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Mercedes-Benz C350 & C280
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M
M
It was surprising to see how many people--people who have voted with their dollars and obviously have "voted" for other vehicles and should be on other threads--apparently feel the need to use a thread like this to re-sell themselves on their own opinions, decisions and values. Sheesh.
A lot of the off-topic chatter seems to be about Acura's lineup, which wasn't much when we purchased our '02 C320. They didn't even offer side head curtains: just a little pillow that came out of the seat. The Acuras where closer to the $30K V6 Passats as far as comparing apples for apples.
Now, Acura may have more than a contender to MB's C-class--perhaps, even a superior car in the eyes of many. Maybe it is "better" because it is a better value, or is bigger, or comes in more colors, or because Japanese are trying harder and German workers are overpaid, etc.
So,. . . who cares? Why does that become a topic on a MB thread?
Anyway, hopefully, anyone with actual experience owning a MB vehicle with the new 350 engine will post their experiences. Thanks.
M
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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M
Title changed.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
The article on the 2006 C-Class:
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050223.006/mercedes/1.html
"With four completely new V6 engines, the C-Class takes a clear lead in its market segment where output and torque are concerned. Of the new engines, three are V6 petrol units with 150 kW/204 hp (C 230), 170 kW/231 hp (C 280) and 200 kW/272 hp (C 350). The C 320 CDI with the state-of-the-art V6 diesel engine (165 kW/224 hp) also joins the line-up."
Just subtract 4hp from these totals for our versions. No diesel for us though.
M
2006 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Energized. Impressive sculpted lower bodywork, polished stainless steel exhaust finisher and ultra-responsive 6-speed manual transmission.
Supercharged 1.8L 16-valve inline-4 engine - 189 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Are they delaying the engine upgrades?
M
M
M
C230 - 2.5L V6 at 201hp,181lbft
C280 - 3.0L V6 at 228hp,221lbft
C350 - 3.5L V6 at 268hp,258lbft
This is printed from a dealer spec sheet.
PS - can we change the title to C230, C280 and C350, since the C230 is new as well?
Any word on whether or not the C230 and C280 automatics will be 7G-Tronic?
M
I'm going back next week to finalize my order and I can ask him to pull up the C230 order page, since that comes stick or auto. If 7speed pops up as an option, we can assume the C280 RWD comes with it as well.
Expect a slight increase, but not much due to competition, according to salesman's guess.
~alpha
C280 - 2996cc V6 - 228hp6000rpm - 221lbft2700-5000rpm (vs. 168hp5700/177lbft4700)
C350 - 3498cc V6 - 268hp6000rpm - 258lbft2400-5000rpm (vs. 215hp5700/229lbft4700)
But it's possible that the ML is also Alpine, and that is how iPod integration is working, since Alpine through BMW and their own have various iPod integration products.
The downside is that right now, the Europe DVD does not work with the Alpine Nav (the US DVD still does, so it must be a very similar system). When I pick up my car in Europe, rather than having the Nav to help me navigate through the country, they promised to provide a "europe map".
Great...
Shout out to Merc1, have talked with you before somewhere. Stroudman and Merc1, I have read and enjoyed your informative posts on this forum.
Well here is my situation. I was intending to purchase this fall the 2006 330i ( 90% )or the 2006 A4 ( 10% ). I test drove both of them and was impressed with the new 330i engine and body style but had a difficult time with the sport seats. Getting the non-sport seats is not an option because i need to have the sport package. Have tried to talk about swapping the premium leather lumbar seats for the sports seats but the dealers want nothing to do with it. This is a deal killer for me. Anyway, the Audi A4 honestly looks cheap to me inside. The console looks cheap and unimpressive. I like the new body style but think i should of bought one of those when i was in my late 20's.
So here i am ready to throw in the towel on any german products when my brother and my wife finally convince me to at least consider a MB. My biggest problem with MB has been there extremely high price in there respective market segment with a sub sub par level of performance; specifically there engines re: hp and torque output. My brother mentioned there might be a 3.5 coming around the corner on the C class in a few months but I found nothing on the MB website.
So here are a few questions I hope you guys can help out with. What differences do you think there will be on the 2006 C350 vs the 2005 C320? ( Obviously the engine will be changed so exclude that )
1. Any exterior body changes?
2. Any alternative standard or optional tire changes?
3. Any type of interior changes with the dash/console etc?
4. Will the current packages still exist or will they start to add accessories as standard options like xenon lighting, sunroof etc.
5. Looks there there is Ipod compatibility, what about BLUETOOTH?
6. Are you guys aware of any good links re: articles online that speak to this new car?
7. What is the realistic time expectation when we will see pricing and order info?
8. When will the dealers start to have these in the showrooms for demos?
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
chris
As for pricing, I hear this about C class but don't actually see it when I price them all at edmunds. Prices are pretty close. The MB does come out as a bit more expensive, but not a great deal more expensive, when equipped with the same options. Now the E class is really more expensive than the 5, but the C and 3 are pretty close. Stats get skewed because BMW "typical options" list is smaller than MB, putting the prices out of whack. But it isn't MBs fault that BMW drivers skimp on options where MB drivers tend to load them up more, is it?
Wheels tend to change from year to year, and tires are always a crap shoot as no manufacturer sticks to one brand except for their performance models. We'll see what happens for 2006. C "sport" models will have 17" wheels, staggered width, with summer tires, and an optional manual 6 speed. C "luxury" models will have 16" wheels with all-season tires and a standard 7speed auto (4matic gets 5speed due to space limitations). C55 sports staggered 18". There are plenty of optional wheel packages at MBUSA, all overpriced IMHO. Your dealer pricing will vary.
Interior will not change. It changed last year and gets rave reviews now. Sport models have sport seats with more bolstering, luxo models have standard seats. All non C350 come standard with 4-way power, 6-way manual seats with lumbar adjust lever, and have optional 10-way power driver seat with memory for seat, mirrors and steering wheel. C350 comes standard with dual 10-way memory seats.
Bluetooth is currently not an option, though MB doesn't make it clear at all. Why it isn't standard is beyond me, as it doesn't really cost much, and the phone wiring is standard no matter what, including mic and antenna. VW offers it standard on the Jetta. Instead, they have a system which allows you to use a variety of phones with a cradle adapter that hooks to their system. Phone hides in the center armrest top compartment. Then again, Bluetooth is already a dead technology, soon to be usurped by USB Wireless. Bluetooth development has basically stopped, though it's use is only now picking up.
Sunroof is an option in a package, including other options.
Xenon is not standard, nor is it standard on a lot of other cars, as not everyone wants to blind oncoming traffic to see slightly better. I'm in that camp, myself.
C350 has standard harman kardon stereo, C230 and C280 have that optional. All have standard single disc CD, 6 disc optional systems, and the nav system now has a seperate slot of CD so you can use it even with nav DVD in the system.
Thanks, and don't forget ikramerica too. His post brought the real meat (engines) to the discussion.
1. Any exterior body changes?
In a word, no. That was done for 2005 and the new grille is really distinctive to my eye. As others have noted there will be an all-new C for the 2008 model year so the days of MB's getting one than one facelift during its run are over because they aren't on the 10+ year model cycle anymore.
2. Any alternative standard or optional tire changes?
Hard to say as ikramerica indicated.
3. Any type of interior changes with the dash/console etc?
Nope. Same as the exterior, all changes were for 2005.
4. Will the current packages still exist or will they start to add accessories as standard options like xenon lighting, sunroof etc.
See ikramerica's last post. He has seen the ordering sheet and can tell you that for sure. Of course Stroudman will be able to answer here also.
5. Looks there there is Ipod compatibility, what about BLUETOOTH?
No bluetooth, and I can probably guess as to why. Look for Mercedes to Bluetooth on the next S-Class or something similar/better.
6. Are you guys aware of any good links re: articles online that speak to this new car?
Well there a few, but they really aren't specific to the U.S. models. A "roadtest" of the new C350 should appear in like the Aug-Sept issues of the mainstream auto press, mags like Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, Motor Trend etc.
General Article on C350
There are various "preview" articles on the C350 in the July issue of Sports Car International, the May issue of Road and Track, the May issue of Automobile Magazine, and the May issue of Motor Trend. All of these short preview style articles are pretty much on the same page. The new engine makes huge difference especially combined with chassis changes made on the "Sport" model for 2005.
7. What is the realistic time expectation when we will see pricing and order info?
I'd say less than a month, but Stroudman and ikramerica would know best here.
8. When will the dealers start to have these in the showrooms for demos?
Also within the month I'd say. I guess it really depends on the dealer itself and how low they are on 2005 models. Stroudman?
All in all I'd say the C-Class is finally a complete package. The luxury models for 2005 really have a nice interior as I found at drive event from one of MB's competitors.
M
Blue leather huh? What exterior color?
M
Hope you can give me some sound advise. I am in the process of buying a new used car. I am looking to get either a C240 or BMW 325. As mentioned, both will be used, from either 2001 or 2002. I have test driven both cars and really like both. I like the C240 because it is classy and offers a very comfortable ride. I like the BMW 325 for it drives very well and it has the cool factor attached to its looks. But beyond looks, I really want a car that I don't need to send into the shop every month for repairs for I do NOT want to be broke from repair bills. I have read many forum posts of both cars from bulletin board sites and have read complains on both cars. All of which makes me worried of course but still...I need a new car and I really do not want to go for the Japanese cars. I don't like any of the 2003-2004/05 Acuras, Infinitis or Lexuses. They just don't have the "prestigious look" that I want. Please advise me as to whether I should go for the C240 or 325?
Thanks so much.
I thought this thread was for MB folks to discuss upcoming models. MB versus BMW versus whatever bs should be on some other thread. I'd take C's outgoing 320 over the 330i but I don't go on a BMW site to pitch my opinions. Why would I do that other than to make myself feel good by purposefully challenging the opinions of others?
I was hoping to hear from MB owners that had some feedback about their new 350s, and how they like it being teamed up with the new 7-spd tranny. Sure, that would have only been SLK owners when the thread was started, but now we might get some feedback from ML350 owners too; and, some of them may have some very insightful comments if they'd previously owned a ML-, C- or E320 with the 5-spd tranny.
I do not learn anything about the new C350 with the new 7-spd tranny from someone who bought a new Audi or a BMW or an Acura or an F150, other than they obviously wouldn't give a red herring about my opinion either.
growing up my dad had a 450SE (1973) which was blue with blue leather. Kept it until about 1990. I guess that's why I am partial to it.
i also had a navy S4 with blue/black interior, and that was nice. i'm just tired of charcoal interiors, and the light colors get dirty.
and, since this is a future vehicle thread, how could anyone tell you how their c350 or c280 drives? time travel? :confuse:
The C320 you can look at in the stores now is the same look you will get in the '06. As Merc and Ikramerica already pointed out, the cosmetic redeux is already done. The E350 has the same wheel as the E320, so I have no reason to believe they will change the wheel on the C. If you get a car with a sport pkg, you will likely get Z-rated michellin energy tires.
If you really need Bluetooth, you can have the factory or the dealer install a motorola V600 which is Bluetooth capable, but I tend to discourage folks from spending the money on those toys for two reasons: 1. the pace at which phone technology is galloping is much faster than the cars, versus the price paid for said phone. (upwards of $2K). 2. the sound quality and reception, and limited choices of service provider versus price paid will leave you very unsatisfied.
If you want to be the first on your block with one, I'm sure the local dealers will be glad to get your name onto the list for orders. We take deposits in order of first come, then when your car gets allocated we call you, THEN you have to give specifics, or you can pull out, b/c by then they will have ordering info, if not pricing. I doubt prices will go up much. C-class prices have risen substantially in the last 1 1/2 years, IMO to accomodate the new motors, so they won't spike at launch. The big dealers in metro areas will probably get their first cars around mid to late summer. The second fiddles, like me, will see them around August or so. It's hard to predict, especially since they launched the M-class earlier than they said they would.
In the meantime, if you can get out to a dealer and drive the SLK, it is the same platform, even tho it is a roadster, so it's the closest thing to what the C350 will be once it drops...
Also, I have driven the latest 6-speed manual, and I can say that they have refined it immensely. Very smooth, less notchy, and 1st gear is not so short. :-)