DaveW68

Nice Flock of Seagulls 'do.

Mike5215

I just ran. I ran so far away.

Oneworld

I see a lot of middle class people driving C class.

Mike5215

Interesting. Was the "TRUMP" bumper sticker the giveaway, or could you just tell by looking that they never finished high school?

Oneworld

They smell like corn dogs.

Mike5215

I need to tell my CPA we're middle class. She keeps putting us in the top tax bracket. I'm going to drive over there, show her my C Class and my corn dog and demand she file amended returns for 2010 and up.

Drives550

Just keep running. So far away.

That was good.

Thanks for the thoughts and run-down. I've already said on another thread, but I agree with Mike - thought Mercedes was pulling a con on the populis with the C, but then had one as a loaner for a week and fell for it. Even made the "how much?" phone call. But the S is too recent a purchase (read, would be too far upside down) and the second car never gets driven, so would be a silly purchase. But glad Mike did and I do like the colors and options. Neat cars IMHO.

mercedesbenzs55

Mike5215

Well I gotta admit the C continues to grow on me. Sadly the Burmester audio system had to go, since it's made up of crappy Harman/Kardon stuff. The speaker grilles are cool. I kept those. A mere $4k later and it sounds pretty damn good. I had the shop sound-proof all four doors and do an all over tint. Also ditched the run-flats so now it rides like a Mercedes. Still a gay looking little car but who do I have to impress?

mercedesbenzs55

Perhaps the valet guy at the hospital would be a start would be the .

Do you wish your Cmerc had a little more grace and prestige? Deep down you must be missing your beautiful W221, because I've read you say, "but who do I have to impress?" twice.

Mike5215

Hah! It means nothing. I've heard you say you were getting your car's body damage fixed six hundred times.

What I'm realizing is that having any portion of your self worth attached to your car is silly. S Classes are a big deal to us, but to the rest of the world it's just another car in a sea of cars.

I still have my old 221 in my CarFax app so I got a notice when it sold. Zero emotion. This is typically the point in my ownership experience where I second guess the decision to trade. It happened big time going from the 220 to the 221. Nothing like that with the 205, at least not yet. We took it on two long trips recently and it drove beautifully and was no less comfortable than the 221.

The 221's exterior, especially mine, was definitely more bad-***. I miss that with the C. I'd need a black C63 to have that again. That's about it.

1bad540

Mike you should kick both your 1/4 panels in, to get a little more prestige from it. and to feel like s55 does.

xpl0sive

but then his insurance company would total the car and put it up for auction for s55 to buy and fix for $1000

Mike5215

No no. The key is to first make a horrible, impulsive decision and then rationalize the hell out of it.

DaveW68

I believe that after about 5-6 years and 75k+ miles, a totaled C-class might fit into his budget. But then he'd blow the rest of his wad on a used fridge, steering wheel, updated mirrors and tail lights, and a bevy of other stuff before doing the repairs. But at least it would look good backed into his garage. Unfortunately the back seat wouldn't be nearly as comfortable as the Smerc for sleeping when his wife boots him out of the house.

Mike5215

I've seen cars that have been rear ended and they just hack everything damaged off and make it into a pick up truck bed. Cheaper than quality bodywork and more versatile to boot.

jahquan3

Great write up I agree with nearly everything you've said based on my limited experience with the 2016 C300. I had it as a loaner twice in the past month and some change. I was overall very impressed with the car. It is a bit small for me and I drive with at least two of my kids in the car at some point daily. My 16 year old boy won't fit in the back with an adult my size or close to it in the front. Even my 12 year old daughter is a tight fit in the back seat. Only other thing I didn't like is the screen makes me envision someone glued a tablet onto the dash for some reason lol. I guess it's just the shape of it that always makes me view it that way.

Overall a great car though and I think the only reason I probably wouldn't get one is the size doesn't fit for my daily driving.

Congrats on your new car.

MrRat

You can't just cut up a Smerc. Think with your mallet, use your skillz, that's how you make it a real Smerc.

Mike5215

But he could call is a Merc Camino. That sounds so cool.

Mike5215

Thanks. It is definitely small. Luckily my two boys are both out of the house and the rear seat is rarely occupied. We have my wife's Q7 for family hauling.

1bad540

Ha a mercamino!!

New eclass should be pretty badass!! I also like the c in looks I always think its an s until I get upclose and see the mini 1/4 panels. when the e comes out tho the cpo s classes wont be far off. So far my plan is the body s class when my joy of driving this one wears off.

Mike5215

I gotta see the E in the flesh. I think the exterior proportions will look better than the C. Not crazy about it launching with the same T4 I have now. It's torquey but also very twitchy and the 7g tranny picks odd upshift sequences sometimes. Power is fine, the engine just works very hard to make it happen. Not the smooth effortless rush of power like in a 221.

Inside, the E leans more 222 and I'm not sure that's a good thing. I'm kinda digging the analog gauges in the C.

1bad540

we shall see!! be honest i like the current e class. I think its one of the better looking cars on the road. had a few as loaners bit to cheap on the interior and the electric steering I hate.

Mike5215

I have to say I don't get the current E at all. Loved the W213 though. Beautiful proportions and a great stance.

DaveW68

Do you have Coke bottle glasses? Can you see the future with those things?