German Car Forum

^Yes, I do feel that the new W204 has a few things over the competition that simply can't be evaluated over a brief test like this. I feel that come 15 years from now you will see more W204s on the road than any of its competition. Not because it outsold them, but because it out lasted them. Mercedes returning to it's roots I think.

And who does not get really happy when one spot one of these:



My parents had one of these in the early 90's, last time I checked it up it had over 700 000 kms (about 440k miles) on the clock.

May be, but I don't see many times BMW has to resort to that excuse - may be some some small 4 cylinder engines, not sure which ones, we don't really get here in states, so I am not really aware of them.

Clocks look like crap, window buttons look like crap on that place, the dashboard is kinda 'meh' with all that plastic, the steering wheel is of terrible design, but, worst of all, the pop up nav screen. It just screams cheap afterthought. BMW's solution with two completely different versions of the dash is much better. The whole interior looks much better to me. The difference in exterior is much smaller, though the 3er looks obviously better and newer.

Will be interesting to see test of the C250 CDI

I just washed my new baby for the first time today and it realy made me appreciate all the fine details in the bodywork, Trust me you don't notice them unless you spent about two hours rubbing the car.
The quality of the 3er interior is outstanding. I drove an X3 this week and I was realy disappointed of the quality compared to my 3er. And the aluminium in the BMW is real aluminium (they fitted it this week), unlike the plastic in my merc (but that was the previous model).
It's nice to see the 3er beat the C class, and bare in mind it's just a face lift compared to a brand new model. Facelifted C will have to take up against the next gen 3er so I don't worry . In this segment I honestly believe Audi has more potential to take customers from BMW then mercedes.

C-class has a wonderful exterior but unfortunately the interior can't match the exterior. I don't like the interior design and the steering wheel is ugly. Only weak part with the exterior is the rear although I don't think its ugly, just dull I guess.
Let's see how much a facelift can improve the C-class.

The facelift for E90 did good. Now the car looks more fresh. Front, hood, rear lights. Smart move to upgrade.
For me the E90 is more complete, its a good mixture between sport and comfort and the car looks very good.
It feels like the 3-series always will be the best selling car in the german trio.

E90 doesn't need M-package anymore to look good while I think C-class need Avantgarde package to make the car attractive.

I wouldnt buy either of those engines now for anything, but all in all id take the C class. More elegant, more mature image. Interior is absolutely FINE for its class. Especially as its not like the 3er interior is 'stunning'. They're both adequate. The differences between both in whatever department are so minimal it really is just a question of preference/image/choice. Not that you could tell on this site though, where the littlest advantage is celebrated like an olympic victory..

^ For you maybe. For me, the C interior screams cheap and ugly and not on par with the 3er and A4.
And about the C-class having a more mature image...LMAO give me a break. That's also how you see it, and is hardly something universal or whatever.

^Lol klier,i can always depend on u for a comment like that

If it bothers you that much then... Not sure you've bought/sat in the C before. But then again your reputation for talking irrationally is becoming legendary

Sure, it's irrational whenever it suits the offended MB boys, I get it.
It's irrational now to dislike the interior of a Mercedes, I see. Very good point!

And the best C I have ever driven was a fully loaded black C280 Avantgarde V6 for a weekend.....sweet ride, good looking exterior, eye catcher and horrible looking interior. The software and use of Command is good, the screen itself looks nice (other than the pop up sytem, eeewww), the looks and plastic everywhere is a joke.

LOL. Its obviously all about 'MB boys' 'BMW boys' to you. yes i guess im just an 'offended MB boy' Klier. Right?? lol

Someday you'll grow up..

Nah, don't think that'll happen

haha. And anyways i take that back buddy. Its not for me to tell you..

Really? I was quite impressed with the 4 pot in the 320i, it really sounded like a I6, and power to me was pretty adequate, especially when you factor in that MB has a supercharger in their C200k. Its consumption is also better (in real-life tests of my own). It's not just Mercedes small engines, its V6 and V8 engines are also lagging behind the competition already. Maybe its focus on luxury doesn't warrant much reason for it to develop efficient engines.

I do hope to see better engines in the future, and the new generation C250 CDI etc might be the start of something new. The S400 hybrid is promising, too.

^James the V6 and V8 are already on the market for several years now so naturally they'll be out dated to the brand new engines from BMW or Audi.

The 2.0 unit from BMW feels so lethargic compared to the 1.8K and 1.8T from MB and Audi. Sure it spins sweetly and seems eager enough. But there's just nothing in it. Lacking 50nm compared to the competition at this level is a BIG deal. The MB feels so much more responsive and spins just at smoothly. The Audi even moreso, but a little less smooth. Sure the unit in the BMW is efficient, but hey, I don't mind the Audi and MB being drinking a little more for the very perceptible performance advantages they offer over the BMW.

I agree, MB does seem on the back foot when it comes to engines, but this should be remedied in the next few years. Look at the new small diesel. It has all the makings of a class benchmark.

My comments regarding the 2.0 unit after one year of ownership and many many miles later.

I've been driving against a Audi A3 1.8T and it was a dead race. There is power enough in the 2.0 unit, you just need to keep the reevs up. Beyond 100km/h the engine pulls nicely even in 6th gear. I like N/A engines and I'm satisfied with the 2.0 unit.
The engine is a little jewel and reev all the way up to 7000 rpm and its also fuel efficient.
The 2.0 unit suit the 1-series very well. Driving on a twisty country road is a pleasure. And the engine sound is wonderful , gets better more miles you put on the clock.

^No one is saying the 2 liter unit is bad it is very nice indeed i've driven BMWs equipped with it but it just lacks the torque punch of MB's engine.

It's only becuase its a N/A engine. BMW are working on a 4-cylinder Turbo.
I only hope it doesnt reev less than 7000 rpm.

^Yeah,NA and small displacement engines needs to be worked harder than forced induction and bigger engines.

The new 4 cylinder turbo engines from MB and BMW is gonna be a real hit

BMW's diesels clearly outperforms and give higher MPG's. They are better with their diesel technology at the moment. But everything else is purely up to your personal preferences. There is nothing wrong with W204's interior and exterior. Plus when the 250 CDI comes, it definitely would be my choice with the W204.