Sbn

Hello everyone, I'm new and happy to be like many here an owner of a C400. I took back my CLA 250 and didn't look back. C400 has been pretty amazing.

utsenmo

mkaresh

Vastly better car, a true Mercedes.

Glyn M Ruck

Sensible!

willygan

May I ask you what motivated your choice ?

Sbn

Its just a better car, I had them parked side by side and C400 just at a higher level of refinement and class both interior and exterior. CLA looks great from some angles but embarrassing in others. The CLA suspension extremely hard at time unbearable. Not knocking on the CLA but just not the car for me and the family. It was hard to let the CLA go but after a week in the C400, wouldn't go back to CLA250 or take CLA45 over the C400.

willygan

Had to make the same choice.
The sound of the CLA is still quite interesting, but the comfort of the C class helped me decide.

c4004matic

Wise move.

Sbn

If you are willing to pay a bit more its a no brainer against CLA. This C400 is fast, smooth and can compete with E350-400. I think its that good. It would be hard to pay a premium for E-class over C400. Why would you???

unr1

did you test drive the C300?
I agree, the E-class isn't as attractive with its outdated interior.

Did you decide to go with airmatic or the standard suspension.?

Sbn

I didn't test drive the C300, my wife did and she liked it allot better than the CLA. We got standard suspension, airmatic was hard to find. C400 is still very rare here in US and many dealers didn't want to trade with other dealers so we had to settle with an interior we didn't want originally. We wanted the red with open pore ashwood interior but non of the dealer would give it up. So we went with Mb-tex linden wood.

unr1

yea, airmatic is far and in between. But if you find the standard sport suspension on the C400 to be comfortable, that's great to hear.

hope you guys enjoy

mkaresh

You probably don't keep a car long enough for it to be a factor. But for those who do hold onto them, air suspensions frequently require repairs on older German cars, and especially on older German SUVs.

alsyli

Given that MB has decided to go w/ standard 17-in wheels for the 2015 CLA, I assume you weren't the only one that felt that the CLA had an overly hard ride....

For me, the CLA only makes sense to young 20-somethings who are looking at their first "luxury" car or to empty nesters. Doesn't make sense for anybody else (esp a family), IMHO....

USCGTO

yes.

Air suspension on 3 of my vehicles.

I'll just give details on one, since the other 2 mirror the first.

Airmatic compressors replaced at all 4 corners during 80-90k interval.
Airmatic suspension air bags replaced in rear at 90k
Airmatic module replaced at 90k.

All under factory extended warranty.

And it's been almost the same story with my E class.

Sbn

I had 18" wheels and as much has I like MB, I cannot dismiss the hard ride unlike many on the CLA forum, its pretty bad! Accidently hit a pot hole and you get jarred like nothing else. I think this will hurt the CLA over the long haul and prevent MB from full penetration of its intended market after the hype subsides. So unfortunate because it was a nice MB starter or I may say its a nice car for $35k to sport around in. For that price its hard to look at any thing else in the same price range. My kids, 9, 7, 3 loved the car.

armoredsaint

Nice job!

I am curious to how much of a hit you took from the dealer?

Sbn

I took a substantial hit no doubt but that's life, money is a medium of exchange for peace of mind and happiness. It didn't make sense to me to keep something I didn't like while admiring something I did like. I went ahead and got what I admired. C400 is perfect not underpowered like C300 and not over powered like C63 but they are coming out with C450 Sedan fall 2015 maybe I might end up taking another hit...lol j/k

MJ50

good move...

BoboPolo12

Congrats on the car! As I wait for mine to arrive, I can only scour these forums to get other people's opinions. As far as your statement above.. it looks like MB achieved what it wanted.. it got you in on the CLA and you moved up within the brand (although probably faster than most).

mihaelb

How much, approx, would the above have cost without warranty? Did the dealer give you any hassle and try to pass any of those items as 'regular wear and tear'?

Sbn

Actually I traded in my W204 for CLA so not new to the brand.

StanNH

One of my friends recently pulled up with his new 2014 CLA. I thought it was really good looking ... very sleek.

I was surprised that it was only a couple of inches shorter than my C300, because it did look much smaller. My biggest surprise, however, was the interior ... it was much tighter than the W205. Less front leg room, less head room, and rear seating so tight that I couldn't even get into the car.

I didn't have a chance to drive it, but I could never own this car based on the interior space. Really dramatic difference compared to the 2015 C series.

cleankutazn

I'm suprised you were able to fit your kids in there...I had the w204 and my kids which are similar in age to yours would barely fit. No they are not fat, just a little taller than average.

c4004matic

The CLA and the c class have absolutely nothing in common. The CLA was a car made to meet a price point and it shows. Its FWD, very cramped and rides very uncomfortably, the rear is useless for adults. Its only positive attribute is that it looks good. Simply a car for those that must have a three pointed star. However, thank God for it, since it made the new much improved C class possible. Till they improve the E class to the same standard, I think the C will cannibalize some of its sales.