C-Class: Old Man's Car?
Discussion
I'm a 36 year old male about to order a new estate car which I need to run my mountain bikes, diving gear and general junk around in. I currently have a 2008 Audi A4 Avant 2.0tfsi Quattro S-Line but on my company list the C-Class Estate is way cheaper including the 350d which I like a lot....
Problem is whenever I tell someone about it they tell me its an "old man's car" including older men at work who drive them and also my g/f. I mention the sport model but that doesn't seem to help. I tested the c-class coupe 350d recently (I know its not an estate but I was dreaming I could fit a bike in the back) and even the dealer admitted the c-class image was a bit 'old'. He did mention that the sport models were introduced exactly to try and bring younger customers in.
So am I too young to be driving a c350d estate?!
Problem is whenever I tell someone about it they tell me its an "old man's car" including older men at work who drive them and also my g/f. I mention the sport model but that doesn't seem to help. I tested the c-class coupe 350d recently (I know its not an estate but I was dreaming I could fit a bike in the back) and even the dealer admitted the c-class image was a bit 'old'. He did mention that the sport models were introduced exactly to try and bring younger customers in.
So am I too young to be driving a c350d estate?!
Is this a standard company car scheme where you pay BIK tax, or is it an ECO type deal?
I'm asking because one of the issues with Mercs is they tend to be higher CO2 levels than competition and the 350 will be worse. If you load it with options the tax bill will be horrendous.
Won't you miss the 4WD of the Audi? I have a C270CDi Avantgarde estate which I've had for 5 yesrs now, but I'm terrified of taking it out in bad weather.
I'm asking because one of the issues with Mercs is they tend to be higher CO2 levels than competition and the 350 will be worse. If you load it with options the tax bill will be horrendous.
Won't you miss the 4WD of the Audi? I have a C270CDi Avantgarde estate which I've had for 5 yesrs now, but I'm terrified of taking it out in bad weather.
Thing is nearly every car has a reputation with some people and nothing with others, I think the new C looks really striking and good (I fell out of love with modern mercedes bar the CLS years ago). I would say they are far from a "old Mans" car. So far with my Merc I have had people say :
Its an old mans car
Its a pimps car
Its a drug dealers car
Its an old past it car
Its a rich persons car
You must be loaded
Wow its really good
I dunno how you can afford it
What are you trying to make up for with such a big car
etc...etc
A mixed bag really, I don't really care what people think. Most of the people who jump to conclusions are driving 5 year old s
tty French mobiles that are on their last legs and presume that any car past 70 thousand miles is past it and worthless. They also seem to think because they have a "Turbo" on their diesel it is the fastest thing on the road, as they can cruise at 85 and still have acceleration (seriously)!!!!
Its an old mans car
Its a pimps car
Its a drug dealers car
Its an old past it car
Its a rich persons car
You must be loaded
Wow its really good
I dunno how you can afford it
What are you trying to make up for with such a big car
etc...etc
A mixed bag really, I don't really care what people think. Most of the people who jump to conclusions are driving 5 year old s
tty French mobiles that are on their last legs and presume that any car past 70 thousand miles is past it and worthless. They also seem to think because they have a "Turbo" on their diesel it is the fastest thing on the road, as they can cruise at 85 and still have acceleration (seriously)!!!!You're 36 and hanker after a C-class. You're old. Old, old, old.
HTH
'kin hell. If you like it, get it. I hired a C class in white with an AMG bodykit and 18" AMG alloys. Saw one kid point at the car in amazement. The kids next door were saying how cool it looked... and that's after owning other more sporty cars.
HTH
'kin hell. If you like it, get it. I hired a C class in white with an AMG bodykit and 18" AMG alloys. Saw one kid point at the car in amazement. The kids next door were saying how cool it looked... and that's after owning other more sporty cars.
Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 31st March 16:43
10pmix said:
I'm a 36 year old male about to order a new estate car which I need to run my mountain bikes, diving gear and general junk around in. I currently have a 2008 Audi A4 Avant 2.0tfsi Quattro S-Line but on my company list the C-Class Estate is way cheaper including the 350d which I like a lot....
Problem is whenever I tell someone about it they tell me its an "old man's car" including older men at work who drive them and also my g/f. I mention the sport model but that doesn't seem to help. I tested the c-class coupe 350d recently (I know its not an estate but I was dreaming I could fit a bike in the back) and even the dealer admitted the c-class image was a bit 'old'. He did mention that the sport models were introduced exactly to try and bring younger customers in.
So am I too young to be driving a c350d estate?!
Why not check this thread from the MB Owners Club you will be surprised with the results Problem is whenever I tell someone about it they tell me its an "old man's car" including older men at work who drive them and also my g/f. I mention the sport model but that doesn't seem to help. I tested the c-class coupe 350d recently (I know its not an estate but I was dreaming I could fit a bike in the back) and even the dealer admitted the c-class image was a bit 'old'. He did mention that the sport models were introduced exactly to try and bring younger customers in.
So am I too young to be driving a c350d estate?!
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...I'd rather it was perceived as an 'old mans car' by the 20-something cheap suited gelled hair brigade, that way a certain type person will continue to buy other marques meaning MB in my experience will remain a 'classier' brand.
I bought my first Merc, a black C180k with the sports pack, at age 27, and only ever got positive comments from friends and family. No young lads in the street ever stopped to say 'cool car mate', but if you care about what that kind of person thinks about what you drive then a C-Class probably isn't for you.
If you like it, you don't need to justify it, do it!
I bought my first Merc, a black C180k with the sports pack, at age 27, and only ever got positive comments from friends and family. No young lads in the street ever stopped to say 'cool car mate', but if you care about what that kind of person thinks about what you drive then a C-Class probably isn't for you.
If you like it, you don't need to justify it, do it!
Following another recent what car thread you could look at one of these sort of between a BMW and a Merc.
http://www.sytner.co.uk/used-cars/used-alpina/bmw-...
http://www.sytner.co.uk/used-cars/used-alpina/bmw-...
Hi, OP here again. Great bunch of answers/comments. Thanks! I'm sold on it now. I really can't think of an estate car that looks better (well, apart from the RS6...). The 350d much cheaper than the 335d BMW or the A4.3.0d on my list and even when I've loaded it up with all the toys it still comes in quite reasonable on BIK. The C63 did cross my mind but the tax is ludicrous as you can imagine.
Or do I just take the cash and buy a used S4 Avant instead.....hmmmm.
Or do I just take the cash and buy a used S4 Avant instead.....hmmmm.
10pmix said:
Hi, OP here again. Great bunch of answers/comments. Thanks! I'm sold on it now. I really can't think of an estate car that looks better (well, apart from the RS6...). The 350d much cheaper than the 335d BMW or the A4.3.0d on my list and even when I've loaded it up with all the toys it still comes in quite reasonable on BIK. The C63 did cross my mind but the tax is ludicrous as you can imagine.
Or do I just take the cash and buy a used S4 Avant instead.....hmmmm.
If it is the new DSG S4 with the supercharged engine definitely!! Or do I just take the cash and buy a used S4 Avant instead.....hmmmm.
If it is the old V8 forget it, I would rather have the C220cdi than that!
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