The W204 C300 looks great in person, would daily one happily

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535) 02/19/2018 at 13:18 • Filed to: None

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I’m always surprised by how much I like the look of the C series in person. The 3 series sedan probably drives better, and an IS is probably more reliable but something about the W204 makes me look at it whenever I see one. The front 3 point star is a little much but all in all, I like the car a lot.

And even though the shifter is on the rubbery side, and it’s got a pretty plain Jane V6; I honestly think just loving the look of your car goes a long way toward loving your car.

Not sure if I’d ever actually buy one though. The Manual was only an option until 2010. And those years are at a weird price versus age versus miles spot where I probably couldnt pay cash for one anytime soon, and financing for much more than a year or two would be tempting fate. I didn’t even know they put a manual in them until that late but indeed they did. I would have loved to at least tracked one down last fall when I was shopping. I’d say the one drawback is that the paint selection for the manuals is even drier than the auto C300s. So you better like it in black or grey, and I do.

E92M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 13:41

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One of my favorite sedans of all time. I prefer it over the current bodystyle.

Party-vi > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 13:45

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The C300 is a dog, and the pre-facelift interiors are turrible.

E90M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 13:59

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The 3 series sedan probably drives better

It does. Although I only test drove the luxury trim models, because if I’m getting a Benz I want to stare at that hood ornament. It was a serious contender for my daily, I probably would have gotten one if I could have gotten a face lifted one with a stick.

E90M3 > Party-vi 02/19/2018 at 14:00

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Even in the AMG, the interior was terrible. I almost pulled the air vent out of the dash on the C63 I test drove. Still wanted it though.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > E92M3 02/19/2018 at 14:10

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Agreed.

syaieya > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 14:11

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Im honestly debating between a 204 and a 212 for my next car.

Manual isnt a must for me, though i wouldnt throw one out and the big obnoxious star is solved with a luxury model front grill package.

Also, i think i heard awhile ago these things accepted flex fuel shenanigans. But dont quote me on that.

I prefer the facelift, they did a proper job in and out. But the pre cars are getting chewing on it cheap. If i can swap a steering wheel it may be good enough

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Party-vi 02/19/2018 at 14:22

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0-60 in 6.5-7 seconds is fine. I actually think it’s pretty good speed for getting around town but not being a complete menace to society.

I’ll take your word for it on the interior.

...

Still kind of want one.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > syaieya 02/19/2018 at 14:23

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I’ve actually heard decent things about their auto transmission. But for me, I’d just rather row.

sony1492 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 14:32

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I think a manual can be had in pull me over red but it’s alot harder to find, the c350's are manual too

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > sony1492 02/19/2018 at 14:41

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You are right about the red. With such a rare car though, it’s slim pickings. Of the 23 manual W204 C300s on Autotrader, a handful are incorrectly labeled automatics; then all but two are white, grey, or black; one is burgundy, one is red. So they are out there.

sony1492 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 14:48

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Even on Los Angeles Craigslist the pickings are slim, a couple have color and the rest are a shade of black.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > syaieya 02/19/2018 at 15:52

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212. Hands down. No question.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 15:55

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The manual isn’t worth it. It’s a granny tranny. Unless you drive like a little old lady in a Prius, get the auto.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > E90M3 02/19/2018 at 15:57

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Luxury trim is dumb. It’s the base trim and doesn’t get you shit. Hood ornament can be swapped in minutes.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 16:58

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.

Make mine red (automatic OK) with a black interior with aluminum trim bits.

E90M3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/19/2018 at 16:59

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I probably should have driven a sport variant. I knew about the interchangeability of the ornaments and grills. I think what did it for me was the fact you can’t get a facelifted one with a stick.

syaieya > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/19/2018 at 17:22

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Theyre 50% more money on the low end and Im just wondering if i can hold out that bit more to see them drop in price just that little more.

My 210 is tired at 330k miles, the drivetrain still works but little things are catching it often. I dunno how much more i have left to give it

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > E90M3 02/19/2018 at 17:35

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A Prius is more engaging to drive than that manual though.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > syaieya 02/19/2018 at 17:37

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Go as long as you can and save for the 212. It’s worth it over a 204. If and when I need to replace my 210 a 212 will be at our near the top of the list. They’re great.

E90M3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/19/2018 at 18:02

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Really? I had a manual B Class in Europe as a rental and loved it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > E90M3 02/19/2018 at 18:07

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Totally different everything

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 02/19/2018 at 20:02

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The red is awesome.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/19/2018 at 20:10

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I’m going to keep an eye out locally for a manual and see what I think. I’ve heard they’re mediocre but nothing as strong as what you’ve been saying.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 20:49

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I will say they’re super reliable!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 02/19/2018 at 21:42

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Well that counts for a lot as it would hopefully be a car I buy and just maintain as needed and most of my car budget would go toward my 996.

I’m realizing that I’m not crazy about some aspects of my turbo beetle: no roof rack, 2 doors is starting to wear on me and although Boost and FWD was fun at first; i just much prefer both NA and RWD cars. Even in MN, I’m willing to deal with RWD in winter.

So that leads me to the C300 and the 328i(compact rwd NA) but I have always just found the E9X sedans uninspiring looks-wise, not bad just not my cup of tea; whereas the C series I think have such a good look.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/19/2018 at 22:54

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That works! They’re actually pretty reliable. Maybe need a thermostat at some point, but that’s easily the most common problem. Especially if well maintained.

RWD in Minnesota is fine, especially if you have decent snow tires.

syaieya > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 03/02/2018 at 20:51

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Oops, so this happened

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > syaieya 03/02/2018 at 21:09

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Nice! Details?

syaieya > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 03/02/2018 at 21:23

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So the 210 was starting to fall on it’s face. Lock pump, Sam unit, mirror. Nothing big individually but it all failed within a month on top of the other niggles that were already making me less than thrilled.

So, in my search of cars for my neighbor, I happened upon this one. 2010, little high miles for it’s age, but fairly well optioned with P1 package and pano roof. Almond MB Tex with Black ash inside

And a price that was lower than anything else that generation in the country with a clean title that i could find.

So I took out a small personal loan to avoid the lien and went to check it out today.

It does need a few things, it is a used car. But I think I’ll feel better spending the same kind of money to get this 212 up to spec than my fading E320.

Oh, also, Look out for W140 all weather mats if you hit up junkyards. They fit surprisingly well in a W212 in the front at the very least.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > syaieya 03/02/2018 at 23:44

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Exciting!

syaieya > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 03/03/2018 at 09:38

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I mean its not a perfect fit but its damn close

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > syaieya 03/03/2018 at 12:54

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Wow yeah! Never would’ve guessed. I try to avoid 140's and don’t go to junkyards so I never would’ve even thought of that!