C280driv3r

I just find the 2012+ models, both interior and exterior a little too feminine.

Richard2011

Of the pre-facelift model, I only like the front bumper and headlights better.

The facelift model looks better in just about every other way.

spyked

I prefer the facelifted model (obviously), but more for interior quality than exterior looks. I don't care about LEDs at all. But I couldn't deal with the cheap pre-2012+ interiors (for the money).

victort

I prefer the pre-facelift front,but prefer the 2012+ taillights. I'm indifferent on the Interior as both are just whatevers. I do not like how the c250 is only a 4 cylinder. I know there are lots of people on here that do though,but I can't justify spending close to $40,000 on a small turbo four.

xzotik1

I like the new front and rear, but the dash of the new is plain. I like my 2010 flip out screen dash better.Perhaps I could have both.

C300CA

Only thing I don't like is the flip up and down display in the 2011 model.

xzotik1

a small gap at the bottom of the headlights...still looks good.

JaredP

Nope, love LED drls and taillights, center dash screen is incredible, console nav looks much better than flip up nav, center console stack looks better too. Plus the power of the M276

Mr_Clifton

I prefer everything about the pre-facelift. The headlights with the eyelids look nice, the fog lights look and work great too (instead of being built into the headlamp). If I wanted an LED strip on the bottom of the car, I'd have bought an Audi :P

CisternaChyli

the 250 has a lot of spunk though, for a 1.8L turbo. Hell it cruises at 6 cylinder level RPMS and it doesnt feel strained at all going up hills and grades...

Doa

the 7" screen in the dash and the NTG4.5 COMAND really bring the W204 to a new level imo
on the other hand i really don't like the headlights of the facelift all that much

MDMercedesGuy

The only thing I like better about the pre-facelift is the fact that it uses projector beams for halogen lights (a nonissue for me as I have xenon, but the reflector bowls on the facelift look cheaper and perform poorly in comparison).

My boss has a 2010 C300, and every time we go out to lunch or such in it it reminds me of why I am glad I waited for the facelift - even though it meant forgoing a manual transmission. There isn't really any comparison on the interior front IMO.

In regards to the 4 cylinder - it regularly gets 32.5MPG on the highway where it has no problem pulling to 100+ MPH very quickly, and it makes pretty nice sounds while doing it. The notion of a 4 cylinder only being for a low cost car is unique to the US - elsewhere it is not the case. The days of displacement being everything are numbered - especially as these small turbo 4s are outperforming the V6es that they replaced.

Sportstick

I've read this comment before, but still take exception. I've looked closely at the materials used for a variety of parts in the I.P. pre and post-facelift and don't see the "cheapness". I also don't see any improvement in fit. What I do see is a very nicely done change in design, which gives an appearance of being more upscale vs. the prior more plain and simple design. However, actual materials and assembly of are equal apparent quality, so I think cheapness is not the best descriptor....it's more of simple vs elegant, and there will be those who prefer each of those two design approaches.

CisternaChyli

You know there is a difference between the 2012 and the 2013 with regards to the halogens and light output. I swear the 2013 is brighter. Yeah the bowls look cheap, but the performance has been improved.

victort

I'm not questioning the competency of the turbo 4, I just prefer the smoothness of the v6, especially at this price point. Just a personal preference.

alsyli

I don't have pre- and post-facelift models for side-by-side comparison, but I do think the plastic used for the upper half of the dash and door panels looks a lot better. But otherwise, I agree that "improvement" it's more of a stylistic things (and I do personally think it looks a lot better and more upscale).

CisternaChyli

i will definetly agree with you on that. I thought the interior was okay on the pre-facelift models but the 2012 and up models really took it up a notch and brought the car in line with the rest of the MB lineup. The color DIS is also pretty nice as well.

CisternaChyli

i understand what you are saying . Its funny though, this turbo 4 is just as smooth as many of the late model V6's i have driven...and it makes a nice noise when you step on the gas. It actually pushes you back in your seat too, which i like .

MDMercedesGuy

They are the same part numbers - the bulbs are the same type and are a standard size. Any difference in light output is a placebo effect.

spyked

The steering wheels alone are way nicer in my opinion in the 2012+ models. As are the vents, dash design, and HVAC/radio area. The pre-refresh displays are dated too. And that's fine, they are old, they weren't out-dated at the time. But now they are.

But really it all comes down to the NAV screen.

Before the refresh, I only considered models without NAV to avoid that flip up screen. I figured I could leave the radio display flap closed but then I realized I wouldn't see the station info.

But as another poster said, I don't think the assembly was terrible in the pre-refresh model. Just not as "pretty". And I just don't find the nav/radio display concept in those models to be a quality solution. Why did it have to be so complicated? Now it's just a screen in a hole in the dash. Simple and elegant.

Cillys

i like my '11 though i do like the LED tails in the '12+

This is a Lamp

I like my 2010, although i do like the face-lifted interior. Loved the rear tails on the facelifted, so outfitted mine with a pair of those. The turbo on the C250 is just superb; always love spirited driving.

C300Sport

I don't care much for the new sculpted headlights and crimped up rear diffuser panel but I do think the new interior is "prettier"...of course I don't mind my simple, solidly built interior but it is a bit more Spartan than most people prefer.

CisternaChyli

i'll take the placebo effect then . Maybe its possible that the bulb was improved but still carries the same part number??

Drazil

The bulb is the same, but the facets or shape or reflective coating of the reflector probably got optimized and uglier.