Yeah, I have to wear blinders when I approach my SL, as it is just SO ugly!

 

Maybe one best kept to yourself

 

Yes, this would be a really great forum, if everyone just kept their opinions to themselves. What on earth was I thinking?

 

Looking forward to it! Hopefully you find something.

 

I mean I guess there are no right or wrong opinions...

 

Yeah gonna disagree with you on this one. Maybe I don’t “belong” here because I don’t own an R232 or even W222/223 but I have had an extensive experience with all kinds of Mercedes models. And sure we can agree about the A, B and CLA type cars, but the C class is absolutely a Mercedes. Never had an S class, but had two BMW 7ers, 2 E classes, 2 SLs (R230 that was leased and an R107 that I still have), three C classes and many more high end cars. My MBworld account was actually made when my beloved 2010 C class met its demise. It was one of the best built cars I’ve ever owned, EVER. It was more of a “beater” for the second half of its life and was super reliable up to 120k miles. Didn’t have a creak or rattle, ran just as smooth at 120k than it did new. The interior materials were not the most pleasing to touch or look at, but they were high grade, durable and built to last. I believe my W204 and W212 were the last “true” Mercedes. Built to last, reliable. My 2015 c class was a lemon, but I came back years later and cannot be more happy with my 2020. In my opinion the C class is the most well rounded Mercedes. Sure it may be way too rough for people like Stream, especially in AMG-line guise with the low, stiff suspension, but that’s 100% ok with those of us who don’t just want a floaty boat. Remember, MB isn’t just about luxury and comfort, they have a long history of making some great sports cars and dominating motorsports. My W205 is one of the quietest cars in its class, and ignoring the stiff ride, absolutely comfortable for what it is designed to be, a sport sedan. And with the W205 came a great interior. When I first got my lemon 2015 W205, it was a highly specced car and I honestly felt that the interior material quality was higher than that of my 2014 E350. Although at the time the build quality of the E was superior, the W205 refresh saw a large improvement in build quality. While the basic C300 is floaty and not all that great to drive, my car with the AMG line sports package is quite the opposite. It is much more than just an appearance package. The car handles extremely well, steering is responsive and the body is well controlled. I picked it over a 3 series because after driving both, the C class was a much better package. It was the lightest car in its class, offered better steering, and took corners in a way the 3 series just couldn’t. I wasn’t just looking for a special badge because all I can afford is a “Honda Civic fighter” as you like to call them. I picked it because I didn’t want to drive a boring E class. I wanted something I could have fun on a mountain road on my way to go skiing, but could also be very comfortable and relaxing on a long trip. At very high speeds the car is planted and cruises like a Mercedes should. It reminds me a lot of my 560SL which is an absolute freight train at high speeds. My C is much more planted and feels much more “expensive” at high speed than my old BMW 535i did. It’s not a fwd crap box like a civic where you just can’t wait to get out of the car. I won’t lie, as much as I want to, I’m not in a position to buy a new SL or S class. However I have no problem putting around the E class, C class and even CPO S class section. I just pick the C class because for my needs, it’s a jack of all trades with few compromises. These cars have a lower price point than an S, so obviously they won’t be as quiet or opulent, but compared to a Civic, that is half the price, it feels like an S class and compared to its competitors, it’s feels like a Mercedes-Benz, meaning it feels a class above.

We are all entitled to our opinions, and I agree with you that the fwd ****boxes are not really Mercedes-Benz vehicles. However the C class is absolutely deserving of its badge. It’s often overlooked, but even in its early history, it was the best car in its class one way or another. With the first C class came an extremely well built car with a chassis that could survive a roll over with out killing the occupants, and multi-link rear suspension, a first for its class. Compare that to the 3er of that time. It was a car that pancaked its roof on roll over, and was all over the road with its semi-rear-trailing arm setup. Sure it may have been the more fun car to drive with an easy rear end to get sliding, but the C class was built and engineered to a much higher standard, one befitting of the badge. The roll of the C class isn’t to be a baby S class like so many want it to be. It may look like one, but its purpose also lies in creating a fun and dynamic car for those like me, the complete opposite of an S class. All that being said, if I had 150k laying around that I could spend on a car, I’d walk into the MB dealer and keeping walking by all the S580s until I get to the SL55’s. Unlike many, I love the new W223s, but they aren’t my type of car, the new SL absolutely is though.

 

Great points I agree with you, the C-Class is the best seller after all in MB's lineup although before the A-Class came out they were entry level, Mercedes C-Class has since went upmarket, the W206 also became longer too. The C-Class is meant to be that sportier sibling while the E-Class is all about the ride, no doubt about that. Although called amg line it definitely changed things for the W205 C 300, the brakes on the amg line W205 C 300 shares the same ones as the W205 C 43 only that the C 300 had Mercedes-Benz lettering while the W205 C 43 didn't, it is only during W206 gen is when the C 300 amg line and regular trim share the same brakes I guess MB justified it because of having the regenerative braking.

 

We'll be in Florence in a few weeks staying at the Bernini Palace Hotel for a week. Love Florence!🤗

 

All very true. Great point about the brakes too, it’s a thing I like to point out a lot to my enthusiast friends. I lucked out with my 2020 as for the last year of the w205, 2021, they got rid of the c43 brakes on the AMG line C300. I love my brakes, dare I say overpowered for what the car is. Hell, it out-broke the C43 according to car and driver.

I sometimes kick myself for not having picked up a C43 with bucket seats. The day I went to collect my C300, they had a CPO C43 with the rare AMG performance seats. I didn’t even want to look at C43s because I heard horror stories about the insurance premiums. But that car with those seats sure did lure me away, until I called my insurance for a quote and they quoted me 3-4 times more than the c300. I just couldn’t justify it. Oh well, you live and you learn.

 

If you wanted a C 43 without the premium you could get a C 450, pretty much same car just called differently and 7G instead of 9G.

Otherwise yup those brakes does well in the C 43, no surprise it did even better in the C 300.

 

That being said there's a difference between posting helpful and interesting posts that make people think and learn versus posting the same entitled whiney posts over and over again, adding nothing to the conversation and just being frustrated Mercedes-Benz doesn't soley cater to your tastes.

When I was miserable as a toddler, I used to whine and groan about it. I didn't necessarily want resolution, I just wanted empathy and for people to see how miserable I was and feel my misery too. Since then I've grown up and realized that that's not effective nor pleasent.

 

Yeah but I was scared of the earlier W205s with all their quality issues. My 2015 was a lemon and picking up a 5 year old 2016 C450 in 2021 scared me a little for that reason, and at that point the car was a bit old anyway. The C43 I saw was a 2018, last year before the refresh so it sat easier with me. Still very happy with my 2020 C300 though. Quality is night and day compared to my 2015, and the car feels even lighter on its feet without the pano roof. The newer revised tech is also a welcomed upgrade, although I was disappointed that they chose not to give it MBUX like they gave the GLC. I guess the upside is that the C class got full screen Carplay. Also got a screaming deal on it as I picked it up Jan 1st 2021, one day before the end of their fiscal year and this was during a time when the car market was in the toilet.

 

I see I can certainly understand your feelings on a car too old, either way glad you are enjoying the one you have. I had C 300 loaners pre and post-facelift they are not bad.

 

You’re right. I’m so sorry to have triggered memories of your childhood. I keep forgetting that there are some out there who seek safe spaces, to retreat from ideas and perspectives, that make them feel threatened or uncomfortable. After looking within myself, I see that I have been intolerant of the fragile snowflakes I come into contact with. I’m in a shame spiral!

My most sincere apologies for causing you to feel that there is anything less than acceptance, inclusion and love for you here. Just remember: You’re good enough, you’re smart enough and doggone it, people like you! Now, run right out and treat yourself to a nice, used C Class! I believe the audio system comes preloaded with Kumbaya, so you can sing along as you drive home.

 

You personify everything that people dislike about internet forums.

 

Completely understandable to be passionate when being invested in a brand and their products and what they stand for many years or decades.

But everybody will have a different take on this. This discussion here is pretty lightweight compared to opinions and what makes a “real” AMG for example yet you can all do this without getting personal.

Let’s stay on topic. Thanks

 

When talking the chassis & general body on convertibles, desirable features somewhat unique to convertibles are
- lack of wind noise top down or up
- lack of wind turbulence around the side mirrors, windshield pillars & general chassis
- lack of wind tunnels within the cabin
- a minimal difference between top-up and top-down performance.
- good visibility top up & down (might seem obvious with a top down, but some cars have you sit too low/have door panels too high)

This is what I mean by outperforming in terms of convertible action. In terms of driving dynamics, the SL's chassis is of course not the best. The 911 would easily take that.

 

can we have a CLE forum?

 

That is a question for the mods actually.

 

CLE reveal is today, it might be longer than the SL

Also people in this forum have been getting the SL 50k under MSRP... and also 2 model years earlier, so a CLE might be similar priced to an SL

 

Hi super mod, could you open a new CLE forum? that car is being revealed today. And I see CLE topics all over, in at least 10 forums..

 

So insurance companies charge for the AMG badge?

I heard we are getting the CLE450 instead of a 43 AMG

 

We are?

 

Yes, that is true here at least for Canada and in certain provinces, last I heard also true in the UK.

 

Yes we really need one and it is kind of a big deal (this vehicle) merging four cars into two. I don't think MB did this ever.
We might think this car is a replacement for the CLK but it also might not be.