Service Loaner Car Reviews

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
11/02/2020 at 14:41 • Filed to: Mercedes-Benz, e-class, glc, a-class, c-class, service loaner, rental car review

Anybody want to know what some of Mercedes’ less exciting models are like? Well, my C63 has had a couple of service appointments lately , so please join me for another episode of Why The Fuck Would You Buy One of These ?

First up: GLC300. It’s nice. There are worse things you could spend $50k on. But there is absolutely no reason to buy this over a well-optioned Toyota Rav4 for 60% of the price, except that it’s a little more powerful and luxurious. Even then, the equivalent Audi (Q5) is faster and considerably better looking than the GLC, and the equivalent BMW (X3) is cheaper and more fuel efficient. Verdict: sure, why not, I guess, but I’d get a Q5 (and once !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! where my mouth is, although I’m not sure I even kept it a year) .

Next up: today’s C300. Well, it’s fine too. The interior is definitely nicer than the equivalent 3-series, although this is probably a little less interesting to drive. But it’s nice looking and a good balance of fuel efficient and zippy. Thankfully, it does not have a light-up star. Verdict: not bad! Also, I’m pretty sure this is the exact car they !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and it has aged well.

Previous episodes:

E300: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

GLA250: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

A220: this was a rental, not a loaner, but either way I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! it .

DISCUSSION (22)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RPM esq.
11/02/2020 at 14:57

TBH, unless you’re looking a something really sporty (AMG/M) or really luxurious ( bentayga, Q5 and above, x5 and above or *googles Mercedes lineup* GLE and above) I don’t know why any “luxury” SUV buyers would look further than a Mazda CX-9 or CX-5 Signature.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:06

Me either. Those loaded mainstream brands’ cars are usually almost as good for 2/3 the price. Unless you really care about what other people assume about you based on your ride and prefer a different set of assumptions, most just don’t make sense. The space between a Rav4 and Volvo XC60 is not particularly enticing. Seems like returns diminish rapidly the higher up the price range you go.

rctothefuture > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:07

Because Paul across the street bought his wife an Audi, and Martha got a Mercedes next door and I heard Sharlene down the street is getting a BMW.

Do I want to be the only one with a Mazda? It’s Japanese, and not even Lexus or Acura!

RPM esq. > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:11

Completely agree, especially since Mazda hired Audi’s interior design guy and, uh, made all their interiors look just like Audi’s ( which is a compliment) . My sister has a CX-5. It’s great! There’s a reason my SUV is a plain ol’ 4Runner....I could imagine having an older G-wagen but that’s about the only German SUV I’d be interested in.

Mid Engine > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:16

Prestige , and also a much better dealer experience

AestheticsInMotion > Mid Engine
11/02/2020 at 15:17

Dealer experience is a great point

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:18

I have tried very hard to find a car that beats the Outback XT Touring in terms of price to utility to niceness, and haven’t found anything closer than maybe the Mazda. Idk why anyone seriously purchases the lower-level BMW/Merc cars.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
11/02/2020 at 15:20

VW Alltrack IMO

hike > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:45

I had a friend looking at the CX-5 Signature and an Acura RDX. He ended up choosing the Acura for the brand name mostly. He also had an MDX previously and really liked it so he had some brand loyalty.

TLDR; people pay for the brand name and a little extra luxury feel

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 15:48

I had a Sportwagen, the opening is too short and my dog would always bump his head jumping in. Plus they don’t sell them new in the US anymore.

JeffCronin > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 16:39

Have a 2017 Q7 and although the CX-9 was nice it was just not quite as nice. I get the issue about the price difference however, but sometimes it is worth it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > JeffCronin
11/02/2020 at 16:40

I mean, this all has to be taken with the massive asterisk of my nicest car ever having been a CX-3. I only have ever owned compacts made in Mexico besides that

CompactLuxuryFan > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 16:42

I would say that applies to maybe people who go for an X2 over a CX-5 (full downgrade for more money) . But a base X3 is *way* better to drive and generally feels far superior to a CX-5 Signature. Of course then you’re looking at like at least $5k more for none of the features and far more if you match. So not sure why you start Audi at the Q5 but BMW and MB at the midsizes.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq.
11/02/2020 at 20:55

I don’t enjoy the styling of these GLCs at all, so blobby and big. And the GLE coupe look like some kind of parasitic scarab or something. Still, nicer than anything I’ll ever own.

The C class looks nice. Definitely doesn’t scream “base,” like some entry-level luxury sedans do. I don’t really consider the A or GLAs as “compact executive” cars, more bargain basement badging.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CompactLuxuryFan
11/02/2020 at 20:57

And $5k over the life of the presumed loan isn't that bad, makes taking the plunge a tempting option.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/02/2020 at 22:50

Is your truck a compact made in Mexico?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/02/2020 at 22:52

Especially once you factor in the better dealer experience you get. Assuming the warranties are comparable in length/miles and you aren’t too worried about long term reliability and repair costs.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/02/2020 at 22:52

Lol, no. But I didn't buy that. It acquired me instead of the other way around

RPM esq. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/02/2020 at 23:37

I agree—the GLC is ugly, the GLE is stupid, and the A and GLA probably shouldn’t exist at all. But the C is very nice. If the GLC was a lot better looking—and M-B’s current design language is certainly capable of making good looking cars—it would be good too but as it is in that segment I’d get a Rav4, CX-5, or a used Q5. Not that I’m shopping in that segment.*

* Until, to borrow from Xzibit, I meet my next ex-wife.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > RPM esq.
11/03/2020 at 23:15

GLE coupe is stupid. Regular GLE is fine (re-named ML)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > RPM esq.
11/03/2020 at 23:20

One big reason I would go for GLC over a rav or something like that is the longitudinal drivetrain and full time AWD that doesn't require a bullshit rear diff that overheats at the slightest hint of slip. GLC is amazing in snow, rav and fwd based things get overwhelmed way to easily.

RPM esq. > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/04/2020 at 15:04

That’s a good insight, thank you!