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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Comments
The brakes did not squeal on the way home this time. Hopefully, the problem has been rectified.
MB responded quickly and forthrightly in this case.
I'm concerned that I might scratch the car while removing the tray. Also is the tray light enough for my wife to remove without trouble? We don't put messy stuff in the trunk, just a few grocery bags, a suitcase, stuff like that.
Any input would be appreciated.
Also a reminder - topic 4145 is out there for folks wanting to talk about the 1994 - 2000 c.
Post # 217: I have just received the latest issue of Automobile magazine (January Issue 2001!) and it has an article entitled "Closing In" that might be of great help to you.
Their man question was --I quote-- "Is the Mercedes-benz C320 or the Lexus IS 300 poised to overtake the BMW 330i as the best sport sedan?
As one could tell, the question was framed in a way that assumes that the bimmer is the benchmark of sport sedans in its segment. Not that I necessarily disagree with such an assessment but it comes down to an issue of taste and logic.
As for your choices' dilemma, are you considering a C240 rather than the c320 purely because of pricing? Because the other alternatives are fairly compared with the latter rather than the former.
My personal opinion is to wait until Spring where you can get your C320 for a reasonable discount or go with the bimmer.
According to the article you get more for IS300, a BMW 330 than for the C320.
Prices of the three similarly equipped vehicles is $34,635 for the IS300; $38,430 for the BMW 330i; and $43,390 for the C320.
After all it is your money and it is your taste.
Cheers
I think what you need to do is drive all three and see which YOU like best. I think it's all pretty subjective really and each person has his/her own criteria. I personally don't much care for the styling of the Lexus. I like the way the BMW looks, but did not drive one. I've had enough bad experiences at BMW dealers to make me very leery of going to one again. For me it came down to the fact that I've always wanted a Mercedes and I love the styling of the new C. I also like the way it drives, albeit only in two relatively short test drives. If not for the new C I wouldn't even be considering a new car just now.
Obviously the people in this forum are mainly people who have bought or are in the process of buying the C, so our opinions are likely to be in its favor. The other car I would probably consider if I were really out there shopping today is the Volvo S60.
My experiences, at 1000k miles a/c bearing failed , after dealer apology's < not their fault> maybe 112f in July in Texas ? my salesman gave me his new 5 series to drive while part was ordered, after that 17 flawless months.
In confidence a few post on internet don't properly review a car and most certain the more vocal are those with complaints, probably. Choose which one best fit your needs and enjoy which ever German car u choose.
It may seem futile but when MB wakes up and includes a in-dash CD player and a few other minor annoyance's perhaps i will try one. Better yet maybe they will include a 8 track to go with that cassette deck.....lol
Regards,DL
I got $400 of invoice (whoopee!) but it's better than nothing. I figure they'll have some of these irritating little problems worked out by then. Certainly the door locks, trunk, and the brakes.
Even though I used an autobytel referred dealer, the experience was much the same as it has always been for me...a lot of tricky BS to overcome, like my sales guy tried to get the price down by seperating the CD changer from K2 like I told him I wanted it (leaving out K2) on the first contract he faxed me; incorrect ADDITION on the final contract they sent me; told me at first he could get the 5-spoke AMG wheels without the sport package (nope); and assorted and miscellaneous other sales-guy tricks I can't think of right now. The good thing was it was all done electronically, and it's easier to hold the line when you're not staring at the car.
Like I said, not too worried about the problem list out here. On a new launch, this stuff is going to come up and other than the brakes I find what's coming up comforting in its scope.
Of course, I've been 15 years in two Nissan Sentras (at least the second one is an SE-R) so I'm guessing I'll think it's a step or two up regardless of what kind of little annoyances it may have. My car now has some BIG annoyances.
Can't wait.
hth.
rj
However, here's why I would rather just have one topic:
- Easier to surf one topic to surf to versus two
- I find it takes a lot less time to spin by the discussions of xenons/colours/prices from new C owners than search for another topic (see above)
- I fantasise about my wife letting me buy a new C class, so I like to read what folks are saying.
- Both models are recent year entry-level Benz's, so I believe the persons buying them will have a lot in common with each other, and with me.
- Many of the systems (FSS, ESP, ABS, etc) are shared between the two cars, at least in derivation of design, if not in actual implementation technically.
- Granted the new C has some technical changes (struts, rack and pinion, etc) but the engine and transmission is basically the same 3 valve head V6 family, so I am interested in posts about the engine after folks get a few miles on their new Cs.
Perhaps after a few months the differences will start to be more apparent, and I'll drift over to 4145 occasionally...
Happy motoring...
cu...rj
One new problem I have that I'd like to see if others have as well...I can't get warm air out of the dash vents. The climate control works well, and gets the car warm via the top and floor vents, but regardless of where I place the air flow, only cold air comes through the dash. I also only get cold air in the rear vent. Anyone else having the same problem?
In order to remedy this, for the first couple of minutes of driving the car (when the engine is cold), the transmission holds the gears longer so that the revs go higher. Higher revs mean that the engine heats up quicker and the tailpipe emissions are drastically cleaner. This is also the reason why MB went from a DOHC 4 valve per cylinder design, to a SOHC 3 valve, 2 spark plug per cylinder design.
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
The climate control question is also a curious one to me. You would think you should be able to get warm air out of the dash and rear vents.
This is why in the unlikely situation when an ML has to be towed, a dolly has to be used for one end of the vehicle, with the other end lifted by the arm. Either this, or a flatbed truck must be used.
If you want to tow using an RV, I guess the only thing that you can do is to buy a trailer which the ML can be driven onto.
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
My wife picked up a C240, Brilliant Silver, Ash, C2, Leather, 6-Speed, CD-Changer last Friday. So far so good. No problems. This is our first Benz. I'm very impressed with the build quality, smooth ride, good handling, good acceleration with the manual transmission, exterior styling, and interior styling. The 6-speed has a short-to-medium throw and is very easy to shift and find the correct gear. This is a good transmission for my wife. She enjoys the control of the manual, but also likes the smoothness and ease of the Benz transmission. It does not provide enough road feel and is not notchy enough for me. I'm used to driving a '99 Miata though, which has an extremely short throw and has much more road feel.
My overall impression of the Benz vs. Bimmer is that the Benz is Luxury and Quality First, Performance Second, while the Bimmer is Performance First, Luxury and Quality Second. For my wife, the Benz characterists are just right. For myself, the superior manual transmission of the BMW would probably be the overriding factor.
Also you raise some good points in support of a single C-Class topic. Tough call.
Anyway, thanks much.
Thanks,
kjindc
The car is a dream to drive; quiet, smooth, luxurious. That's why I got it. I NEVER ask how long a car takes to go from 0-60. Unless I drove in the sticks or open highways all the time, or drag raced, it's irrelevant to me.
kjindc
As far as the IS300 I thought it would be the one to have, but after looking at, sitting in, and driving one, it is what it is, a Toyota with a Lexus badge on it. The upper level Lexus cars are great but they're not Toyotas. The IS is a 4cyl Toyota everywhere else in the world, and it looks the part. Kind of reminds me of an Integra. I hate to be so harsh on the IS but I was incredibly disappointed in it, and I was a bit worried that it being a several year old Toyota, it may be redesigned in only 1 or 2 years.
For the new C-owners, how many of you oil-change your car more frequently than recommended by the "Variable Service System?" Will the system also tell you when to change the timing belt, the brake oil, and the transmission oil etc?
I have them on my 1999 C280. I did not order them.
They were on the car we purchased as it was being shipped from Germany. Therefore, it was not a real choice on our part at that point because we wanted the car - even with the xenon's. I was leery.
Now, two plus years later, I actually like the xenons. Last evening I noticed that the headlights lit up all three lanes on the freeway (I was in middle lane) and, they also lit up the side of the road on EACH side! The car in front of me apparantly had a conventional halogen light that LIT UP ONLY HIS LANE!
There is a test on the internet in one of the MB rooms that might help you in making a decision whether or not to order them. I will try to locate it and refer you to it in a later post. Good luck.
The site is Hella Light Testing Facility and their web site is http://hella.de/shop/kanal/maine.htm
It is a test that compares the xenon headlight, the halogen light and fog lights.You are in the drivers seat in the test so you get a very good comparrison. It may help you decide whether to get the xenon lights.
Good luck.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Larry Homer
lwhomer@cwnet.com
Based on the photo in the accessory brochure, I picked the cargo tray. The photo showed a heavy black rubber tray with compartments in the back holding a pair of shoes and some golf balls. When I took the tray out of the box this afternoon it did not fit into the trunk. However, when I spun it around, it fit perfectly. In other words, the compartments were reversed and not under the rear deck as shown in the photo. Before leaving the lot I had the parts manager and the finance manager trying to figure out what was wrong.
I have a couple of days to decide if I want to keep the cargo tray. Since it is not as depicted in the photo, my dealer is more than understanding.
In terms of easy removal and replacement, it is a snap to do. This is very soft rubber and won't scratch the car. Unless your wife is a petite size person, she should not have any trouble.
Turned out on mine it's my seat-belt latch when it's connected. Why I don't know, do up your seatbelt and pull it, right near the latch and see if thats it.
My dealer is an hour away, so I'm thinking of just ordering direct from mb. .
Enjoying my car too much.. I barely get online when I get home..
My car is.. C240 silver/ash prem. leather, Auto, C1, C2, C3, CD-Changer.
And I only get 18MPG city driving... It think it's pretty bad... don't you think so?? Maybe because it a new car??? (500miles on it)
Daniel.
a. Rear door does not open from inside
b. Ticking noise from inside
c. Trunk does not open
d. Acceleration lag at the start
Any other issues that i missed ?
Thanks in advance
I have not had any problems with squealing brakes, ticking noises, or the inability to open doors or trunk. I did have two problems which were resolved very quickly by the dealer. The first was that I noticed some wind noise from the driver's side door at high speeds when I turned down the audio system. Turns out there were two rubber plugs that attach the seal to the door that were not on the seal. The seal still fit, just not as snugly as it should have. A seal had to be ordered, but it arrived in a few days and was replaced in about 30 minutes. Problem solved.
The other problem was an SRS warning. The sensor in the driver's side seat belt didn't function correctly. Another 1/2 hour repair and another quick solution.
There is some sluggishness on responsiveness when first starting the car, but it quickly disappears and I've had no acceleration issues once I get going.
Hope that answers some of the questions I've seen posted.
It's little out of topic...but...
When was the last time when you test drove Hyundai? They actually make real good, high quality cars these days.. Don't let the P.O.S 70's Excel fool you... Lots of people stereotype Hyundai as a bad car maker just knowing one piece of [non-permissible content removed] car that they made long time ago.
I own 2001 MB-C and 98 Hyundai Tiburon SE also, and I've NEVER had a "single" problem. Now, it has 50K miles on it in 2 years.. I drive little aggressivly in that car...but take real good car of it. Those people who complains about them either don't take car of it(because it's low-priced) or don't know what they are talkign about.
Of course it's not like BMW or MB, but it's very comfortable. They look good too! Lots of people ask me what kind of car my tiburon is.. They think they are 40-50K sports car..
Test drive one of those in the lot! you will be impressed. I love both my MB-C "AND" HYUNDAI. - A proud Hyundai Owner.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tibbie1217