KS13

My girlfriend is deciding between these two cars. I have the '14 350F so she definitely digs my car, but she's been a big Benz fan.

Anyone chime in on their opinions?

corradoMR2

If it's a lease and to try something different and more luxurious, go for the benz. If it's a keeper (reliability) and budget is important, the IS is the cheaper better choice.

salvadorik

iTrader: (1)

If she can afford new C400 with 4MATIC, then it is no brainer, Benz is clearly a better car. Better options (HUD) better powertrain better interior better practicality and so on and so forth. It is just a lot more expensive though.

tea

saw the new C Class today. absolutely beautiful. I traded in my 2010 C for the IS, but if this new C was out when i got the IS, i might have been swayed to stick with the MB

KS13

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Yes, we test drove the C400 and its beautiful atheistically as well very powerful, but I still preferred the interior of my IS350F compared to the C400. She's looking at around $54K for the C400 and $46K for the 350F AWD. This will be a lease so it'l be a lot more affordable. The Benz is nice but I don't see why its considered "so much better" than the IS350F?

rparkzy

i don't think it's "so much" better but MB did a really good job with their new C-class and looks good in and out. The only thing I don't like and that's saying a lot is their nav unit, outside of that it's a really nice car.

FPerform

Objectively, the new C-Class is amazing and I definitely like it more than the IS. However, it'll be about $10k more than a comparable IS.

Honestly, a decently equipped C-Class enters GS territory. That would probably be the better debate.

chris2k5

The C400 is by far a better car. Obviously it is newer but during my test drive:

C400 engine is just a beast. Easily 0-60 under 4.8 seconds!

C400 drives better. Felt more solid than anything in the class. It is a Mercedes thing. Something so solid. The steering feel is right on perfect. Better than BMW, Audi, and a little better than Lexus.

The ride on the C400 a perfect balance too. It is nimble and comfortable. Not tightly sprung yet goes around corners feeling very planted. I say it is like the Lexus IS350 F Sport but just more solid like a vault.

Interior is hands down better in the Mercedes too. My god the interior is a highlight. No cheap materials anywhere. Even in Bmw and Audi or even Lexus you see cheap plastic in certain hidden places. Not so with the C Class. Feels like they took the baby S class title seriously.

chuck2417

Maybe it's just me, from a looks standpoint I like the look of the Lexus Interior more so than the mercedes. I won't argue quality, but that screen looks aftermarket. Not something I want when I am buying new. I am going to test drive one this weekend, a C300 and C400. Will see if that engine that good, I have high hopes.

cupofjoe

I tried to get the C400 with multimedia and interior package. It was a really, really nice car and if it wasn't $300/month more I would have gotten it. I've also had issues with German reliability.

dbs600

Anyone with anything negative on the new C interior or drive hasn't sat in or driven one.

$52k C300 4 Matic rivals S at half the price.

Wish it was around one year ago. :|

chuck2417

I had a chance to test a 2015 C400 with the sport package and the luxury package. It also had the heads up display which I turned off immediatly because I couldn't focus.

My thoughts

Interior - C400, hands down this is one of the nicest interiors
Exterior - I would call it a tie, while the merc is more luxury the IS is a lot more sporty
Comfort - I would also call this a tie, while the mercedes is quieter for sure, the engine sound isn't as nice (even though the Lexus's comes from the speakers)
Reliability- honestly who knows, most likely a win for Lexus
Power- ok the C400 throws you back in the seat hard whenever you push the pedal... However you don't really get a sensation of picking up speed, most likely due to the immediate torque from the bi-turbo

Cost- well the mercedes once you include taxes puts in into $74,000 (just a few thousand off the S4 I test drove)

Which one did I like, if money wasn't an option I would take the C400. However I can't say the mercedes is that much better of a car for the cost. So if you can afford it, get the merc. I do like the IS350, either way you can't go wrong with either I imagine.

salvadorik

iTrader: (1)

The fully loaded C400 4MATIC will sticker around $60K here in states. This is more of a mid to full size luxury car category. I drove this machine recently and I was truly impressed. But for 60K I would consider other cars such A6 and 5 Series. In the compact luxury segment C400 is a king with some true luxury attributes to it directly coming from S Class. But the price is very steep. For 60K I honestly would buy A6 again. It is a fabulous machine.

JDR76

Good review, however, note that the enhanced engine sound in the IS (250 F Sport and all 350s) comes from an under hood intake sound generator, not the speakers. The new NX F Sport does, however, use the speakers. I believe the 3 Series and others use speakers as well, just not the IS.

Hermes

Fixing a benz is too costly should anything go wrong after your warranty is up. I'd stick with the Lexus.