You guys really need to try the C400/C450 AMG Sport , totally different car than the C300 and much better engine as well (V6). The new C450 is surely going to be a great C Class car. I've had several C class cars and ONLY because they are what I like. I don't want bigger. I want a car I can throw around and mod.

 

I think I specifically addressed that.
I guess I don't know what you mean. All the ECO start/stop does is stop the engine. So if the engine is stopped and you are feeling some sort of vibration then I doubt its the engine and therefore completely unrelated to the ECO start/stop.

 

Ok, you're right...

 

The front end on the E class in your sig. is timeless. I still think that the 2010/2011 version is the best looking in recent history. That car looks fast just sitting there. I won't be giving my 2010 up anytime sooon.

 

Agreed. I was pretty shocked at how loose and sloppy under some pressure the new C felt. Felt imbalanced, disorganized, rental-car-esque in drive soul. Interior is very nice for what it is, but the quality in details and fitment isn't quite there, it's a lot of "popping smoke".

There have been QC disasters with the W205, helping drag M-B's JD and Consumer Reports ratings through the mud and back towards the bottom of the industry again. Personally, if I spend over $30K on a German car, it's gotta be built in Germany, otherwise I'll just likely get something else. That's a big element and worth a lot to me, be it tangibly or just in romanticizing my enthusiasts bone, that it comes from the "motherland". The C uses a majority of American parts now on the W205, assembled in America, and you can tell.

And the price is indeed very high, which the market agrees to as W205's have gotten "clearance-sale" style discounts faster than any M-B I remember. People getting over 20% commonly immediately upon launch.

When I drove a W205, I thought it provided a compelling package against the W212. I still think it does, and can't say which I'd go with, but the C just doesn't seem nearly as well built, and that's why you should buy a Mercedes.

I still think its interior crushes the POS current 3 cost-cut city interior. But the exterior namely in standard trim (though thankfully they finally started charging a premium for the sports package to hopefully reignite some enthusiast centric specialness from it and give M-B's on the roads necessary variety and presence amongst each other) sometimes just looks really off proportioned, gawky and awkward employing the "old mature/classic" style S Class theme, namely in the rear which is very classic for this segment (nothing wrong with that, but it's an S rear, and works better on a larger and more big-luxury saloon like that). The worst is the front, where that star grill doesn't fit the classic design theme of the C. It looks downright awkward and goofy in some elements. I saw one next to a facelift W211 E and pre facelift W212 E, and the fronts weren't even comparable, the two letters just out-classed it, and had such a stronger, truer, more harmonized classic (in the good way) M-B elements to them.

Agreed. The "tacked on tablet" is an excuse for cost cutting. Marketers spin it as "Flat Screen/Tablet" but it's simply non-integrated and allows them to cost cut by creating universal dash designs of which they don't have to tastefully integrate with individual screens. Also, it will date cars so significantly imo as it's too tech-trend focused (nothing dates faster and more rapidly than ever-evolving tech, especially trends). Integration is fundamental architectural design. This is giving that up in favor of trendy tech hardware that has no business or integration within a vehicle setup.

 

I like W205 C Class but I would never trade my W212 for that . W205s being a newer kids on the block benefit from the latest technology or get more updated interior . I also thought of trading my car for it but I didn't go for it .
I think next gen E Class will surpass the W212s in regards to technological instruments,gadgets,even safety .
Well, then some guys who switch to W205 coming from W212 would regret not waiting for the W213 or next gen E Class

 

We have a new 2016 E350 on order for my wife, which will replace her 2010. Even though we know the new W213 will have newer technology, we are worried about the exterior design. Will it look just like the C, which looks a lot like the S? We love the upright, traditional look of the W212 in Luxury trim and hope the W213 follows in that design theme, but we are not holding our breath. In addition, we are worried about the possible deletion of a spare wheel/tire and the possible inclusion of the Panorama Roof, either as standard equipment or as part of a Premium Pkg, which we absolutely do not want. And lastly, with the tidal wave of new entry level models into the MB line up, we feel that it would be wise to give the W213 about three years to get all the bugs out, before we jump in. Waiting in line for service behind throngs of CLA, GLA, Smart Cars and other lower end models is not our idea of having fun, so we try to keep dealer service visits to an absolute minimum.

 

So if none of your worries appear in the W213 are you going to trade in the 2016 for the W213?

The W213 is going to be leap years ahead of the W212 in terms of technology and luxury. It would seem like a waste to buy a 2016 at this point.

I think it would be better to wait for the W213 and if you are not happy with it you will be able to pick up a 2016 at a great discount because dealers will be trying to get rid of them to make room for the much improved W213.

 

Good decision ! I concur with your reasoning. From the spy shots of the W213, it is evident that it will look very much like the W205, the rear end of which I do not care for. The W213 also appears to be physically larger then the W212.

Neither do I like the trend to a smaller, rounded rear window which greatly restricts the rearward sight lines. If you have driven a W205, you will appreciate my comment on restricted visibility.

In addition to my qualms about the W213 styling, I also fear that it will be equipped with dreaded Run Flat tires.

The face-lifted W212 is such a good looking car with an outstanding driving position, great visibility in all directions and a rock-solid reputation for reliability. It remains to be seen whether the W213 will be able match this combination of attributes. Given MB's recent flawed introduction of the CLA/GLA and W205, it may take several years of W213 production for it match the current build quality of the W212.

 

I wouldn't touch a W213 in the first year of production (or any such car for that matter)... but maybe that's just me. I prefer to buy cars that are rated well during later production years when hopefully many defects have been fixed.

 

I thought I addressed that: With all that new technology, we will give the W213 probably about three years to get all the bugs sorted and then get one--probably. And, we cannot sit around and wait for the W212 fire sale at the end of the year, as we want exactly what we want and that means a specially ordered car, unlike anything you will find sitting on a dealer'a lot either before or after the 2017's arrive. Just try and find a loaded, Iridium Silver E350 Luxury sedan with Seashell Gray Nappa Leather and the Surround View Camera sitting on a lot. Virtually impossible. And, with the timing of our ordered 2016, the deal we will get will be sensational anyway.
As previously stated, with MB falling all over themselves dealing with CLA, GLA, W205 & other issues, I have little doubt that the first & second year W213's will have reasonably serious glitches and my wife will be more than happy tooling around in her last year W212, while we wait for the W213 to get debugged--or not.

 

I'm hoping that the new E class will still be made in Germany. If it's made in US, then it'll be a crapshoot like the new C class.

 

That would have been huge, earth shaking news if MB decided to build the W213 in the US, so I'm quite confident that we won't see that.

 

My E550 is a great car, and the premium 2 package bells and whistles still wow me even after owning for two years. Bought it certified preowned, and extended the warranty to 2017 and 135K miles. As it just passed 60,000, I'll have to drive it a lot more to approach 135000 before the warranty time ends in 2017.

At that time, I'll either purchase an S class certified pre-owned, or sink some cash into performance mods in the E550. The stock set up still makes this one a sleeper that surprises those not in the know, and I can't help wonder what could be done to wake it up even more. 1st thing to go will be the speed limiter that prevents it from going over 130MPH. Pulling pretty good up to 130, then just leveling out was disappointing....

I suppose my decision in two years depends on how everything holds up before then. The C is just too small for me to even consider, I prefer a more substantial car.

 

You did, and I asked a general question. If none of those issues appear in the W213 would you consider trading?
You are assuming that there will be three years of issues for some reason. Along with your other concerns, I just asked if there weren't any issues would you trade you brand new W212 for the W213 or would you be happy with keeping the W212 especially as it will be so outdated when the W213 arrives.

Congrats on getting a good deal, Enjoy!

 

Not nearly the same, but investing billions in a new Sprinter plant in US may be a harbinger of changes to come. Right now MB doing the Sprinter to avoid heavy import duties on trucks.
But, they are coming to a state (S.C.) that is very anti-union and very, very pro-corporations.
But still probably no "E" for a long, long time.

 

Looks like an excellent and well thought out plan.
Happy Motoring!

 

Didn't we hear something about MB building the R Class in Michigan with UAW employees?

 

I always have been a BMW person but two weeks after purchasing 2015 ML250 for my wife, I understood why people buy Mercedes.. comfort. I wanted something more sporty so I ended up getting 2015 E350 with sport package. Looked pretty bad ***. Funny thing is I drove around for a day and I couldn't stand the way E350 drives other than straight line on highway. Even with sport package it couldn't hide its weight and the ride was way too plush. I keep asking myself why am I driving a glorified taxi to work every day?? Making a long story short, I traded in for 2015 C300 (got all the options except distronics and air suspension). It's been over a month now and every morning I can't wait to drive the car to work. My wife didn't care for E350 since it was pretty much same as her ML but she is actually jealous of my car and asked me to switch every chance she gets.

 

Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy your new MB.

 

Well, there are some folks out there--mostly younger ones, who feel that looking "pretty bad ***" is somehow very important. Sigh.

 

I left the "Badass" phase about 40 years ago. I am now in the "droopy ***" phase.

 

Too bad you didn't figure out that you hated the E......on your test drive. One thing is for sure, bad *** will not be used to describe the new C. Sounds like you're happy and that's what matters. good luck!

 

I guess it's all about preference. I've had both the E350 and C300 as loaners when mine was in for service, and each time returned the cars very happy to get the E550 back. With every option available on mine, it is way more car all the way around than either of the two other models. I would not trade my 5 year old E550, even straight up, for a 2015 C300. The only way mine could be better for me is if was the E63 AMG.

 

Too subjective a question.


How much space do you need?
Do you want a warranty?
Which tech package do you prefer?
Which drives better for you?


Impossible to answer with a poll.