W205C43PFL

The problem is, the rentals themselves may be abused, if the vehicle has lots of miles (tire imbalance, alignment issues, rattles and squeaks/say for those who abuse it on gravel roads, engine issues/smoothness vibrations, if previous renters didn't put proper fuel in, etc.), the tires may not be OEM as rental companies tend to put cheap tires that meet the minimum standards when replacing worn out OEM tires (or so I heard). Reason why I know is because I have a friend that works for a rental company.

Very likely they only replace one when 4MATIC usually calls for four or at least two on the same axle. The ride quality will be affected and we will assume the vehicle's ride quality is bad in that regards. Rental companies (especially for luxury cars)don't have it equipped properly so we can't test all the features we will be optioning if we were to be buying. Let's say steel suspension vs air suspension.

I guess it is better than nothing then. Or maybe like others said, try to establish a relationship with the dealership over the years and then get the luxury of testing driving a vehicle for longer.

Edit: Someone mentioned Turo, although vehicles are owned by individuals, they still might put non OEM tires and don't do proper alignment but I guess it should be obvious when testing.

SW20S

Its a W206. Its a GREAT little car. People like that are just snobs, my fanny can ride in a C Class for a few days. They originally gave me a GLB loaner because thats all they had, that I brought back because I just don't like them, but the C is fine. They have a variety of loaners, it depends on what they have, they always give me the best thing they have at the time, when I brought the GLB back it was a C. They have a few GLEs and that one GLS, a few E Classes including a couple brand new ones. Just depends on whats in the lane at the time, and if you're not happy they will call you when something better comes back.

Material quality is very good for what it is. I love the synthetic leather on the dash and doors, it looks and feels like real nappa leather. If this was what was in the S Class I wouldn't want the exclusive nappa.



There are some hard plastics but its an entry level car. Audio system is Burmester and surprisingly good.

They had to order a gasket set for the W222. Might have a surprise there. We'll see

W205C43PFL

I see, glad to hear you like it. Lets see what the improvements the W223 will get.

MBNUT1

That is really interesting about your view of the ride quality as you drive an S-Class you would have a good perspective what good ride quality feels like. Do you know if it has the adaptive dampers? Thanks for the comments!

SW20S

Obviously it doesn't ride like the S Class but its sporty without any harshness at all. I like it much better than the last W213 E Class I drove late last year. I don't believe it had adaptive dampers, it was a pretty low package car with the AMG appearance package, MSRP was about $55k. Sport mode didn't make any ride adjustments...

I would absolutely buy one...

W205C43PFL

You will like the W214 a lot then, I still don't think you should downgrade from an S-Class though, an S-Class is an S-Class. E-Class is not a bad car neither the C-Class but S-Class is an S-Class.

SW20S

I'm sure I would. I stopped by the dealer tonight to see if my 24 had been delivered (not yet) and I was looking at the Es. I think ultimately I would miss the S Class.

RJC

Ditto
We use their exotic dept all the time for this exact purpose, sometimes we get lazy and keep them for months if we get brand new ones, costly yes, but the extended testing is great and 100% worry free on longer trips.

W205C43PFL

Most likely you would miss the S, yes.

SW20S

Once you are used to a car like this its very hard to go back. I did that once in my life, went from an LS Lexus to an ES, at the time I needed to do that financially but I always was dissatisfied with the other cars I had until I got back into the LS.

W205C43PFL

Yup, it is either the length, the confidence on the road, the presence (for those into that type of thing), the comfort, the sound insulation, the ride quality, the effortless and smooth drive (especially with the 580), the technology, etc. ... basically everything that makes S-Class an S-Class will be stuff that adds up to what one would miss stepping down from it.

MBNUT1

Thanks!

hyperion667

I'd love a Lambo 'whatever' for a week

Quietride

On the topic of the C-Class, my brother has an A220. Initially I thought "pay for half a Mercedes, get half a Mercedes," but in terms of everyday comfort it's shockingly good for the price.
I always rent German luxury sedans on Turo and to me this was better than the next-class-up competitors for quiet/comfort.

SW20S

That surprises me. I’ve had them as loaners and they’re god awful IMO. I actually reject them…A, GLA and GLB.

W205C43PFL

Ditto, I especially find the sound insulation terrible compared to even mainstream car brands.

Quietride

Just my impression from a few rides... last two vehicles I rented were a Q5 and A4 and that's how I would characterize them
I find so much low frequency boom and drone in Audis. Could be a case of different expectations, roads, and ears.

It is frustrating to go in for warranty service with a flagship vehicle and receiving a bottom of the barrel loaner.

SW20S

They'll give me whatever I want, I only wind up in one of those if its all they have. If its one day fine, but a week I won't take one of them, I will come back and swap it for something better

S_W222

Interesting. Still I’d rather get a camry or Accord than an A-class. Exactly what I do too when I rent a sedan. To me, the C-class is about the threshold where Mercedes quality and luxury starts to completely disappear

RJC

I have a 25 CLE 53 AMG on the way for the wife, I just discovered even the most expensive interior napa leather seat option (which I ordered for $2600.00) doesn't even have double aka French stitching...not happy about that for a $95,000.00 vehicle. this was supposed lean more E and more lux...apparently not!

W205C43PFL

MB thought we won't notice details like those

Streamliner

Yes, I hate that, how they dilute the option on the SUV’s. I think on some, like the EQS SUV, if you go to the top interior, which they call “Manufaktur,” you get all the fancy, extended leather, but it is only offered in one color, an almost white, “Neva Gray,” which looks very delicate, but it is beautiful.

Our 2019 E450 Wagon has a “Designo” interior. Again, only available in the one color combination, with very light carpets & leather, but absolutely gorgeous, with leather most everywhere. I replaced the beige floor mats with black, as the light mats are just not practical.

wildta

The color combo looks great but is that beige colored dash an issue with light reflection on the windshield?

Streamliner

Well, the dash is "saddle" tan, but NO, we have never had a reflection issue. Actually, the ONLY car I've ever had a reflection problem with, was my S580 and the ridiculous vent reflections in both the windshield and side view mirrors.

wildta

That's good to know. It's rare to see a dash that isn't black.