michail71

I've had the experience so many time by now with loaners but I always feel a bit of relief when I get back in the older model.

The W205 C-Class is very nice but there is just something about it that doesn't agree with me. I love the door panels but the rest of the dash has been smacked with some serious ugly. The interior design has gotten a bit foofy and the handling is light and floaty.

I'd probably love the car I have now if it had ILS, keyless and didn't sound like it was being powered by a table saw.

superangrypenguin

Agreed. I prefer the new suspension, don't get me wrong, but the W205 screams Honda Accord to me. I think the new C/E/S classes are a step down from their respective older models.

I think the W205 C class looks bland to me, and that interior reminds me of some azz retarded bean counter ruining it for everyone else.

michail71

The previous gen E-Class can be had a little newer but it had more of that yellow interior wood paneling look I don't care for either.

My favorite interior style was what I got with the black and brushed aluminum. Which I think is considered the base trim.

I think my next vehicle might be a BMW X5 35D or 50i.

dennish

Well good. I'll keep my 2009 C350 with 60k a while longer.

Adi-Benz

Ugh the bmw's. Don't pop at all to me. I'd rather get a new a4 than 3 series, the interior tech and stuff is great. As far as w205's go, I would go for a C400/450/43.

ezshift5

A recent 'B' service loaner - the W205 had the more powerful 2.0 liter (and a 9-speed auto)..........................

Sure, it's more powerful (SOP input) than my little 1.8 coupe.......................

However, appearance - outside and in - left me unimpressed................

OTOH: Every drive in my C250 - and that's not real often - remains a treat.

Yesterday, I parked in front of the showroom entrance - getting a part for my other
Teutonic vehicle - and a nearby salesman gave me a thumbs - up!!

(Actually, I was relieved - as I was thinking "He's going to ask that I move the car".........




ez

michail71

Ah, the old BMW/Audi/Benz debate. I agree about the 3 series. I like the virtual dashboard Audi is doing. BMW and Mercedes have similar but getting cars with that tech is a massive fortune. Sad as consumers demand so much more these days.


Audi and BMW have telemetric systems that are actually usable. Mine functions even though I don't pay for it but it is useless, especially for what they charge.

I haven't driven any recent Audi cars but I did take note that the info system in a friend's A6, same MY as my car, is so much better than Comand. I also think iDrive, while non-intuitive at first, is much better as well.

I even test drove a Cayenne the other day. I was not as impressed as I thought I would be by it. But, omg, the sound system blows the premium system of any other manufacturer.

With the X5 I can put together all the options I want (size, practicality, HUD, sound system, good telemetrics, large info screen, 360 camera, parking sensors, adaptive non-halogen lighting, AWD and driver's assistance packages that go beyond telling me to get some coffee).

If I put all that into a Benz model I either can't take the new interior design, the price is nearly double or the tech is severely outdated.

dchar

I had a base model 2017 C300 Sport loaner and found it disappointing. I found the power to be decent (better than my C300), but the turbo-4 sounded horrible, felt unrefined and rough. Start/stop system sucked; car jolts so hard when restarting. The steering is vague compared to the W204. The interior looks fancy, but feels cheap. Stuff felt hollow and flimsy when you touch it. So much creaking from trim too. The quality, solid thunk sounds in the W204 are gone. The front styling (with base headlights) is so ugly, and base taillights are pretty bad too. The halogen headlights sucked too. Seating position is worse than the W204; I couldn't find a comfortable seating position. Why is keyless entry still an option in 2017?! The car has keyless start, but I have to use the key to lock and unlock the car; if I have to take my key out, might as well insert it. Also, Mercedes still only has auto-dimming mirrors on the left mirror and rear view mirror, but skimped on the right mirror. Honestly, I found the car to not be worth the $40,500 MSRP. Car didn't have nav, sunroof, and most safety tech like park sensors, BSM, adaptive cruise control, LDA/LKA. The car also had one of the worst backup camera resolution, especially at night; it was grainy and difficult to see.

Funkwagen

I've noticed an almost shocking difference in quality between the levels of trim for the w205.. the base models feel extremely cheap and in my opinion don't look good at all, meanwhile the "fully loaded" models look and feel much better. I've not driven one, but been in as a passenger. Can't comment on how they drive. That being said, I have a "base" c250 4matic sport, and I'd keep this car any day over a "base" w205.

I've also not heard many good things about the QC that comes from the alabama plant, from some pretty reliable sources. I've been told the number of issues found on PDI's for the 205 is greater than 204s (Wires pinched/electrical issues due to improper assembly seems to be the biggest complaint)

Overall, I much prefer this generation C-class to the current, and I have more faith in the build quality.

michail71

The thing I hate most is the AC controls. Then the info/entertainment controls with the blinged up ipad. The instrument cluster also became rather dull looking. Those are things upgrades won't help with.
​​​​​​
What I do like is the throttle response, driving modes and volume control. I've also come to like the electronic shifter controls.

The AC vents, while over the top looking are quite functional.

Oh, having a usable backup camera is nice too.

superangrypenguin

I've been a big Audi fan when it comes to their interior design but I must say the latest A4 is BLAH. The exterior hasn't really changed since the B8 A4 was introduced and the interior is crap (IMHO). I hate BMWs but I would rather drive in a 3 series because the interior is nicer than the A4 IMHO.

The C class is last of the bunch (the W205). I sincerely dislike the interior of the C/E/S class these days.

The new A8 has piqued my interest but Audi/VAG traditionally has TERRIBLE reliability in their first gen cars, so now I don't know what to buy.

michail71

OMG, my CEO has a whole fleet of Audis, including some maxed out R8s. But everything in my price range has that blah feeling going for it.

However, I'm looking to go to an SUV but that might just be a reaction to always having a small sedan. I do like some aspects of the X5's interior.

But I wish whoever designed the W204 C-Class had gotten to evolve it in the current Mercedes lineup.

Adi-Benz

Then buy a guilia!
#lolfirstgenalfa
I like it but seems outdated compared to the big 3.

If you're looking for SUV's, theres lots you can make with a few mods.

I'm out in Europe atm so I see so many high end cars near my house/around town every day.

Stuff like the new GLC, with rims, looks very sporty. I tend to hate these X5/X6 style cars (nothing beats a grand cherokee! :P especially GLC/X6, but they seem to be actually really good. Someone should take a test drive and give us a review!

Colin G

The more I see the new W205 C Class the more I like them.


I'd kill for a new V6 coupe.

Adi-Benz

Anything thats C400 or above is solid!

w205 c300 = c200 (250?) w204 lol

tekfoc

love my w205 63s

dieseldoc

I own a GLC besides my W204 C class. I have it loaded with 19 inch wheels. It drives fantastic. I did not get it with the air suspension. I am quite please with how it looks and how it handles. The command is decent. Drivers assist package is great.

michail71

Don't get me wrong. I'd still take a nicely loaded one. But ugh, that AC control system.

HBguy

I wasn't impressed with the wind noise and handling. My 1.8 feels faster with peak power at the top end of the RPM range. I think the 2.0 is tuned more for torque, not sure where HP ratings come in to be honest. I wanted to update/upgrade because some of them have a lot of impressive technology, but I've driven quite a few W205s, and after each one, I'm not tempted.


I initially was also tempted (recently) with the X5s (thought about GLE also) but the X5 starting price is too much for a tool (cars to me are tools, and sure, some are fancier than others) and the GLE seems very dated.

michail71

Same here. Although I don't 100% agree on the tool part. Cars are also toys and status symbols.

The X5 price gets crazy. With a CPO you could get a 550i for less with more options. But it's not a SAV.

Most Mercedes offerings are starting to feel either outdated or overpriced (if not outdated).

Adi-Benz

x5's are rubbish anyways