The New Mercedes C-Class Could Be In A Class All By Itself

"while German automakers emphasize their big, pricey machines, they do their best work on smaller, less-expensive vehicles."

This has been true of BMW's for a long time, but a relatively new development for Mercedes. The C-class has historically been a car outclassed by it's less expensive competion, and purchased by the brand-concious. Only recently is it a car that Autospies surfers care about.

"The C-class has historically been a car outclassed by it's less expensive competion..."

Not at all.

The Mercedes C-Class was always a very competitive car. It was only really "outclassed" in driving dynamics and perhaps value, mostly by BMW in the former and the rest in the latter.

Historically, the C-Class has always competed well against the competition. The Mercedes 190 for example, the first C-Class, was a great "handler" in the sense of its 5-link suspension setup (this setup was later copied and introduced by the competition). The only thing that kept it back as a really great handler was the vague steering. Dig up an old copy of any automotive magazine from the 1980s and I guarantee you it will talk about the 190 being very firm and stable in corners but lacking driver feedback through its steering wheel. It's main rival in those days, the BMW 3er had the more direct steering feel but its suspension made driving the car in a sporty fashion a challenge. Don't believe me? Look it up.

In American reviews, which often focus on sport, the C-Class never really has been very popular with editors and drivers alike. I think this is a reason the car has gotten some bad press. I've never owned a C-Class, but I've got plenty of experiences with them, especially the 190E series (popular rental car in Germany during the 1980s) and the W202 and a bit with the W203. Have not driven the W204 yet, that will happen soon though.

Bill, if the new C is so good then why do I feel like it has a cramped interior while I am driving it or riding in it as a passenger. And why does the front bumper hang so low as to risk serious damage to it while parking nose first against a curb or parking lot divider. Also the new C has a relatively uncomfortable harsh ride.

the profile of this reminds me of the last G35. Not sure why.

That's because when Nissan designed the G35 they put up all the current German competition and are told to use the C-Klasse as a template and to create something like the next Mercedes, but more futuristic.

Now we're seeing the Chinese car companies do the same damn thing!

Drove one recently and the interior looks cheaper than the previous generation (after the mid-life refresh). This has to bother owners after starring at it day after day. It's a shame because it handled ok when you toss it around. But under normal driving, even the soon-to-be replaced A4 is more fun, not to mention to 3-series BMW.

AT first it looks cheaper because its plain and simple "bland" to some, but after spending more time inside you'll realize its put together very nicely. A big improvement over the last generation. And a worthy competitor. Although the 350 engine has enough power to satify most people, it lacks the HP of the twin turbo 335. Next year it will be replaced with a new high output 3.5L which delivers 310 horsepower yet consumes 9% less. This will make the MB C-Class an extremely well rounded vehicle.

w209,
is the new high output 3.5l be N/A?

I think the C350 is a vast improvement over the outgoing C-Klasse, but theres still some room to improve.

Interesting. People commenting on how this car isn't "fun to drive" without having drive it yet - or the competitor products.

Fun to drive is a subjective category. I drive an S-Class and to me this car is fun. A 20-year-old kid will think it's "boring".

And regarding the interior, it's not cheap. I've seen it upclose, spent time inside and it's a major improvement over the W203. The interior is well-made, solid and feels like a entry-level premium interior should: GOOD. It's simply less "flashy" than say that of the Audi A4 or Cadillac CTS. And if we think about, Mercedes interiors have always been well-made, durable but conservatively styled, especially post-1960s.

"It's simply less "flashy" than say that of the Audi A4 or Cadillac CTS."

There's a difference between classy design flair and "flash." Audi, Cadillac and Lexus don't try to hide their high-quality interiors with cheap looking plastics. Yes, I know the C-Class's interior feels good, but it doesn't look good, and that matters. The 3 Series's interior is far better, IMO. It is also a very simple design, but it works. At the same time it's quite contemporary, while the C's isn't.

On the other hand, I love the exterior. Perfectly finished, like the S-Class.

always well put together and Mercedes, shouldnt be in the same sentence, even Mercedes has said it needs to work on its poor quality as of recently, the new c class is "built" better than the last model interior wise, but it still falls short with the competition, even the G35 seems to have a nicer quality interior. The bland styling has nothing to do with hard cheap plastic throughout the cabin. Mercedes is certainly improving quality the new S class versus the old model is evidence of that, as is the cl, cls, and the improvements in the c class, but last generation models werent great quality/reliability wise

^ You're wasting effort here, as individual opinions are simply NOT VALUED in this forum, and only meet with inane fan-boy ranting or silly/immature de-boosting (as if anyone gives a flying frick about some idiotic 'boost' rating).

Understand, that there are those of us who look at these matters much more objectively and concur with your rather astute observations.

^ In YOUR Opinion it's not...

^ and you get the A$$ award almost daily...

So what's your point?

You post your 'opinions' and lambaste those who don't agree with them as though they're FACT - Which They Aren't!

I respect your input, but MAN! You sure seem a bit like a real jerk sometimes.

tried it few weeks ago, boring drive but excellent ride. The inside is cheap as told ''Dustbuster'' above. There are few cars in this class which could be choosen intead of this MB.

I think everyone would have to disagree with a comment stating that BMW 3 series interior is better than a mercedes, I represent Audi in the highest form, as well as them representing me, and I would say that the New A4 is amongst the class leader in this division, but the C-class barely falls behind Due just to contemporary innovativeness. B8 A4 leading this, in size, technology and Modern looks. Mercedes AMG is a great machine nonetheless.

Jaime Perez

If you've really spent time in a 3 Series, you would know where I'm coming from. No, it's not a beautiful interior design, but all the materials are of the highest quality, it has a perfect driving position, the controls are perfectly damped...

I'm not saying it's the best in its class. Yes, that's the A4, I agree. But it's close. The 3er interior is very underrated, as are most of the interiors in BMW's lineup.

The car is too new to have any meaningful reliability data. It has been extensively tested by Mercedes though, more than any other car they've produced I believe.

Drove it few times, like the exterior but interior and overall driving is nothing 'a class all by itself' but normal and ordinary. 08 G35 which i am driving now is much better with a great interior.

JUGNU

Thanks for the link.

That R8 is really something. Love it! Can't wait for the V10 version.

For the first time, I completely agree with you, JUGNU. The C looks great on the outside... but I just can't be impressed by the interior, or the dynamics, which are both only middling. The IS's slightly numb handling can be forgiven for its luxurious interior. The A4's front-heaviness is amended by its standard S-Line and still gorgeous interior, and the new B8 is significantly better in every respect.

Nice choice with the new G. I have a friend picking one up tomorrow, red '08 G35X, loaded.

The Scuderia wasn't out yet at the time.

JUGNU, I did the same thing, I went MB and test drove C-Class. exterior is great, but interior is not great at all, the its too slow when compare to G35. but C- has better breaks than G. I got myself a 08 G35 too. alos gadgets avaliable in g35.
No push start, no memmory seats, GPS is not all that great, list goes on

Have you ever driven one, or for that matter even seen it yourself? This car is a huge improvement over the previous generation.

If you're referring to the exterior styling being a 'huge improvement'...

That's definitely a matter of opinion, and mine differs significantly.

This new one completely lacks styling cohesion, the rear end (when viewed in side profile) looks abruptly cut-off and amateuristic in its design, and the 'frameless' grill opening of the sport models looks very unfinished.

kraut master

I feel bad for anyone duped into reading your "non" or hideously argumented posts without looking at "who" wrote the post.

midengine

Great post, thanks. Very informative.

another victory for mercedes... let the competition burn itself out... look above the comments coming from their mouths....

maybe they should release a blutec version.

I don't think it's a bad car, but the styling leaves much to be desired.

- The gap at the top of the Sport grill looks very odd/unfinished looking.

- The rear terminates far too abruptly, making the entire vehicle look rather 'insubstantial' and unrefined.

- The interior design looks like that of a much lesser vehicle.

and on and on...

I don't think the C is "bad," either. I love the way it looks and I'm sure it handles well. But there are two reasons why I wouldn't get one: 1, the interior, and 2, the gas mileage. The 3 Series gets significantly better mileage, with the C350 coming in at 17/24. It's just too hard to stand up to BMW in this class, I guess. I hope the new S4 can give the 335xi a scare.

the current one isn't bad but the 97 280 sport my dads friend has is by far more interesting imo.

If you don't want the C-Class because of the "cheap interior", then what are you doing considering a BMW 3-Series? Visually it looks quite bad, and the panel gaps are huge.

"Visually it looks quite bad, and the panel gaps are huge."

And the C-Class's interior looks worse. No effort from Mercedes--we've seen what they can do in the S and CL, but it hasn't translated into the rest of the lineup so far.

The 3 Series interior feels just how a German car should. Sturdy, perfectly built, polished, comfortable, techy without being intimidating. The same is true of the A4.

I'm also considering the 3 Series because it has significantly better dynamics than the C-Class, with great looks (coupe) to boot.

The 3 Series isn't always at the top of its class for no reason. It INVENTED this field... and it still rules it.

The BMW 3-Series interior feels flimsy and cheap in comparison to the C-Class. Where the plastics in the BMW feel breakable, the plastics in the C-Class feel sturdier and more durable. Visually both the C-Class and 3-Series interior look similar: spartan in design and nature, but with a sporty character.

This whole "C-Class interior sucks, BMW 3er interior is awesome" smells like some incredible bias or favoritism.

I don't get it either BMW3series. Haters I guess. They don't want to admit that MB has a hit on their hands.

"The C already wins on looks, but now the C just got a whole lot better than the 3."

? Dynamically, it's like the new A4: competent, but not class-leading. The 3 Series is still class-leading.

I feel that the C class is certainly an improvement over the last model but my vote would go to the 3 series BMW in this segment .

I do feel that the 335i ought to come with a limited slip diffeential though and some interior upgrades (ie carbon fiber and race pedals) and then any doubts as to which car is king in this class would be reduced .

What Mercedes does have is a certain elegance and good cutomer service and without directly calling it a "chick car" I do think it may appeal to those who lack testosterone .

I like the exterior of the sport C. The interior does not come across as "cheap" looking in any way, however it is not as nice as the Lexus IS.