C-Class (W204) New Direct Injection Turbo Engines for W204

[Monster]

The 07 E350 had epa estimate of 26mpg, while the 08 with no changes had epa estimate of 24mpg. On long trips I would get 27-28mpg with average speeds of around 75mph.

I managed to get 29mpg with average speed of 62mph with our 05 E350, factory recommended tire pressure.

 

[dtd]

I think your price estimate is about $10k us too low, and Japanese cars are really not more efficient in real life usage. The Japanese automakers build to the EPA test, while the EU carmakers build for real world useage. The C300 I have has been averaging over 25mpg for mixed use, while the epa says this should be 20.

Mr. U, what I mean is the base price for the C250CDI.It should be priced at $32,995 . Of course , you have to have at least 1 option which is around 10% of the base price. So the out of the door price should not be over $40K. I'm talking the U.S market here, not elsewhere in the world which is much higher.You also want the combined gas mileage around 35mpg if not better.In Calif, the diesel price is close to premium gas price which is around $3/gal. MB would make this car as a big volume car, so they have to make it affordable. They have to impress new customers in quality, reliability , so customers will stay loyal and move up to the more luxurious models. The C should be consider as premium car ,NOT luxury car.
dtd

 

[Untertürkheim]

I managed to get 29mpg with average speed of 62mph with our 05 E350, factory recommended tire pressure.

I do not know what tire pressures are reccomended in Australia, but I know that in the US, MBUSA lists lower tire pressure than for the German market.

In the US, there are two sets of tire pressures listed, "Standard" and "high speed" where "high speed" is the correct tire pressure used in Germany, and the soft mattress "standrd" setting was made for the US. Using the correct "high speed" pressure yields considerably better fuel economy, and a much better drive in my opinion.

 

[Untertürkheim]

Mr. U, what I mean is the base price for the C250CDI.It should be priced at $32,995 . Of course , you have to have at least 1 option which is around 10% of the base price. So the out of the door price should not be over $40K. I'm talking the U.S market here, not elsewhere in the world which is much higher.You also want the combined gas mileage around 35mpg if not better.In Calif, the diesel price is close to premium gas price which is around $3/gal. MB would make this car as a big volume car, so they have to make it affordable. They have to impress new customers in quality, reliability , so customers will stay loyal and move up to the more luxurious models. The C should be consider as premium car ,NOT luxury car.
dtd

My guess would be that the price would be the same as the current C300. You are probably right about the base price, but I never look at that price since I would not buy a car that way. I find that comparing fully equipped price actually results in a better informed buying decision.

Also, diesel in So.Cal is cheaper than regular.

 

[dtd]

Yes, but not everybody wants a fully equipped car. What most people want is the price limit and they have to compare with what the other competitors offer.A fully equipped car could cost over $45K out of the door for the C. Now , would you buy a 4 bangers car for that price? in this economy? I guess I'm focusing in the C250CDI.By the way, you live in So.Cal Mr U ?
dtd

 

[Untertürkheim]

Yes, but not everybody wants a fully equipped car. What most people want is the price limit and they have to compare with what the other competitors offer.A fully equipped car could cost over $45K out of the door for the C. Now , would you buy a 4 bangers car for that price? in this economy? I guess I'm focusing in the C250CDI.By the way, you live in So.Cal Mr U ?
dtd

Allow me to explain my logic. I am very well aware that most people do not want a fully equipped car, but as far as I can tell, getting a car fully equipped would be the only reason to buy a new car.

If price is the issue, one could save a significant amount of money (more than any options), by buying a certified used car that is a couple years old. Since they can have the same or longer warranties than a new car, and cost less, it seems like very faulty logic to buy a poorly equipped new car in the name of saving money, when the price premium for being the first owner far exceeds the total cost of all options.

Yes, I do live in So.Cal, L.A. to be more exact.

 

[Untertürkheim]

Yes, but not everybody wants a fully equipped car. What most people want is the price limit and they have to compare with what the other competitors offer.A fully equipped car could cost over $45K out of the door for the C. Now , would you buy a 4 bangers car for that price? in this economy? I guess I'm focusing in the C250CDI.By the way, you live in So.Cal Mr U ?
dtd

I also forgot to answer one of your questions. Paying $45-50k for a car has nothing to do with the engine size for me. I would pay more for a loaded C250CDI than for a C350 since I value the diesel more.

 

[dtd]

Allow me to explain my logic. I am very well aware that most people do not want a fully equipped car, but as far as I can tell, getting a car fully equipped would be the only reason to buy a new car.

If price is the issue, one could save a significant amount of money (more than any options), by buying a certified used car that is a couple years old. Since they can have the same or longer warranties than a new car, and cost less, it seems like very faulty logic to buy a poorly equipped new car in the name of saving money, when the price premium for being the first owner far exceeds the total cost of all options.

Yes, I do live in So.Cal, L.A. to be more exact.

I guess you misunderstand my point. When I first owned a car in this country, I drove a used Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. For me , it was just a basic transporttation. I drove it for 100K miles then got the engine rebuilt and drove for another 40K miles before I sold it to someone else for $1K. Then I bought the brand new Maxima with sufficient feature with less than 10 miles on it and drove for 213K miles before I sold it again for $1K.My criteria is only buy a brand new car ( has to be <10 miles on it) and with enough feature and safety feature is a must. I don't buy poorly equipped car and of course not more than what I need.In the long run, what makes you love about the car is how good it treats you (of course you have to take care of it well too, good maintenance is a must) and with least problems. Now this is the main thing to keep you loyal to the carmaker. When you have lots of money, then car is the toy, and the more features you have , that is the "good feeling " indicator. I don't blame people to have a loaded car. I just want to save that money for vacation. In summary, when I buy a new car ( I bought used car once and that's it) , what I want is safety, fuel efficient , fun to drive , good looks, rear wheel drive and not too big .So the C ( or maybe the next 3er serie) comes to my mind.By the way, everything in So Cal is cheaper than Nor Cal, including food.I envy with you.
dtd

 

[Untertürkheim]

I guess you misunderstand my point. When I first owned a car in this country, I drove a used Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. For me , it was just a basic transporttation. I drove it for 100K miles then got the engine rebuilt and drove for another 40K miles before I sold it to someone else for $1K. Then I bought the brand new Maxima with sufficient feature with less than 10 miles on it and drove for 213K miles before I sold it again for $1K.My criteria is only buy a brand new car ( has to be <10 miles on it) and with enough feature and safety feature is a must. I don't buy poorly equipped car and of course not more than what I need.In the long run, what makes you love about the car is how good it treats you (of course you have to take care of it well too, good maintenance is a must) and with least problems. Now this is the main thing to keep you loyal to the carmaker. When you have lots of money, then car is the toy, and the more features you have , that is the "good feeling " indicator. I don't blame people to have a loaded car. I just want to save that money for vacation. In summary, when I buy a new car ( I bought used car once and that's it) , what I want is safety, fuel efficient , fun to drive , good looks, rear wheel drive and not too big .So the C ( or maybe the next 3er serie) comes to my mind.By the way, everything in So Cal is cheaper than Nor Cal, including food.I envy with you.
dtd

I am not sure if everything is cheaper in So.Cal, but I know the food, traffic, and people are much worse down here, do not be too envious.

I am not sure what the point was, but think about it this way:

2007 CPO C Class with 20k miles average equipment ~$22k
2010 C class base ~$35k
2010 C class fully equipped ~$50k

My point is that the price premium for a new car is the same (but often more) than the difference in price for the equipment. If saving money is important, then why not get something used?

I would only spend my money to buy a new car (which I rarely do) because the only reason I would pay the huge price premium for a new car is to get something I can not find used, which is a fully equipped one.

 

[Gullwing]

27-28 still seems like high consumption for that car at only 75, what tire pressures was that using?

Ummm I am pretty sure I NEVER checked the tire pressures after the 1K service.

 

[Untertürkheim]

Ummm I am pretty sure I NEVER checked the tire pressures after the 1K service.

No way, and you call yourself an enthusiast?

 

[Gullwing]

No way, and you call yourself an enthusiast?

Light never came on, so everything was fine.
Work on cars for several years and we will see how much you want to check you tire pressures.

 

[dtd]

I am not sure if everything is cheaper in So.Cal, but I know the food, traffic, and people are much worse down here, do not be too envious.

I am not sure what the point was, but think about it this way:

2007 CPO C Class with 20k miles average equipment ~$22k
2010 C class base ~$35k
2010 C class fully equipped ~$50k

My point is that the price premium for a new car is the same (but often more) than the difference in price for the equipment. If saving money is important, then why not get something used?

I would only spend my money to buy a new car (which I rarely do) because the only reason I would pay the huge price premium for a new car is to get something I can not find used, which is a fully equipped one.

The point is not saving the money, it is spending money wisely. Carmakers keep adding more features every year , so it is hard to keep up.Make priority. To me, safety, efficiency and fun to drive are important. Of course, money is the most important, because you have budget. I hope I don't offend you, just want to compare notes with you. One thing we have in common is we both like the Diesel C class.
dtd

 

[Untertürkheim]

Light never came on, so everything was fine.
Work on cars for several years and we will see how much you want to check you tire pressures.

I actually do a lot of my own service, and for a few friends. There are a few things I do not like to do at home, since they are a pain without a lift, i.e. transmission service.

Most of the other regular stuff I do myself though, motor oil, various filters, spark plugs, monovalve.

 

[Untertürkheim]

The point is not saving the money, it is spending money wisely. Carmakers keep adding more features every year , so it is hard to keep up.Make priority. To me, safety, efficiency and fun to drive are important. Of course, money is the most important, because you have budget. I hope I don't offend you, just want to compare notes with you. One thing we have in common is we both like the Diesel C class.
dtd

Not to worry, I am not offended, and I likewise hope you are not.

The current C class is a good example actually. Since the introduction of the W204, the only major change has been the dynamic handling package option, intoduced this year.

A couple of friends have been looking at the C, and I have told all of them to look for a 2008 model (first year of the 204) since they can save the most that way, and not compromise anything. Of course, if someone wants all the equipment then 99% of the time new will be the only option. If I were shopping for a car and found a used one built to my specification, I would save the thousands of dollars myself.

 

[Gullwing]

I actually do a lot of my own service, and for a few friends. There are a few things I do not like to do at home, since they are a pain without a lift, i.e. transmission service.

Most of the other regular stuff I do myself though, motor oil, various filters, spark plugs, monovalve.

Working on your own car is one thing, but working on your own car after working on other people's cars all day is another.

I need to do rear brakes on my car and my mom's, it will get done one of these days.

 

[Untertürkheim]

Working on your own car is one thing, but working on your own car after working on other people's cars all day is another.

I need to do rear brakes on my car and my mom's, it will get done one of these days.

I can see that...

So when are you going to start working at a So.Cal MB dealership? So far Walter's in Riverside is the only one I can tolerate, but it is a long drive from me.

 

[Gullwing]

I can see that...

So when are you going to start working at a So.Cal MB dealership? So far Walter's in Riverside is the only one I can tolerate, but it is a long drive from me.

I am done with dealerships.
That job listing you gave me a while ago for the Classic Center would have been great, but since I had just started going back to school I didn't apply. That and I don't really want to move to CA.

 

[Untertürkheim]

I am done with dealerships.
That job listing you gave me a while ago for the Classic Center would have been great, but since I had just started going back to school I didn't apply. That and I don't really want to move to CA.

School is always a better choice, so I can not fault you on that one. But CA people can not be that much more vapid than LV people.

 

[Gullwing]

School is always a better choice, so I can not fault you on that one. But CA people can not be that much more vapid than LV people.

School sucks, it is slow and boring. I grew up in CA. It is not so much the people I don't want to deal with, but more the politics, taxes and gun laws.
Just went to the gun show today, but only picked up 2,500 rounds since they ran out of what I wanted to get.