New C-Class ~ Official W205
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
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From: Los Angeles
BMW 328i
I think it's already open for orders in Germany with delivery starting in March so it's 2014 there too (it can be priced and configured on Mercedes Germany website if anyone wants to see the options and Euro prices). Since the W204 is being currently on sale as the 2014 model in the USA, the W205 will have the 2015 designation when it goes on sale in fall/autumn 2014 in the USA.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
In SA & most world markets the C Class commands at least a 20% price premium over an equivalent BMW or Audi. As do other Benz products in their respective segments. I see Benz widening this gap with the W205.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I think it's already open for orders in Germany with delivery starting in March so it's 2014 there too (it can be priced and configured on Mercedes Germany website if anyone wants to see the options and Euro prices). Since the W204 is being currently on sale as the 2014 model in the USA, the W205 will have the 2015 designation when it goes on sale in fall/autumn 2014 in the USA.
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
I think it's already open for orders in Germany with delivery starting in March so it's 2014 there too (it can be priced and configured on Mercedes Germany website if anyone wants to see the options and Euro prices). Since the W204 is being currently on sale as the 2014 model in the USA, the W205 will have the 2015 designation when it goes on sale in fall/autumn 2014 in the USA.
I also hope they don't increase the price too much! Looking forward to getting my C-class diesel (at long last).
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
68 Pictures in various guises
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 18, 2013 at 08:28 PM.
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2012 C250 Sport
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From: Los Angeles
BMW 328i
The announced prices for the W205 in Germany have increased over the W204 but not that much:
W205 - C220 Bluetec / C180 / C200 - 38.675 / 33.558 / 36.414 euros
W204 - C220 Bluetec / C180 / C200 - 37.544 / 33.230 / 35.402 euros
Car and Driver says that, in line with what Mercedes is doing in Germany, US prices for the W205 won't change that much:
Pricing and a final list of standard and optional features should be released closer to the on-sale date next year, but we were told to expect the rear-drove C-class’s base price to hew closely to the outgoing model’s $36,725. (Expect the C300 4MATIC, the least expensive version available at launch, to cost slightly more.) That’s a bit of a surprise, really, considering it would be hard to fault Mercedes for raising the C-class’s price of entry to make room for the CLA, but it shows how seriously the automaker wants to capture volume in this competitive segment. It’s a move that should nicely surprise luxury customers not attuned to getting more without paying for it.
Of course, as we've been discussing, the RWD base model won't be available at launch in the USA so I assume the W205 C300 will be around what the W204 C300 goes for now which is $39,400. That's also pretty much where the 328i xDrive is as well.
Last edited by ddarko; Dec 17, 2013 at 08:17 PM.
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I bet you are going to see them adopt Porsche like pricing. Keep the base price "reasonable", but setup a myriad of custom options - a few hundred here, a thousand there - to raise the total drive off price up. Look at Porsche, people buy a $55K "base price" car and tick off $20K in options on the thing.
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2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
I bet you are going to see them adopt Porsche like pricing. Keep the base price "reasonable", but setup a myriad of custom options - a few hundred here, a thousand there - to raise the total drive off price up. Look at Porsche, people buy a $55K "base price" car and tick off $20K in options on the thing.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Recently helped a friend in Dallas spec an ML 350 Bluetec. Base price was about $55K. By the time we were finished with it, it was $96K. He owns one in SA as well & most of the gear was standard here but we pay for that & all vehicles here are sold with a Mobilodrive plan ~ no option.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The German big three in the US have to give their cars away. Lowest margins in the world. In the case of the Benz C Class the US models are pretty basic spec. and when you look underneath the veneer there is penny pinching going on all over the place. e.g. an SA car will have a brake pad wear sensor on every wheel. On a US spec car it will have one on the RH front wheel only etc. etc.
In the U.S., there is stable long-term data that the purchase price approximates one-third of annual household income. Households with $100k incomes tend to buy vehicles close to $33,000, and so on. There are variances of course, but this has been a general finding for several decades. From comments from members in other countries, it seems the car costs a higher percentage of income, and the payments may well be extended over a longer lifespan, but that is my speculation.
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320i starts at $32,750 so the C250 is about $3k more.
328i xdrive starts at $39,300 which is very close to the C300 4matic $39,400 price
Finally the 335i starts at $43,400 which is actually more than the C350 at $42,100.
So MB lower end is higher $ than BMW, but their higher end (larger engines) is slightly less than BMW starting price.
I suspect the W205 C300 4matic will be around $41k base.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
They are constrained by the relative pricing to other brands, both American and Asian. The perceived value of the step to a German car limits upward pricing to what is considered reasonable. A comparably sized domestic Chevrolet or Ford may be half the price, after negotiation. Yes, I understand the difference, but the pricing still needs to be reasonably proportionate for the deliverable. As a result, it would make sense that the German OEs would need to manage costs differently for export to the US.
In the U.S., there is stable long-term data that the purchase price approximates one-third of annual household income. Households with $100k incomes tend to buy vehicles close to $33,000, and so on. There are variances of course, but this has been a general finding for several decades. From comments from members in other countries, it seems the car costs a higher percentage of income, and the payments may well be extended over a longer lifespan, but that is my speculation.
In the U.S., there is stable long-term data that the purchase price approximates one-third of annual household income. Households with $100k incomes tend to buy vehicles close to $33,000, and so on. There are variances of course, but this has been a general finding for several decades. From comments from members in other countries, it seems the car costs a higher percentage of income, and the payments may well be extended over a longer lifespan, but that is my speculation.
Your speculation is spot on. People in other markets spend a far greater proportion of a year's salary on cars & in some markets a number of years salary on a car. People buy cars with smaller engines & payback periods are longer. People keep their cars for longer. Fuel price constrains mileage etc. Vehicles retain value far better than the US. Many people don't own cars & use public transport.
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From: Sarasota
2007 W164 ML350
I basically like the overall size, shape and specs of the W205, but to me the interior looks somewhat feminine (or French?) with its rounded corners and curved switches and controls. Maybe the softening of the controls goes along with the melted-looking tail lights.
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From: Maryland, USA
2013 C300 sport 4matic
Overall , I like it with the exception of the big tablet size display. I will have to see in person to make final judgement. Now those cheap plastic door pin has got to go. Come on MB, put stainless steels ones on there !
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From: North Jerzeee
Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Love the Red interior on the latter part of the video !! Looks soo sexy 
!!!
And oh shouldnt this thread be in the W205 Section which i just noticed was started today !?!
!!!And oh shouldnt this thread be in the W205 Section which i just noticed was started today !?!
Last edited by omgitselaine; Dec 18, 2013 at 01:51 PM. Reason: Spelling?
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From: North Jerzeee
Lexus IS 350 F Sport
I'm liking the new lines of the W205 !! It's starting to create that buzz just like when the W204's first came out late 2007 !?!? Inside and out it looks much better so im sure these will sell like hotcakes as well !
!?!? Inside and out it looks much better so im sure these will sell like hotcakes as well !
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From: BLR-BFL-LAX
2015 Acura TLX
I expect a well equipped C250/C300 (i am guessing the 4 banger will be a C300 now...) to be $46-47k...somewhat similar to the old model. My dad's loaded C250 (everything but the lighting package) stickered for $46k or so.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
For info
New W205 forum is open. Members are welcome to continue posting here or they can move over there.
