C-Class (W205) [Official] Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205)

[GS-1905]

OMG!!

 

[StanNH]

This Initial Quality Survey counts "ease of use" as a major score, so a car with a confusing or hard to learn computer interface will get trashed. Some of the features of this car are really unlike other cars and take some time to figure out. That, I'm sure, accounts for at least some of the low scores in the IQS. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing what portion of the low scores were caused by actual defects, recalls, or service campaigns. Why would the engines get low ratings?

This isn't really a reliability rating as much as an indication of a customer's initial reaction to the car. It's obviously not good, but the reasons for the low scores aren't really explained. The actual reliability ratings, when available, probably won't be much better given all the problems that have been reported by owners. It's really too bad, since the design of the car is exceptional ... the execution not so much.

 

[JLBM]

I can't believe that after all this time on the market, South Africa still only has access to 4 cylinder engines (with exception of recently introduced C63)..

 

[DexterMorgan]

J.D. Power just reviewed the W205 C-Class and rated it far below what is expected.

I wouldn't call that a 'review'. What they have broken down in their infographic is the result of their 90-day initial quality survey. New technologies that can hurt these results include, but are not limited to, eco start-stop, the new touchpad for COMAND, agility select and myriad of other new technologies that the C-class introduced with the W205.

Case in point, we've had several calls from clients who tell us their car keeps 'shutting down' and that something's wrong with it, when it really is just the start/stop tech doing its job. Additionally, we can so many complaints on the new COMAND from folks who are coming out of older Merc's. There are not necessarily faults with the car but the inability of the consumer to get used to the new tech in the initial 90 day period. Some of this also falls on the selling dealership since it is their job to properly educate the client of what they are buying.

So yeah, I take these initial quality surveys with a grain of salt.

 

[Merc1]

^

I wouldn't call that a 'review'. What they have broken down in their infographic is the result of their 90-day initial quality survey. New technologies that can hurt these results include, but are not limited to, eco start-stop, the new touchpad for COMAND, agility select and myriad of other new technologies that the C-class introduced with the W205.

Case in point, we've had several calls from clients who tell us their car keeps 'shutting down' and that something's wrong with it, when it really is just the start/stop tech doing its job. Additionally, we can so many complaints on the new COMAND from folks who are coming out of older Merc's. There are not necessarily faults with the car but the inability of the consumer to get used to the new tech in the initial 90 day period. Some of this also falls on the selling dealership since it is their job to properly educate the client of what they are buying.

So yeah, I take these initial quality surveys with a grain of salt.

It is a combination of those things you mention and just poor build quality. I haven't see this many small problems on a new Benz in years. Defective door seals, peeling MB Tex seats, poor fitted body panels, different trim on one side of the car from the other, so clearly it isn't just customers not being used to technology. JD Powers is no where near being wrong here. MBWorld is rife with threads about all the issues with this car and most of it has nothing to do with understanding new tech.

M

 

[SKY]

I trust that site a lot. Remember the praise the W221 always got there. And we all appreciated that a lot back in the day.

This not acceptable for a Merc. I hope they do something soon to fix it.

 

[Wolfgang]

New Record for Series-Production Diesel Car in US Hill-Climb Race: Mercedes-Benz C 300 d 4MATIC Sets New Record at Pikes Peak

STUTTGART/COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- June 30, 2015: Mercedes-Benz has set a new record for the diesels in the legendary Pikes Peak hill-climb race with a near-production C 300 d 4MATIC: Test driver Uwe Nittel completed the 19.99 km long route which includes more than 150 bends at a range in altitude of nearly 1400 metres in just 11.37 minutes.

"With extensive simulation measures, gruelling durability road tests and exhaustive trial driving at test sites all over the world, Mercedes-Benz's testing programme is undoubtedly one of the most rigorous in the automotive branch," says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "Pikes Peak raised the crossbar still further. And the virtually series-production C 300 d 4MATIC demonstrated in this test that sporty performance and clean exhaust technology go together perfectly."

The test drive at Pikes Peak also demonstrated how well Mercedes-Benz diesel powertrains are adapted to the special requirements of the US market, which include extreme climatic conditions.

The course’s numerous switchbacks put the suspension and the 4MATIC powertrain through their paces when accelerating out of the bends. Another challenge for the diesel engine was the thin mountain air – the finishing point is an impressive 4301 metres above sea level. Test driver Uwe Nittel, 46, reports: "Shoving a series diesel saloon with automatic transmission up Pikes Peak sounds like a crazy idea, put it was a lot of fun. And it showed that all the prejudices regarding diesel vehicles are well out of time."

Nittel comes from rallying: numerous victories in national championships and the rally world championship culminated in the vice world champion's title in group N (1996). In 2011 he belonged to the team that won the FIA truck racing European championship.

The 150 kW (204 hp) C 300 d 4MATIC (in Europe known as 250 d) fitted with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission competed in the hill-climb race in largely series-production configuration. As is customary for a racing car, the interior was cleared out. The modifications included the safety measures required by the regulations, such as a roll-over cage, racing tank, fire extinguishing system, enhanced brakes and ultra-high-performance tyres (UHP).

The environment-friendly engine technology remained completely unchanged. Thanks to the highly effective emission control system, the C 300 d is the first diesel model to undercut the American ULEV 70 emissions limits, which are among the strictest in the world. With a combined range of 34 miles to the gallon (corresponding to 4.1 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres), the C 300 d attains a level of fuel efficiency which is superior to that of most hybrid vehicles on the US market. In inter-urban traffic the vehicle runs on 42 mpg (FE Highway).

The engine technology: clean and economical

The C 300 d is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine with fourth-generation common rail direct injection featuring piezo injectors, two-stage turbocharging and exhaust gas recirculation. A highly sensitive engine control system responds precisely to the most diverse operating conditions, thereby optimising the combustion processes. The emission control system incorporates a close-coupled electrically heated oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter which is located in the area of the bulkhead. This shortens the regeneration times.

The core of the emission control system takes the form of an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter, with an "AdBlue®" injector connected upstream. "AdBlue®" is a synthetic aqueous urea solution which causes the nitrogen oxides (NOx) to be reduced to harmless nitrogen in the SCR catalytic converters. Monitoring and diagnosis of the complex exhaust gas aftertreatment processes are performed by various sensors, including a differential pressure sensor, a lambda sensor, NOx and temperature sensors.

The hill-climb race: legendary and gruelling

156 bends and a difference in altitude of 1439 metres over a distance of just under 20 kilometres – the "Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb" (PPIHC) in the US state of Colorado is arguably the most spectacular and demanding hill-climb race in the world. The uphill gradient averages seven percent. The epithet "Race to the clouds" derives from the alpine topography: The race begins at an ample altitude of 2862 metres, and the finishing point at the summit of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains is no less than 4301 metres above sea level. The entire route has been asphalted since 2011.

PPIHC is one of the very oldest motorsport events: Races for automobiles and motorcycles have been held here since 1916, and this year's event was the 93rd in the course's history. The best-known winners include the American Bobby Unser, who won the hill-climb race 13 times in all, Indycar drivers Mario Andretti (1969) and Rick Mears (1976) and rally drivers Michèle Mouton (1984, 1985), Walter Röhrl (1987), Ari Vatanen (1988) and Sebastien Loeb (2013).

Autochannel

 

[Merc1]

I keep forgetting that we're going to get this car early next year. DTD will be happy, he can finally get his diesel C-Class!

M

 

[Wolfgang]

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/int/na...uwe-nittel-gelingt-rekordfahrt-am-pikes-peak/

 

[dtd]

I keep forgetting that we're going to get this car early next year. DTD will be happy, he can finally get his diesel C-Class!

M

Someone just mentioned my name. LOL. Merc1, what I love to get is the W205 RWD diesel , nor 4MATIC. Anyway, now the new Alfa Romeo Giulia is coming to the States, that really tears me. I intend to get the W205 MY2016, but if any good news about that damn Giulia, I have to give a second thought. Yes, I still like to get the diesel, if it does not cost leg and arm.
dtd

 

[tennmb]

The touch pad is a disaster. I've had several that simply don't work right. Sometimes they pick up your movement and sometimes not. They got rid of the number-dial pad on the dash, which was a great feature. If they really think writing out letters and numbers on a touch pad is an advance then someone at MB is asleep at the wheel. It is tedious and a distraction when trying to drive. In the cars with TP I still use the COMAND knob. I just got back from the factory in Bama and quite honestly the VW factory in Chattanooga is a much more impressive facility.

 

[Merc1]

The diesel should do well in the U.S. First small Benz diesel since the 80's I believe, the 190D was the last one. 4matic ensures it will sell nationwide with no problems. They should offer a RWD version for 2017 if customers demand it. GLC should get diesel too along with a GLC450 for 2017 also.

M

 

[Merc1]

The touch pad is a disaster. I've had several that simply don't work right. Sometimes they pick up your movement and sometimes not. They got rid of the number-dial pad on the dash, which was a great feature. If they really think writing out letters and numbers on a touch pad is an advance then someone at MB is asleep at the wheel. It is tedious and a distraction when trying to drive. In the cars with TP I still use the COMAND knob. I just got back from the factory in Bama and quite honestly the VW factory in Chattanooga is a much more impressive facility.

Blame Audi for that writing mess. One German does, the others must follow.

M

 

[W201]

It's a trend because of the Chinese/Japanese/Korean and similar markets, where the letters are more complicated, and where 'alphabet' has more characters.

 

[Wolfgang]

WCF

 

[Yaz]

Blame Audi for that writing mess. One German does, the others must follow.

M

The tech has been there for a long time. Just ask Apple.
All these problems are not acceptable on a Mercedes-Benz.

 

[ThroughandThrough]

A MBWorld member, 49erPV, posted a photo of his new C300 alongside his beautiful 1969 280SL:

 

[tennmb]

The tech has been there for a long time. Just ask Apple.
All these problems are not acceptable on a Mercedes-Benz.

Exactly. Touch technology is nothing new. If you can integrate it into a hand held phone, reliably, you can do it in a $40k+ auto.

 

[sanpt7777]

I don't know if it's old news, but looks like it will be really good looking.

http://www.autozeitung.de/auto-neuheiten/mercedes-c-klasse-coupe-2015-c205

BTW, why the casamo if we already know it will look exactly like the S Class Coupe?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

@Wolfgang have you come across any photos of the C in the new selenite grey colour? I've read it's replaced paladium silver?