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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Comments
Thanks for your quick response, any support in helping feel I made the right decision is helpful.
I love my 2001 C320. It will be one-year-old May 31. When I drive it, I am Queen of the Road -- I look it and I feel it.....such fun to drive ......great to handle......fast and powerful on the freeways.....
Miki
If things get heavy then consider a set of dedicated snows for the car. They are a lot less than the hit on a trade and you can get a complete package for the car, rims and all, from tirerack.
Regards,
JR
- Paul
The former has a 50-50 default torque split with Torsen differentials centre and rear. This default setup makes for a naturally balanced car, easy to drive fast in slippery conditions.
The latter has 0-100% default torque split with open differentials all around. That means that the rear wheels must start slipping before the fronts get any tractive force. This naturally makes the car more difficult than a Quattro to drive quickly on snow, as it is always unbalanced, adapting (after the fact) to variable grip levels. The pseudo-limited slip effect is simulated by the brakes. Drive a 4Matic fast on snowy roads and watch your brake pads last 6 months ;-)
I hope that Mercedes' new C Class 4Matic system is a proper full-time 4WD system.
BTW, our family has ordered a C230K for delivery in May/June - a basic car - magma red, panorama roof and auto wipers, nothing else. That makes it pretty good value up here in Canada, at only $22,750 US before taxes and other fees.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Actually, the ML has torque split to 48/52. I think the E is 30/70 roughly (can't remember the exact numbers...Drew would have if he weren't banned from here)-:
Because of this, the ML is more neutral in the snow than the E. The E split is similiar to the X5 split where both were intended to have a RWD "feel".
I think Quattro is also the best 4WD system, but it can still get stuck if only one wheel is spinning (there are accounts of this on Audiworld's A4 forum where they were shocked too :-)
There's a guy in Sweden with an E-Class 4Matic who has a good website with info on 4Matic (including details on how the system operates) and he indicates that the default in the E (at least the year he has) is 0-100%. I can't remember the URL but if you search on 4Matic you may find it. He's posted before on MBWorld.org in the tech forum.
I had assumed he was correct, because Mercedes seems to be too embarrassed to give technical details on 4Matic themselves ;-)
In any event, even if the torque split is 30-70 in the E, the cop-out on limited slip (i.e. using brakes to simulate LSD) is cheesy, at best. It reeminds me of something Hyundai might do ;-)
I'm hoping the next generation 4Matic hits the mark technically.
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You'll have to ask Drew to confirm on the split. It's definitely not 0/100 (pure rear drive).
I feel that Mercedes and the dealership finally treated us very fairly and well re our previous C Class and in getting us into a new E Class, and I know from all the comments on this chat room that most people seem to be pretty happy with their C Class autos. But, I have to say that given our experience with both the C 320 and the sound system problem in our new E Class that I am pretty disappointed with and surprised about the poor quality control of Mercedes these days. I think (hope) we will now have a fine car, but there were too many problems involved with both, and I can't believe these were isolated incidents.
I assume that this is because of the reliability issues. I am interested in leasing one but I am concerned about the reliability of this automobile. Any advise?
At lease end, Mercedes will be highly motivated to sell it to you below the residual.
If we hadn't gotten the great deal on the E Class I don't kow if I would have bought it since it is quite a bit more expensive. The new E Class is coming out this summer and should have a lot of the "goodies" that the C Class has and more. We'll probably look for a new car in about 4-5 years, and at that time we'll have to decide whether an E Class is worth the money or not or even if we want another Mercedes. I expect they will improve their quality control, but they are expensive cars and they do charge for a lot of the extras that are standard on lots of other makes and models in the same luxury category.
Sorry I can't be more specific or helpful. I like the E more and more as I drive it. It's a "sweet" car. Is it worth the extra money, maybe. That's really a personal decision and depends on what you think you can afford or want out of a car. I suggest to take it for a long test drive and then decide if there is enough difference.
- Paul
The only accident I've been involved with occurred 15 years ago in an econo-box and would have been avoided in most good cars with anti-lock brakes. I got left-turned and could not stop in time.
I recently purchased a Subaru WRX Wagon because I hated the high lease payments on my C. I know it sounds crazy, but I simply got bored of my car. Don't get me wrong it's a FANTASTIC car, but I am just one of those people that needs change fairly often when it comes to cars. The WRX is going to have to suit me for a while and I think I won't have to worry about it. Drive one and you'll understand. Anyway... I had someone at work who was genuinely interested in taking over the remainder of the lease (at a discount). I drove the car into Manhattan on Good Friday (NO TRAFFIC!!!) and parked in a garage. When we left work I went over the car with my co-worker. Guess what? The sunroof started acting weird! It would open, but in 1.5-2 inch increments after I released the switch. Same thing with closing it too. The sunshade refused to even raise! Everything else seemed to work but those two things cropped up.
I think I am going to subscribe to the KISS (keep it simple stupid) philisophy for my future car purchases. I now sympathize with people on this forum who have been plagued with problems. I FEEL your pain and frustration. I can't wait for 22 months to be over!!
>Yet I have to cough up a grand each for these >option on a $60,000 auto and I get low-beam >
>xenon's only
jac in atlanta -- I was under the impression that the use of high-beam xenons was not allowed in the USA. Do I have the wrong information?
Miki
http://www.usc.edu/dept/engineering/illumin/archives/spring2000/etc/xenon/
High beam Xenons are legal, but they must be self-adjusting. So if you put 1000 lbs of rocks in your trunk, the lights need to self-adjust down so as to not shine up into oncoming traffic. The bi-xenons are currently an option on the 3 series.
Miki
From yesterday while playing CD, I get CD Track only on display and after a while No Magazine msg ! has anybody received similar type of msg and if yes what need to be done? can it be resolved or CAR need to be taken in service centre ?
for information my radio and tape works fine
please advise - thanks in advance
Obviously MB is more expensive than Acura but I am almost willing to overlook that. I've tested everything out there (3.2TL-P & Type S, A4 & A6, I35, Passat, 330 & 525, ES300, IS300, CTS, Diamante, Avalon, G35, I35, 9-5 Arc & Aero, 300M, S60AWD) but never looked at MB C-class until yesterday in my search to replace my current company car Lexus GS300. Want something that is not only safe, reliable and luxury image but also causes a little heart thump everytime I look it over & drive it. Being almost 50 & a 6'2" 250+ guy doesn't remove the thrill & excitment of the auto world but space is also a concern for me. This is my work car and second car for family as we have an MDX for kids & dog travel times.
Any ideas, suggestions??? Seem to be leaning toward a C240 with C1, C2, C3 & C4 packages and Xenon's.
If I were you though, I would also take a look at the new Infiniti G35. Sounds like it is very reasonably priced and lots of bang for the buck. If I were shopping for a new car today that would be at the top of my list.
Thanks for all the advice, I am going over at lunch to borrow a C240 for the afternoon in running around town doing errands so I will get a better feeling for space by getting in and out of it quite a bit.