Just drove the new Mercedes C300 4 Matic...my thoughts
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Like I said in the other head, the C is a GREAT small entry luxury car, but it's no competition for the GS. Having driven them immediately back to back there's no way I would trade the GS for the C.
#32
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#33
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#34
Lexus Fanatic
I took one of my employees out shopping for his first "nice car" recently and we hit all the dealers. I have to say the new C pretty much smoked everything when it comes to the interiors. It may not be for you, but I think they killed it even if the screen seems a little odd.
BTW, did your employee take a new one home? if so, I guess you're paying him (or her) well enough. Or, you gave out one heck of an advance.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-06-14 at 05:45 PM.
#35
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For me, its the C class all the way. Im just kind of bored with Lexus at the moment. I was ecstatic with my RXh when I first got it, didn't test drive anything else. It was my first hybrid, first remote touch experience, first radar cruise, first HUD, first LED headlights. Now that I have experienced these things, nothing else in the Lexus lineup as anything new to offer.
The C class on the other hand has the steering assist distronic plus system that I really want to try out, the auto parking, and the new touch pad comand controller.
The C class on the other hand has the steering assist distronic plus system that I really want to try out, the auto parking, and the new touch pad comand controller.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#39
I took one of my employees out shopping for his first "nice car" recently and we hit all the dealers. I have to say the new C pretty much smoked everything when it comes to the interiors. It may not be for you, but I think they killed it even if the screen seems a little odd.
#40
I'm in the market for a new car.
Was thinking about GS350 before the all new C300 popped up.
Test driven both cars again.
The two cars are in different categories, and completely different.
Many friends ask me why I don't shop for GS350 with an equivalent midsize E400?
I say it's because I can't handle the 2009-2016 E Class' styling outside and inside, and the torque curve of the E400 is also very peaky.
Not so the 2014-2021 C300.
The C300 is beautiful outside and inside.
The C300 although twin turbo too, has a lovely flat torque curve, with some or occasional lag.
The C300 is all about the badge, then the looks, but its handling and power oversteer is also great, and the tail is so controllable, and the mileage is almost double the GS's.
However, on the downside, the compact C300 is relatively tiny outside and tiny inside compared to the midsize cars.
On second test drive, the C300's four cylinder is coarser than the first drive, but very smooth for a four.
On the second test drive, there is occasionally some turbo lag.
The stop start feature of the C300 isn't very smooth; no match for the GS450h from my memory?
The suspension travel of the C Class is relatively short; it is not a long legged car.
The tires are noisier than on the first test drive.
There are already reliability issues with the all new CLA and all new S Class, so this may affect the all new 2014-2021 C Class too?
The GS is mechanically a much bigger car inside and out.
The 3.5 atmospheric is deft in response, torque, power and refinement.
The ride and refinement is deft, with long legged suspension travel.
The handling is great for a midsize car.
On the downside, the GS doesn't have the pointed star, nor the styling.
The midsize GS doesn't handle as well as the C Class, but I'm too old to drive like that anymore; I just loaf along these days.
Of more concern is that the GS uses almost twice the gasoline of the C300; the next generation 2019-2026 5GS would advisably be at least 25-50% aluminium content to shave off 200-400 lbs, and should use a 2.5L V6 with twin turbos for power, economy and refinement!
I ask for my friends opinions, and most say go for the C Class; they are no doubt heavily into the badge and the styling.
One of my friends say go for the GS because the Benzes have issues; he has owned two S Classes, and one E Class in the past.
I know which way the mass market will go, but for me, it's a personal thing; the midsize GS has the edge...
Was thinking about GS350 before the all new C300 popped up.
Test driven both cars again.
The two cars are in different categories, and completely different.
Many friends ask me why I don't shop for GS350 with an equivalent midsize E400?
I say it's because I can't handle the 2009-2016 E Class' styling outside and inside, and the torque curve of the E400 is also very peaky.
Not so the 2014-2021 C300.
The C300 is beautiful outside and inside.
The C300 although twin turbo too, has a lovely flat torque curve, with some or occasional lag.
The C300 is all about the badge, then the looks, but its handling and power oversteer is also great, and the tail is so controllable, and the mileage is almost double the GS's.
However, on the downside, the compact C300 is relatively tiny outside and tiny inside compared to the midsize cars.
On second test drive, the C300's four cylinder is coarser than the first drive, but very smooth for a four.
On the second test drive, there is occasionally some turbo lag.
The stop start feature of the C300 isn't very smooth; no match for the GS450h from my memory?
The suspension travel of the C Class is relatively short; it is not a long legged car.
The tires are noisier than on the first test drive.
There are already reliability issues with the all new CLA and all new S Class, so this may affect the all new 2014-2021 C Class too?
The GS is mechanically a much bigger car inside and out.
The 3.5 atmospheric is deft in response, torque, power and refinement.
The ride and refinement is deft, with long legged suspension travel.
The handling is great for a midsize car.
On the downside, the GS doesn't have the pointed star, nor the styling.
The midsize GS doesn't handle as well as the C Class, but I'm too old to drive like that anymore; I just loaf along these days.
Of more concern is that the GS uses almost twice the gasoline of the C300; the next generation 2019-2026 5GS would advisably be at least 25-50% aluminium content to shave off 200-400 lbs, and should use a 2.5L V6 with twin turbos for power, economy and refinement!
I ask for my friends opinions, and most say go for the C Class; they are no doubt heavily into the badge and the styling.
One of my friends say go for the GS because the Benzes have issues; he has owned two S Classes, and one E Class in the past.
I know which way the mass market will go, but for me, it's a personal thing; the midsize GS has the edge...
#41
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Might wanna double check that.
Like I said in the other head, the C is a GREAT small entry luxury car, but it's no competition for the GS
Read more: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...#ixzz3Ih8LXmuT
Read more: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...#ixzz3Ih8LXmuT
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Like I said in my post, I went into it thinking that the C might be something I could consider replacing my GS with, but it isn't due to its size. I'm not actively shopping for any car at the moment, Pete is.
#43
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I'm in the market for a new car.
Was thinking about GS350 before the all new C300 popped up.
Test driven both cars again.
The two cars are in different categories, and completely different.
Many friends ask me why I don't shop for GS350 with an equivalent midsize E400?
I say it's because I can't handle the 2009-2016 E Class' styling outside and inside, and the torque curve of the E400 is also very peaky.
Not so the 2014-2021 C300.
The C300 is beautiful outside and inside.
The C300 although twin turbo too, has a lovely flat torque curve, with some or occasional lag.
The C300 is all about the badge, then the looks, but its handling and power oversteer is also great, and the tail is so controllable, and the mileage is almost double the GS's.
However, on the downside, the compact C300 is relatively tiny outside and tiny inside compared to the midsize cars.
On second test drive, the C300's four cylinder is coarser than the first drive, but very smooth for a four.
On the second test drive, there is occasionally some turbo lag.
The stop start feature of the C300 isn't very smooth; no match for the GS450h from my memory?
The suspension travel of the C Class is relatively short; it is not a long legged car.
The tires are noisier than on the first test drive.
There are already reliability issues with the all new CLA and all new S Class, so this may affect the all new 2014-2021 C Class too?
The GS is mechanically a much bigger car inside and out.
The 3.5 atmospheric is deft in response, torque, power and refinement.
The ride and refinement is deft, with long legged suspension travel.
The handling is great for a midsize car.
On the downside, the GS doesn't have the pointed star, nor the styling.
The midsize GS doesn't handle as well as the C Class, but I'm too old to drive like that anymore; I just loaf along these days.
Of more concern is that the GS uses almost twice the gasoline of the C300; the next generation 2019-2026 5GS would advisably be at least 25-50% aluminium content to shave off 200-400 lbs, and should use a 2.5L V6 with twin turbos for power, economy and refinement!
I ask for my friends opinions, and most say go for the C Class; they are no doubt heavily into the badge and the styling.
One of my friends say go for the GS because the Benzes have issues; he has owned two S Classes, and one E Class in the past.
I know which way the mass market will go, but for me, it's a personal thing; the midsize GS has the edge...
Was thinking about GS350 before the all new C300 popped up.
Test driven both cars again.
The two cars are in different categories, and completely different.
Many friends ask me why I don't shop for GS350 with an equivalent midsize E400?
I say it's because I can't handle the 2009-2016 E Class' styling outside and inside, and the torque curve of the E400 is also very peaky.
Not so the 2014-2021 C300.
The C300 is beautiful outside and inside.
The C300 although twin turbo too, has a lovely flat torque curve, with some or occasional lag.
The C300 is all about the badge, then the looks, but its handling and power oversteer is also great, and the tail is so controllable, and the mileage is almost double the GS's.
However, on the downside, the compact C300 is relatively tiny outside and tiny inside compared to the midsize cars.
On second test drive, the C300's four cylinder is coarser than the first drive, but very smooth for a four.
On the second test drive, there is occasionally some turbo lag.
The stop start feature of the C300 isn't very smooth; no match for the GS450h from my memory?
The suspension travel of the C Class is relatively short; it is not a long legged car.
The tires are noisier than on the first test drive.
There are already reliability issues with the all new CLA and all new S Class, so this may affect the all new 2014-2021 C Class too?
The GS is mechanically a much bigger car inside and out.
The 3.5 atmospheric is deft in response, torque, power and refinement.
The ride and refinement is deft, with long legged suspension travel.
The handling is great for a midsize car.
On the downside, the GS doesn't have the pointed star, nor the styling.
The midsize GS doesn't handle as well as the C Class, but I'm too old to drive like that anymore; I just loaf along these days.
Of more concern is that the GS uses almost twice the gasoline of the C300; the next generation 2019-2026 5GS would advisably be at least 25-50% aluminium content to shave off 200-400 lbs, and should use a 2.5L V6 with twin turbos for power, economy and refinement!
I ask for my friends opinions, and most say go for the C Class; they are no doubt heavily into the badge and the styling.
One of my friends say go for the GS because the Benzes have issues; he has owned two S Classes, and one E Class in the past.
I know which way the mass market will go, but for me, it's a personal thing; the midsize GS has the edge...
#44
Lexus Test Driver
that's what i thought, but many in here were saying that it's a twin turbo. had me second guessing myself. I haven't tested the new c300, but if it is anything like the last gen turbo 4, i'd avoid it. I've driven plenty of last gen's turbo 4 whenever i bring my old C300 (V6) and it was very coarse. Sounded horrible. Only benefit i'd say is that it's lighter and a little more nimble than the old 3.0 V6. However, it was no where as smooth, quiet, or refined as a V6. Also, the transmissions were horrible in the last gen. Hoping they gave the new model a better tranmission
#45
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that's what i thought, but many in here were saying that it's a twin turbo. had me second guessing myself. I haven't tested the new c300, but if it is anything like the last gen turbo 4, i'd avoid it. I've driven plenty of last gen's turbo 4 whenever i bring my old C300 (V6) and it was very coarse. Sounded horrible. Only benefit i'd say is that it's lighter and a little more nimble than the old 3.0 V6. However, it was no where as smooth, quiet, or refined as a V6. Also, the transmissions were horrible in the last gen. Hoping they gave the new model a better tranmission