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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedans
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Comments
- P.
I bought this from LISA - referred from previous posts
Coupes - $1000 dealer incentive
Sedans - $1500
Wagons - $3000
These are for the C-Class; there are other incentives for other cars, especially any leftover W210 Es.
Have you asked the dealer's detailing dept to have a crack at it?
Currently I use Rain-X, again I am very careful to never let it touch anything except the windshield (and window) glass. Perhaps it is my imagination, but it seems my windshield pits less if I use it. I don't suppose it offers much protection against sand and rocks in reality, though.
Nhtocc, if your dealer is Transatlantic Motors on Falmouth Rd. in Hyannis, you might want to ask for the service rep. Brian. He was very helpful to me back in 1996 when I had my C220 serviced when I was visiting my parents (I think you mentioned you were on the Cape?).
Good luck, I look forward to hearing your results!
- Paul
Thank you also for windshield advice. I will try some of these products.
Yes Paul you are correct I am on the Cape. Did not buy car from Trans Atlantic but have been there for a checkup on something and they did treat me very well. Will heed your advice and ask for Brian when I go back. Thx!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Separately, for those with the Bose system and CD changer, do you have to set your fader control almost completely to the rear to get some rear sound bias? I recently had my dealer install the changer and have had to change the fader setting in order to get a rear bias. This was not the case before installing the changer. The dealer claims this is normal as the system in another car sounds similar. But, I find this hard to believe/understand. Thanks for any insight.
Victor
Here are my initial thoughts on this, but I'm interested to hear other opinions.
C320 Advantages over 3-Series:
- Ride
- Safety
- Style (subjective)
- Trunk space
3-Series over C320:
- Sporty feel
- Handling
- Price
- Fold down rear seats come with cold weather package
- in dash CD-player
- reliability (from what I've read)
The only thing you need to do is think about what the price difference is worth to you [I would never pay for a C320 new, under any circumstances, but to each their own], and how competent you believe the dealers are in your area.
I personally believe the C240 is just fine in performance, so a "stripper" C240 [or more loaded with the yearend incentives] and "stripper" 325 have been on my shopping list, as well. The difference in price for an '03 325 automatic, and a highly discounted [but better equipped, even loaded] '02 C240 works out to about $1000-$1500 in favor of the 3er.
The 3er is a more mature design, and while not without some lingering issues, promises to be more trouble-free in the short run than the C. Back seat room, and trunk space, favor the C. MB's service plan is superior for the '02 model year, but in for '03s, the BMW will have the same coverage.
I'll admit to flopping back and forth myself, and that's without throwing in the EXTREMELY impressive and competent Infiniti G35 [if you haven't tried one, you should], and for that matter, the new and also extremely impressive Accord EX V6, which will have a complete safety package and 5-spd automatic with 240 hp for about $26k [and less if you wait for the initial demand to die down]. You can get a nav system with the Accord and still get change back from $28k or so...no prestige factor, but extremely good resale value and very, very nice package in the '03.
For me, if you have only to choose between the Germans, it would probably boil down to how confident you feel about the dealers in your area...because with either of these cars [but especially the C] you can count on the fact that it will need something besides routine servicing inside the warranty period. Around here, that version of the tie-breaker probably favors MB...
My wife's C is a bit soft for my tastes, but much quieter than the 3 that we drove
The C320 and 330i are comparable: kind'a of low to the ground, and nearly identical in all dimensions (wheelbase, overall length, interior room, &etc). Great legroom, even for long legged males, even in the back seats.
New for the new C-class is rack and pinion steering and more hp available and more attractive styling. The new C's better-looking styling loses a little room inside, compared to older C's, but it hooked us.
BMW is very dependent on 3-series sales (e.g., about half of all units sold), so they've worked hard on making the best car in the class, but MB matched their best and the 40-60% growth in C-Class sales, compared to flat growth for 3s, about says it all.
Both engines are pretty neat. BMW stays with the I-6 approach. MB's 320 is a component V6 engine, i.e., the same engine as used in MB's 430 V8, for instance, less two cylinders (same engine as the SL500, less two cyls. and a smaller bore). Same engine as in an E320, etc.
Also, the 320 engine has the same trans as for MB's V8s, e.g., same as is found in the 349 hp ML55 AMG. So, I think you can count on it being a lifetime trans in the C-Class.
Most MLs sold sinced '98 are powered by the 320 and that's a 1,000 pound heavier car. The E320, at one time, actually offered the best gas consumption of any other V6, and the 320 engine was in Ward's pick of the top ten best engines for years, with its twin-plug, 3-valve per cylinder design. Huge oil capacity. The engine will probably last forever.
BMW engines also are in Wards' top ten lists, but they're more in the racing engine genre, e.g., high rev, variable valve timing. It's a 3 liter motor compared to MB's 3.2, so the 330i still needs more compression to get the hp up to compare with the 320, but it still doesn't have the 320's torque.
The 320 has a few less hp but the 330i's are skinny horses by comparison (i.e., the 320's greater torque means the MB has a lot fatter horses). The 320's torque advantage starts at a lower rpm and remains higher over a longer range than the 330i motor, so it doesn't have to work as hard to do what's required, and therefore should last longer.
The 320's crankshaft is weighted so it does not have the same feel of the 330i, i.e., the 330i motor will 'feel' stronger off the line; the 320 will feel more substantial and will have a lot more pulling power in the mid and top ranges, e.g., at freeway speeds, the 320 will have superior passing power compared to the 330i, and the 320 loafs up hills without looking for lower gears.
The MB's all leather seats seem better-- more supportive. The C-class probably will be more expensive for '03 because some items that are standard now may be options at an additional price, e.g, automatic trans, teleaid.
The new C-Class should be around for another 5 years, so it's early on MB's product life curve and should offer good resale value. Plus, MB's new '03 E-Class will make a big splash in Sept/Oct (for instance, the '03 "E" will be the first full production auto with electronic braking, an original MB development, first introduced on MB's limited production '03 SL500--someday, all cars will have it). The '03 E's glow will draw attention to one of the most balanced of car lines in the auto industry and bring even more attention to MB's latest C-Class. Even though demand probably will keep growing,C's will still look fresh for years whereas the 3s are getting a dated look and feel.
However, I also have to tell you that my wife and I bought a 325i for her in May (5-speed, premium package; with the 5-speed, we do not miss the 330's larger engine). The BMW too is wonderful, the engine sound always puts smiles on our faces, and driving the car is a thrill -- but it is also more work than driving the MB. To be honest, I am not sure I would want to drive the 325 every day -- but then again, I don't.
So you are choosing between 2 great cars. There is no statistically or factually objective basis to select one of these machines over the other. Don't waste your time parsing the minor differences. Go with your instincts, and enjoy the choice, whatever it is.
Bob
In some locales, the BMW dealerships have it all over MB for competence, flexibility, and general helpfulness when things go wrong, as they inevitably will - but where I live, the opposite is true, so the C wins out if there are no other differences that clearly break the tie.
I think of it as a classic Toyota vs Honda conundrum: if you value refinement a bit more, go with Toyota/MB; if a little extra performance is important, then Honda/BMW.
The biggest difference I noticed was the ride and noise level, with the C240 being better in both regards. I could actually hear my watch ticking while I was driving on the highway. I also prefer the looks of the C. 3-Series are a dime-a-dozen. However, I'm not sure I can get past the fact that the C240 has 168hp. Maybe it's a guy thing.
So here I am, trying to balance sportiness vs. ride. My current car (a Saab 9-3SE) has been very reliable but rides like a rollerskate (stiff suspension, flexy body). I cannot wait to get something that takes DC streets without giving me a headache!
Chassis stiffness is up over 200% [!!!], which tells you all you need to know about the old car...not that anyone needs to tell you, obviously.
Anyway, if fwd is not a special bugaboo [since it is for a lot of people], both the new Saab and the new Honda Accord EX V6 should be on everyone's shopping list. I intend to try both before making any decisions, year-end incentives or not...
Dealer said DRL not possible; read manual and was able to program DRL.Lot's to read and learn; agree with critics that some control overly complicated.
regards,
C240 37.3, 54.3, 33
325 37.5, 54.2, 34.6
Accord 38.5, 56.1, 36.8
Camry 38.3, 56.7, 37.8
I would consider all of these cars to be fine 4 passenger cars and none of them to be decent 5 passenger cars. It's my impression from my test drive of the 3 series that its back seat was smaller and less comfortable than the C-class, so Edmunds numbers surprise me a bit.
Also, driving around town on test drives, the C240 seems peppy enough. I do read that some owners wish for more hp on their C240s. Is it out on the open road that the C240 "runs out of breath"?
Gearing can be everything - our '98 E320 achieves actual real-world economy that is better than either of these cars, despite being larger and heavier, because it is geared in a more relaxed fashion.
MB is under the perception that Americans are interested only in power and more particularly, acceleration - the gearing is always a compromise to balance acceleration, fuel economy, and top speed.
The 240 actually is 2.6L; otherwise, it is the same engine as the 3.2L 320, e.g., the same bore as the 320; however, the 320 has a longer stroke, which accounts for the difference in displacement.
Both engines have the same trans, firing order, compression, oil capacity. MB uses a component engine concept: the 320, for instance, also is the same engine as the 430 but with 2 fewer cylinders, and with a weighted crankshaft.
On another topic, I saw on the news late last week there there had been a settlement in a lawsuit in which MB agreed to give extended warranties to owners of certain 1996-2001 cars. The warranties will extend to something like 10 years and 150,000 miles. But they didn't say which cars this applies to. Has anyone heard about this or know where to get info?
As the owner of a 1996 MB, I would be interested in this extended warranty you mentioned. Anyone know if this is true and have any further info?
I am planning to get a 2002 C240. Edmund shows the invoice price as $29,077 and the TMV as $28,479. I checked to see whether there is any incentives and found none. How could the dealers sell below invoice?
Is this because of some dealer holdbacks? or they are prepared to take a loss to get rid of the 2002 models?
Also, are the prices are for only those vehicles remaining in the lot? or can I get a color I want?
Any help in making sense of this will be appreciated.
Thanks.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD