"There's a New No. 1"
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 5
From: NJ
2015 C300, 2008 C300(sold)
So far so good for my black mb tex. It's been 20 degrees in NJ and I park in my heated garage so it's been through daily temp extremes. My build date is 12/2014.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 13
From: San Francisco, CA
'16 GL550, '12 C350
Right on... Our '12 C350 was manufactured in SA. It's by far the best car we've ever owned. Every time I wash it I'm reminded by its incredible quality. The paint is amazing and flawless. You just tap your knuckle on the front fender, door and quarter panel and suddenly realize how solid and quality it truly is. Even the grill from the star outward is made from a wonderfully crafted set of pliable plastics that seem quite expensive to make. Mercedes didn't need to do this at all. But they did. And most consumers would look past this completely not realizing the effort that actually has gone into these cars to make them so great. Consumers today focus on stuff like iPhone connectivity and don't realize they actually bought a POS until a few years later. I can point out dozens of areas on the Benz that are worthy of serious notation. And most importantly, no one can beat how beautifully the doors sound when they close. It reminds me of my Dad's old W108/9 300SEL and 280S.
Last edited by Count Laszlo; Jan 7, 2015 at 05:05 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: London
2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: London
2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
I disagree with this statement. When we purchased our '12 C350, we test drove the F30 and it was a POS. My wife who had owned BMWs for years was appalled - it was downright depressing actually. BMW went from lead to follower overnight. The C350 has been absolutely amazing - it's built beautifully, the material quality is superior and her car still looks brand new. And we have had not one single problem whatsoever.
I am afraid we agree to disagree on this point. for me 3 series is superior on both chassis, engine and wins hands down when it comes to handling. I do however believe that C class trumps it on the interior quality but that is just about it
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: London
2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
Not the reviews that I have seen and as I am sure you are aware ride quality alone is not going to win you any comparison tests alone. also not sure that ride quality on C class has been universally approved of. many have criticised it but then again we seem to be in love with 3 series in UK so maybe our car magazines are also obsessed with it
Last edited by Sol01; Jan 7, 2015 at 06:02 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I know the BMW 3 Series is an entry Exec favourite in the UK. Many of my staff used to drive them. Good for our SA plant. However here, BMW's give plenty of trouble. Our local Car magazine has not tested a single performance model in the last 10 years that has not suffered a failure during the test regime. They can be fragile & don't wear well. There are one hell of a lot of million plus Km Benzes on this planet. Especially in Europe, Africa & Asia.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Right on... Our '12 C350 was manufactured in SA. It's by far the best car we've ever owned. Every time I wash it I'm reminded by its incredible quality. The paint is amazing and flawless. You just tap your knuckle on the front fender, door and quarter panel and suddenly realize how solid and quality it truly is. Even the grill from the star outward is made from a wonderfully crafted set of pliable plastics that seem quite expensive to make. Mercedes didn't need to do this at all. But they did. And most consumers would look past this completely not realizing the effort that actually has gone into these cars to make them so great. Consumers today focus on stuff like iPhone connectivity and don't realize they actually bought a POS until a few years later. I can point out dozens of areas on the Benz that are worthy of serious notation. And most importantly, no one can beat how beautifully the doors sound when they close. It reminds me of my Dad's old W108/9 300SEL and 280S.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Not the reviews that I have seen and as I am sure you are aware ride quality alone is not going to win you any comparison tests alone. also not sure that ride quality on C class has been universally approved of. many have criticised it but then again we seem to be in love with 3 series in UK so maybe our car magazines are also obsessed with it
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Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: London
2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
2015 C400 loaded
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
2015 C400 loaded
Which means that 90% of people aren't having problems. People that aren't having problems drive their car and go about their day. People that are having problems go on forums. And then there are car nuts like us. Just because people here are having problems (And it isnt 50% btw) doesnt give a real picture of any issues.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 22
From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
Right on... Our '12 C350 was manufactured in SA. It's by far the best car we've ever owned. Every time I wash it I'm reminded by its incredible quality. The paint is amazing and flawless. You just tap your knuckle on the front fender, door and quarter panel and suddenly realize how solid and quality it truly is. Even the grill from the star outward is made from a wonderfully crafted set of pliable plastics that seem quite expensive to make. Mercedes didn't need to do this at all. But they did. And most consumers would look past this completely not realizing the effort that actually has gone into these cars to make them so great. Consumers today focus on stuff like iPhone connectivity and don't realize they actually bought a POS until a few years later. I can point out dozens of areas on the Benz that are worthy of serious notation. And most importantly, no one can beat how beautifully the doors sound when they close. It reminds me of my Dad's old W108/9 300SEL and 280S.
I agree, both of my W204s, even in AMG guise with the very stiff suspension, not even a squeak, ever. Even in -30 weather, a testament to MB build quality for sure.
My W205, today it is -32, is very tight and squeak free.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 22
From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
Not the reviews that I have seen and as I am sure you are aware ride quality alone is not going to win you any comparison tests alone. also not sure that ride quality on C class has been universally approved of. many have criticised it but then again we seem to be in love with 3 series in UK so maybe our car magazines are also obsessed with it
The only reviews where I read the BMWs are better handling is in the M3/M4.
All other reviews, throughout their entire line, actually, pan the handling ov the BMWs, too harsh, lament the loss of the legendary steering feel, etc... but of course there is no "loser" here, all the German mid entry-level brands Audi, BMW, Mercedes, even with Jaguar joining the fray, all make very, very good cars. It boils down to personal preference.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 597
Likes: 44
c300
I beg to differ. I had always been a BMW fan until recently. My last BMW was a e90. It's great and all. But it's getting old. The new 3 isn't much different from it, if not uglier. To be fair, the M3 looks really great, but look at the price. I was going to get another 328i, but the interior looks so boring, and the plastic looks cheap. Oh, I always thought that only a BMW can hug corner like my car did, but I was so wrong. So, I converted to the dark side and get a C300. And pretty happy that I did.
Last edited by huyuci; Jan 8, 2015 at 01:28 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 13
From: San Francisco, CA
'16 GL550, '12 C350
I beg to differ. I had always been a BMW fan until recently. My last BMW was a e90. It's great and all. But it's getting old. The new 3 isn't much different from it, if not uglier. To be fair, the M3 looks really great, but look at the price. I was going to get another 328i, but the interior looks so boring, and the plastic looks cheap. Oh, I always thought that only a BMW can hug corner like my car did, but I was so wrong. So, I converted to the dark side and get a C300. And pretty happy that I did.
I will humbly admit the F80 M3 looks amazing. I do not like the look of the F82 M4. And the moniker is, well... controversial.
I'm hoping to test drive the F80 M3 to make a final assessment. Have been thinking of buying one. We'll see. But IMO, it's the only product left that BMW offers that is remotely attractive. Everything else is just fat.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
2009 C300, 2012 C300, 2015 C300
Well this brought me out of lurk mode. Saying that 50% of owners are having problems is a bit sensational, don't you think? I know you've been having probs, but let's be realistic here.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I said that 50% of the owners here are reporting some problems. That's based on an ongoing poll on this forum. That's all I said ... I never said that was anything but what is showing up on this forum.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: London
2013 C class Coupe 250 CDI
I will humbly admit the F80 M3 looks amazing. I do not like the look of the F82 M4. And the moniker is, well... controversial.
I'm hoping to test drive the F80 M3 to make a final assessment. Have been thinking of buying one. We'll see. But IMO, it's the only product left that BMW offers that is remotely attractive. Everything else is just fat.
I'm hoping to test drive the F80 M3 to make a final assessment. Have been thinking of buying one. We'll see. But IMO, it's the only product left that BMW offers that is remotely attractive. Everything else is just fat.
