Originally Posted by nc211

The bottom. Too narrow, practically sitting on top of the stiff bolsters unless you sit like a a mannequin in race car mode.

different strokes for different folks willis. My opinion, they suck, and would buy something else.

Originally Posted by EWL5

I agree the bottom is the hardest part of the X3's seat. When running your hand over the Sensatec, it feels very rubbery and synthetic. BMW really wants you to upgrade to the X5 to get half-way decent seats.
I like that Mercedes doesn't do that so if you wanted the luxury of a GLE in smaller form factor, the GLC is still luxurious (and seats are not compromised). If weren't for supply chain issues, I'd probably have a '22 GLC right now instead of a '23 X3 (bought nearly a year ago).

Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy

While I'm not a Honda fan, they are on par with Honda, perhaps beat Toyota in the interior materials - but they are a mainstream brand and are nothing special. Not coming from armchair reviewing, unfortunately I had quite a few of them pass through my driveway as my ex was obsessed with the brand. They are not on the same playing field as entry level luxury brands...

Reliability was also a disappointment on every single one of them I was saddled with having to look at in my driveway.

Originally Posted by UrBusted

Nothing that stands out to me, I believe nappa option made the centre console leather, I forgot what else. Interestingly the S Class appeared to be designed for the higher end options and then downgraded from there for people that didn't pick those packages, things like the Burmester 3D roof speakers already had 'placeholders' making that retrofit very easy. The interiors fl/prefl material wise was roughly the same, NTG upgrade, steering wheel change, dual zone ambient lighting etc changed, someone can correct me if I'm wrong. 9G transmission was the major thing that stood out to me in it, we have s350 diesels here so it helped alleviate the sluggish feeling.

Originally Posted by chassis

Interesting TGT comments. Owners of them on Rennlist love them. There is a thread on Urus vs TGT and quite a few posters say the Urus isn't "worth it". Urus is a look-at-me car and for people who want the Lambo badge and cosmetics. The TGT according to owners is a great performance vehicle with more sublety than the Urus. Cayenne across the lineup is a great buy right now for the combination of performance, luxury and reliability.

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

I guess those audi fans will then say the RS Q8 is better price wise than the TGT, I guess it never ends. Just buy what you like folks : )

Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy

Spoken as a twice degreed engineer, reinvent the bulb to one that won't burn out - like a long life LED, and problem solved.

The problem is when bean counters and aesthetic designers get involved...

Originally Posted by SW20S

Personally I think MB made a huge mistake designing their EVs as stand alone models. The way BMW is doing is makes much more sense and it lets the customer make a much more natural choice for an EV. If they made an EV W223 S Class I would buy one, but I don't want an EQS.

Originally Posted by nc211

Ok, so we've switched out my BMW X3 loaner for a brand new GLC while we wait for the passenger side seat cover to come in on the GLS. I was happy with the switch as I have always liked the GLC personally, and have considered it as a potential replacement for my aging w212 (and I wouldn't mind an SUV now over a sedan). This one is loaded up with toys, including the heads-up display on the windshield, which is freaky to get used to at first. Gives me a great opportunity to also compare the MBUX differences between the GLS and this new style of an iPad setup in the center stack.

I have to admit. It's pretty nice. I don't get it why when I looked at the other one last week while waiting for the loaner to arrive, but this one seems to feel far better. No squeaks when pressing on the materials. The wood(ish) trim looks more realistic and "Mercedes like". The iPad configuration definitely takes some getting used to over the GLS style. Gone is the track pad and muscle memory to scan through the radio stations. It's not quite as easy to use, but it's so close to your hand that it's not terrible either. Just takes some adjustment. It is light years ahead of that BMW X3 in terms of cabin enjoyment, and the seats are a good bit more comfortable. BMW has MB on the transmission though, no real comparison between the two of them. The BMW glides far easier than the MB does, and doesn't come off a laboring at all, whereas the MB does have a little laboring in how it moves the car, but not bad. I do like the turbo 4 with the 48v on this GLC quite a lot, is easy to drive. It is clear that MB has figured out how to get it to come to a smooth stop as it downshifts. One thing I asked the dealership to check on our GLS is if there is a refreshed software package for the transmission. Hopefully there is and it will act as this GLC is acting. It's my only complaint about our GLS (and not that major, just annoying).

Overall, I like this new GLC. Not sure I like it enough to not buy a used one of the previous style that I really like, but at this rate on the 212, the 2024's will be "classics" by the time I'm ready to buy one anyway.

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

There is more to that story, your comment reminds me of a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Bs98KmnY

Originally Posted by chassis

Except that power levels increase from Audi --> Porsche --> Lambo. So while the underpinnings in MLB evo are the "same", performance, style (materials, appearance, cosmetics) and brand appeal are not. Each consumer has his/her own indifference curve.

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

I heard they focused on going upmarket and better reliability now, what year was the Mazdas that you hated? Perhaps that was when they were considering only targeting the mainstream market?

Originally Posted by ILoveNY

I heard about the upmarket but where did you hear about reliability？

Originally Posted by ILoveNY

I heard about the upmarket but where did you hear about reliability？

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

In an Edmunds report but that was back in 2021, not sure how they are now.

Originally Posted by EWL5

In the CR list from this year, BMW was #1 and Mazda placed #8. Mercedes didn't fare very well...
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/co...ver-the-worst/

Originally Posted by superswiss

The upholstery material making a difference that I can definitely relate to. The Sensatec or I guess what we used to call Leatherette feels kinda like sitting on a plastic chair. I had Alcantara in my previous car and while I liked it, it was firm, because it just doesn't stretch very much. I had different leather qualities over the years. Basic leather is often kinda plasticky, but my current seats are Nappa leather. As far as I recall the 330 had leather seats as well and not the perforated Sensatec. When I had a W223 loaner it also had the basic leather, which felt like plastic to me. I was surprised that it didn't come with Nappa leather standard. I'd skip MB Tex or whatever brand fake leather, and upgrade to Nappa leather if it isn't already standard.

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

Hmmm, how did Mazda do in 2022?

Originally Posted by EWL5

Mazda was #2 in 2022 in the same list so they actually dropped 6 rankings this year!
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ds_article.pdf

Very little change for Mercedes from 2022->2023 (it actually got slightly worse).

Originally Posted by EWL5

I have MB-TEX in my GLS and the seat is far more comfortable and softer than the Sensatec in my X3. It's possible to do fake leather right!
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.

Originally Posted by EWL5

I have MB-TEX in my GLS and the seat is far more comfortable and softer than the Sensatec in my X3. It's possible to do fake leather right!
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.