My C Class observations
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Are you kidding? That ugly **** is no more classy than putting lace on a bowling ball. They are not the only standard wheel in all markets, how in the world would you know that. Good, they're ugly enough for winter wheels. Class? A joke.
M
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
M
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
My observations are of C3004matic:
Styling - Beautiful with exception of ipad screen (this is a big problem for me)
Size - Perfect
Ride Quality - Excellent
Handling -Excellent
Engine - Off idle hesitation, Sounds like a Camry, plenty of power
Price - Too high given that it is made in the US
Mercedes Vault locomotive tracking like feel - While I'm sure on every engineering metric it is a more solid car it doesnt feel like it.
Overall assessment - It's a better car than the competition (but that is supposed to be, given that that is the natural order of things and the competition doesn't do much for me either) but I'm disappointed because I really wanted to buy this size of Mercedes and it is beautiful to look at and has a good suspension but the value proposition and Mercedes DNA seems to be lacking.
I reserve the right to change my tune after driving a C400 (would have to overcome objection to ipad and figure out how to get a luxury front end)
Styling - Beautiful with exception of ipad screen (this is a big problem for me)
Size - Perfect
Ride Quality - Excellent
Handling -Excellent
Engine - Off idle hesitation, Sounds like a Camry, plenty of power
Price - Too high given that it is made in the US
Mercedes Vault locomotive tracking like feel - While I'm sure on every engineering metric it is a more solid car it doesnt feel like it.
Overall assessment - It's a better car than the competition (but that is supposed to be, given that that is the natural order of things and the competition doesn't do much for me either) but I'm disappointed because I really wanted to buy this size of Mercedes and it is beautiful to look at and has a good suspension but the value proposition and Mercedes DNA seems to be lacking.
I reserve the right to change my tune after driving a C400 (would have to overcome objection to ipad and figure out how to get a luxury front end)
Last edited by MBNUT1; Oct 11, 2014 at 02:25 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
Where you able to drive it on the freeway? If so, what was the steering tracking like? I have found this aspect of the facelifted W204 to be singularly disappointing (and significantly worse than it was in the pre-facelifted version).
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
One of the first things I noticed was a lack of "tank like" feel and imperfect fit/finish. I chalked it up to perhaps side effects of the cost saving measures re: being made in America (including less German parts if the above quote is true).
It feels softer overall to me. The steering is over-boosted, light and clinical to me, but that's how MB's are meant to feel, increasingly so, which isn't my cup of tea.
It feels softer overall to me. The steering is over-boosted, light and clinical to me, but that's how MB's are meant to feel, increasingly so, which isn't my cup of tea.
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
One of the first things I noticed was a lack of "tank like" feel and imperfect fit/finish. I chalked it up to perhaps side effects of the cost saving measures re: being made in America (including less German parts if the above quote is true).
It feels softer overall to me. The steering is over-boosted, light and clinical to me, but that's how MB's are meant to feel, increasingly so, which isn't my cup of tea.
It feels softer overall to me. The steering is over-boosted, light and clinical to me, but that's how MB's are meant to feel, increasingly so, which isn't my cup of tea.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
I think MB hit a home run with this car, offering all the niceties of their fagship in life sized package. Not really a need to step up unless you need more size. Wouldn't personally be my choice if wanted a sports car, but then neither would BMW. Several variations of the C currently and more coming. I agree on test drives of the C and of other 2015 cars, the CAFE related weight reductions, electronic steering and smaller charged up engines are a little different, yet the dawn of a new era. I'd still choose the new ones.
Last edited by floridadriver; Oct 12, 2014 at 08:37 AM.
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
My point is that this forum is for people interested in this new C Class. You have given your inputs, and I thank you for them, but with absolutely no interest in buying the W205, I feel you have said enough.
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I never said I disagreed with your analysis. You have provided a lot of critical analysis to the W205's. No car is perfect, including your beloved BMW. I, like you, found our W211 and W212 models far from perfect.
My point is that this forum is for people interested in this new C Class. You have given your inputs, and I thank you for them, but with absolutely no interest in buying the W205, I feel you have said enough.
My point is that this forum is for people interested in this new C Class. You have given your inputs, and I thank you for them, but with absolutely no interest in buying the W205, I feel you have said enough.
Every car has its strong and weak points, and those areas need to be discussed and pointed out, but not endlessly.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
A different question which may get closer to the topic again.
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I never said I disagreed with your analysis. You have provided a lot of critical analysis to the W205's. No car is perfect, including your beloved BMW. I, like you, found our W211 and W212 models far from perfect.
My point is that this forum is for people interested in this new C Class. You have given your inputs, and I thank you for them, but with absolutely no interest in buying the W205, I feel you have said enough.
My point is that this forum is for people interested in this new C Class. You have given your inputs, and I thank you for them, but with absolutely no interest in buying the W205, I feel you have said enough.
Fact is your immediate responses have been what engage this conversation further. So I guess according to your true feelings, I haven't said enough. Talking cars is one thing, getting butthurt because you think that by expressing my opinion of the car is peeing in your cornflakes isn't my problem. I can dissect cars all day long. I just wish I got paid for it.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
A different question which may get closer to the topic again.
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 33
From: Ft. Lauderdale
2015 C300, 2025 GLC300 4Matic
A different question which may get closer to the topic again.
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
My wife continues to love MB in general, and her W211 in particular, although it's approaching 100,000 miles (but in fine shape so far). For those who now have a W205 and have E Class experience, given the advances in technology, luxury, and some bump in size, do you think a W211 E Class owner would find themselves happy in a W205? The next gen E Class price may make this a reasonable alternative. Thoughts, please?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I think the lightweight aluminum construction is the difference in the feel with the new C. The doors are light as a feather now and don't close with that thunk of the previous car. That is the cost of making it lighter I guess. Check out the doors on the new S Coupe, they feel like they have rocks in them.
M
M
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
This is what I find puzzling (I haven't driven it myself, but I'll take your word for it). Even if the car is bigger but lighter, the similar-sized 300E (which also weighed about the same) had the vault-like feeling in spades. Oh, well.
Where you able to drive it on the freeway? If so, what was the steering tracking like? I have found this aspect of the facelifted W204 to be singularly disappointing (and significantly worse than it was in the pre-facelifted version).
Where you able to drive it on the freeway? If so, what was the steering tracking like? I have found this aspect of the facelifted W204 to be singularly disappointing (and significantly worse than it was in the pre-facelifted version).
Didn't get a chance to drive it on the highway so can't comment but I do concurr with your observation about the facelifted W204 the steering seemed different from the prefacelifted.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
To me that is not how Mercedes are meant to feel at all otherwise I would have no interest in one.
You *****ed about the E Class you had but to me sans the harsh ride (which I didn't find so bad in my sisters 2013 sport E3504matic) it feels like a Mercedes, strong like a tank that will last forever unerring tracking down the highway.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Oct 12, 2014 at 01:21 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
So keep in mind my frame of reference that being a C300 W204. I think the primary difference is the weight of the steering feel and the heaviness of the front end associated with the six cyclinder.
Didn't get a chance to drive it on the highway so can't comment but I do concurr with your observation about the facelifted W204 the steering seemed different from the prefacelifted.
Didn't get a chance to drive it on the highway so can't comment but I do concurr with your observation about the facelifted W204 the steering seemed different from the prefacelifted.
The suspension of the facelifted W204 had also apparently been retuned. Superficially smoother but not an improvement, in my opinion (worse body control).
Also not sure who was responsible for the calibrations on the variable power steering (which I assume the W204 has), but they should be fired. It makes no sense to have the steering feel HEAVY at low speed and then have it feel LIGHT at high speed.
While I agree that MB's shouldn't have light steering, I recall one European video review mentioned that they *liked* the light steering. Ew. Apparently European tastes have changed. ::shudder::
Last edited by alsyli; Oct 12, 2014 at 02:54 PM.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
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2012 Audi A4
I think the issue these days with steering is pretty much universal, and it's due to the emergence of electric steering vs hydraulic. I haven't driven a single vehicle with electric steering that had feel anywhere near that of a good hydraulic system.
I'll give the C Class this in regards to the steering; it is accurate. However I do find it somewhat devoid of feel. Audi doesn't have the best steering either and I would certainly knock my A4 on that for sure.
Don't think I'm slagging just the C Class, I think this is a general
problem with electric steering across the board. I just hope it improves as time goes on.
I'll give the C Class this in regards to the steering; it is accurate. However I do find it somewhat devoid of feel. Audi doesn't have the best steering either and I would certainly knock my A4 on that for sure.
Don't think I'm slagging just the C Class, I think this is a general
problem with electric steering across the board. I just hope it improves as time goes on.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
My frame of reference is fairly extensive, going all the way back to the 190E (which I drove frequently as a teen). The 190E was significantly smaller, of course, but it was also much lighter (around 2900 lbs)? The C280 (W202 which was, IMO, the last "true" old-school MB) was also very solid and probably weighed about the same as the W205 (but, again, was significantly smaller). My parents also had at least one 6-cyl C300 W204. While the original steering was light, the car itself still felt solid. So, while I'm not an engineer, I can't help think that it isn't simply the car's overall weight or the steering by themselves.
The suspension of the facelifted W204 had also apparently been retuned. Superficially smoother but not an improvement, in my opinion (worse body control).
Also not sure who was responsible for the calibrations on the variable power steering (which I assume the W204 has), but they should be fired. It makes no sense to have the steering feel HEAVY at low speed and then have it feel LIGHT at high speed.
While I agree that MB's shouldn't have light steering, I recall one European video review mentioned that they *liked* the light steering. Ew. Apparently European tastes have changed. ::shudder::
The suspension of the facelifted W204 had also apparently been retuned. Superficially smoother but not an improvement, in my opinion (worse body control).
Also not sure who was responsible for the calibrations on the variable power steering (which I assume the W204 has), but they should be fired. It makes no sense to have the steering feel HEAVY at low speed and then have it feel LIGHT at high speed.
While I agree that MB's shouldn't have light steering, I recall one European video review mentioned that they *liked* the light steering. Ew. Apparently European tastes have changed. ::shudder::
I agree that the facelifted W204 steering was too light at highway speeds in a way that I didn't notice with the prefacelift ones.
My experience with these cars includes owning a ponton 220SE, a 62 220se coupe, '89 190E 2.6 5 spd (my favorite car) and '06 E3504matic as well as a lot of seat time in my dad's '67 250se.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Oct 12, 2014 at 06:43 PM.
