[Bram335]

New C-Class a threat to 3-series? What a joke...Good read though, the look reminds me of BMW

http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/gui...mentid=5007019

[GregL]

Did you just say what a joke? I wouldn't be so dismissive, being blindly biased is never appreciated.

[Bram335]

^ I guess we'll have to wait until it comes out in August. But I don't think it should be considered a threat to 335 when it comes to performance and power.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Bram335

^ I guess we'll have to wait until it comes out in August. But I don't think it should be considered a threat to 335 when it comes to performance and power.

Ah, now thats more reasonable. In terms of performance and power I wouldn't imagine Mercedes could produce a C-Class within a reasonable price point to compete with the 335. But in terms of being a threat to 3-series sales, I'm sure it will steal more than a few away.

[Kev]

Mercedes Benz won't bring the C350 4MATIC here, so there's no real competition for the 335xi (not that the C350 is comparable to the 335i in terms of power and handling)

[rrandyy]

I think only a handful of people care about HP. BMW and MB are about luxury. So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by rrandyy

I think only a handful of people care about HP. BMW and MB are about luxury. So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start.

I think you'll find that most enthusiasts care as much about power and handling as they do luxury. Hence the large percentage of 335i owners on the forum.

[Bram335]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think you'll find that most enthusiasts care as much about power and handling as they do luxury. Hence the large percentage of 335i owners on the forum.

Well said. I strongly agree with your statement

[yemski]

Originally Posted by rrandyy

I think only a handful of people care about HP. BMW and MB are about luxury. So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start.

strongly disagree, MB focuses primarily on luxury, BMW is known for performance, in addition if your statement was true they would not bother with ///M cars, AMG, the N54 in the 335i etc

[GregL]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think you'll find that most enthusiasts care as much about power and handling as they do luxury. Hence the large percentage of 335i owners on the forum.

I think however that most drivers are not enthusiasts (the population of this forum and most automotive forums being an exception), it's probably safe to say that there are more badge snobs and horsepower whores in relative terms. I don't know about the '07 model year, but the 325i sold 9:1 vs the 330i in the US for the '06 model year, the larger displacement cars with ZSP would probably be even more in the minority in other parts of the world where even smaller engines are available.

So I really doubt that the fact that Mercedes has nothing to counter the 335xi for example is really a big deal from a sales standpoint. I'd imagine that either the new C-Class or an E90 would be fair game for the vast majority of new car buyers around the world who have the means to drive one of these cars to begin with. People will look at the whole package, like price, amenities, personal preferences with both the interior and exterior design, availability, etc...

[Jonmartin]

the C-Class doesnt even compare in the luxury department either. My mom has a 328 and she got a C230 loaner she called me just to tell me "it feels like a Toyota Corolla" those were her exact words! This coming from someone that knows little about cars and specs and all that. But she was highly dissapointed lol. I'm sure the new one wont be much different I think real benz don't start till over the $80K Mark or maybe an E-class I loved my CL55 that was a real benz and a real luxury car.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Jonmartin

the C-Class doesnt even compare in the luxury department either. My mom has a 328 and she got a C230 loaner she called me just to tell me "it feels like a Toyota Corolla" those were her exact words! This coming from someone that knows little about cars and specs and all that. But she was highly dissapointed lol.

I agree that the present-gen C-class is garbage, I hate getting them as loaners but it's better than a B-class... But in all fairness, I wouldn't much care for getting a stripped down 323i from BMW either, having certain goodies makes a world of difference. I'm really anxious to test drive the W204 C-Class when it's out.

[Zeeman]

it was written by Jim Kenzie.... the man is a tool.

he probably considers Hyundia to be a threat to BMW.

[dmboone25]

I'm a little surprised--I actually think it looks okay--and I usually do not like MB all that much. Not that I would actually buy one of course....

[Bram335]

Originally Posted by Zeeman

it was written by Jim Kenzie.... the man is a tool.

he probably considers Hyundia to be a threat to BMW.

[PMP]

"Dynamically then, is the C-Class a BMW-killer? A definitive answer will have to await a back-to-back comparison. I would say BMW might still have an edge when you're pushing really hard, but in normal-to-moderately-spirited driving, I doubt many people attracted to either car would notice a huge difference. So: mission accomplished."

For most drivers, this is the key. There is a good reason that there are so many of these cars on the road. Very few drivers actually care to push their cars very hard. A bigger, more powerful C class with active suspension is a pretty interesting car. I prefer the BMW but this car will definately take some sales away from the other name plates.

[SCA]

The New C-Class with the Sport Pkg which includes the AMG apperance items looks pretty sweet! The 18" wheels are an option though and the interior looks like @ss.

[Ryan(e92)]

maybe its the color but it looks terrible

[davidL330i]

Originally Posted by PMP

"Dynamically then, is the C-Class a BMW-killer? A definitive answer will have to await a back-to-back comparison. I would say BMW might still have an edge when you're pushing really hard, but in normal-to-moderately-spirited driving, I doubt many people attracted to either car would notice a huge difference. So: mission accomplished."

For most drivers, this is the key. There is a good reason that there are so many of these cars on the road. Very few drivers actually care to push their cars very hard. A bigger, more powerful C class with active suspension is a pretty interesting car. I prefer the BMW but this car will definately take some sales away from the other name plates.

Many drivers do choose comfort, luxury amentities and car built-quality over performance as long as adequate performance is achieved. This explaines why Lexus is gaining popularity and momentum each year.

Comparing the new C-class(on pix) vs E90, E90 is a definite winner IMO.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by PMP

"Dynamically then, is the C-Class a BMW-killer? A definitive answer will have to await a back-to-back comparison. I would say BMW might still have an edge when you're pushing really hard, but in normal-to-moderately-spirited driving, I doubt many people attracted to either car would notice a huge difference. So: mission accomplished."

For most drivers, this is the key. There is a good reason that there are so many of these cars on the road. Very few drivers actually care to push their cars very hard. A bigger, more powerful C class with active suspension is a pretty interesting car. I prefer the BMW but this car will definately take some sales away from the other name plates.

+1

However in terms of the new suspension, it's not fully active though, as in computer-controlled. The optional active suspension works kind of like the Reflex shock absorber offered by Monroe, it uses valves to adjust the level of suspension damping based on the severity of the shock to the unit so each corner of the car is operating totally independently of the others.

Also despite being made larger, the total cabin volume of the W204 is still smaller than the E90.

Originally Posted by davidL330i

Many drivers do choose comfort, luxury amentities and car built-quality over performance as long as adequate performance is achieved. This explaines why Lexus is gaining popularity and momentum each year.

Comparing the new C-class(on pix) vs E90, E90 is a definite winner IMO.

You get more bang for your buck from the Japanese manufacturers too in most respects. As for the W204, I love the front end as shown in photos, but I find the butt a little odd looking.

[BudTokR]

The new C-Class uses 'carry over' engines from the previous generation

[DCJAX]

The current C class isn't impressive at all. Seems like people are buying them just so they can say "I have a mercedes".

I'm sure some BMW drivers do the same thing, but at least they get a quality vehicle by accident.