Mike5215

Well my S finally got released from the shop after $6000 in CPO repairs. I took the C loaner out for a little joy ride before turning it in. First time I was a little sad to return a service loaner.

Great driving little car. I may be back here in a few weeks

True101

Which S you have Mike?. I do am seriously considering S550, but I am sad also at the idea of parting with my C300 - I really love it, its flawless, piece of art.

Mike5215

I have a 2010 221. Love the 222 but still too expensive. Another year and the 14s will be in the $50-$60k CPO range. Meanwhile I'm stuck with this old heap

I will say I like the steering of the C better than the S. Power wise, the C with the T4 is quicker than the NA 5.5 8 in the 221. It's a luxury vs sportiness equation really. The S is beyond quiet and smooth on most surfaces. The C loves a smooth surface but gets busy and tangled up on anything else. I'd probably go for AirMatic in a C just to have room to take the edge off the ride if I wanted to.

rbrylaw

It's been fun having you around. WHEN, not if, you get a C (I'm guessing a 450), we'll be here waiting for 'ya!

Mike5215

Well that C Cabrio looks like a hell of a lot of fun. I may need to wait for that one. I love the 450 but like anything else with an AMG affiliation the price for the extra power is too dear. The only thing I'd change in the 4 is the exhaust note, which is a little harsh and raspy. But, with the stereo cranking I can't even hear the engine.

I did a little experiment today. Before turning it in I took it on the interstate and made a cabin audio recording of the interior noise at 80/70/60. I'll do the same with the S tomorrow. Obviously the S is more insulated but I'm wondering how quiet the C is relatively. The C was pretty loud with the stereo off. That can get fatiguing on longer trips even though you don't notice it. Mostly wind and tire noise. The drive train had settled into 7th and wasn't working especially hard.

I'll see how the S fairs on the same road and same conditions tomorrow and post the audio clips somehow. I was happy to see the S (gorgeous exterior, plush interior and a great aftermarket stereo) but the steering effort felt like I was driving a semi by comparison, and I missed the playfulness of the C. The S is such serious business all the time.

parkwood

Be really interested in the comparison. My goal is to have the most cosseting car possible but an s is very big for european roads and parking but if it is better i would think of one or the s derivitives next time. I have airmatic in my c but road noise can still be troublesome on certain surfaces.

Mike5215

Well the comparison taught me two things. The C allows more wind noise in than the S. Shocker. More importantly, the S handles like a barge by comparison. Then the S thru another check engine fault this morning and while I was at service a new C450 came in off a truck. I took it out, totally unprepped and packed with cardboard and plastic wrap. I'm in serious trouble now.

rbrylaw

Ooooh, took it out as in bought it? Or just took it for a spin? I knowed you wuz gonna be here sooner than the fare thee well thread you started. Yes I did!

Mike5215

I just drove it. Not my ideal build. I've got it configured in a way that hits my key priorities but gives up some other stuff that would be nice but isn't a deal killer.

I'm at $57,800 with Silver paint, standard 5 spoke wheels, black Ash, light package, Burmester, base seats with the alacantra like insets on MB TEX and red stitching, Heads Up , Garmin. I gave up the grey leather seats and the multimedia package.

That comes in mid 700's on a 36/15k lease, for around $300 less a month than I'm paying now for the S Class. I'll probably want another set of wheels for it. I may also pull the Audison/Focal gear out of the S for it, but I doubt I'll need it.

rbrylaw

That would be a great build, but I would encourage you to add Multi-Media. It just won't push your lease payment that much higher.

robnyc

Unbelievable that we can get a nicely equipped C450 for the price of a GLA 45 AMG.

Mike5215

Spent the day at a "real" Mercedes store with a massive inventory and very professional sales rep. I got to see pretty much every color combo, and every available option. It really helped me narrow in on a build. After a brief fling with a couple of C450s (great car, not my thing) and a nice 300, I got a chance to drive an AirMatic C300. Yeah baby! Thats what an old fart who's been driving an S for the last ten years considers "sporty" and "fun".

With the AMG bits off the table I did a custom build, ticked pretty near every option and still came in $7k under the 450. Still ironing out the deal but at least I know what I'm buying.

This is the exterior and wheels:


Interior but with Crystal Gray seats,



Sport Package
Pano
Rear spoiler
Light package
Hands Free
AirMatic
P2
Air Balance
Heads Up
Multimedia
Driver Assist

rbrylaw

Congrats Mike! Aside the AirMatic and HUD, you've pretty much got my C300. It is hands down the nicest Merc I've owned in years. I simply love mine and I hope you will yours as well. Are you getting the Interior Package (leather seats)? If you're two hours from Wesley Chapel, the Interior Package comes with one great thing for Florida heat and that's Ventilated seats. For our climate, it's a really great option.

Mikey53

You'll love the ride! Hard to tell from the pics, but I would suggest deleting summer only tires and going with all-season. My local dealer swapped them for me on our MY16 Cardinal Red C300 4matic Sport. I had my first opportunity to drive it in the snow/slush today and it handles exceptionally well.

Mike5215

Yes, ventilated (and heated, you know, for these frigid Florida winters.) On the S I installed a DroneMobile remote starter (starts the car from my phone). That's the best way to precool a Florida car. Not cheap but worth it. Do the 16s have Remote Start with MBrace?

Mike5215

Being in Florida, the Ultra Performance Summer tires are ideal, grippy and quiet, although the AS do last longer.

MBNUT1

Did you get to compare the ride of the airmatic with the luxury non airmatic? Just wondering if the airmatic rides noticeably better than the luxury.

Mike5215

Apparently a "luxury" build is extremely rare. Like Bigfoot rare. It's the same steel suspension in the base 300, per my sales guy. Sport gets firmer dampening.

AirMatic in the C is identical to the sort of gentle rebound and recovery you get in the S. It takes the edge off of everything. For me, an S to a C450 was too extreme a change. The C, just by being smaller and lighter, even with AirMatic, feels very quick and fun to toss around.

rbrylaw

Yeppers, the 16's indeed to have remote start with MBrace! and MBrace is included at no charge for 5 years to boot! And you're going to love the Ventilated Seats in the car. They're not A/C Ventilated, but feeling the ventilation on a hot day (which we seem to be having a lot of this December) is really a great thing. Yes it is! I can't remember the last time I used the heated seat option, but the Ventilated Seats will be used a lot.

Mike5215

That's good. The DroneMobile (plus MidCity Remote Starter) was $800.

rbrylaw

There is one odd feature incorporated into MBrace remote start. When you open the car door, the car will shut off. I guess it's a safety feature, but you'll have to restart the car when you get in.

Mike5215

Yeah, with the Drone you have to press the car's Start button (and have your key on you) before you touch the brake pedal or the car will shut off. Makes it impossible for anyone to take the car since it can't be shifted out of Park without touching the brake pedal.

rbrylaw

Yes, but with the 2016 C, if you use MBrace to remote start the car, the chances are the car will be locked, yes? When you get to the car and open the door, the car will instantly shut down. Again, I'm assuming a safety/theft deterrent feature, but that's what happens.

cleankutazn

That's kinda lame. If it recognizes your key it shouldn't do that.

z28lt1

Yes, I think this was an afterthought for MB, so this was the easiest way out for them. Other cars implement remote start in a more sensible fashion.