[EmPower]

Just out ... the US spec C-class runs $2200 cheaper than the W203 it replaces ...WOW!!! This makes it cheaper than the 3-series... I think this is a first. Now buyers of the 328i will have a choice of a C-class which will be cheaper. Also the C350 will be a smidgen over the audi A4 3.2. This is very impressive indeed!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/28/m...ing-announced/

[TahoeOG]

Originally Posted by E92!Dreier

...anyone who drives a BMW (especially with a sport setup and a manual gearbox) and then either the A4 3.2 or any C-class Benz will realize that there is only one company making the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Very Well Put!!

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by E92!Dreier

The only problem is that it is still a Benz with a slush box and the road feel of an American car. Audi and Benz are great companies, however, anyone who drives a BMW (especially with a sport setup and a manual gearbox) and then either the A4 3.2 or any C-class Benz will realize that there is only one company making the Ultimate Driving Machine.

You are bang on the money.... but the emphasis is not on the capabilities of these machines... its the mindset of the execs at benz.... they actually priced a brand new product not only undercutting their retired product but also a lot of their rivals!!! This is an MB first!!! makes you wonder if the breakup of DC hurt them so much that they have to lure buyers...... And maybe ...just MAYBE BMW might slash prices in the future??

[jetblk328i]

i actually kinda like the new c class its not that bad looking except the rear and it has a lot of good stanadard equiptment at lower price than a 3 series. hmm i could use power seats, bluetooth ,and that nifty screen that pops up all standard.

[jetblk328i]

i wonder when i can build one at mbusa, id love to see the options and the final price to a c class with some options like xenon lights, however i think that it should have less options than the outgoin one because it has more standard stuff! hmm this is post 335, maybe i should step into a 335 soon...

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by jetblk328i

i actually kinda like the new c class its not that bad looking except the rear and it has a lot of good stanadard equiptment at lower price than a 3 series. hmm i could use power seats, bluetooth ,and that nifty screen that pops up all standard.

Let the manufacturers fight it out... finally we the consumers are the winners... I would love to get the 3 with some of the tech i am paying extra for as standard.

[NaViT]

the car looks real modern though.... its going to be alot of peoples choice

[jetblk328i]

.......maybe mine lol

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by E92!Dreier

The only problem is that it is still a Benz with a slush box and the road feel of an American car. Audi and Benz are great companies, however, anyone who drives a BMW (especially with a sport setup and a manual gearbox) and then either the A4 3.2 or any C-class Benz will realize that there is only one company making the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Actually, I owned a 318ti Club Sport which I sold when my daughter was born. I purchased a 2005 C-Class C230. I wanted to purchase an E46 3 series but there were no head-curtain airbags for the rear passengers in that car. The C-Class sport was updated in 2005 with AMG body-work and a stiffer suspension. In my opinion it compares quite well to the Club Sport. The main difference I noticed was that the steering took more effort. That doesn't mean it doesn't have steering feel, it just requires more muscle. It lightens up as speed increases. The turning circle in the Mercedes is as tight if not tighter than the Club Sport. Also, the high speed stability is better in the Mercedes. One thing I don't like about the C-Class is the automatic transmission. It's too quick to upshift and too slow to down shift. I could've ordered the manual, but I was concerned that it would be a problem if I have to sell the car. One can order a manual with the current C-Class as well. On the 2008 C-Class you can get a manual but only on the C300. To say that the C-Class handles like a Cadillac is not accurate. Also the automatic transmission is not mandatory.

Now that being said, you may wonder why I'm on the E90 forum. I still feel that BMW makes a slightly more nimble feeling car. I'm hoping that a performance package (or the European M-Sport package) will be offered on the current car at some point. Actually, for me the perfect car would be the 320si that was offered in Europe in 2006. I'm not so concerned about straight-line speed (unlike when I was sixteen years old). The 173 HP 4-cycl engine would be fine for me and the upgraded suspension sounded great.

I just felt I had to put in my 2 cents when I hear the C-Class being compared to a Cadillac.

Leif W.

[jetblk328i]

thats true the mb should not be compared to a cadillac, i test drove a 07 230 and it was pretty firm and the handling was pretty decent with this new c class there is standard dampening control in both....now that i think about it, that c class is actually pretty good, when it comes out i will be test driving it, i love my 328i but its lack of options could create an interesting expierence at the MB dealer.

[ksfrogman]

I have been not so impressed with the C-class Merc, but the review of the new model shows some pretty innovative interior features, and well-thought out ergonomics. I'm not a big fan of the new styling as it is not a stand out. Looks too much like a cheap-man's Mercedes, and a bit too conservative. Now if it had the swoping Jaguar-esque lines of the CLS, then that would catch my attention. Otherwise, this styling is a bit boring.

[jetblk328i]

i like the styling of the luxury version better than that of the sport version, the little tech features and standard equiptment really impressed me....i just haveta wait till august for a test drive.

[DanMardik]

I actually saw the sport model out here in Irvine the other day.. I guess they're already on the roads!

I did consider the W204 C-class before I bought the 335i but this time I wanted to go the performance/Luxury way instead of all looks luxurious, yet when you floor it's just boring route.. Although the new C300 is comparable to the 328i -The C350 is very underpowered in comparison the it's competition i.e. 335i. I made the "slow" mistake last time with my 05 C230 Sport Sedan w/ Manual Tranny, and I made sure I didn't make that mistake again.

MB's are great cars, my family continually owns and loves them. But the upper end C350 model just doesn't compare to the 335 motor. Not yet.

[jetblk328i]

!!! serious????? hmm was it like a customer's car or just a test car sunning around?

[Bram335]

You get what you pay for.

Mercedes = CHRYSLER

[jetblk328i]

nah its benz=benz now it used to be benz=chrysler, not anymore!

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by Bram335

You get what you pay for.

Mercedes = CHRYSLER

mercedes dropped chrysler if im not mistaken.....and whats what wrong with a mb? there still great cars

[Bram335]

Originally Posted by Bram335

You get what you pay for.

Mercedes = CHRYSLER

My apologies on the noob comment

[jetblk328i]

yea MB is still better than a lot of other automakers, i think we here at e90post look down on mb, just because we drive cars that are opponants to theirs, and as competitors we have to dislike the other car just because we drive a bmw. ask a toyota,chrysler,nissan,ford or a honda driver, most would love to be in a benz.

[DanMardik]

Originally Posted by jetblk328i

!!! serious????? hmm was it like a customer's car or just a test car sunning around?

You know, it looked like a customer car. I was heading back to work in Irvine from lunch and the car was filled with young proffesionals. Looked like they were on lunch together.

I didn't take the opportunity to look at the license plates.

[nimamilani]

Originally Posted by jetblk328i

i actually kinda like the new c class its not that bad looking except the rear and it has a lot of good stanadard equiptment at lower price than a 3 series. hmm i could use power seats, bluetooth ,and that nifty screen that pops up all standard.

+1

i like the e90 looks better. However, 2100 dollars less MSRP plus standard equipment. BMW charges 700 dollars for bluetooth and 1000 dollars for power seats alone. that will make it 3400 dollars cheaper. thats a considerable amount even if the e90 looks better.

[jetblk328i]

i totally agree, thats why i am gonna go test drive whenever it comes!