Amanuuh and others, is the column shifter hard to use? Is it old hat once you get used to it?


Currently considering c63 and maybe upcoming BMW M2 coupe. Although I remember Amanuuh mentioning problems with his BMWs?

 

I don't think so....its just a bit old school for my taste. I wouldn't say its hard to use, just different than what other manufacturers are using today. Once you get use to it -- you're over it.

 

It's electronic & easy once you use it a few times.

 

I have the column shifter on my E550 4MATIC.

It becomes second nature after you spend a day with the car. I don't even notice it anymore.

 

People over think it.

 

Not at all - it just needs some getting used to


I've been driving a brand new W205 sedan loaner for a week now and one of the gripes I had when I first saw the specs of the new 205 series range was the change to the column shifter, but now after actually driving one as said above it really isn't a negative thing.


I'm actually having more of a problem adjusting to the reversed order of the cruise and indicator stalks and the location and activations of some of the features from where and how they are on the 204 series, this one I'm driving is fully loaded/optioned just like my C204 coupe.


A bit off topic but just wanted to add, the interior is not as "solid" as I thought it would be ie. was expecting it to be much better than the 204 in this regard but it isn't and already has an annoying vibration/rattle from the dash dials area, the drivers door trim also makes a squeaking noise when pressing any of the function buttons located in that area you can actually push the trim in quite easily whereas it's totally solid and unmoveable on my 204 and there's a weird loud ticking noise emanating somewhere from the rear of the car whenever it's running


I don't know but I hope they sort out all these bugs from experience with the initial batches of this new model.

 

Sorry to hear about those issues. Those loaners can take a beating though. Also, I've never had an "entry-level" (e.g., 3-Series, C-Class, etc.) BMW/MB loaner car that came with a lot of options. They're usually stripped down models. When I had my M Sport F30 335i (a "loaded" car with Dakota Leather), I had an opportunity to drive a "Base," stripped-down 328i loaner. Just because of the lack of options, the interior of the loaner looked and felt atrocious. Keep in mind I really enjoyed the interior on "my" F30.

I was shocked by how different the interiors looked/felt. Both cars were F30 sedans but the options either made them or broke them. My car had red leather, the loaner had beige vinyl seats. My car had HUD, iDrive, and the full version of BMW's navigation but the loaner had no HUD, a smaller NAV screen, and much more limited functionality. The steering wheel on the loaner was entirely different (and for the worse). The trim in the loaner appeared to be much cheaper.

Furthermore, just like with any mass-produced product, there are bound to be a few products with minor issues. This is especially the case with brand new models. My first M Sport F30 335i turned out to be a lemon; it's replacement was absolutely flawless. It's the problem-free cars we rarely hear about.

We have a few W205s in the family and each one I've driven is as solidly built as my '14 E-Class. The doors thud with authority and all of the trim pieces and switches feel sturdy/provide positive tactile feedback. Soft-touch materials abound. No rattles, no squeaks, no drama.

So, in sum, I have a solid amount of personal experience with at least 3 W205 sedans and all of them are problem-free.

The link that binds them is this: they're owned/leased cars as opposed to loaner cars. Hopefully that mollifies any concerns you developed based on your experience with the loaner. I'll be sure to report back if any of the 3 W205s develop issues.

Here are a few photos I snapped of one of them:

Interior Door Panel (that's wood trim on the door; hard to see because of poor lighting conditions in the garage):



Perforated Seats (apologies again for the poor lighting):



Center Console:

 

Hi Zibby43


Thanks for the info and pics above


This loaner I have is actually almost brand new (just over 1000km) don't think it's been mistreated so far as it's only been driven by a MB exec before I got it last week.


It has most of the options missing only a couple of things, it also doesn't have the IWC clock due to the standard piano black console.


The leather clad dash would make a huge difference in feel and quality for sure however if I compare the "touch or feel" and quality of this W205 dash material compared to my C204 it feels harder and cheap, I'm really not sure why that is - probably where it was made as AFAIK most W205's (except for AMG models) destined for Australia are now supplied from Sth. Africa whereas the 204's were from Germany, I really don't know for sure as I haven't run the VIN for verification where this particular W205 is from, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it but maybe the materials used from the Sth. African plants are different I'm going to ask the guys at MB here and see what they say.


I'll be handing it back to my MB dealer this week, overall I like it and it does do some things better than the previous gen 204 (this one has the same drivetrain as my C204 coupe) but not really impressed enough to want to update from a 204, I actually can't wait to get back into my C204 coupe compared to this W205 sedan, despite the modern updates.


Luckily I'm only interested in the coupe AMG C63 variant with the 205 - I'm sure a fully optioned and dressed one of those will not disappoint and I'll be keeping my current C204 as my daily driven vehicle


I've also taken lots of pics of this one for my own records, here are some.

 

God damn these guys posts are so detailed lol

Yeah, I had problems with my BMWs. BMWs are known for reliability issues. lol. I mean its not like I wouldn't ever get another BMW again. With tall the tech coming out I might get the G platform. M2 is going to be a great car. Its obviously going to be a bit smaller than a C63. Everyone thinks its going to be totally different than the M235i but from spy spots so far the only difference is wide fenders. Its also not gonna have much more hp i think 350/360. It will be light as heck though.

I personally think the column shifter is out of place in a car. Its totally different in a SUV. In my dads GL 550 it doesn't feel weird at all. Its definitely not a deal breaker. In W204s when it was on the console when you wanted to shift using the shifter it was side to side anyways (lame). Ive seen the w205s with the shifter on the console and it looks horrible lol

 

I drive a 2011 E550, so I am used to the column shifter, but I like my wife's 2014 GL550 because the column shifter and the turn signal stalk are now level with each other right where I have my hands on the steering wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock. I like this symmetry better.

Besides, if the drive shifter is placed in the center console, where would MB place the touchpad controller and the cupholders?

 

The touch pad stays there. Cup holders get moved to the right. Shifter to the left. It doesn't look good. Places that offer manual base C classes have it.

 

I have had a 2015 c300 loaner for 5 weeks now and love the car. I love the P-R-N-D stalk as it frees up room on the console. As said before, after a day or 2 you are a pro at it.

 

Yup in a c300 loaner right now and I actually kind of enjoy the new interior, the column snifter is different but I'm already adjusting it isn't as bad as I expected. The weirdest thing to me is the parking brake button...so weird not having w pedal

 

It's all about progress and trying to make the car lighter.

 

I've got to say I didnt think moving the gear selector would open up so much cabin space but it does.
I'm getting spoiled by the w205 interior, more spacious more luxurious (as far as the C class goes)

Really want to get inside a w205 c63s now

 

Every time I drive my W205 C300, I think, "I can't believe this is a C-Class." The Burmester sound system is damn good too.

I love the W204's C63's seats though. I feel like I'm sitting on a park bench whenever I drive cars without "performance" seats.

 

I drive a C300 loaner the other day. And to be honest it felt better, more peppy, and refined than the old C300. At first it felt weird to use the column shifter.

But what I noticed more was I had no idea what to do with my hand. LOL. It is normally holding on the the shifter in my 507. I kept leaving it on the mouse control device but then the damn thing thought I was trying to use it and it kept moving the screen.

R

 

My sister has the A200 with the column shifter...I hate it!
The thing that annoys me the most, I always drive in manual mode, and its a mission to change up a gear when turning at a stop street or something.

 

Lol yeah I agree it something to get used to.

 

Yes I keep saying the same thing I can't believe it's a c class it feels more like an e and that is one peppy 4cyl

Gives me a lot of hope for the c63. Might take the wife into a c300 for her