Just drove the new Mercedes C300 4 Matic...my thoughts
11-10-14, 11:14 PM
#46
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
I misread it.
When I read it properly, it is the 2.2 liter four cylinder diesel that is twin turbo.
11-11-14, 03:02 AM
#47
base C class interior or exterior is nowhere as nice as model you drove though. You gotta pay play with Benz.
When it just came out here in Europe, they had really downmarket base models with hubcaps and halogen lights that looks really cheap overall... now it is better, they sell mid level equipment for base prices with nice discounts.
It is still some ways out of 3 series price though, so I wonder how will that do for them long term. Reason 3 series and A4 sold so well in Europe in past years is that their pricing is basically same as mid-size class prices in Europe - so it is similar price to most popular Passat.
So if you want to make C class interior and exterior look better than 3 series or IS in this case, you gotta pay for some nicer equipment at which point it becomes a lot more expensive vehicle.
When it just came out here in Europe, they had really downmarket base models with hubcaps and halogen lights that looks really cheap overall... now it is better, they sell mid level equipment for base prices with nice discounts.
It is still some ways out of 3 series price though, so I wonder how will that do for them long term. Reason 3 series and A4 sold so well in Europe in past years is that their pricing is basically same as mid-size class prices in Europe - so it is similar price to most popular Passat.
So if you want to make C class interior and exterior look better than 3 series or IS in this case, you gotta pay for some nicer equipment at which point it becomes a lot more expensive vehicle.
11-11-14, 12:23 PM
#48
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No...the basic interior is the same, and at its core its a higher quality, better made interior. What comes with packages are leather vs MB Tex, different trims but base for base the C has a better interior.
11-11-14, 12:42 PM
#50
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Its bland without the sport package
11-11-14, 12:51 PM
#51
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Mission accomplished! Mercedes wasn't going the sporty route with this one, they sacrificed performance and dynamics to make the car more conservative and luxurious.
11-11-14, 01:06 PM
#53
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And I think thats a problem with MB's styling direction in general. I think all their cars look plain and blah without that sport package. Even the S Class to some extent.
11-11-14, 01:23 PM
#54
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I think its part of their business model, most people that are interested in the car will pay the premium for the amg package because it looks great. However in reality their cost on the amg trim is probably just a little higher than conventional trim.
11-11-14, 02:48 PM
#55
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I think its really short sighted of them though. Their cars are rolling advertisements for themselves. You have all these base model C and E Classes running around and they look dowdy and cheap. I mean, I see a non-sport model E Class it doesn't look like a $40,000 car to me let alone a $65,000 car...
11-11-14, 03:06 PM
#56
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I think its really short sighted of them though. Their cars are rolling advertisements for themselves. You have all these base model C and E Classes running around and they look dowdy and cheap. I mean, I see a non-sport model E Class it doesn't look like a $40,000 car to me let alone a $65,000 car...
11-11-14, 03:17 PM
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I think its really short sighted of them though. Their cars are rolling advertisements for themselves. You have all these base model C and E Classes running around and they look dowdy and cheap. I mean, I see a non-sport model E Class it doesn't look like a $40,000 car to me let alone a $65,000 car...
Here in the Chicagoland area pretty much every benz sedan is outfitted with the amg package, I see the non sport models but they really are dime a dozen. I would love to see a chart showing how many are sold with the lux vs sport package.
11-11-14, 03:28 PM
#58
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How so? Yes the cars them selves are rolling advertisements but if the majority are wearing the amg package it really isn't hurting the perception.
Here in the Chicagoland area pretty much every benz sedan is outfitted with the amg package, I see the non sport models but they really are dime a dozen. I would love to see a chart showing how many are sold with the lux vs sport package.
Here in the Chicagoland area pretty much every benz sedan is outfitted with the amg package, I see the non sport models but they really are dime a dozen. I would love to see a chart showing how many are sold with the lux vs sport package.
11-11-14, 03:29 PM
#59
Here in EU, base is cloth seats, and plastic dash/doors, with shiny black dominating everything.
Still, even in US, if you equip them nicely, difference is up to $7-10k for similar equipment.
11-11-14, 03:38 PM
#60
With time, more and more will be base packages, thats how it works - first year you sell more of expensive models and then later on ratio drops steadily.
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