I really like what Mercedes has done with the C Class Coupe-update: Test Drove a C350

[hans007]

I like the e series too but the maintenance on them is a lot. Luckily If I had one I would take it to one my foreign mechanics who only worked on bmw and Mercedes.

They should have better trunk space but the interior looks gorgeous. Are heated seats and auto everything such as wipers, standard ?

Definitely not standard . On the sedans a fold down rear seat isnt even standard nor auto dim mirrors

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Definitely not standard . On the sedans a fold down rear seat isnt even standard nor auto dim mirrors

Like how a f'n 50k BMW can't stream BT audio? Whoever thought that was a good idea should be shot.

 

[pwnagesarus]

They definitely look nice, but the interior materials felt somewhat subpar to me. The buttons had that nasty plastic 'click' feel; the nav UI was a clunky mess; and the seat was super stiff. (Granted the one I was in had fake leather)

I sat in a C class sedan at a car show a few months back and have to agree with the interior materials feeling subpar; it was priced around $42k I believe.

Looks fantastic in brown though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Definitely not standard . On the sedans a fold down rear seat isnt even standard nor auto dim mirrors

Thats messed up. Both of those were standard on my 10 year old maxima which cost 15000 less.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Update: Just returned from driving a barely used 2012 C350 Coupe. Car has 11,000 miles on it, it is silver with grey leather interior and walnut wood trim. Not a mark anywhere on the car, it was flawless. It had the panoramic sunroof, 18" AMG sport wheels, nav system, the works. My son and I took it for a spin. The car is comfortable, smooth, has excellent brakes and that 3.5l V6 is plenty powerful. It also makes nice noises. I didn't floor it but I was pretty close and it accelerates like a small V8.

Brakes are very touchy and they haul that car down quickly if you jab them too hard. They are very powerful.

I took it on the freeway briefly and it is quiet and comfortable. You could soak up freeway miles for hours in this car and I'm sure it would be fun in the mountains too.

Anyway, I loved the driving position, seats are excellent and comfortable. Interior is quite attractive and fit and finish was what you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz. I liked the thickly padded steering wheel which telescopes and adjusts up and down at the touch of a stalk under the steering column. That panoramic sunroof is really nice too, it opens up the entire cabin even the rear and if you want to cut out the sun there is a one touch retractable shade that runs the length of it.

I played around with the nav system a bit and the voice commands work pretty well. Didn't have my phone with me but the saleswoman had her iphone and it synched up easily via bluetooth and we quickly had her playlist blasting through the Harmon Kardon sound system.

They are asking $38,900 for it... I am tempted. No pressure at all at the dealership which I like. My only hesitation is my commute. I put 15,000 miles a year on my car just in commuting and this thing requires premium fuel. I could realistically expect comparable mileage to my Maxima... which isn't great. Maybe 22-23mpg on my commute.

Oh, and it does have auto dimming mirrors and fold down rear seats.

It basically looked like this, with the same 7 spoke alloy wheels.

 

[Ciber]

Update: Just returned from driving a barely used 2012 C350 Coupe. Car has 11,000 miles on it, it is silver with grey leather interior and walnut wood trim. Not a mark anywhere on the car, it was flawless. It had the panoramic sunroof, 18" AMG sport wheels, nav system, the works. My son and I took it for a spin. The car is comfortable, smooth, has excellent brakes and that 3.5l V6 is plenty powerful. It also makes nice noises. I didn't floor it but I was pretty close and it accelerates like a small V8.

Brakes are very touchy and they haul that car down quickly if you jab them too hard. They are very powerful.

I took it on the freeway briefly and it is quiet and comfortable. You could soak up freeway miles for hours in this car and I'm sure it would be fun in the mountains too.

Anyway, I loved the driving position, seats are excellent and comfortable. Interior is quite attractive and fit and finish was what you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz. I liked the thickly padded steering wheel which telescopes and adjusts up and down at the touch of a stalk under the steering column. That panoramic sunroof is really nice too, it opens up the entire cabin even the rear and if you want to cut out the sun there is a one touch retractable shade that runs the length of it.

I played around with the nav system a bit and the voice commands work pretty well. Didn't have my phone with me but the saleswoman had her iphone and it synched up easily via bluetooth and we quickly had her playlist blasting through the Harmon Kardon sound system.

They are asking $38,900 for it... I am tempted. No pressure at all at the dealership which I like. My only hesitation is my commute. I put 15,000 miles a year on my car just in commuting and this thing requires premium fuel. I could realistically expect comparable mileage to my Maxima... which isn't great. Maybe 22-23mpg on my commute.

Oh, and it does have auto dimming mirrors and fold down rear seats.

It basically looked like this, with the same 7 spoke alloy wheels.

It's a pretty nice car, i debated getting the C63 for a while. Just a heads up, MB does not include maintenance. They have a yearly/10k service schedule that basically goes:

Year 1: $500
Year 2: $1000
Year 3: $500
Year 4: $1000
etc..

At least that's how it is on my SLK, just an FYI, Had a friend get an MB and he was shocked he had to pay for maintenance... lol

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a pretty nice car, i debated getting the C63 for a while. Just a heads up, MB does not include maintenance. They have a yearly/10k service schedule that basically goes:

Year 1: $500
Year 2: $1000
Year 3: $500
Year 4: $1000
etc..

At least that's how it is on my SLK, just an FYI, Had a friend get an MB and he was shocked he had to pay for maintenance... lol

We have a Lexus so I'm used to $150 oil changes.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

It's a pretty nice car, i debated getting the C63 for a while. Just a heads up, MB does not include maintenance. They have a yearly/10k service schedule that basically goes:

Year 1: $500
Year 2: $1000
Year 3: $500
Year 4: $1000
etc..

At least that's how it is on my SLK, just an FYI, Had a friend get an MB and he was shocked he had to pay for maintenance... lol

When I bought my ML350 we added on two years of MBZ Star prepaid maint for 250 bucks. That was their going rate, you could probably even argue it down from there. If they don't want to budge on the price just have them add in a few years of oil changes.

That seems to be pretty decent for what is essentially a 50k+ car that's hardly been used.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Update:

My only hesitation is my commute. I put 15,000 miles a year on my car just in commuting and this thing requires premium fuel. I could realistically expect comparable mileage to my Maxima... which isn't great. Maybe 22-23mpg on my commute.

[/img]

Excuse to ride your bike more often?

 

[CRXican]

you sure about the quiet an comfortable part?

my mom has a 2008 or 2009 C300 and it's stiff, bouncy and not all that pleasant to be in

 

[JulesMaximus]

you sure about the quiet an comfortable part?

my mom has a 2008 or 2009 C300 and it's stiff, bouncy and not all that pleasant to be in

Yeah, that's a good point actually, the roads are fairly good around this dealership. Might have to give it a more thorough test drive that include some bad roads. My commute includes one stretch that is a couple miles of absolutely horrible roads.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Yeah, that's a good point actually, the roads are fairly good around this dealership. Might have to give it a more thorough test drive that include some bad roads. My commute includes one stretch that is a couple miles of absolutely horrible roads.

Ive had a C250 service loaner before, its a hell of a lot softer than my 335i Sport is.

 

[Throckmorton]

We have a Lexus so I'm used to $150 oil changes.

What? Why would the oil changes cost more than any other car?

 

[SandEagle]

C300 is the poor man's Mercedes. I sat in an '09 and it felt cheap.

 

[NutBucket]

What? Why would the oil changes cost more than any other car?

Because they can? Oh wait, its the free coffee, car wash and putting green you're paying for.

 

[Naeeldar]

C300 is the poor man's Mercedes. I sat in an '09 and it felt cheap.

C series was redesigned in 2012...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Because they can? Oh wait, its the free coffee, car wash and putting green you're paying for.

An oil change on my bike costs $150, sometimes the dealer runs a $125 special. My bike takes 3.8l of full synthetic to change the oil. I just did an oil change myself and it cost me $60 for 4l of Motul 300V 15W-50 plus another $20 for a Ducati oil filter. That's $80 just in parts.

And there is no putting green at the Ducati dealer. Or the Lexus dealer for that matter. Lexus does give "free" loaner vehicles though. :ninja:

Excuse to ride your bike more often?

Maintenance on a Ducati isn't exactly cheap. Plus you have to replace sport rubber every 5,000 miles.

 

[hans007]

C series was redesigned in 2012...

It was refreshed in 2011. Same w204 chassis. The 08-2010 ones had really cheap interiors. The 2011+ is at least segment par. Though you lost the 3.0 v6 base engine for the 1.8 t which was a downgrade

 

[zCypher]

Love the current C series, they look awesome. Do it!

 

[xapo99]

I had a very long drive with the C Coupe, over a weekend, it was a C250 Diesel 'Blue Efficiency', not sure what they call that engine in the USA. It was about 200bhp and quite quick but not that quick, probably similar to a BMW 320D. I drive a 535D so it didn't feel very quick, but the first thing I noticed is how MB have improved build in the last few years....about 5 years ago, your average Benz had nothing on a Hyundai or a Kia..build wise.

I'd say, it is one of those cars that is nicer to own than drive, but it is very handsome. Residuals are way down on BMW's and Audi's here...if that is an issue also stateside, take any purchase into consideration.

 

[chucky2]

xapo99 brings up a good point indirectly. If you're driving this much per year, wouldn't one of MB fine Clean Diesel offerings be a.) a better cruiser and b.) more economical in the long run?

Chuck

 

[JulesMaximus]

xapo99 brings up a good point indirectly. If you're driving this much per year, wouldn't one of MB fine Clean Diesel offerings be a.) a better cruiser and b.) more economical in the long run?

Chuck

Probably, but I don't think they offer them here. I've decided to pass on it for now anyway due to the nature of my wife's business and the company I work for has had a poor year and future outlook is not looking positive.

I'm going to continue rocking the 10 year old, no car payment hoopty for 6-12 more months and then revisit.

If I test drive anything else in the meantime I'll post an update.

I really was impressed with the 2012 C350 Coupe though. It suits me and I think I'd enjoy it for many years as long as it was reliable.

 

[hans007]

xapo99 brings up a good point indirectly. If you're driving this much per year, wouldn't one of MB fine Clean Diesel offerings be a.) a better cruiser and b.) more economical in the long run?

Chuck

Diesels will be here in a year but I think Mercedes is only bringing the glk

 

[chucky2]

Probably, but I don't think they offer them here. I've decided to pass on it for now anyway due to the nature of my wife's business and the company I work for has had a poor year and future outlook is not looking positive.

I'm going to continue rocking the 10 year old, no car payment hoopty for 6-12 more months and then revisit.

If I test drive anything else in the meantime I'll post an update.

I really was impressed with the 2012 C350 Coupe though. It suits me and I think I'd enjoy it for many years as long as it was reliable.

Smart decision.

Diesels will be here in a year but I think Mercedes is only bringing the glk

I thought they already had 2-4 Clean Diesel vehicles here?

Chuck

 

[disappoint]

The new Cage Class looks nice.