I love the last gen C Class.

"Alex B" (alexb420)
08/07/2014 at 18:47 • Filed to: None

More then the new one. I think it gets unfairly judged because it's (was) the baby Merc. Sure, the materials aren't going to be as good as on an E Class, but they're still decent enough. I would happily take a last gen C300 or C350 over the BMW 3 series.

DISCUSSION (38)

EL_ULY > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 18:49

we have a black C250 here that just got traded in. It has nice AMG wheels, sports package of some sort with RED SEAT BELTS!!! awesome :]

Alex B > EL_ULY
08/07/2014 at 18:50

Sounds nice. :) What year?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 18:51

I much prefer the new 2015. For me, the outgoing one was boring. I would take an A4 first, then a 3-series, then an ATS, and then the Benz fourth.

heliochrome85 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 18:56

The new 3 is superior to the outgoing C in damn near every way. I drove the C250 and 350 extensively, and found them both lacking in refinement or driving dynamics. .

EL_ULY > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 18:57

2013 I think.

Alex B > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/07/2014 at 18:59

I know. I'll have to hold final judgement until I see the new c class in person. I'm not a big fan of Audi really, they seem like jazzed up VW's to me honestly. Know that the A4 can be had as an FWD car really bothers me. Cadillac is ok. The 3-series will always be great. Honestly though, you really can't go wrong in the German luxury car segment.

Alex B > heliochrome85
08/07/2014 at 19:01

I know. I will admit the 3 series is the better vehicle, but I still like the C-Class.

Alex B > EL_ULY
08/07/2014 at 19:03

Cool. The "face lifted" versions are better.

E92M3 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 19:08

One of the best looking sedans ever IMO. Perfectly proportioned. Looks better that the newer one if you ask me.

Alex B > E92M3
08/07/2014 at 19:13

Yes. The new one reminds me of the CLA, which is a bad thing.

syaieya > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 19:26

The only things i could ever say poorly about the outgoing C class was that the pre face lift versions were a bit chintzy with the glitter headlights and the tiny navigation screen and I"m so dissapointed in mercedes for not bringing the C250 CDi over.

That car is basically the everything you could possibly ever want. 200 horsepower, 380 ft lbs of torque, 6 speed manual, 42 mpg highway estimated US.

Sure, for driving dynamics and curves the 3 is better, and there may be better value for money.

But even without comparing it to the god forsaken W203 that it replaced; the W204 has really proven itself to be a fighter. Currently the black series is on my short list of favorite cars in the world.

I'm not thrilled with the next generation. The rear especially looks melty and that little nubby shifter that all the Mercedes are switching too makes me uncomfortable. The new benzes tend to look better in person though, and who knows what sort of black magic they can pull off with a facelift.

whoarder is tellurium > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 19:47

The 204's, specifically the earlier base models, still had a manual option too.

Platform is vault-like.

heliochrome85 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 20:11

That generation of C-Class put Mercedes-Benz back on track to build highly engineered products. Im thankful for it and welcome the new C-Class and S-Class with open arms.

mazda616 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 20:19

Same here! I absolutely adore these. Particularly in red (my favorite color).

Rico > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 22:15

I leased a 2014 C300 that I got with the help of Automatch (Tom McParland) so far I'm in love, it puts a smile on my face whenever I get behind the wheel. I've had it since the end of April and it's about to hit 2k miles and I couldn't have made a better choice.

I knew that the 2015 model would be a complete remodel of the C Class including a whole new engine and even though I really like the way it looks (a lot!) I didn't want to wait just to be a beta tester. I'd rather they work out the kinks and I'll trade in this one for a 2016-2017 model.

Rico > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 22:22

The CLA would look better if it was better proportioned, it is trying too hard by being a baby CLS. The A series sedan that was rumored seems like a better idea or the A series wagon should be offered.

sellphones2493 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 22:33

When I worked at Carmax, I actually sold a fair amount of these. I hate to say it, but it pretty much stood for buying a Mercedes in order to say you have a Mercedes.

They sold a lot better than 3-Series' because they didn't hold their value all that well. You could get your average lease return C300 4-matic for the super low 20's.

I mean, they're mediocre cars - nothing about them is class leading or all that special.

To each their own, I guess.

Alex B > Rico
08/07/2014 at 22:40

I also think the FWD proportions really throw it of. If it had RWD proportions, it would look better. I gaurentee it.

Alex B > Rico
08/07/2014 at 22:43

Very nice. I remembered someone around here got a C-Class. I guess it was you. :) Is it grey?

Alex B > sellphones2493
08/07/2014 at 22:44

The CLA has now taken the c class's spot. Now the c class can move up market. It now can stand for something more. :)

sellphones2493 > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 22:49

Maybe...the C250/300 is known for killer lease rates. I'm not too sure about the CLA...Yet.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > EL_ULY
08/07/2014 at 23:16

I love the suede seats in those.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sellphones2493
08/07/2014 at 23:19

Even more so now with the 205 coming out.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Alex B
08/07/2014 at 23:24

Both BMW guys I work with love these. They say that the 3 is a pile comparatively, not nearly as reliable or nice to own over time. Personally don't have any BMW experience newer than the late noughties. 204's are generally solid cars and very cheap to own relative to other German cars. Also, C63. 'nuff said.

Rico > Alex B
08/08/2014 at 08:02

Yep that's me:

I want to autocross her!

Rico > Alex B
08/08/2014 at 08:06

I agree that front overhang hurts it but if the back wasn't raked so dramatically it wouldn't even be an issue. The way it sloped works on the CLS because it's significantly longer.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/08/2014 at 08:08

C63 is definitely something I would love to have!

Alex B > Rico
08/08/2014 at 09:06

I approve. Is it manual?

Rico > Alex B
08/08/2014 at 09:24

Promise not to take my Jalop card? It's automatic but it has touch shift which is like having both right? RIGHT??! lol /hides in corner

Alex B > Rico
08/08/2014 at 09:48

Haha, that's ok. And NO. It's not like both. No third pedal. Haha ;)

Rico > Alex B
08/08/2014 at 10:10

Lol I know just making a joke from that article Doug wrote before about how it's NOT the same.

Last week when I drove a Gallardo and a Porsche 911 Turbo S I thought I'd return to my car disgusted and disappointed and surprisingly I wasn't at all. It may not be as sporty as a 3 Series M Sport but it does what I need it to do quite nicely, the only option I wish I would've sprung for would have been the panoramic roof. It's my first car and so far I'm very satisfied but my next one will definitely need more

Kinja'd!!!

Alex B > Rico
08/08/2014 at 10:14

That's a great first car! :)

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/08/2014 at 10:30

I wouldn't call the 3 Series a pile, I'm surprised to hear that from BMW people who usually claim anything not BMW is a pile. This is my first car (a 2014 w204) and so far she's been all I could ask for and more. I know the 3 series tends to be a bit faster, sportier and has a better transmission but I couldn't ask for more out of my C300 (maybe a bit more power now that I've gotten used to her). I knew coming in this would be the best place to start and when I trade in my lease I'll move up to the 3 liter bi turbo model W205. Or depending on what I'm doing 2 years from now maybe try to get a CPO C63.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
08/08/2014 at 21:12

They mostly mean that BMW's are a pain in the ass to work on and they don't hold up nearly as well over time. New against new the bimmer may have a slight edge, but a couple years down the road the Mercedes wins easy. BTW, 205's are sweet. I really like the 204 but the 205 makes it look like a cheap econobox, pictures don't do it justice.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/08/2014 at 21:43

The W205 looks awesome, I can't wait to trade up to it later in 2016 for a 2016-2017 model at the end of my lease.

Rumor has it that a 2016 E class refresh will include the S class style hooded screen instead of the tacked on look which will find it's way into the C class around the same time so I may have that to look forward to.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
08/08/2014 at 22:10

Yeah I'm not a fan of the afterthought screen look, so I hope you're right. But honestly that's my only complaint with the looks, haven't had a chance to drive one yet though. I forgot about about the new E, so many things being released this year.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/08/2014 at 22:26

There's a new E in that dolomite Brown that looks pretty good, I'll try to snap a pic on Monday.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico
08/09/2014 at 11:47

The face lifted 212's look great, they seem to sell really well in my area. The new E that I forgot about is the successor to the 212 coming out in '16 I think. If only they would make an AMG version of the current 207 coupe.