New Mercedes C300

[William330]

Anyone see this in person yet? I saw one in black the other day, and my jaw hit the
floor -- it was gorgeous. (Made me hate Chris Bangle again for what he did to the
current BMW line.)

I don't know about it's performance, or interior, but the exterior of this car looks incredible
(and this is the "cheap" model in their line).

Here's a review:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=4494

An excerpt:

The new C-Class gives U.S. consumers a reason not to buy a 3-Series or G35. Not
because it’s the sportier choice (get real). The C300's appeal lies in the fact that it’s an
old school cruiser, gliding through life in a once-upon-a-time-in-a-Mercedes kinda way.
The new Mercedes C300 is the best non-AMG Mercedes since the 1991 to 1998 monster
S-Class. With this new model, Mercedes is finally bringing the sexy back.

 

[Big Daddy]

That is a very fine looking car indeed.

 

[tool fan]

Actually guys..... in person it is not that nice looking. it looks very heavy and cumbersome. That new model has been out for a few months over here, I am not a fan. The new 3 series coupe is lightyears ahead as far as sexyness goes.

 

[deutsch100]

Actually guys..... in person it is not that nice looking. it looks very heavy and cumbersome. That new model has been out for a few months over here, I am not a fan. The new 3 series coupe is lightyears ahead as far as sexyness goes.

Not fair Mike...your comparing the 3er coupe, to the Mercedes C Sedan. I think the C-Class sedan is lightyears ahead of the 3er sedan as far as sexyness goes (and I had an E90 sedan for about 6 months).

The C300 & C350 look AWESOME in person. The C350 is more agressive looking with the 3 slot gril, and integrated star in the grill....but I prefer a Mercedes sedan with the 3 pointed star on the hood as an ornament (C300, non sport pkg).

The interior of the new C-Class isn't mind blowing, but it is very, very nice...and a lot better than the last generation (2001-2007).

LOVE the new C. I can def. see myself in an C63!!!

 

[William330]

For me it was a total shock to see, as I don't follow Mercedes closely at all. Didn't even know they had a revised C coming out.

I turned the corner, and there it was -- a black C350 (not 300) Sport Sedan, with the 18 inch AMG rims, and I just walked around it and stared like a fool.

Starts at $31K stripped.

Tool fan, you don't find that Bangle BMWs look too "japanese" (organic and rounded, rather than sleek and angled)?

I think Mercedes hit a home run here, and will pull some 3-series fence-sitter buyers over to their side with this one.

 

[MrElussive]

I've seen it a few times on the road and I think it's pretty nice-looking. The C63 is going to super pimp.

 

[tool fan]

Ok guys.... in all fairness, I have lived in Germany for the better part of the last 15 years. Mercedes is as common as a Dodge Stratus in the states, so something of the "awe" factor is killed by that fact. I see hundreds of Merc's and Bimmers and VW's and Porsches ....... everyday. I find American cars sexier at this point because they are not all to common. The new style Merc is nice, but for someone like me that se's them everyday...... doesn't make my heart leap.

 

[deutsch100]

Ok guys.... in all fairness, I have lived in Germany for the better part of the last 15 years. Mercedes is as common as a Dodge Stratus in the states, so something of the "awe" factor is killed by that fact. I see hundreds of Merc's and Bimmers and VW's and Porsches ....... everyday. I find American cars sexier at this point because they are not all to common. The new style Merc is nice, but for someone like me that se's them everyday...... doesn't make my heart leap.

I get that Mike, especially that a lot (used to be almost exclusively) of Taxis are Mercedes in Germany.

I still think the new C-Class looks better from any angle that the 3er sedan. The 3er coupe looks WAY better though than the MBZ CLK coupe from every angle.

 

[deutsch100]

I got thinking again about the 3 Series sedan (2006+) and the new 2008 MBZ C-Class. What I love about the new C, is that it's just 100% German with no apologies.

When the new 3er launched in 2006 (and even before the launch) diehard BMW fans & owners and even non-BMW drivers were complaining that it looked Japanese, or cheap. The taillights didn't have the traditional BMW reverse L, red blinkers, the double kidney grill was weird, the interior lost it's cockpit look, no engine temp. gauge, etc...

The new C-Class just looks Teutonic from every angle. The interior and exterior is pure Mercedes, and totally Deutsch. MBZ didn't try to make the car "friendly" or "softer" or try to appeal to buyers who drive USA or Japanese cars!

 

[Detrich]

if bmw used the e90 3-series coupe's taillight assembly across all e90 3-series- namely on the 4-door sedan- then peace would be restored to middle earth! <LOL>

that said, ive seen the new C in-person. (there's a silver one parked next to me at work all the time.) and, imo, being pure german alone does not a good car make! honestly, it looks worse than the previous generation, because it lost its personality somehow. in the prev gen at least the headlights, body, and taillights all flowed together. this newer rendition looks too pieced together and choppy... nothing exciting- just a newer, blander C...

still, i agree with the critcism of the e90 3's, and i dislike many of the things bmw did to "soften" it up. call me a snob, but generally-speaking they've basically sold-out and watered-down the brand name with inexpensive leasing schemes that make it possible for every able-body teenager and grandma to own one with only $5k down and $500/ month. what ever happened to a small degree of exclusivity and pride of ownership? in los angeles, owning a 3-series is now like owning a honda civic or accord... <lol> what happened? ok- i know, i know... <lol> good god, i'm a dinosaur... but, getting back to design... they really fumbled the ball on the interior. the exterior just needs the coupe taillight assembly across the board and then Frodo can go home to hobbiton...

 

[William330]

Wish I was spoiled by seeing Porches all day.

Saw a new 335 convertible coupe today (in tobaz blue, I think) and
it was drool-worthy.

The 300HP twin turbo engine is a raging animal, 50/50 weight
distribution, and a hard-top convertible. Nice package.

Could use some harder lines, and lose the giant rubber front
bumper, but definitely more sexy than the sedan.