http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_first_drive/

 

Quote from the article: "My driving partner commented that the C250 rode just like his Mercedes-Benz 190E."

The 190E was my first car. And I very much liked the way it rode. =)

 

The back end is so MEH. It isnt sinister or aggressive at all.

 

+1 I had a 190E as well. Loved that car. 2.6 5 spd no less.

 

"The transmission could use a remap". That worries me just a tad. There's a thread around here that talks about the 2014 4matic transmission. 2014. That's BRAND NEW. And STILL there are possible 'issues' with it's performance/feel.

This translates to an intentional design of the tran, being passed off to the production line. If the reviewer is feeling the same vibe as what the current 4matic is, like I said, worrisome.

My c250 has a very smooth tranny, and I wouldn't ever post that it feels "weird", but I've read more than a few posts about newer 4matic's being harsh shifting, but supposedly intentional/part of the design.

Nonetheless, I will test drive this thing, and probably buy one (lol). I really need to contain myself, payoff my current ride a little bit, and maybe even wait for the c300 non-4matic version. I have no problem with RWD (I live in texas, so I don't need crazy traction ALL the time).

 

It's not just that 4matic doesn't matter much in a sunny climate - there's also the penalty from the weight. Autoblog's review points out the 4matic weighs 154 pounds, substantially eating up most of the 220 pounds Mercedes is touting it shaved off the W204. Motor Authority, while very favorable ("It’s Mercedes-Benz’s best small luxury sedan yet, and it’s the best car we’ve driven in the segment"), still points out that the 4matic's extra weight and the torque to the front wheels ends up reducing the driver's feel of the road. By comparison, they say the RWD C250 is "noticeably lighter and more communicative."

It's beating a dead horse at this point but I really wish the C-Class was launching in the USA with RWD. A RWD C-Class isn't going to be a Porsche but come on, Mercedes...