Quadcammer

I've been driving a C300 while my S-Class is in for service. While I think the car looks nice, I was sorely disappointed with the material quality on the dash and the door panels. This stuff looks and feels like hard, cheap plastic.

Im not sure if the C63 offers higher quality materials, but if not, are you happy with this type of material in a $60k vehicle?

Personally, I was disappointed to see it in a $35k car, id be PISSED in a $60k car.

passcheco

What do you want for a $60,000K car? Do you whant a big *** engine?Great handling and all the trimmings or fancy dash material "feel good leather steering" some soft crap for door panel, and 22 cup holders?

taylorcoleman

I prefer the C63 interior to the clunky E90 M3 interior. A more luxurious feel in the C63's interior would detract from its appeal IMHO.

Quadcammer

Well, id say that the difference between the $35k C300 and the $60k+ C63 should get your more than some different springs/shocks and a big engine (yes, I realize there are other differences).

Given that the vehicle is a Mercedes Benz, I expected more of the materials.

I don't see how a nicer dash would detract from the experience, could you possibly elaborate?

thanks.

FishtailnZ

I agree the interior (materials, not the design) is a little chintzy and a bit disappointing, but no biggie. I'm not buying it to be coddled

norb

They should at least make the CF a no cost option.

e1000

Not sure if it's dependant on the premium leather package, but some of the surfaces on the C63 are definitely higher quality than on the standard C300/C350. Door inserts and armrest is much nicer, and although it seems small, did make a difference on how the interior felt.

passcheco

Exactly my point, why waste the money? it does nothing, it just sits there, covering a very fancy set of speakers. I rather have Dr. Z put the money where it counts don't you? Now if was paying the 200k+ maybe I would question a little. I do however agree with you the C300 interior is cheap looking, but again the Germans don't work for rice alone.

ApproachingZero

The C300 is the baseline Merc, right?

Go compare it with a Base line BMW, Toyota, Honda, or even worse Domestic.

Other than lexus, BMW and Audi many of the other manufactures top end models don;t match with the C300 interior.

Case in point, I had to drive a 2007 Camery when the E55 was in the shop. What a econ box compared to my fiances mom's C300.

Ape

I didn't buy a C63 for the interior, if that was what I based my decision on I would have bought a CTS or a Lexus. IMHO, I have seen the S-Class interior and can say that I am not blown away by it either. I would be more upset with a S63 price/interior vs. the C63 price/interior. The area that the C-class can change to improve is the passenger dash area, other then that area I like the rest of the interior.

Quadcammer

Well, I kinda see it like this:

If all I wanted was big speed, Id pick up a corvette for less. Great handling, braking, and a strong 430bhp v8. I think the MB is intended to be a bit more well rounded. I don't see a nicer interior as a waste. I see it as the reason why im spending more for an MB.

norb

But its still a $60K car. It should have better interior materials.

Quadcammer

I can't agree with all of your statements and comparisons.

Baseline Toyota's, Hondas or domestics do not have $35k pricetags. To me, this type of plastic is acceptable in a $19k accord or camry.

BMW and Audi both build high quality interiors with imho, nicer materials. If you are implying that the interiors of higher end BMWs and Audis are not nicer, you are strongly biased, and quite frankly, wrong.

The Camry is an econobox. It also starts at like $15k. That is less than half of the base price of the C300. It is basic transportation, nothing more.

Perhaps my standards for MB are higher than they should be for the lower end models.

But my point was that it might be ok int he C300, but if the C63 has the same materials, I'd be quite disappointed.

Quadcammer

I don't love the design of the 221 S-Class interior either, but you can't argue with leather wrapped dash and door panels. I have them in my designo 220, and I really think its one of the best parts of the interior.

Not that im saying that the C63 should have a leather dash or door panels, just some type of soft touch vinyl or something.

taylorcoleman

Gee. Let's compare the base E90 with the E90 M3 (similar comparrison to a C300 and a C63). I've driven the base E90 and the E90 M3. Except for the upgraded sport seats in the M3 and come faux carbon fiber trim, the 2 cars are nearly identical on the interior.

I agree that for no more price to the consumer, I would prefer standard carbon fiber trim and perhaps some subtle other nice-to-haves to differentiate the interior of the C63 over the standard C class.

If I were looking for creature comforts & luxurious interiors coupled with crushing performance, I'd be in an S63. Although I'd be in an S63, I"d be out of a home.

passcheco

"Quote"

Well, I kinda see it like this:

If all I wanted was big speed, Id pick up a corvette for less. Great handling, braking, and a strong 430bhp v8. I think the MB is intended to be a bit more well rounded. I don't see a nicer interior as a waste. I see it as the reason why im spending more for an MB.
__________________
Please don't miss my point, we don't buy MB because we want sports cars, the Corvett is by far the best bang for the buck IMO, we that said, look at cars, the interior of a C63, IMO is very well appointed, the leather is very nice, the dash well what can I say as a dash, and sides a little on cheap side, but overall its very well appointed. The C300 is an entry level car it does not matter if is 4Ok. IMHO

AMGfan

That is what MB officials are doing if they monitor this thread. MB is finally putting out ok cupholders (my CLK430 back in the day had crappy ones) after years of nagging so I doubt if they will be nice enough to throw in a CF interior.

If they could get away with it they would charge extra on everything.

Ape

I can honestly say that I could not tell you right now what material is on my door panels, so that tells me it is not important to me, nor was not a problem that I indentified with the car. I do agree that the leather dash would be a nice touch, or even something to dress/break the dash area ahead of the passenger. I am sure as I get older the little things like the interior material quality will be important to me, just not at the top of my list today. My big issue with a car is if it rattles; rattles will drive me insane, as long as I don’t have rattles, pops, or other noises coming from the interior I am good to go.

Ape

Funny, my C63 is in the shop right now for a radar/laser install and they gave me an R Class as the loaner. I thought to myself on the drive into work today, I was much more impressed with the C63 interior then the R Class. Mine thoughts were more to the layout/options then the materials I guess to each their own.

taylorcoleman

Pls PM me with the radar/laser install you got & how you like it (or please post your experience within a new thread). I'm quite interested in how well the install integrated with the interior (which does in fact relate to this thread).

Ape

Will do. They will have it for 2 days, they said it is a pretty involved install so I hope it turns out fine

NORTH 44 C63

Personally I find the ergonomics of the W204 with COMAND to be top grade. Fit and Finish is up there as well.

Dash, upper door sills, frame of the console and seat back frames are not up to what I have come to expect from Mercedes. These areas are on the cheap side of plastic but not too bad. I can live with it but I am getting a quote to cover these areas in either Leather or a Alcantara or tighter Suede. Leaning towards a Premium Leather (Black)

AMGfan

It's not cheap...if done right. I was contemplating on getting my dash done in Alcantara but I've moved away from it because of fading issues. I got quoted over 2 grand to just do the dash and over 4K to do just the seat inserts front and back.

The guy who did my headliner, rear deck, A pillars, and trunk was top notch and was expensive but it was worth it...just expect to pay $$$. You can practically do anything to your interior (I changed from burlwood to piano black and gray headliner to black Alcantara)...you just need some patience and a bit of juice.

Sincity

AMGFan: That is some impressive work.

NORTH 44 C63

NICE Job. Almost makes you want to curl up and take a nap...LOL. Very easy on the eyes. I like a lot.

Got these shots from a post by LEOBARTZ on this forum back in July. Car at AMG showroom. This is the kind of look i am after but with a Charcoal stitch.
Should have a quote tomorrow or Monday and will let you know.

Again....NICE Job!!!