C-Class (W204) New C-Class Caught at MBUSA's Jersey Headquarters in the U.S.

[Merc1]

New C-Class Caught at MBUSA's Jersey Headquarters in the U.S.

Thanks to MBWorld member "Spoonie":


M

 

[wltsm]

Looks great in red, but how come it has the C300 name badge??

 

[Merc1]

In the U.S. market the C280 is the C300. Just like the S550, MBUSA is deciding to call all the cars by their actual displacement.

M

 

[wltsm]

In the U.S. market the C280 is the C300. Just like the S550, MBUSA is deciding to call all the cars by their actual displacement.

Oh right, thanks for clearing that one up!

 

[bum-man]

The car looks great, and it's nice to see new rims.

 

[NTT]

Thanks for the post.

 

[Yaz]

Looks really nice in red. About time they offered options such as Distronic Plus, Parktronic and Keyless Go on a C.

 

[Centurion]

Hottest in the segment.

 

[MB-JIM]

I agree with those who would like some of the options for our C Class that are reserved for the E & S Class models. For many people, the C Class is an "entry level car" but for some of us it is a "destination car." By that, I mean that some of us drive a C Class even though we could be driving an E or S Class model. For me, I switched from my 06 E350 to the C350 because I liked the handling of the C350 and I couldn't stand the E Class SBC brakes.
I want very much to get a W204 Luxury version but with only the 350 engine. Having had a CLK 430 and E430 with low profile tires that I didn't like, I don't want to get the C350 Sport.
I realize that the US dealers don't want the C350's since they had such a hard time selling the 06 & 07 models. Since they are still going to bring in 350's, I can't see any reason why they won't offer the 350 in the Luxury models.

 

[Brendan Moore]

I agree with those who would like some of the options for our C Class that are reserved for the E & S Class models. For many people, the C Class is an "entry level car" but for some of us it is a "destination car." By that, I mean that some of us drive a C Class even though we could be driving an E or S Class model. For me, I switched from my 06 E350 to the C350 because I liked the handling of the C350 and I couldn't stand the E Class SBC brakes.
I want very much to get a W204 Luxury version but with only the 350 engine. Having had a CLK 430 and E430 with low profile tires that I didn't like, I don't want to get the C350 Sport.
I realize that the US dealers don't want the C350's since they had such a hard time selling the 06 & 07 models. Since they are still going to bring in 350's, I can't see any reason why they won't offer the 350 in the Luxury models.

Yes, I am in the same situation. My preference is for the C-Class even though I guess I could have the E-Class (its a lot of coin, though). I almost bought the current E-Class when it came out because I need another car as I have been driving this forever, but, I don't know, I wanted something a little more nimble. So I thought about the BMW 5-Series, but I really don't like the looks too much, and then I bounced over to the Audi A6, but didn't fall in love with it. Then inertia set in, then I got busy, and now the new C-Class is here.

So, I'm looking forward to some seat time in the C350 Sport. I much prefer the front-end treatment on the Sport to the Luxury.

I haven't seen anything that says M-B is going to bring in a C350 Luxury, though - is your assumption that it will show up since they're bringing in 350 Sport models anyway? I don't know if MBUSA is going to go for that, because, as you yourself point out, the 350s were not exactly flying off the lot. Maybe a tire swap might be in order. . .

I saw an interview with Mercedes CEO Ernst Lieb at the New York Auto Show, and did he look tired. And stressed out. He's been doing all these iinterviews about the C-Class launch and how important it is to M-B to get it exactly right, etc. Maybe it was jet lag, but looked like he was carrying a lot of weight around on his shoulders.

 

[tennmb]

That car must be fresh off the boat. IT's still got the temp wipers on.

It's great to see real life photos of the C. It shows that even out of studio lighting that this car looks great. One thing that stands out is even though the design is very traditional and conservative, there are a lot of areas where the designeres did a good job of keepng interest. These photos show a lot a detailed desgn cues that add interest to the eye and flow very well together. The back end is beginning to grow on me

 

[cawimmer430]

Thanks for posting this.

This car looks so stunning in red. I'm surprised Mercedes has not capitalized on this color in their press photos!

Also, notice the WERKSWAGEN sticker at the rear: factory car.

 

[RLE]

I agree with those who would like some of the options for our C Class that are reserved for the E & S Class models. For many people, the C Class is an "entry level car" but for some of us it is a "destination car." By that, I mean that some of us drive a C Class even though we could be driving an E or S Class model. For me, I switched from my 06 E350 to the C350 because I liked the handling of the C350 and I couldn't stand the E Class SBC brakes.
I want very much to get a W204 Luxury version but with only the 350 engine. Having had a CLK 430 and E430 with low profile tires that I didn't like, I don't want to get the C350 Sport.
I realize that the US dealers don't want the C350's since they had such a hard time selling the 06 & 07 models. Since they are still going to bring in 350's, I can't see any reason why they won't offer the 350 in the Luxury models.

It's clear now that the Luxury version (hate that pretentious name) gets only the 3-liter engine which is only 13HP up on my C320. Since I placed a deposit months ago, I am probably number one on my dealer's list but now that the details about the car are out, I am quite disappointed with what's going to be available.

Or should I say, not available. No multi-mode Xenons, no flashing brake lights, no three-zone climate control (who cares?), no Keyless-Go (OK with me) and now I see that the only good looking wheels, the 18" AMGs won't be available on the C300 Luxury. This thing is looking more like last year's C280 with a new body, sound system and shocks. All the other new items are verboten to North America.

And the final disappointment is that the new Metallic Red isn't available, either. Just the old Barolo Red.

If I had my way, the entire MBUSA marketing department would be canned.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I think it’s just a matter of making sure the US launch (the home of the WIDELY publicized JD Power reports) goes ahead absolutely glitch free and that the C gets glowing reliability reports. These options will surely be available within the next year or so. Even the M had to wait a while for certain goodies such as distronic, reversing camera etc. MB is simply playing it VERY safe on the quality front. A bungled C-class launch would be a public relations disaster at this point. That's what I think anyway.

With the AMG package, the C looks very muscular and makes the BMW 3 look a bit too pretty, perhaps even slightly effete.

 

[Merc1]

Exactly!

M