I’ve had the c200d now for 2 weeks. I came from a Lexus Es300h. I’m not blown away so far tbh. It looks good and the interior is lovely. Good seats. It handles well too and has plenty over overtaking ability but I’ve been disappointed with the following:
1. The ride is quite hard with the 19 inch rims and the tyres produce resonance over certain surfaces.
2. There is a hesitation from the gearbox when moving off from stationary.
3. The media system is slow to connect to CarPlay Spotify or online music. If you are listening to Spotify and leave the car for a few minutes, when you come back it takes ages to reconnect.
4. The Burmester sound system is disappointing. Sounds thin and weak.
5. The door seals creak when going over bumps. I’ve tried rubber lubricant but a day later the creaking returned.

I really want to like it but so far I’m wishing I’d kept the Lexus - despite it being a rather boring car.

 

Well, the C class has knowingly gone down in quality since the W-204 and the ES 300 is considered one of Lexus‘s most reliable vehicles. This is exactly as reported for about a decade. The info was out there. And no offense, but you are driving basically the cheapest c model made so I wouldn’t expect quality per se until you move into higher models, PRE 2020. my dad had 2 204s that he loved and then got a W-205 and got rid of it in about two months, as both he and my mom thought the quality was absolute ****.

Hopefully you can get used to the new vehicle otherwise just figure out a way to trade it in for something you like better.

 

Have you tried to lower the tire pressure? Should be at the value posted on the gas flap. I lower mine a pound or two over the winter. Different tires or smaller wheels may help. Do you have dynamic selection? Try the sport or sport+ to see if that improves shifting. Dealer may have a fix for the creaking. May need different speakers for the sound system. Sorry you are not happy with the car. If you bought from a dealer I imagine they would want to make you happy. Consider using it as a trade in

 

The sound system can be adjusted in all kinds of ways. Mine does not sound thin and weak.
Yes, the ride is a bit harsh and the sound isn't well-damped.
No creaks.
Mine moves off well in C mode. No hesitation. I do find that it will get confused sometime when I punch it as it looks for a gear.
I stream from my iPhone and have no issues with connectivity.
Give it a little time, play with the settings, and if you still hate it, trade it in.

 

1. Get rid of run-flats and lower tire pressures to fuel door values
2. Let it adapt for a few thousand miles and/or request for a check if there is an outstanding TCU update
3. Ask the dealership to check if there is an outstanding MBUX update, check the forums for the latest version available
4. Play with the EQ settings
5. This is a lottery actually, some have creaks others don't

 

I came from a GLA class so, to me The C-Class is a step up in quality.

I consider the Lexus ES300 to be a tarted-up Toyota Camry. FWIW, I've never driven one so my opinion is of no value.

The C-Class is a proper rear wheel drive sedan with what I consider to have superior handling and dynamics over a front wheel drive platform.

I got rid of the Continental run-flat tires and fitted a set of Vredestein Quattrac Pro+ and bought a spare tire. It is a night and day difference. They are set at 37psi rather than the 42psi that the dealers like to use. The ride is buttery smooth and they even have good snow traction.

I set up a personal sound profile to my liking and I'm very happy with the Burmester system. Try that first. It's an easy fix.

I've never experienced any transmission issues or body creaks. Just lucky I guess.

Perhaps the diesel variant has different transmission control programming than the petrol version we get over here?

 

Btw, I love your wheels. We have to step up to the C43 to get those wheels on this side of the pond. The C43 costs the earth.

 

The Lexus ES is a tarted up Camry but it’s a nice comfortable reliable car. Not in the same league as the C-Class in dynamic terms. I don’t have run-flats and the tyre pressure is 37psi all round according to the info on the fuel filler flap. I have since dropped them to 35 psi.
I’m still messing with the Burmester settings - maybe I’ll get it right yet. I just wish the system would connect quicker. I’m usually half way home before the music starts playing. The creaks are not consistent and seem weather dependent. Finally is there any way (apart from staying below the speed limit) of stopping the speed limit sign from constantly flashing?

 

This video can show you how to turn off Speed Limit Assist (blinking speed limit symbol):

 

That only turns off the warning sound, not the blinking symbol.

 

Turn off traffic sign assist.

 

Yes, the es is a Camry. My prior statement was about reliability and quality, not dynamics.

Coming from an A class to a C class, of course, that is an upgrade. The a class was made as an entry-level to the brand and is truly not indicative of what Mercedes quality is… now with the combination of A classes, C classes, and E classes, that quality has gotten even more **** poor than ever in Merc history.

I’m not hating on the C class, just putting out some realistic expectations of “newer” entry level quality. Tech that will expire does not make up for it but much of the public would rather be blind to this.

 

I completely agree. It has no bottom whatsoever. I don't need it blasting or rattling the car, but at least some solid bass and not a car sounding like its loaded with tweeters and midrange speakers. I expected more from MB.

 

Are you two just using the tone controls or have you used the personal settings? Because mine has plenty of oomph. Now if you want the coins to rattle in the cup holder of the car next to you, no, it doesn't have that type of sound. But it has plenty of bass, good mids and good treble. I've used it with an iPod touch 7 wired in through a USB playing AIFF files and am now streaming from my iPhone 16 with the same files. I listen to music at home using Astell&Kern 1000 and 2000T DAPS and Empire Ears Odin IEMs. I am entirely satisfied with the sound from the Burmeister. YMMV.

 

What are your settings?

 

They aren't settings, per se. You sit in the car and use the 3D personal sound profile setup. Google "burmeister mbux audio setup" and you will see how to do it. It will take more than a few minutes, some fiddling, maybe some starting over several times, to create the "best" profile for yourself. And from what I can see you can't set more than one profile. If you can't get what you want from using that, then I guess the audio system isn't for you.

Mercedes has a myriad of settings and adjustments. They can be a bit overwhelming at first. Reading the car booklet helps, but I found that watching YouTube videos made all the difference. Nick O'Leary has a bunch of them, including how to setup the MBUX. The first two months with my car, figuring out all the settings, his videos really helped, because the settings are not only not intuitive, they are often hidden. Just volume control alone for the sound system has the steering wheel slider AND the one on the dash. And the dash one can be used (upping volume only) with pushes on the righthand side as opposed to sliding with your finger.

 

Yes, at 61, I'm just looking for some quality base, not rattling the change in the cup holder. Maybe I'm missing something. I thought i was using all the adjustments I had. Maximizing the base level doesnt work nor does moving the fade location.

 

Are you in the 3D sound profile setting? That is where you need to go, not just bass/treble/fade settings like a stereo. Whole different kettle of fish. I had to back off the bass on the first profile I created, it was too much.

 

My experience underscores the value of the personalization setting. The Burmester in my GLB 250 was very disappointing until I set up the personalization feature. Now it sounds great. Sadly, it took 12 months of fiddling with other settings (bass, treble, mid range, balance, fade) before I happened upon a YouTube video in which the guy made a passing reference to the personalization setting. I set it up, and now the sound is much better than the Alpine OEM system in my Jeep; previously, the Mercedes was inferior.

 

I keep pushing YouTube for information on the MB's settings. Nick O'Leary has a bunch and even if I only got one new idea from each I got a ton.

Took me a month or two before I found the 3D settings.

 

Agreed 100000000nth degree. W206 absolute piece of crap, not fit for the bin but the mostest crappuest, smelliest bin available, even that is tooo good for it.

 

I've no idea what you are talking about, unless you are making some sort of joke. Mine is fine.

 

Interesting thread, had my C300 for somewhat over a year, and there are some things I like about it, and things I don’t.

Things I like:
Things I don’t like:
Anyway, in general I am very happy with the car, the short falls are kind of annoying in that they seem so easily avoided.

 

The Burmeister is great if you tune it to personal preferences. Just adjusting bass and treble, it's fine but no great shakes. Takes about ten minutes to get full, rich sound in what they call 3D.

I have no lag, especially five seconds, when merging and/or passing. The only time I question the car is when I floor it and it seems to take it by surprise. Pushing down without mashing the pedal gets the job done. It's faster than my six-cylinder Acura TLX.

No rattles, but it suffers a bit from road noise. I'll likely change my tires at some point and see what that gets me. Running at 37psi, not the dealer's 42psi.

My interior looks nice. Carbon fiber or fake carbon fiber, not sure which. I drove an AMG loaner and really disliked what they did with that interior.

 

I’ve grown to like the car a lot more in the last couple of months. Still can’t get the Burmester to sound just right though. What settings are you using?