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Total $35,785.
From MB Web Site the cost of the transmission is now apparently included in the base price!
I agree that the brochure is deceiving - the way MBUSA "assembles" the Lux package is to take the C280 European Elegance, add the automatic, and the 17" wheels from the EU Avantgarde, and sell it here as the C300 Luxury. Since the "Base" US car is the manual trans C300 Sport, the automatic is technically a "mandatory" option on the C300 Luxury. More complicated than it needs to be....
And before jumping to the 350, remember there is no 350 without the Sport package - that means staggered tire sizes, and the really stupid looking AMG body package [front, side, and rear skirts]. Perhaps next model year, there will be the equivalent of a C350 Lux, but right now, if you want the more conservative look without the AMG add-ons, you have to get the C300 Lux.
And I might add, we are really happy with ours after 5200 miles...
Has anyone seen a 2008 C300 Lux with the Sport Grille?
Thanks.
For pix, go to the worldwide MB website, and check out the EU Avantgarde model. That is what a USA "Luxury" with the "Sport" grill would look like.
In the rest of the world, the AMG body add-ons are a separate option pkg that MBUSA decided we "need" on the Sport model. I blame this on the automotive press, and their continual criticism about "bland" styling. The result is a plethora of skirts, wings, spoilers, vents, and misc crap that all adds up to "ugly". For the most extreme version of this madness, check out the C63 AMG - they just didn't know when to stop with the styling add-ons.
[I realize this stuff plays well with the "Fast and Furious" crowd - which, needless to say, ain't me...]
We ordered couple months ago. The car is, finally, almost ready for delivery. But, the dealer says they do not know how to install this accessory (basiclly parking sensors that beep when the car is close to objects) because of no training from Mercedes Benz.
I called Mercedes headquarters at Montvale, NJ today. At first, they asked me to find another dealer who knows how to do this. At my persistence, Mercedes said it would talk to the dealer (that we are buying the car from) to make sure they have the manuals, instructions, etc. to do the job.
This is a surprise to us. I am not an expert but the installation cannot that complicated. Also, how can Mercedes not train the dealers to install an accessory that is made available by Mercedes?
Anyone who has installed this accessory, your experience will be appreciated.
Could you place the link to the worldwide MB website? I am not very savvy with the Internet.
Thanks.
Our other car is a BMW. Same equipment, done for $400 at the factory.
Guess Mercedes has to step up to compete with BMW ....
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/germany/mpc/mpc_germany_website/de/home_mpc/- passenger_cars/home/products/new_cars/cclasssaloon/design_lines_equipment/lines.- 0003.html
In the EU, there are three C "lines": Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde.
Our "Lux" is an Elegance with the 17" optional Avantgarde wheels.
Our "Sport" is the Avantgarde with an AMG body option, and various other options that are stand-alone extras in the EU and UK.
If you prefer English, the MB UK site has some of the same stuff, but is not really as complete.
Say, isn't the BMW versions called "slowpark"?
Thanks for the information. It is helpful. We took delivery of the car today. It looks very nice - Iridium Silver. Quickpark is not installed. Have to to back next week to get it done. Will cost approx. $750.
Question - do you have any issues with Bluetooth pairing? 3 guys came to try to pair the phone to the car. After an hour, still couldn't do it. We are hoping to be able to read the manual and get it paired, over the weekend.
Any experience to share will be appreciated.
We now have 5200 miles on ours, and it is quick, quiet, smooth, comfortable, and a significant improvement in ride and handling over its predecessor. We have had no issues to report, at all.
Vs an RX350? Well, that's apples and oranges. If you need / want a wagon, then the RX is a good one. All the ones I've seen on the lots are optioned to over $40k, however, and we paid $35k for our C300 Lux with the P1 package. I thought about the RX, ES, and IS before we got our C300, but for various reasons, I'm very happy with our choice.
Are the seats wide enought? Is there enough leg room? Where you able to change seating positions?
Thanks for any comments.
I agree, it looks better. It matches (better) the bottom 'ribs' of the bumper. When you are ready to sell, you can put the Lux Grille back and keep the Sport for the next and updated version.
I believe that the stereo in C300 is rated at a100 watts, so we thought that perhaps it is one of the 'economy' type.
If the 3.5 in the C350 is not enough, and you want German rear drive, I guess you just suck it up and buy a 335i. For the things that matter to us, the W204 is a much more suitable car for everyday use than an E90 BMW [runflat tires that are forced on you, less space in the trunk and the cabin, noisier on the road]...but if hp is all that matters, there are lots of other choices in the marketplace.
In sum, no, I do not believe that MBUSA thinks this car needs any more power than a C350 delivers...that's what the C63 is in the lineup to provide.
What I want by way of drivetrain change is in the opposite direction - the 2.2 and 3.0 diesels. Probably late in 2009 as a 2010 model.
Runflat tires are 50-100% more expensive to buy than regular tires. They negatively affect ride and noise. Many tire shops are unprepared to repair them [even when they are repairable], and even shops that can fix them wind up recommending replacement more often than repair. Any time after about 5k miles, replacing one really means replacing two, because of treadwear patterns, making the cost difference even more dramatic. And on top of all that, eliminating the spare hasn't given the E90 3er a trunk any bigger than the W204 C-class.
Simple rule of thumb: if you want a SPORTS SEDAN, buy the BMW; if you want a TOURING CAR, buy the Mercedes. We're very clear on what we want [and I've had plenty of BMWs in my time], and we are very happy owners of a C300 Lux.
For some reason, the E has been given a pass on all this - it has been allowed to have the diesel all along, and will get the urea-injection technology first [ when the W212 E is due here as a 2010 model in early 2009].
I expect the C will get the diesel, finally, in our market also in calendar 2009, but in the fall when the 2010 models are introduced. I personally am hoping for the 2.2 to be offered here in the C, but it is more likely that the emphasis will be on the 3.0 V6.
As mileage standards get more stringent, and pressure builds for all manufacturers to do something about global warming, I expect the entire Mrecedes lineup in the USA to be available with diesels, and/or the new "dies-otto" engine, which combines a spark ignition with compression ignition in the same combustion chamber. But that's in the middle of the next decade.
Long answer....shorter version: sometime in 2009-10. I don't know that I'd describe "politics" as the problem - it's a combination of how much it costs to certify a new drivetrain for both the EPA and CARB, and the usual reluctance of the dealer body to get behind anything that doesn't improve "performance" or sound sexy. If the dealers were more enthusiastic, this would have already happened. If that's "political", then so be it....
Notes:
-My Passat was heavily modified. Modifications included H&R sport springs, Bilstein struts/ shocks and 18" wheels. With those modifications, the ride was better than my friend's 335i with the sport package. The C300 Sport has a firm ride, but it is not harsh or jittery. It feels great and the handling is quite sharp.
-Some members asked about the C300 Luxury transmission. It only comes with an automatic and the higer price is about equivalent to the C300 Sport with the automatic option.
-Your iPod has to be turned all the way up when it is plugged into the aux port. I thought mine was malfunctioning until I turned up the volume. The dealership did my bluetooth sync and it works great. I need to figure out how to send my phonebook (business card) to the car though.
Anyway, I hope my review of the car helps prospective buyers.
Here's mine http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i77/BryanB55/MyMercedesC300001.jpg">
Definitely. Thanks.
Be sure to come back every six months or so and let us know how it's going. The main issue MB has to overcome is the abysmal reliability reputation that's been accumulated over the past several years, especially related to electrical/electronic components.
Good luck, and enjoy,
We have no issues to report. Everything works.
The ride-handling compromise continues to be the most impressive feature of the car - both are a distinct improvement over the W203 C-class, and I think beats the E90 BMW 3er. The latter is the better handler, but at the expense of a harder ride and more road noise.
Just couldn't be happier at this point, with the exception that I would have preferred to have the 2.2 diesel.
Our new C300 Lux we programmed for the day-time running lights. I believe there is a safety issue in having them on ... as other people can see you better. Perhaps, it is unnecessary because it is not required by the law, unless it is raining. Does any one know if these headlights always work at a 100% of their capacity? I remember other car makers advbertizing that their day-time lights were operating at 33% capacity (during the day) to extend their longevity and still make you more visible.
Thanks.
thanks in advance for your input.
When I first started using the built-in navigation system, the audible commands from the system (turn left, turn right, etc.) were very audible.
Now they are very soft, to the point that I have to turn down the radio to almost off to hear them.
Is there some setting that controls the volume of the navigation system audible commands?
Thanks,
Mike
Law or no law, they are a good idea.
But for real low visibility situations, you need to use the regular headlight switch choices - only these turn on the headlights to full lumens, and most importantly, light up the taillights. The automatic feature can do this for you, but there are times when the only thing to do is intervene yourself and make sure you're showing full lighting both forward and backward.
In any case, if the DTLs were unavailable, I'd run with the headlights on. You need all the help you can get as insurance against drivers and pedestrians who are too busy talking on the phone or otherwise not paying full attention.
I had the iPod integration kit installed and am now questioning that decision a bit because I now don't have the port available and would like to have satellite radio. I should have picked the model with the Satellite radio option already installed. The integration is nice though and I use my iPod a lot - I just keep a second iPod in the glove box. I don't have the issue you have with volume because it is all handled through the sound system. Not sure what to do about the Satellite radio issue now.
Very good response .... lots of common sense in it about safety.
I had such bad luck on my Audi A6 before as they put Pirelli tires on which were garbage and all four inevitably blew, one at a time.
Anyone have a) any problems so far w/ the tires and b) any advice? Please advise and thanks-
For a company that touts safety, the ipod in the glove box is not safe at all-
Hope you are enjoying the car-
Wish I'd gotten the PO1 package - I think I miss XM radio and heated seats even though I live in the south...
Took my C300 in for service today, primarily for the complimentary 1K - 3K service but also had them investigate squeaking noise from brakes that started a week or so ago. They replaced the pads, resurfaced the rotors and from what I can tell, pretty much did a complete brake job. All fine and good, them being proactive and all. However, I am now very nervous about problems with a fundamental system in a brand new vehicle. The service rep. (and manager) gave me 10 reasons why, from mag chloride to "just one of those things."
Just curious if anyone else has had a problem with brakes, if this may be a symptom of a larger issue (reliability?), or ... ? By the way, this is my first MB (and first German since a decades-ago Opel).
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
Bob in the Mile High city
I have heard of owners who will get some squeaking if the car has gone a long time between car washes - dust buildup around the pads can cause this - but it has no functional significance, and goes away the first time the brakes are washed as part of a general car cleaning.
To be honest, I think your dealership may have overreacted, but heaven knows, that's better than the opposite.
[This is my 15th MB, out of 55 cars overall since 1962, at least half of which have been German.]
Now car is back in shop. Squeak is still there - dealer said they have two other customers with the same exact problem, same car. Now they have no idea what is causing the squeak and will talk to Mercedes about it and possibly start a file - whatever that means.
This is my first MB - always drove Lexus/Infiniti - very frustrated and very concern that such a new vehicle has been in the shop four times within two months.
Is anyone else out having this problem?