C-Class (W206) [Official] Mercedes Benz C-Class (W206)

[dalab]

That first ML was like the W210 E-class, the interiors on both were shite and a disaster for Mercedes. This was the same time the VW Golf IV launched, and its interior made both look very cheap.

I had one of those VW (Jetta) and I can attest that it felt even better than it looks in the photo, soft touch materials everywhere, metal interior door handles, a pleasure

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I had one of those VW (Jetta) and I can attest that it felt even better than it looks in the photo, soft touch materials everywhere, metal interior door handles, a pleasure

Until all the 'soft touch' surfaces with their rubberised paint finish started peeling off in the heat.

 

[martinbo]

Until all the 'soft touch' surfaces with their rubberised paint finish started peeling off in the heat.

I owned two Golf IV GTIs. While car rags gushed over interior quality, real owners came to terms with flimsy trim fit and rattles. Suspension didn’t help either - the springs were too soft and the shocks too hard.

How the hell did we get here, though? This thread is a mess.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

It has recently come to my attention that there is a 2.5L variant of the M256 which used by the S400/450(L) models in China. Its good for about 300-360hp in those applications.

So the question I must ask, is why the bloody hell haven't they put that motor in the C-class. Use the 360hp variant in the C43 and instantly it'll become that much more desirable. Much as I love the M139 as an engine, its just not suited to applications outside of the A-class or a small, light sports car.

Then put the full fat 3L version in the C63.

The strategy writes itself.

 

[Merc1]

MBUSA needs to upgrade the base 4-cylinder across the board. 255hp is not enough. They were going to in the E350 a few years ago, but changed their minds at the last min. The website had been updated with the new hp numbers an everything. Every "300" or "350" model in the USA should be a 350 with 300hp IMO. 255hp is not enough for a GLE with people on board.

M

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

MBUSA needs to upgrade the base 4-cylinder across the board. 255hp is not enough. They were going to in the E350 a few years ago, but changed their minds at the last min. The website had been updated with the new hp numbers an everything. Every "300" or "350" model in the USA should be a 350 with 300hp IMO. 255hp is not enough for a GLE with people on board.

M

To be perfectly honest, now that the number no longer represents displacement, they should change it to horsepower.

So an E220 should be 220PS, an E300 should be 300PS etc.

 

[empower77]

I had one of those VW (Jetta) and I can attest that it felt even better than it looks in the photo, soft touch materials everywhere, metal interior door handles, a pleasure

Right? I did as well. Soft touch high quality plastics, tank like build and solid Germanic quality that is even rare for German cars today

 

[Serpens]

That first ML was like the W210 E-class, the interiors on both were shite and a disaster for Mercedes. This was the same time the VW Golf IV launched, and its interior made both look very cheap.

Funny, I had a MKIV Jetta when I was 16 and still have a W163 ML500. It's been in my family since new and is perfect for when I need to drive somewhere and not draw attention. The ML500's interior with its cheap plastics still looks great today whereas my Jetta's buttons and panels were melting before I even had it 3 years. I was so happy to get a BMW 330i 6-speed after that. That Jetta was just as unreliable as the ML500 (which is great now that everything's been fixed at least once) and wore worse.

 

[empower77]

Funny, I had a MKIV Jetta when I was 16 and still have a W163 ML500. It's been in my family since new and is perfect for when I need to drive somewhere and not draw attention. The ML500's interior with its cheap plastics still looks great today whereas my Jetta's buttons and panels were melting before I even had it 3 years. I was so happy to get a BMW 330i 6-speed after that. That Jetta was just as unreliable as the ML500 (which is great now that everything's been fixed at least once) and wore worse.

Where are you located? Mine was 7 years old when I sold it and didn't have any melted plastic issues.

 

[Serpens]

Where are you located? Mine was 7 years old when I sold it and didn't have any melted plastic issues.

I was in the southern region of the U.S. at the time. This was hardly an isolated case, you can google "MKIV sticky plastic" or "MKIV melting plastic" and get plenty of forum threads ranging back from the early 2000s.

 

[Rolf]

Looks like Mercedes AMG has tried to rescue some sales from the lackluster C63 S E Performance with some big discounts.

AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE ONLINE WITH UP TO 16% DISCOUNT

Mercedes-Benz is currently offering a discount of 6 to 16 percent online for the C 63 S E Performance model from Mercedes-AMG – depending on the equipment variant or equipment combination.

Online Store Offers Up To 16% Off

If you currently take a look at the Mercedes-Benz online store, the latest C 63 S E Performance model with its 680 hp system output can currently be ordered online at quite a steep discount. The discount or customer benefit generally starts at 6 percent compared to the list price – and goes up to 16 percent. This makes it possible to save up to 21,358.12 euros.

Discount campaign for a limited time

According to Mercedes-Benz itself, there will be corresponding discount promotions as well as discounted leasing conditions until March 31, 2024. Well over 80 C 63 S E vehicles are available at short notice. In general, Mercedes-Benz has generally increased the discounts in the store across all model series.

 

[Merc1]

Shocker. They gonna have to better than that. Still waiting to see the price in the USA.

M

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Shocker. They gonna have to better than that. Still waiting to see the price in the USA.

M

Better yet, accept that nobody wants an AMG like this. Rebrand it as something else and make a proper 63.
It should be possible when the base C-class and CLA are electrified.

 

[Merc1]

Better yet, accept that nobody wants an AMG like this. Rebrand it as something else and make a proper 63.
It should be possible when the base C-class and CLA are electrified.

They’ll just cut production before they do that. Stubborn.com.

M

 

[Rolf]

They can drop both C43 and this C63 with hybrid tech and bring in these models instead.

C53 - same powertrain as CLE53 - 330kw (449PS) inline 6 or make a C53e Hybrid with same powertrain as GLE53e - 400kw (544PS) and 80km E range.
C63 - 4ltr V8 - same powertrain as the GLE63 - 450kw (612PS) or make a C63e Hybrid and use GLE53e Hybrid inline 6 but with a higher output electric motor with 150kw (204PS) and total output of 450kw (612PS) with 80km E Range.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

They bring the V8 back, it will fly off the shelves.

The hybrids could work, but they would still be too heavy but as long as there is a non-hybrid version available that maintains some lightness, it should be fine.

 

[Centurion]

Looks like Mercedes AMG has tried to rescue some sales from the lackluster C63 S E Performance with some big discounts.

That’s now a deep discount. You can get up to 16% off almost any car in this climate.

 

[GTA45E]

They can drop both C43 and this C63 with hybrid tech and bring in these models instead.

C53 - same powertrain as CLE53 - 330kw (449PS) inline 6 or make a C53e Hybrid with same powertrain as GLE53e - 400kw (544PS) and 80km E range.
C63 - 4ltr V8 - same powertrain as the GLE63 - 450kw (612PS) or make a C63e Hybrid and use GLE53e Hybrid inline 6 but with a higher output electric motor with 150kw (204PS) and total output of 450kw (612PS) with 80km E Range.

I think MB could have used a modified version of the M256 Inline6 like what is used in the CLE53 for a C53 AMG
MB confirmed to EVO that it only needed 50MM of space under the hood of the W206 for the i6 to fit.

After two generations of the C-class being topped with V8 engines, and V6s playing their role in the middle, it’s fair to say there were a few raised eyebrows when Mercedes confirmed the W206 would be four-cylinder only. While the demise of AMG’s V8 was no surprise due to stricter emissions regulations, it was the packaging that killed off the sixes as Merc’s latest generation swapped out a V6 layout for an in-line six.
In order to fit the new powertrain, Mercedes confirmed that it would have required an extra 50mm of length in the engine bay, space the engineers weren’t willing to compromise on for the sake of what would inherently have been a niche powertrain option.

-->> https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/c-cl...eview-engine-gearbox-and-technical-highlights

 

[Merc1]

They should have just kept the formula the same same as before with the I6 for the C43 to C53 upgrade and a new C63 V8. I don't think they will do anything about this at all. They will just ride it out. Still though where did the rumor come from about them going back to the V8? Mercedes isn't going to admit this is a huge mistake and they will just cut production of the C63 IMO.

M

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

They should have just kept the formula the same same as before with the I6 for the C43 to C53 upgrade and a new C63 V8. I don't think they will do anything about this at all. They will just ride it out. Still though where did the rumor come from about them going back to the V8? Mercedes isn't going to admit this is a huge mistake and they will just cut production of the C63 IMO.

M

Yes. And if they're smart they'll fettle with the facelift engine bay to allow that extra 50mm for the M256M.

Anyway, isn't the M256 much shorter than other inline 6es due to the ISG?

All of the excuses just seem like belligerence in the face of a mistake.