes.
Of the 10 vehicles in the family, 1 is AWD, 4 are FWD and the rest RWD. It's the FWD cars that get three times the average use and the others. Remember the main market segment for the CLA are to get mid-size FWD Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai and Chevrolet owners into a Mercedes at relatively similar price points.
In about 8 months an AWD option for the CLA will be available, and the CLA 45 AMG will also be AWD, although the latest info is that AWD mode will only be enabled during acceleration or driving dynamics detection (e.g. avoiding understeer, AWD strives to be neutral), again how many Camry, Civic, Focus, Fusion or Accord owners EVER in their lifetimes wish they could force their cars into oversteer? Can a C250 be provoked to oversteer?
So as Sportstick points about the upcoming competition, CLA is all about producing an attractive and well-performing Mercedes at prices that gouge into distinct market segments, and the W204 and upcoming W205 will offer a different experience albeit at a higher pricetag. Mercedes isn't looking to kill C-Class sales.
Now if only the C250 had the BMW 328i's steering, cornering, HP, acceleration, transmission, fuel economy and overall performance... I'll take the ROD in exchange for that, thanks.
Of the 10 vehicles in the family, 1 is AWD, 4 are FWD and the rest RWD. It's the FWD cars that get three times the average use and the others. Remember the main market segment for the CLA are to get mid-size FWD Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai and Chevrolet owners into a Mercedes at relatively similar price points.
In about 8 months an AWD option for the CLA will be available, and the CLA 45 AMG will also be AWD, although the latest info is that AWD mode will only be enabled during acceleration or driving dynamics detection (e.g. avoiding understeer, AWD strives to be neutral), again how many Camry, Civic, Focus, Fusion or Accord owners EVER in their lifetimes wish they could force their cars into oversteer? Can a C250 be provoked to oversteer?
So as Sportstick points about the upcoming competition, CLA is all about producing an attractive and well-performing Mercedes at prices that gouge into distinct market segments, and the W204 and upcoming W205 will offer a different experience albeit at a higher pricetag. Mercedes isn't looking to kill C-Class sales.
Now if only the C250 had the BMW 328i's steering, cornering, HP, acceleration, transmission, fuel economy and overall performance... I'll take the ROD in exchange for that, thanks.
#38
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In about 8 months an AWD option for the CLA will be available, and the CLA 45 AMG will also be AWD, although the latest info is that AWD mode will only be enabled during acceleration or driving dynamics detection (e.g. avoiding understeer, AWD strives to be neutral), again how many Camry, Civic, Focus, Fusion or Accord owners EVER in their lifetimes wish they could force their cars into oversteer?
Can a C250 be provoked to oversteer?
Now if only the C250 had the BMW 328i's steering, cornering, HP, acceleration, transmission, fuel economy and overall performance... I'll take the ROD in exchange for that, thanks.
*shrug* I'll take Mercedes' reliability, heritage and refinement any day of the week.
I just went to lunch in a colleagues 3 day old 328i about an hour ago and found it to be rough and grating with a poor ride. I was stuck in an E90 328i for 2 weeks earlier this year while my C was in the body shop, and I can't understand why anyone would pay what BMW asks for one of those.
#39
Lighter... the Pagani Huayra and McLaren P1 are certainly hundreds of pounds lighter than the CLA250. While unsure of their crash ratings, the A, B, and now CLA use the novel sandwich floorpan which affords high safety with reduced weight. In a front end crash the engine and drivetrain are designed to absorb energy and deflect under the passenger compartment, leaving the cabin intact. This is another advantage of the transverse-mounted configuration for FWD Mercedes.
Of the 10 vehicles in the family, 1 is AWD, 4 are FWD and the rest RWD. It's the FWD cars that get three times the average use and the others. Remember the main market segment for the CLA are to get mid-size FWD Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai and Chevrolet owners into a Mercedes at relatively similar price points.
In about 8 months an AWD option for the CLA will be available, and the CLA 45 AMG will also be AWD, although the latest info is that AWD mode will only be enabled during acceleration or driving dynamics detection (e.g. avoiding understeer, AWD strives to be neutral), again how many Camry, Civic, Focus, Fusion or Accord owners EVER in their lifetimes wish they could force their cars into oversteer? Can a C250 be provoked to oversteer?
So as Sportstick points about the upcoming competition, CLA is all about producing an attractive and well-performing Mercedes at prices that gouge into distinct market segments, and the W204 and upcoming W205 will offer a different experience albeit at a higher pricetag. Mercedes isn't looking to kill C-Class sales.
Now if only the C250 had the BMW 328i's steering, cornering, HP, acceleration, transmission, fuel economy and overall performance... I'll take the ROD in exchange for that, thanks.
Of the 10 vehicles in the family, 1 is AWD, 4 are FWD and the rest RWD. It's the FWD cars that get three times the average use and the others. Remember the main market segment for the CLA are to get mid-size FWD Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai and Chevrolet owners into a Mercedes at relatively similar price points.
In about 8 months an AWD option for the CLA will be available, and the CLA 45 AMG will also be AWD, although the latest info is that AWD mode will only be enabled during acceleration or driving dynamics detection (e.g. avoiding understeer, AWD strives to be neutral), again how many Camry, Civic, Focus, Fusion or Accord owners EVER in their lifetimes wish they could force their cars into oversteer? Can a C250 be provoked to oversteer?
So as Sportstick points about the upcoming competition, CLA is all about producing an attractive and well-performing Mercedes at prices that gouge into distinct market segments, and the W204 and upcoming W205 will offer a different experience albeit at a higher pricetag. Mercedes isn't looking to kill C-Class sales.
Now if only the C250 had the BMW 328i's steering, cornering, HP, acceleration, transmission, fuel economy and overall performance... I'll take the ROD in exchange for that, thanks.
Last edited by livestrong191; 03-28-2013 at 01:10 PM.
#40
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Which would beg the question that has been asked here a few times - how many people are going to downgrade (not a bad thing - just a different class of car) to a CLA from a C? I know of one person doing it - and they are going from a 2008 C300 to a CLA45
I know for myself, I plan on replacing this C with an E or perhaps an S when the time comes in a few years. I can't see going down in features, comfort or refinement.
I know for myself, I plan on replacing this C with an E or perhaps an S when the time comes in a few years. I can't see going down in features, comfort or refinement.
#41
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2012 CLS63
my opinon is the A class bothers me: looks to much like a Matrix.....
but the CLA I do like with the exception of the way they have the screen
popping up from the top of the dashboard.....
but the CLA I do like with the exception of the way they have the screen
popping up from the top of the dashboard.....
#42
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Went to the dealership today and it still isn't possible to build car because option pricing and actual set in stone car price is is not official. I have my build sheet and some of the options have prices but they may still change. My salesman and I are estimating roughly $58,000.00 for the car I built. I took every option but Distronic and Parking Assist
#43
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Went to the dealership today and it still isn't possible to build car because option pricing and actual set in stone car price is is not official. I have my build sheet and some of the options have prices but they may still change. My salesman and I are estimating roughly $58,000.00 for the car I built. I took every option but Distronic and Parking Assist
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Really? I'm a pretty good parallel Parker so it didnt really seem necessary to spend the extra money. I actually said no to it before finding out the cost, maybe I'll see what it costs. My salesman did day Distronic is $3000...um no thanks
#45
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Okay... I have to confess that I haven't followed the CLA development and its potential competitors that much, but when you guys talk and compare here things about the CLA to those of Toyota, Honda, Kia, Chevy, Ford etc., isn't that slightly far fetched?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
#46
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Okay... I have to confess that I haven't followed the CLA development and its potential competitors that much, but when you guys talk and compare here things about the CLA to those of Toyota, Honda, Kia, Chevy, Ford etc., isn't that slightly far fetched?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
#47
Okay... I have to confess that I haven't followed the CLA development and its potential competitors that much, but when you guys talk and compare here things about the CLA to those of Toyota, Honda, Kia, Chevy, Ford etc., isn't that slightly far fetched?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
Which models from those manufacturers are considered as competitors to the CLA? Or are these references just a product of MBWorld?
#48
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10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of ways to define a competitor, some more scientific than others. Otherwise all these consumer research companies and a lot of even marketing guys would be out of work.
But yeah, since I'm just a simple old guy, I was thinking mostly just from the price/size point of view. I can't see any of the brands having too much to offer even at the "starting from" price point of the CLA. My hunch is that similarly sized models at those mfgs top out well below the CLA's "starts from" price even fully loaded.
But what do I know...
But yeah, since I'm just a simple old guy, I was thinking mostly just from the price/size point of view. I can't see any of the brands having too much to offer even at the "starting from" price point of the CLA. My hunch is that similarly sized models at those mfgs top out well below the CLA's "starts from" price even fully loaded.
But what do I know...
#49
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Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of ways to define a competitor, some more scientific than others. Otherwise all these consumer research companies and a lot of even marketing guys would be out of work.
But yeah, since I'm just a simple old guy, I was thinking mostly just from the price/size point of view. I can't see any of the brands having too much to offer even at the "starting from" price point of the CLA. My hunch is that similarly sized models at those mfgs top out well below the CLA's "starts from" price even fully loaded.
But what do I know...
But yeah, since I'm just a simple old guy, I was thinking mostly just from the price/size point of view. I can't see any of the brands having too much to offer even at the "starting from" price point of the CLA. My hunch is that similarly sized models at those mfgs top out well below the CLA's "starts from" price even fully loaded.
But what do I know...