http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...icleId=104715#
268hp
258lb-ft

 

If Mercedes' vehicles weren't so unreliable - the C-class would be at the top of my ~35k list.

The interior is beautiful and, IMO the car is sexy.

M.

 

That video nailed it, the C has been living in the shadow of the 3 series. Finally they added some sport to it, but honestly I doubt it will really ever equal the level of prestige or sport of the 3 series.

James

 

Let's not talk too soon, Jim. Sport isn't nesessarily everything. First, let's see if Bangle and Co. mess up the new 3-series like they did the 5 and 7, and, Second, let's see if M-B-is finally starting to put some better hardware and electronics on their cars. We won't really know that on this new C350 for another 18-months to 2 years or so...and that will also give us time to see how well the new 3-series is built.

 

I wish it was avaliable with a manual designed and manufactued by someone other than Rubbermaid.

 

What I meant is that the 3 series has been the ruler that all entry level luxury cars are measured against. Obviously sport has got to be a big factor in this particular segment, take Lexus for example. The ES, originally seen as the entry level luxry car could not really be compared to the 3 series since its inception 15 years ago. In order to directly compete with the 3 series Lexus had to bring about the IS, and that didn't come for another 10 years! The C class, the A4, the IS, they have all grown up chasing the 3 series to be on top of the small luxury car segment and it seems like sport is the common direction that they're turning due to the fact that lower price often means younger consumers, whom often prefer sport over luxury.

Now of course reliabilty, quality, and ergonomics are going to be important on every car and if a well established luxry car maker can't meet those basic necessities they do need to focus on that first which I hope is what MB is doing.

James

 

This engine has gotten raves in the SLK and now the C. And I was reading a Benz mag yesterday what raved over it in the E.