badhan

i have decided to buy a Mercedes for me and my choice is 2010 c200K or 2009 e250CGI. And i am a bit in confusion to choose the right one for me. I am 22 years old and living in Bangladesh. I also like to choose manual transmission and panorama roof. Does both c200k and e250cgi has the MT and panorama? Please guys suggest me which one will be better for for me? Thanks.

pudding1978

I would (and did) get the E-class. Since you live in Bangladesh, you'll need the extra room to cart women around as I imagine you'll have plenty coming after you being the richest 22 year old any of them have ever seen. Nice job.

badhan

Thanks Bro but i think E Class is for older people and it does not suit me. People may think that what is he doing with his dad's car. And another thing i think the C Class looks more sportier than the E Class? The front of C Class is great but rear is not same as the rear of the E Class is sexy but front is not what you think? But i am still worried to choose the right one.

pudding1978

Test drive the C class along with the E and you'll find, in my opinion, the C class lacks room, features, and power. When those women see the E-class in the new Transformers movie, they won't be thinking it's your father's car, they'll be thinking about how much room is in the back seat.

badhan

And what about manual transmission and panorama roof brother?

Nola

I would get the C. A C Class stands out in developing countries as much as the E, and you are right about the E being a old man's car. In fact get an SLK.

You also answered yourself in Post 3.

K-A

I think you answered your own question. In America an E-Class is universal in age, or can be considered for an "older" crowd due to it being too expensive to the common youngin', but not sure about where you live.

To me, the E outdoes the C in every respect, interior style and luxury, and if you see a C next to an E, you'll notice the E looks all sportier, more dynamic, and more stately, however, the upper "Class" and larger look give it a more focused mature look, whilst the C maintains a more youthful overall shape/size and character.

220S

The E is definitely an old man's car. Or a car for blue haired old women. The Frank Sinatra crowd. A good car for Palm Springs.

My friends always tease me about my old man's car. On the other hand they do respect the AMG part of it

K-A

I think people confuse "old man's car", with "mature" car. If the E is for old men, then the S is reserved for the retirement home.

In fact, any Luxury Sedan is seen as an "old persons car" in a respect, in the same stereotypical way that would have any Coupe or C-Class/3-Series seen as a "kids car" the latter two actually cars that have mostly "mature"-aged drivers in them, however their price point keep them more accessible to a younger crowd. Not to mention, younger crowds tend to enjoy more compact/tossable sizes.

Anyway, "old mans car" usually = Luxury and a certain price point, maybe that's why I've always been into old mens cars.

K-A

But the SLK is a girls car, or an effete man who has a chip on his shoulder car! (notice how upset and overcompensating some SLK owners get when you joke around about that).

How oh how does one get a car and avoid a stereotype!

Nola

K-A, perception of cars outside the US is completely different. These things are REALLY expensive, no financing deals, etc. A lowly C Class is the ***** in many countries, and the E can be an old man's car or a Taxi.

K-A

Lol. Yeah I know. I've gotten a good gist lately of the perception of these brands in some Euro Countries. From what I gather, they are extremely expensive, still revered and seen as prestigious (save for A/B, etc. Classes), yet are very common and used for rigorous jobs (Taxi, etc.).

In the U.S it's obviously very different. They put mandatory Sports Packages on their cars now, which IMO make them too lacking in functionality to the stereotypical "old crowd", i.e low bumpers, large-ish wheels, hard suspensions, etc. Doesn't make sense if you ask me. The way they had it before is right: "Old people car" (no offense to "old people", using this term in a stereotypical manner due to the topic of the Thread) friendly in stock form, and the Sports Packages as optional for the enthusiasts to "youth" or whatever, up.

Nola

There are many things like that... a swiss pen, a french leather bag, an italian suit, a bottle of champagne. Price is slightly higer, but the perceived value of luxury goods is much higher outside the US.

hyperion667

sounds like you don't want an 'old timers' car, LOL....
better go for the other one.....

My E turns more heads than a black man in laderhoosen

K-A

I got very enthusiastic and car-flattering compliments from two separate groups of young people (one was even females! Who knew a geriatric car can impress the ladies, eh? ) at one Gas Station. I had to put my hand up to my ear to accentuate the sound, and yell "WHAT WAS THAT?! SPEAK UP DAMNIT?!".

Ctrl+alt+Elite

Someone is always going to have something to say no matter which car you get, you could buy a damn solid gold Lambo and someone, somewhere is going to talk sh*t.

Go drive them both and make the decision on what fits you best. I originally planned on getting a C350 or a slightly used C63, but when I drove the C, being over 6 feet i saw nothing but side pillar to my left and felt boxed in. Then when I drove the E, i fell in love. Who cares what other people say.... "Let 'em hate"

K-A

I cross shopped the C63 with the E as well. The C AMG was awesome, but it did one thing extremely well, and was lacking in many other areas to me.

Nola

K-A, I now see your car history, so I am not at all surprised at your preference.

petee1997

K-A if I was your age, I would be driving the E Cab.

hyperion667

lol, I wouldn't consider any Benz a kids car.....
kids can't take care of anything......
that is one reason my wife has no Benz, she does not like caring
for cars they way I do.......hence her ford escape, lol

park423

I have to agree here, everytime I get into my wife's ML it is just a mess, but our 2 little kids contribute about 90% of that mess.

I never thought of the E as a mature car. I did think the W211 was a very pretty and a more of a chick's car. Once the new design trend came out (all angles, no more circles), the MB line-up is more masculine, especially the W212. As for being mature, over course it is, it's a sedan. If you want young, get the coupe. I don't think anyone thinks of the E coupe as an old man's car.

hyperion667

hehe, agree again Park423,
my daughter does get 'stuff' all over her spot back there, but it's easily
cleaned up, AND, I can get her started early in life (hopefully) to have 'clean tendencies', lol....
and I think the E class became stronger like you mentioned, without the round headlamps....to kind of paraphrase what you said(all angles...)

ImInPA

Get the C. With the number of E's used as Taxis, you don't want the ladies confusing you for a cabby....lol. Seriously, get the one that makes you smile the most after a test drive.

park423

haha, are you gonna let your kids set foot in the E63

K-A

This is true. I do have a car history of some fixed up Muscle-Cars, before getting on the Benz wagon as well though.

Not my style. The Coupe lacks the maturity and appeal for the dollar it commands VS the Sedan to me. If we're stereotyping, the E-Coupe and Vert are more feminine cars (mixed with sharp angles, makes it either stunning or awkward, depending on angle or setting), than the more masculine and stately Sedan.

I really don't try and care about the stereotypes however, in actuality, I used to like Coupes and such when I was 21, now when I imagine myself in them, I feel like I'm going back to my teenage roots. However, even as a Teen, I always liked big, Luxury cars. Back then I had a Mustang, and my "dream car" was a Lincoln Navigator, or S-Class, etc.

I agree with Park as well, ownership demographic aside, the W212 with the aggressive angles, and that front end, is certainly in no way made to evoke the character of an "old person". It is balanced and mature, yet I've even heard it referred to as "boy racer-y" by some naysayers as well. I'd say it has multiple characters that can play out, like any good and dynamic Sedan should.