E Class vs C Class question
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Texas
E400
E Class vs C Class question
Just curious about something. I recently got a CPO 2016 E400 (w212) and have had a 2010 C300 and a 2010 E350 in the past. I took my E400 in for some warranty work and they gave me a 2019 C300 as a loaner (it may be a 2020, it only has 1900 miles). I don't want to upset anyone but this C300 feels like I'm driving a Toyota or something along those lines. I don't remember my 2010 C300 feeling "cheap" like this one does, nor do I remember there being that huge of a difference between my 2010 E and C in how the cars the feel. Is there really that much difference between the E class and C class now? I would think that a new C class would stand up to an older E class fairly well but IMO this one really doesn't.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
New car can stand up with gizmo, like new electronic driver-assistance programs, but small, primitive car will never comparable to its bigger brother.
Your memories might be subject to Placebo effect.
When you move from smaller car to a bigger one, you have nicer impression, but quickly you get over it.
When you go back to smaller car, you think "how do I ever liked it?"
Your memories might be subject to Placebo effect.
When you move from smaller car to a bigger one, you have nicer impression, but quickly you get over it.
When you go back to smaller car, you think "how do I ever liked it?"
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I've driven a handful of C300 and E300 loaners during warranty work on my 2016 W212. I do not feel any Toyota attributes to these loaners. They seem to perform like a Mercedes should, and build quality is fine to me. The engines work differently (neither bad or good) but I expected this.
The one thing I do notice is size, both exterior and (especially) the interiors. Whether true or not, the interiors of the newer cars appear smaller to me. The C300 interiors seem slightly larger than my 2001 C320, while the E300 interior cabin width seems noticeably smaller... closer to the C-Class than my W212. On one occasion, I laughed when exiting a loaner, thinking I was provided another C300, only to find as I walked around the back that it was an E300.
All else considered, I can't get used to the tacked on look of the Comand unit on the C300s. (I just don't like the style on its face) And that plastic barn door center console lid looks cheap, compared with the multi-morphing wooden cover on the W212. And the steering wheel controls were not intuitive to me as they are on the W212. Had I kept either loaner for any time, I would have needed to find an owner's manual online to learn how the controls work.
In sum, I felt the newer cars to be proper MBs, just not to my liking.
The one thing I do notice is size, both exterior and (especially) the interiors. Whether true or not, the interiors of the newer cars appear smaller to me. The C300 interiors seem slightly larger than my 2001 C320, while the E300 interior cabin width seems noticeably smaller... closer to the C-Class than my W212. On one occasion, I laughed when exiting a loaner, thinking I was provided another C300, only to find as I walked around the back that it was an E300.
All else considered, I can't get used to the tacked on look of the Comand unit on the C300s. (I just don't like the style on its face) And that plastic barn door center console lid looks cheap, compared with the multi-morphing wooden cover on the W212. And the steering wheel controls were not intuitive to me as they are on the W212. Had I kept either loaner for any time, I would have needed to find an owner's manual online to learn how the controls work.
In sum, I felt the newer cars to be proper MBs, just not to my liking.
Last edited by DFWdude; Feb 26, 2020 at 12:46 PM.
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Cars in USA are getting smaller.
Just couple years ago I got fascinated with 1969 Lincoln Continental. The 2-door convertible would not fit inside 25' long garage.
I grew up in Poland, where Fiats126, Trabants were very popular cars, so when I moved to US, my 2nd purchase was classic Oldsmobile SW, where you could fit sofa and close rear hatch.
Just few years ago, on RV forum we discuss Smarts as toads and lot of members would comment "YOu will never see me inside 1 of those".
Today not only Smarts are very popular, but west freeways are stuffed with Fiat500, not to mention whole variety of "match boxes" enter US freeways.
So I don't blame MB that trying to compete with 50 mpg - they make cars smaller.
Other thing is that new technology gizmos take lot of space. My W211 wagon had much lower cargo space than W210 wagon. The body size change was minimal, but 1 side of cargo space was taken by huge subwoofer, when other side was filled with Navi drive and dynamic seats compressor.
Technology helps a lot when MB managed to fit fuel tank under sedan rear seat, but that adds to complexity.
Still when I could not buy diesel-powered wagon in USA, I went for Sprinter.
Just couple years ago I got fascinated with 1969 Lincoln Continental. The 2-door convertible would not fit inside 25' long garage.
I grew up in Poland, where Fiats126, Trabants were very popular cars, so when I moved to US, my 2nd purchase was classic Oldsmobile SW, where you could fit sofa and close rear hatch.
Just few years ago, on RV forum we discuss Smarts as toads and lot of members would comment "YOu will never see me inside 1 of those".
Today not only Smarts are very popular, but west freeways are stuffed with Fiat500, not to mention whole variety of "match boxes" enter US freeways.
So I don't blame MB that trying to compete with 50 mpg - they make cars smaller.
Other thing is that new technology gizmos take lot of space. My W211 wagon had much lower cargo space than W210 wagon. The body size change was minimal, but 1 side of cargo space was taken by huge subwoofer, when other side was filled with Navi drive and dynamic seats compressor.
Technology helps a lot when MB managed to fit fuel tank under sedan rear seat, but that adds to complexity.
Still when I could not buy diesel-powered wagon in USA, I went for Sprinter.
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From: Texas
E400
Thank you everyone for your replies. @kajtek1 you may be correct that my memory is skewed. I had the C300 then a few cars later got an E350 now I have the E400 so there have been quite a few vehicles between. The reason I said it feels Toyota like, is before buy this E400 I was shopping for a new car, I recently test drove a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord as well as a Mustang (all 3 new). I wanted really want to get another MB so I decided on a CPO MB rather than a new "other" car. So those cars were fresh in my head and when I got in this new C300 I really felt like I was back in the Camry (that was literally my first thought), not from a size or look perspective but from how the car felt and drove. I just was a bit taken back at that feeling and was curious about others thoughts.
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MB’s of all kinds.
The W205 C Class was a major improvement as far as C Classes go compared to the W202 and W203. However, you simply cannot compare a C Class to a E Class at all. The E is a superior car in every way. Hence why you pay more. Also, compared to a E400 you cannot compare to any of those cars as they just not on the same level. Basically in a nutshell you need to buy the E400 and be done with it.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Difference between E and C is big. C class in my opinion is a joke of a car compared to E class.
This same difference you can find between E and S class. Go test drive a S class and you will know what a car is.
For Mercedes it is strictly a business decision to have this difference between models as if they made C class to drive and feel like E class they would loose lots of E class buyers. Same between E and S class.
I had a number of loaners from the dealer when I took my car for scheduled maintenance when it was still under the CPO warranty. Most of the times they gave me a C class and I hated it. A couple of times they have me KLG and it was a lot better.
This same difference you can find between E and S class. Go test drive a S class and you will know what a car is.
For Mercedes it is strictly a business decision to have this difference between models as if they made C class to drive and feel like E class they would loose lots of E class buyers. Same between E and S class.
I had a number of loaners from the dealer when I took my car for scheduled maintenance when it was still under the CPO warranty. Most of the times they gave me a C class and I hated it. A couple of times they have me KLG and it was a lot better.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
Just curious about something. I recently got a CPO 2016 E400 (w212) and have had a 2010 C300 and a 2010 E350 in the past. I took my E400 in for some warranty work and they gave me a 2019 C300 as a loaner (it may be a 2020, it only has 1900 miles). I don't want to upset anyone but this C300 feels like I'm driving a Toyota or something along those lines. I don't remember my 2010 C300 feeling "cheap" like this one does, nor do I remember there being that huge of a difference between my 2010 E and C in how the cars the feel. Is there really that much difference between the E class and C class now? I would think that a new C class would stand up to an older E class fairly well but IMO this one really doesn't.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Not sure what’s up with all the hate. My last Benz was a 2014 C350. That car did not differ significantly in feel to my 2016 E350 at all. Same engine, same transmission. Worse seats. Same wheel. Same gauges. Basically same COMAND. Really, they share a lot of parts. Your 2016 W212 and your 2010 W204 were from the same era Mercedes, so they feel similar. The new W205 and W213 are now a different era and they feel similar and not at all like the ones before.
I heard this same argument on the forum when the W212 hit the market for 2010 and when the W204 hit the market in 2008. Owners of the W203 and W211 were all “these don’t even feel like Mercedes” anymore.
Rinse/repeat. In time there will be people waxing nostalgic for the good old days of the W213 and W205.
I heard this same argument on the forum when the W212 hit the market for 2010 and when the W204 hit the market in 2008. Owners of the W203 and W211 were all “these don’t even feel like Mercedes” anymore.
Rinse/repeat. In time there will be people waxing nostalgic for the good old days of the W213 and W205.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
^^^^^^^ DITTO. I enjoyed driving my C320. It still is bank vault solid. Not a rattle or squeek anywhere after 18 years.
I do enjoy my W212 today, but only because it is larger inside to fit my larger frame better, and it has more current bells and whistles.
I do enjoy my W212 today, but only because it is larger inside to fit my larger frame better, and it has more current bells and whistles.
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2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS
I have had C class and W213 E300 loaners. No complaint about the quality of either models, but I have some issues with both.
I do not care about rear seat space, since I rarely have more than 2 people in the car and do not sit in the back of my own car! But the C-Class centre console is too wide and restricts leg movement. I am only 6' 2", so not the tallest. In the W213 they have the same wide console with the same issues as the C class, but the windshield is now at a steeper angle, resulting in the sun visor hitting your head if you attempt to use it. Although the E300 is very smooth, I miss the sound of a 6 cylinder and the few more hp from my E350.
Comparing my E350 to my W126 300SEL, things are more interesting. The E350 is 2,5" wide than the W126, which is S- Class, but I have less space in the E350, front, back and trunk. The 300SEL is ~10" longer (of which 5" is the "L" version) than the E350, but, the W126 windshield is at steeper angle, and the whole windshield and dashboard a lot more forward, creating a lot more space.
I do not care about rear seat space, since I rarely have more than 2 people in the car and do not sit in the back of my own car! But the C-Class centre console is too wide and restricts leg movement. I am only 6' 2", so not the tallest. In the W213 they have the same wide console with the same issues as the C class, but the windshield is now at a steeper angle, resulting in the sun visor hitting your head if you attempt to use it. Although the E300 is very smooth, I miss the sound of a 6 cylinder and the few more hp from my E350.
Comparing my E350 to my W126 300SEL, things are more interesting. The E350 is 2,5" wide than the W126, which is S- Class, but I have less space in the E350, front, back and trunk. The 300SEL is ~10" longer (of which 5" is the "L" version) than the E350, but, the W126 windshield is at steeper angle, and the whole windshield and dashboard a lot more forward, creating a lot more space.
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C300
What I do not like about the new C and E class is the 4 cylinder turbo motor. It sounds cheep in the C class and less so in the E class. I have changed turbos (a lot of work) and they will eventually need replacing, I prefer the sound and feel of the naturally aspirated V6s of the prior models.
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
I have a C300 loaner right now. Spunky little car, more nimble than my E350, probably because it's smaller. I thought I had the sport suspension on my E350, but apparently not. 
I thought about C class when looking to replace my W203 but yep, I just cannot get used to the COMAND. Looks so much like a tacked on afterthought. That's what seems so not Mercedes to me.
Edit: Also cannot get used to the twin digital displays on the newer models. Again, seems so not Mercedes. Another reason I went for the 2016 E350. There was a last generation C63S along my way home yesterday for quite a while. Traffic was frustrating at times. The C63 seemed to be quite the rocket ship.
I thought about C class when looking to replace my W203 but yep, I just cannot get used to the COMAND. Looks so much like a tacked on afterthought. That's what seems so not Mercedes to me.Edit: Also cannot get used to the twin digital displays on the newer models. Again, seems so not Mercedes. Another reason I went for the 2016 E350. There was a last generation C63S along my way home yesterday for quite a while. Traffic was frustrating at times. The C63 seemed to be quite the rocket ship.
Last edited by mtnman82; Feb 28, 2020 at 01:44 PM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I have a C300 loaner right now. Spunky little car, more nimble than my E350, probably because it's smaller. I thought I had the sport suspension on my E350, but apparently not. I thought about C class when looking to replace my W203 but yep, I just cannot get used to the COMAND. Looks so much like a tacked on afterthought. That's what seems so not Mercedes to me.
Edit: Also cannot get used to the twin digital displays on the newer models. Again, seems so not Mercedes. Another reason I went for the 2016 E350. There was a last generation C63S along my way home yesterday for quite a while. Traffic was frustrating at times. The C63 seemed to be quite the rocket ship.
I thought about C class when looking to replace my W203 but yep, I just cannot get used to the COMAND. Looks so much like a tacked on afterthought. That's what seems so not Mercedes to me.Edit: Also cannot get used to the twin digital displays on the newer models. Again, seems so not Mercedes. Another reason I went for the 2016 E350. There was a last generation C63S along my way home yesterday for quite a while. Traffic was frustrating at times. The C63 seemed to be quite the rocket ship.
Also I despise all of the new Benz interiors with those stupid looking twin digital displays.
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
LILBENZ230 - please set me straight. I have the "951 - Sport Package USA" option on my build sheet. I thought I read on this forum 951 was only an appearance package and there was an additional option code for the actual sport suspension? I've been wondering since I picked the car up. I didn't expect it to be as tight as my c230, but did expect it to be a tad firmer.
+1 on the w203 c-class comments. I always enjoyed driving mine and it was rock solid. In fact, my last drive in the c230k was a ~4 hour cruise including part of the California coast. I was on the phone with my wife telling her how enjoyable the car still was, how well it was running, how smooth it was riding, and going to make an appt with a body shop to have the peeling clear coat on the roof corrected (all other paint was AOK, not a dent or ding on the whole body, interior was still in pristine shape, and she was my daily driver for the past 15 years).
+1 on the w203 c-class comments. I always enjoyed driving mine and it was rock solid. In fact, my last drive in the c230k was a ~4 hour cruise including part of the California coast. I was on the phone with my wife telling her how enjoyable the car still was, how well it was running, how smooth it was riding, and going to make an appt with a body shop to have the peeling clear coat on the roof corrected (all other paint was AOK, not a dent or ding on the whole body, interior was still in pristine shape, and she was my daily driver for the past 15 years).
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'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
I guess I suckered by advertising... The car was advertised as having the 'Sport Package, Premium Package, and Keyless Go'. Technically guess they were correct, as 951 on the data card is defined as 'Sport Package USA'. I assumed the sport package included the sport suspension. There's a good chance somewhere down the road it will indeed have a sport suspension, along with more competent brakes if there are any bolt-on solutions.
Suffice to say my trusty W203 is no longer prancing the streets.
Suffice to say my trusty W203 is no longer prancing the streets.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I guess I suckered by advertising... The car was advertised as having the 'Sport Package, Premium Package, and Keyless Go'. Technically guess they were correct, as 951 on the data card is defined as 'Sport Package USA'. I assumed the sport package included the sport suspension. There's a good chance somewhere down the road it will indeed have a sport suspension, along with more competent brakes if there are any bolt-on solutions.
Suffice to say my trusty W203 is no longer prancing the streets.
Suffice to say my trusty W203 is no longer prancing the streets.
So your datacard does not have 321? My E does not ride nearly as firmly as the W204 or W203. But it's no boat, either.
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'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
Nope, 321 is not listed. Also, I have code 677 Avantegarde/Standard suspension. What I'd like is a nice compromise between firm and float. Sounds like that's what you have.
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Avantegarde = Mercedes way of saying "Sport". But weird that you don't have option code 321. Your car appears to be the sport model. These things are really inconsistent.
