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Fletcher Jones in Newport beach is one of the largest MB dealers in the country if not the largest and they have about 55 W205 with 8 of them being C400.
In looking at the website, it says that they're all 2015 models. However, many of them don't have an odometer reading (so I assume they're not actually on the lot) and, perhaps even more strangely, they're all "Luxury" models. I'm not sure I believe their on-line listing of stock b/c I really doubt that any US dealer is going be carrying that many Luxury models.
The Beverly Hills dealership (which generally carries a huge stock of cars) only has a little under 60 W205s, so, again, I'm not sure if one should trust the reporting of the Van Nuys dealership....
I would hope not. I looked at the C again today during lunch and the luxury model is disgrace. Not only is does it sit up too high, but it does so on the ugliest, smallest wheels possible. MBUSA should be ashamed of themselves.
Fletcher Jones in Newport beach is one of the largest MB dealers in the country if not the largest and they have about 55 W205 with 8 of them being C400.
A C400 done right is a stunning car, but you'll pay for it.
I would hope not. I looked at the C again today during lunch and the luxury model is disgrace. Not only is does it sit up too high, but it does so on the ugliest, smallest wheels possible. MBUSA should be ashamed of themselves.
M
The standard non-sport C300 has the same size wheels as the luxury package and the same ride height as the luxury package. If you look at the press photos on Mercedes' website, you'll see that all the promo photos have lowered suspensions. Look at the photos of the sport package C300 from the press launch and it has a much higher ride height than the promo photos. The difference between the sport and non-sport is just barely more than half an inch and is hardly noticeable.
You have to pay $325 for wood trim on a standard C300. The luxury package is $650 and includes the wood trim. So a buyer gets the stitched dash and the active grille shutters for $325 (I consider the suspension change to be no-cost). This is hardly a disgrace. If you like the look of the classic grille this is an absolute bargain. I can understand that most people prefer the newer style more (and wouldn't it be great if you could get the stitched dash as a $325 stand alone option!), but man, why be so upset that MB offers people some stylistic options?
The standard non-sport C300 has the same size wheels as the luxury package and the same ride height as the luxury package. If you look at the press photos on Mercedes' website, you'll see that all the promo photos have lowered suspensions. Look at the photos of the sport package C300 from the press launch and it has a much higher ride height than the promo photos. The difference between the sport and non-sport is just barely more than half an inch and is hardly noticeable.
You have to pay $325 for wood trim on a standard C300. The luxury package is $650 and includes the wood trim. So a buyer gets the stitched dash and the active grille shutters for $325 (I consider the suspension change to be no-cost). This is hardly a disgrace. If you like the look of the classic grille this is an absolute bargain. I can understand that most people prefer the newer style more (and wouldn't it be great if you could get the stitched dash as a $325 stand alone option!), but man, why be so upset that MB offers people some stylistic options?
This is the car I saw today. It is clearly noticeable to me standing beside it or looking at the car from a few feet away from it and the standard wheels makes it worse. The C300 Luxury I saw today looked terrible on those little ugly wheels with that raised ride height. The previous C300 4Matic never looked like this. Looks awful. I call it a disgrace you don't, we simply disagree. Nothing could be uglier.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; 09-08-2014 at 06:32 PM.
This is the car I saw today. It is clearly noticeable to me standing beside it or looking at the car from a few feet away from it and the standard wheels makes it worse. The C300 Luxury I saw today looked terrible on those little ugly wheels with that raised ride height. The previous C300 4Matic never looked like this. Looks awful. I call it a disgrace you don't, we simply disagree. Nothing could be uglier.
M
I agree. The standard C300 ride height makes it look too fugly. It sits like an SUV. I guess the dealers loaded up on the base model to attract buyers. However, current W204 owners may not be too enamored by its stance considering how sleek the base W204 looked.
It's strange. The C300 luxury I drove had different 17 inch wheels than those and it didn't look as bad as those photos. I asked about it and the salesman said that all three of their luxury C300s had the same wheels (I couldn't find them on the MB website). Perhaps I will go back and take something to measure the wheel gap.
It looks like people should either get the Airmatic or the sport package if they are concerned about the ride height. Luxury + Airmatic is $1840 which is a reasonable price. Your complaint about ugly wheels is still valid if you think they are ugly.
Those wheels are available in the US as accessories. I ran the math and there is a difference in overall diameter of 0.25 inches between the stock US luxury package wheels and tires vs. those in your photos. The US sport suspension and these wheels would have about 0.75 fewer inches of wheel gap than the standard US luxury setup. Maybe that is all the difference.
I guess everyone IS different...I love those US luxury spoked wheels and the classy chrome grill and nicer lower facia. And you get 225/50 instead of 225/45 tires to iron out the bumps of being stuck with run flats. Bigger star seems to look more natural on CLA and their coupes IMO. Less athletic...a little. But C class sedan is not a sports car.
Every market is different when it comes to ride height and various regulations. MBUSA screwed the U.S. market with those ugly wheels and the ride height is terrible.
It seems things may have picked up some with sales. A lot of members are taking delivery, what are you all hearing? One salesperson said it has been slow, others have said the response has been great, but not like the CLA or GLA for obvious reasons $$$$. I still think it was a mistake not to introduce the C300 RWD model along with the 4Matics to take some of the sting out of the price.
What we are seeing are the pre-orders starting to be delivered. Absent those that have pre-ordered, sales are still slow (according to my salesman). Yes 4matic "only" hurt the launch significantly...followed by the increase in price. There are two dealerships here...33 C300s and 3 C400s...and again lightly optioned.
My dealer said they have a hard time keeping them on the lot when loaded up. I think people want more then basic versions. This isn't a civic after all it's not like they sell THAT many
I went shopping yesterday in three dealerships in the suburbs of Boston. I knew that my C300 Luxury with an unusual, very specific option list would have to be ordered. I was told that it would be built in mid-December and would be delivered 12 days later, at the end of December (perhaps January).
Update: Upon closing my order the following Monday, Oct. 20, I was told the delivery date had slipped to early Feb. The following week, I got an email that said the dealership had "purchased" (?) some production dates in mid-Jan. Delivery is now scheduled for late Jan. That change was almost two weeks ago, and things may have changed since then. Sorry for the delay in updating.
Last edited by gfmohn; 11-10-2014 at 09:47 AM.
Reason: Update
I went shopping yesterday in three dealerships in the suburbs of Boston. I knew that my C300 Luxury with an unusual, very specific option list would have to be ordered. I was told that it would be built in mid-December and would be delivered 12 days later, at the end of December (perhaps January).
09-08-2014, 03:01 PM
. It sits like an SUV. I guess the dealers loaded up on the base model to attract buyers. However, current W204 owners may not be too enamored by its stance considering how sleek the base W204 looked.
