New C Class, opinions?

New C Class, opinions?

Author
Discussion

bern

Original Poster:

1,262 posts

220 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
quotequote all
Anybody got one?

Thinking of one as my next company car, due early next year. Been and had a look around the saloon but it would be an estate which is due out in November? Like the outside although it is hard to tell in a showroom I think. Loved the interior and the spec looks pretty good on the premium. Unfortunately it would be the C220 due to BIK reasons. Heard the 220 can feel/sound a bit rough?

For reference I've spent the last 2 1/2 years in a Octavia vRS TDi with the DSG gearbox. Really liked it and whatever I have next has a lot to live up too! The C Class would also be an auto. I've heard a new gearbox is due shortly for the C Class, anybody have any details on this?

Thanks in advance. Other options are 3 series, A4, V60 etc.

tomposh101

37 posts

138 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I might be able to compare two cars for you. My wife has got the Audi A4 and myself the c250cdi amg sport estate (I posted a picture in the car thread only last week). 63 plate not latest shape.

Pro's for the Audi are the sound system which beats the Mercedes own offering by a country mile. The seats are super supportive and comfortable for long drives more so than the Mercedes. The engine on the Audi is more refined and economical (maybe not the case for the newer efficient c class) but loses all points through it's lacklustre acceleration and boaty handling. I'll take the agricultural grunt and torque of the c220/c250cdi over the A4 any day of the week.

I'm getting my hands on the new shape c220cdi sport in November as a company car.

bern

Original Poster:

1,262 posts

220 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
Let me know how you get on. I haven't got to order anything just yet. Called in and had a quick look around the estate yesterday. Saw a red saloon which looked great!

STattam

112 posts

217 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Does anyone know if they are planning to make a c350cdi? I hope so but fear not

Thanks

RBrown

211 posts

141 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Does anybody know if / when the c class 4matic will be available in the UK?

RBrown

211 posts

141 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
Does anybody know if / when the c class 4matic will be available in the UK?

MagicMike

234 posts

120 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
Saw the posters for the C estates in Germany yesterday, it looks amazing, and definitely worth a look. Hope you get a chance to get one soon.

DJRC

23,563 posts

236 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
You think a 4 door Germanic saloon looks amazing??

Your life is possibly lacking some excitement. Or you are called Gordon or Graham and work as an accountant.

DUMBO100

1,878 posts

184 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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I drove a c250 auto AMG line last week and was very impressed. The car feels light and agile but still planted with good roadholding. There was more road noise than I expected and the engine is a bit rough but the autobox very good. Good kit levels including reversing camera and LED lights, I also like the Pano roof and think the premium package seems worthwhile.I've had some competitive prices from MB dealers but not Scottish ones so I'll be travelling down south to get mine.

AndrewCrown

2,286 posts

114 months

Monday 13th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Bern

Hope to be of some help here.. I'm a bit of a Merc enthusiast.

I do not own a new C class, but every few weeks I hire one when in France. The last two hires were brand new C220 Bluetechs Autos from Merignac Airport. Firstly they are absolutely streets ahead of the previous model, which I actually thought was quite good.

Things I particularly liked.

1. Automatic gear box. Column mounted, on the right. (I have this on my W221 and love the ease of use... though takes a while to get used to). Shifts were very smooth... I think its 7 gears. kick down pretty responsive for this engine size.
2. Its so quiet...
3. The huge Ipad like Comand system (If you spec that option) is fabulous.. nice widescreen sat nav.. very relaxing to use.
4. Reversing camera is quite clever.. it has trajectory graphics overlaid on the image, which change with the steering...
5. The extended chrome rear exhaust panel
6. Actual dials for speed and rpm.. Very clear
7. Space... I'm 6' 4" no issue at all... bags of room got very comfortable
8. Performance... absolutely fine for 90mph cruises.. did the twisty stuff on French back roads with aplomb... not really sporty, but just does it so well with no drama.
9. I didn't notice the LED driving lights until I saw them in a reflection.. very cool.

Things I din't like

1. The styling from the rear is a bit clumsy.. front looks purposeful. but then I note you are considering an estate.
2. Shiny black plastic on centre console... was already looking a bit scratched... even at 12000 miles..
Not much else...

I think given a choice you have... I'd go for the new C Class.

Best regards

A



Ari

19,346 posts

215 months

Monday 13th October 2014
quotequote all
DJRC said:
You think a 4 door Germanic saloon looks amazing??

Your life is possibly lacking some excitement. Or you are called Gordon or Graham and work as an accountant.
Yeah, bet he wishes he was you, trolling away on the Internetz like a BOSS till your mum says it's bedtime. bow

Ari

19,346 posts

215 months

Monday 13th October 2014
quotequote all
To reply to the OP, I had one as a hire car in Norway a couple of months ago. I'm afraid I've no idea what engine it was, but I was very impressed indeed by it. Great looking car and superb interior.

bern

Original Poster:

1,262 posts

220 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
AndrewCrown said:
Hi Bern

Hope to be of some help here.. I'm a bit of a Merc enthusiast.

I do not own a new C class, but every few weeks I hire one when in France. The last two hires were brand new C220 Bluetechs Autos from Merignac Airport. Firstly they are absolutely streets ahead of the previous model, which I actually thought was quite good.

Things I particularly liked.

1. Automatic gear box. Column mounted, on the right. (I have this on my W221 and love the ease of use... though takes a while to get used to). Shifts were very smooth... I think its 7 gears. kick down pretty responsive for this engine size.
2. Its so quiet...
3. The huge Ipad like Comand system (If you spec that option) is fabulous.. nice widescreen sat nav.. very relaxing to use.
4. Reversing camera is quite clever.. it has trajectory graphics overlaid on the image, which change with the steering...
5. The extended chrome rear exhaust panel
6. Actual dials for speed and rpm.. Very clear
7. Space... I'm 6' 4" no issue at all... bags of room got very comfortable
8. Performance... absolutely fine for 90mph cruises.. did the twisty stuff on French back roads with aplomb... not really sporty, but just does it so well with no drama.
9. I didn't notice the LED driving lights until I saw them in a reflection.. very cool.

Things I din't like

1. The styling from the rear is a bit clumsy.. front looks purposeful. but then I note you are considering an estate.
2. Shiny black plastic on centre console... was already looking a bit scratched... even at 12000 miles..
Not much else...

I think given a choice you have... I'd go for the new C Class.

Best regards

A
Excellent post, thank you. Need to go and test drive an estate now they are out.

Sheepshanks

32,725 posts

119 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
AndrewCrown said:
3. The huge Ipad like Comand system (If you spec that option) is fabulous.. nice widescreen sat nav.. very relaxing to use.
7" version is standard, if COMAND is spec'd it goes to 8.4".

Yours is the first positive comment I've seen about the display. On A, B and now C Class it looks like a complete afterthought.

moffat

1,020 posts

225 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
W've got the 220 engine in my wife's A220 and I really don't like it. The 250 engine is the same block too I think.

My biggest gripe is the horrendous noise, it really does sound like a black cab!

BMW's 20d engine seems so much more refined to me.

bern

Original Poster:

1,262 posts

220 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Test drive booked for next Wednesday. 9 till 5, should give me a good idea.

I will report back...

audidoody

8,597 posts

256 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I've short-listed a 250 Estate for a new lease in six months (along with the 5 2.0D Touring). I'm puzzled by the reports that the engine sounds unrefined as I'm currently driving the E-Class 250CDI and it sounds as smooth as any four-pot oil-burner has a right to sound.

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

219 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
As above, my 2011 C220 CDI is nice and quiet. Cold start up idle can be a little noisy but only compared to a petrol, it still sounds quieter than most 4 pot diesels and it's quiet as soon as you start driving. Acceleration over 2k can get a little noisy but I still can't quite decide whether it's a diesel rattle or a growl from the exhaust. I've actually come to enjoy that noise choosing to view it as a growl.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Remember the new straight six engines are coming next year, arriving in the E Class and then the C Class, there is a nice 2.2 straight six that is meant to be very economical.

Customer of min is in a new saloon, only a C200, petrol, but he loves it, he had the C220cdi before on a 12 plate and just swapped a month or so back. Loving being back in a petrol, says he didn't realise how rough the C220cdi was until he got this.
But MPG is down on the diesel obviously, he was seeing 46 average from the C220cdi over 2 years and just under 40k miles, and is only seeing 36mpg from the C200 petrol. But it is early days and says the cdi was struggling to get over 40mpg for the first 6 months, so thinks it will 40 average over the long term.


He said it was definitely quicker than the older C220cdi and so much more refined, he was lent an E Class for 3 weeks as his contract hire car went back and this new one was late and said it was also far more refined and more comfy than the E Class, and the interior felt a real step up from the E Class, which I can imagine as I hated my E350 interior.

I am keeping a close eye on the Estate contract hire deals, and don't mind an Sport either, his is Sport rather than AMG Line, in black with beige interior, only artico, but when leather is spray painted I can't see it matters personally, but looks the nuts in that combo and like a proper Merc again, which they haven't in a while imho.
He only ticked the premium plus box for options, and seems to have everything, oh and is auto of course.


It came in at just under £30k, and has the following with just Premium Plus option ticked.......


Panoramic glass sunroof
Ambient lighting
Passenger seat electrically adjustable with memory
Adjustable lumbar support
Traffic Sign Assist
COMAND ONLINE
Burmester surround soundsystem
Auto dimming rear-view and driver's exterior mirror
Interior lighting package
Door sill panels with "Mercedes-Benz" lettering, illuminated
Front seats - heated
LED High Performance Headlamps
Collision Prevention Assist
KEYLESS GO starting function
Bluetooth interface with hands-free function
Communications module for use of the Mercedes connect me services
Live Traffic Information
DAB digital radio tuner
Rain Sensing Windscreen Wipers



Can you tell I have been looking into them?? biggrin

I really would like the C250 petrol though, I am down to under 20k miles a year so don't want a 4 pot diesel for that.



AMDB9

2,714 posts

207 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
quotequote all
Picked up a C220d AMG Line Auto Saloon on Friday as my third car (run around) - replacing a F10 (latest model) 520d M Sport - the C Class is miles ahead in all aspects. The interior fit and finish is amazing. LED headlights as standard as are Sat Nav, Heated Seats, USB Interface, Voice Control, Fake good quality leather everywhere even on the dash and the usual AMG kit - it's bloody brilliant and makes the 3 series look dated already. It drives great too and the engine is still new but doing 50 mpg already. Very smooth ride and the engine feels better than the BMWs to me.

Good buy Im happy with it biggrin