frank69m

So I priced one out...60k wwwoooww..with lighting package, multimedia, drivers assist...wow


We are talking E class pricing. Not sure why MB did it this way.


Why not get a C63 then ....Base will be around 64k, add a few options for 8k more....


Why even think of a c400

InTheBenz0

You have a BMW now (so your profile says on the left).

Have you built a 335 x-drive msport lately? You go over 60K as well...

xxGenericSNxx

Because probably the next E and C63 will also increase in price. LOL

joshg1001

True, its a big jump from the current E class of 50K to the 94K S class so they will probably make the E class in the 60K range.

cleankutazn

Yeah it looks like an the next e350 will jump to 70k nicely optioned.

k187

They've upped the interior quality and complexity of the options. A price increase was inevitable I think.

BenzC400

An E Class optioned exactly like a $60,000 C Class is over $70,000, about $10,000 more. The C Class is now a much more modern vehicle. I April, I was originally shopping for a 2014 E350. I selected the options and it went over $70,000. I was ready to buy when I learned about the new C Class coming out in September. I would not have considered the old (W204) C Class. It was too small and dated. The new C Class is bigger, has more interior room, newer, more modern, and had the same or better options. I did compromise on size a little. I'm sure the next E Class will evolve into a more modern car following the S and C Class. I'll considered it in a couple of years. I ended up with a $60,000 C400 which is to be delivered in a couple of weeks.

k187

I think a lot of people are in your position right now, and those who need an E are going for the new C because it's updated and the E is not and it's not that much smaller.

I do wonder what will happen when the new E comes out. Will the slight size increase alone be enough for people to buy it instead of a C or will they add some extras the C doesn't have (like what though?). Of course there's always people who buy and E over a C because they want to show people they have a more expensive car.

C400Driver

So were going to just beat this topic to death...if you can't afford it...this is not the car for you....c300 can be had for under 50k

Glyn M Ruck

They will!

nyca

Well, that's easy to say. But in 2009 I was a W204 customer and was able to get a V6 C3004M for $38,790 (with a sunroof) - that same car today is in the high 50s. Even if I can "afford" the new one now, that kind of price increase makes a repeat customer look carefully at the value proposition - what they are getting for what they are spending, and right now I am not seeing it in the C4004M. I am predicting sales are going to be below what MB expects for this model, after the initial flurry of purchases from the "gotta have the new one right away" people clear the sales channel. MBUSA is going to have to up content the car and hold the line on price, and those new modular I6 engines better be cheaper to produce than the current V6s are - because the upward momentum on price across the C/E model line can't be sustained. Mercedes thinks every one of their cars is like the S class - where buyers will essentially pay whatever is asked to own one. That isn't true.

joshg1001

I think the C300 is still attainable for people who currently own the W204. Mercedes sales are off the charts and I think people will pay the premium for what seems to be a better all around vehicle.

Everyone and their mother can drive a Mercedes now, with C250 leases reaching to the $199 a month. It makes sense to try to get some exclusivity back.

alsyli

Are you cherry picking your facts? Price-when-new information is hard to find for a car that's just been discontinued, but AutoWeek stated that the 2013 C300 4matic was just a little less than $40000 (http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...n-review-notes).

I assume your making a comparison w/ the C400, which isn't really quite fair since that car produces about 100 more HP than the old C300 and comes w/ P1 standard.

And it's not really fair to compare the price of a car purchased in 2009 w/ one purchased 5-6 yrs later....

Don't get me wrong, I wished MB would include a regular sunroof on the W205 (I have no interest in the panoramic roof since I often park my car outside) and a rearview camera, but I don't think their pricing scheme is otherwise *that* outrageous.

MB-JIM

This may sound crazy but, at equal price, I would pick the C Class over the E. I buy a car for the total driving experience, not the size. In 2006, I owned an E350 sedan but when I test drove a 2006 C350 and much preferred how it drove so I sold the E 350 and bought the C350. Then, in 2014 I bought another E350 and realized I was really a C Class driver so I sold the E350 and bought a GLK 350. I thought the C Class based GLK would be ideal but now I plan to switch back to a C Class sedan with the W205.

JoeMa

For those of you who haven't yet seen or driven the new C-class, most dealers now have a demo C300. My son and I test drove the demo and as many have commented, this is a much improved car over the outgoing model. Many will find it more enjoyable and engaging than the E-class. The new interior reminds you of an S-class, especially the graphics used in the updated Nav system.


Don't knock the pricing until you have seen and driven the new C-class. Very nicely executed.

NYC-Style

You are absolutely correct... I actually just recently decided to buy an MB...I didn't realize how many C classes there are out there...I see more of them than I do taxi cabs...and I live in Las Vegas!! I was drawn to the new C not only for it's appearance but as you said it's "exclusivity". The new C class is not an entry level MB...and for those that currently own a C I understand the loyalty to your model...as it should be. However the new C class has stepped it up...

C400Driver

Exactomundo....my wife and I were looking at e classes and bmw 5 series....this generation C class is heads and tails over them

MBNUT1

+1

It used to be true when Mercedes differentiated itself in terms of engineering and material quality. As a result of the Daimler Chrysler merger (yes I know it was disbanded in 07), the continued progress of competing brands and the adoption of a more youth oriented market focus that differentiation is significantly diminished. That is not to say that the share value of Mercedes won't increase via Mercedes strategy. It's just that they won't be able to command the price premium that they once did because "It's a Mercedes".

Having said that as other's have pointed out the price of the competition has gone up as well ie A4 and BMW 3 series. So for the same price as those cars I can see somebody (myself included) buying the C class instead.

SLOW C240

Just cut out some of the options if you feel 60K is too over the top.

-2800 Driver Assist
-1190 Airmatic package
-990 HUD


Just more parts to break or go wrong IMO.

Germancar1

Bingo! Mercedes is done pandering and I think they now realize that they if they build a better car they can price it accordingly. That is what they used to do before the Chrysler tie up and the drop in quality from 1998-2005. Back in the day a Mercedes was eye watering expensive vs its direct competition and while not back at that level of price difference now they're pricing them where they should be I think. That said, a 335i xDrive is not any less expensive when similarly optioned. I think the majority here have forgotten or don't know this. Mercedes does need to introduce a RWD C400 to take a couple grand off the base price though.

M

Germancar1

And none of it is needed IMO, especially the driver assist crap. People are forgetting how to drive by relying on all this junk. HUD is a nice gimmick that I turned off about a year ago on my car.

M

Germancar1

Interesting points, but the old C300 isn't directly replaced by the new C400. The C400 is clearly more car in every way possible. I would suspect that Mercedes will introduce an entry level car again like they did with the C250 in 2012. I bet when the new I6 engines come along, the 4-cylinder C250 (or whatever) will take that entry spot for a cheap price and the middle car will be an I6 car and so on. Like:

C250 - I4 with 245hp (base price back under 40K)
C300 - Turbo I6 with 300hp
C400 - Turbo I6 with 365hp
C450 AMG Sport - Turbo I6 with 400hp
C63 AMG - With the new 4L V8, 503hp

Just a guess.

M

C280 Sport

While the new C Class is a huge step up from the C Classes of old it is a entry level run of the mill car. Meaning lots of them. $60,000 is just too much money to pay for a C Class. For that money you can the C63 is not run of the mill or upgrade to a used E or S. It makes no sense to me paying that much for this car but if you must...
However... You need to also consider the amount of toys you do get for this $60,000 price. Is it worth it? Not to me but for that price you get more toys then a used E Class without all the nice space.


Playing devils advocate lol.

C280 Sport

I agree with this however NO it does not anywhere near remind of a S Class inside. Materials, looks and feel are all different. The graphics yes but that is about it. It is a very nice car I will admit.

alihou007

I am not sure I understand the pricing either. CLA competes with the likes of A3 or BMW 2 series. C classs was the entry level for MB against the 3 Series. I was considering one for my wife but after we priced it, it was near $60K and no ED delivery either. So we are looking at a 535 sports with ED savings.

It is not a question of can you afford it or not...If you are looking at these vehicles, one hopes you are not stretching your $$ just to have one. Who knows....I think their pricing strategy will keep some away (like me) but they will sell plenty!