MBNUT1

+1. As a former ponton guy I am happy to see the chrome grill surround. Now if they would just move the star to it. I can't wait to see it in person.

ddarko

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.

Glyn M Ruck

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.

Glyn M Ruck

The US has always worked on MY whereas the ROW works on year of introduction/manufacture. This tends to cause some confusion on ths board.

alsyli

I refuse to look at the BYO available for other countries since they always get cool stuff that we don't in the US! Do hope the beautiful zebra striped wood comes here, along w/ the stitched dash (can't imagine the latter won't, since it's offered in the CLA). I even like the piano black trim, and I normally hate that.

I also hope they don't increase the price too much! Looking forward to getting my C-class diesel (at long last).

Glyn M Ruck

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/12/201...-sedan-is.html

The dash & door stitching etc. is top class.

alsyli

The door panels in the light grey/off-white interior appear to be Alcantara (!).

Glyn M Ruck

ddarko

In the US, the C-Class is pretty much on price parity with its competitors. If anything, it's slightly cheaper. For example, the MSRP for the current C250 Sport is $35,800 versus $37,300 for the base 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:

The LA Times says the same thing: "Mercedes hasn’t discussed its pricing strategy but hinted that the vehicle will sell close to its current cost, which starts at around $36,000 and quickly climbs north with options." BTW, the LA Times article also includes the surprisingly large sales gap between the C-Class and 3 series - Mercedes worldwide will sell 343,000 C-Class cars this year which is 130,000 less than BMW's 3 series.

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.

nyca

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.

MBNUT1

Please let the 4 cylinder be a refined piece.

cookstar

your wrong on the porsche pricing, its more like base price 60k and another 60k to have a fully loaded vehicle ( Panamera, Cayenne)

Glyn M Ruck

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.

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.

snowmuch

C400 amg coupe for me

Sportstick

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.

thenew3

The 328i has 40hp over the C250. the 320i has 20hp less than the C250 so I'd say the C250 is closer to 320i then 328i. C300 is closer to 328i while C350 is the 335i equivalent.

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.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes ~ the only Benz market that is cheaper than the US is Saudi Arabia but then you can buy cars there without airbags. That even extends to brands like Porsche.

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.

anxx3

davesc300

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.

tonyteetime

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 !

omgitselaine

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 !?!

omgitselaine

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 !

CisternaChyli

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.

Glyn M Ruck

New W205 forum is open. Members are welcome to continue posting here or they can move over there.

hyperion667

it looks great