C-Class (W204) Official Mercedes-Benz W204 C-Class Discussion Thread

[GermanFoamy]

Can someone answer this? Did they use angel eyes in the head lights?

Once again, excuse my ignorance, but what are angel eyes?

 

[GermanFoamy]

I hope so!

Personally, I feel that the current C230, C280 and C350 are more than adequate in terms of performance. It is only the fact that the competition is raising the power that is forcing Mercedes to react as well buyer demand.

And if we're honest, we can see that Mercedes is a bit at a disadvantage here. Take the Lexus IS350 for example. It was specifically created for the North American market, so it doesn't have to worry about emissions, poor fuel economy and horsepower taxation in Japan or Europe because it's not sold in these markets. On the other hand, the C350 and 3.5-l V6 are sold in various markets ranging from Europe to Asia. Here, there are rigorous taxes on engine capacity and power output. So what does MB do? They balance the engine for the optimum output in terms of performance, fuel economy and emissions. My guess is that 272-hp was the magic number that satisfied these three criteria.

Well said!!! Let me tell you my story (short) of my HP history.

I came to Mercedes via Acura. Here in Canada, there is an Acura called (back in 2002) a 1.7EL. Basically, it is an upscale version of the Honda Civic Sedan. This car had 130HP. My 2003 C-240 has 170HP. To me, the HP increase was huge. Having an extra 40HP was a huge gain for me.

When I buy the W204 (eventually), I'll be going from 170HP to 272HP. That's an increase of 100HP . For me, 272HP is enough. I'm not looking to buy a C to race a Bimmer, Lexus or Audi. I'm buying the C because I believe it's the best car for luxury and performance. Just my opinion btw.

 

[Sunny]

I hope so!

Personally, I feel that the current C230, C280 and C350 are more than adequate in terms of performance. It is only the fact that the competition is raising the power that is forcing Mercedes to react as well buyer demand.

And if we're honest, we can see that Mercedes is a bit at a disadvantage here. Take the Lexus IS350 for example. It was specifically created for the North American market, so it doesn't have to worry about emissions, poor fuel economy and horsepower taxation in Japan or Europe because it's not sold in these markets. On the other hand, the C350 and 3.5-l V6 are sold in various markets ranging from Europe to Asia. Here, there are rigorous taxes on engine capacity and power output. So what does MB do? They balance the engine for the optimum output in terms of performance, fuel economy and emissions. My guess is that 272-hp was the magic number that satisfied these three criteria.

Or they could hire a better engineering team that can come with a better balance - like BMW did with 335. - sorry if it sounds too harsh, but that is the way I see it. btw, not sure why people are dissing the interior, I quite like it.

 

[cawimmer430]

Thanks Christian, I guess Iam being a bit HP greedy, My current w202 C180 struggles to pick up speed especially in the summer with the A/C on, hence my desire for loads of HP, however like you said, and which I agree with, 231 BHP is more than adequate, I intend picking up a C280.

I got to drive a C200 Kompressor A/T from my town to Munich once when I worked for a Mercedes dealer over the summer. That journey involved a nice 30 km stretch of Autobahn and the C200K was pretty sweet. Even took it up to 230 km/h!

I've only driven the C180K around the countryside here and in the city and it seems to be a zippy little car. I can imagine that on the highway though and midrange power at higher speeds, it needs some time though.

The C280 seems like a good choice. You essentially get the best of both worlds between the C230 V6 and the C350. Keep me updated.

 

[cawimmer430]

Once again, excuse my ignorance, but what are angel eyes?

 

[cawimmer430]

Well said!!! Let me tell you my story (short) of my HP history.

I came to Mercedes via Acura. Here in Canada, there is an Acura called (back in 2002) a 1.7EL. Basically, it is an upscale version of the Honda Civic Sedan. This car had 130HP. My 2003 C-240 has 170HP. To me, the HP increase was huge. Having an extra 40HP was a huge gain for me.

When I buy the W204 (eventually), I'll be going from 170HP to 272HP. That's an increase of 100HP . For me, 272HP is enough. I'm not looking to buy a C to race a Bimmer, Lexus or Audi. I'm buying the C because I believe it's the best car for luxury and performance. Just my opinion btw.

Awesome story!

I also don't see the point in getting a 306-hp Lexus IS350 in markets like North America where you have speed limits and can never fully appreciate all the performance these cars have to offer. It's all basically about 0-100 km/h in the shortest possible time, and to me, that's not really important. I'm the kind of guy who does value power (but I'm also realistic) but also values aspects such as ride quality, handling (depending on car) etc. The new C-Class looks to be promising on all these criteria. Can't wait for the first review.

 

[cawimmer430]

Or they could hire a better engineering team that can come with a better balance - like BMW did with 335. - sorry if it sounds too harsh, but that is the way I see it. btw, not sure why people are dissing the interior, I quite like it.

Point taken. Doesn't sound harsh at all.

There is a version of this 3.5 V6 that pumps out 292-horsepower. It's called the CGI and is currently only sold in the CLS350 CGI. The performance benefits over the regular CLS350 are minimal though. You just get slightly better fuel economy.

 

[Mr. M]

Point taken. Doesn't sound harsh at all.

There is a version of this 3.5 V6 that pumps out 292-horsepower. It's called the CGI and is currently only sold in the CLS350 CGI. The performance benefits over the regular CLS350 are minimal though. You just get slightly better fuel economy.

Still, the impression that 292hp makes is way more than 276hp of the standard version. I want to see this CGI engine in the C-Class, a new release should come with the latest engine.

 

[cawimmer430]

Still, the impression that 292hp makes is way more than 276hp of the standard version. I want to see this CGI engine in the C-Class, a new release should come with the latest engine.

I am secretly hoping for a C550.

Hmmm, if Mercedes does add a V8 to the C-Class lineup, I think it might actually be a C450...

And of course, maybe a more potent V6. Definitely something with over 300-horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time in the low to mid 5 second range.

 

[vabboud]

i don't think it useful for a 300+ hp model in any entry levels edan lineup bar the eprformance model, of course i might be wrong, but somehow for this current geenration the ordre du joru will be 290-310hp with the top model around 420+

of course mercedes has always had this evrsion of their folie des grandeur by introducing V8 almsot everywhere, so it might just happen

 

[Mr. M]

i don't think it useful for a 300+ hp model in any entry levels edan lineup bar the eprformance model, of course i might be wrong, but somehow for this current geenration the ordre du joru will be 290-310hp with the top model around 420+

of course mercedes has always had this evrsion of their folie des grandeur by introducing V8 almsot everywhere, so it might just happen

Mercedes has blurred our vision on where a V8 should be and shouldn't be - we're so used to the powerful C55 that a V8 standard C-Class now almost seems like a plausible idea - however, given that the C55 sold under AMG, Mercedes should leave the 'V8 exclusivity' for the C-Class to the AMG, IMO. There are just too many products to plonk a C450/550 for example, and it's way too much power in a C-Class people don't need.

 

[cracker123]

The sport steering with paddle shifters behind, see them. I like what I am seeing.
Dont know if this has been posted before.

 

[Deutsch]

Can't wait to get behind that steering wheel.

 

[habashi2]

The interior is average but the problem is i was expecting a much better one than this. what bothers me that iam sure they could have made a better design on the interor but they just didnt for some reason.

 

[fredkarl]

According to www.jesmb.de, usually a reliable source, prices for the new C-Class that goes on sale in Germany on January 24 are:

Classic
C180K 29.988,00 €;
C200K 32.070,50 €;
C230 34.450,50 €;
C280 35.640,50 €;
C350 44.327,50 €;
C200CDI 31.892,00 €;
C220CDI 34.212,50 €;
C320CDI 40.757,50 €;

Elegance +2118,20€ (except C320CDI and C350)
Avantgarde +1999,10€ (except C320CDI and C350)

 

[LaArtist]

How can avantgarde be cheaper than elegance..or is that elegance price plus 1999 euro??

 

[fredkarl]

How can avantgarde be cheaper than elegance..or is that elegance price plus 1999 euro??

I think the avangarde version already was cheaper with the W203. Might be because it has a little bit less chrome, and no wood inside.

 

[Merc1]

Well in thinking about it, the interior has never been a C-Class strong point. The 190E had a nearly indential interior to the W124 E of the day, but Mercedes practices were a lot different then. If they did that now plus all the electronics involved the C's base price would be way out of whack.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

There are just too many products to plonk a C450/550 for example, and it's way too much power in a C-Class people don't need.

But some people want that kind of power in a C-Class without necessesarily buying an AMG version, especially in North America where the V8 is practically a must in a luxury car is possible. The way I see North American luxury buyers thinking is like this: "A V6 in this class is great, but damn, a V8 is even better."

We could also argue that MB should drop the E550 and make the only V8 E-Class the E63 AMG. See my point?

 

[cawimmer430]

CWW is a genius!

His version of the C-Class Sportcoupe.