2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: That German Car Feel

Seems like decent mileage, even though its on premium. Is Riverside County mostly city driving then?

That pic of the C300 is awful, imo. It brings out the worst quality in the cars styling - the small glimpses of the S-class! Overall, a great looking car - but not from that angle.

I've got a 2009 C300 Sport 4-matic. It's my first extended time in a German car, & it's every bit as solid as I've read about Benz cars. It feels absolutely impervious to anything when going down the road. Dry, wet, snowy roads - doesn't matter. 70mph feels like you are walking. The structure feels like the proverbial granite, & no squeeks or rattles in 8000 miles on Michigan's lunar landscape that passes for roads. Below 0 temps this morning & an even colder windchill didn't faze it. Snowstorms haven't stood a chance against the 4-matic AWD system, decent all-season tires, traction control, & stability control.

Classic case of "you get what you pay for" and why other cars cost less. That feeling of solidity is not free, and is NOT found in cars costing much less. I'm not sure I'll buy another Benz, but I'm glad they are getting back to their roots of that "bank vault" feeling with their more recent offerings. They kinda lost their way there for a while. My first-gen SLK (V6) is still as solid as it was when it was new, and it's 8 yrs old, and I don't baby it either. That car doesn't get the praise it deserves even though it's not the most "fun-to-drive" in it's segment. It's as solid as a rock, and a very comfortable cruiser and roomy for it's size, especially the trunk when the top is up. A perfect weekender for an old fart like me! The second generation, though better handling, is not as solid and the styling is trendy. I'll keep mine for a while!

FYI, 28mpg is about what I get in my 2006 Civic SI running premium in mixed driving. That's pretty good.

People don't understand what german car feel is all about. I still haven't driven a new CTS (my fault), but I imagine that has it based upon all the positive reactions....but the old Acura TL didn't have it, the Infiniti G35 almost has it, but misses with a slightly over-harsh feel.

Most BMWs have it....I've driven a ~2002 bmw 325xi non-sport that was sorely missing it...and a '99 Audi A4 2.8 5-speed with 140k that felt like it had been hewed from petrified wood the day before.

I hope to own a car that has it :)

Joe

P.s. It's not everything either...I find the Porsche Boxster has far more "german sports car" feel than the BMW Z4. And sometimes it's nice to drive a Subaru WRX with it's raw fun feel.

"I couldn't think of a single significant aspect of the car that I didn't like."

Let me help ya out here...

Pricey and slow.

Compare it to a G sedan or even a 328i then you'll see.

Louis

I had a C230 and E500 and they both felt like nothing else out there. Very competent and solid. You need to drive a Benz to understand.

"You need to drive a Benz to understand."

I have and I think...

One needs to drive all of them to know what's REALLY out there.

louiswei I don't think anyone is arguing with you that a G37 or 3-Series would perform better, but that is not what argument is being made. The C-Class feels more solid and finely constructed than its competitors. For a lot of people that is more important than at-the-limit handling or straight-line speed.

The C is not worse because it is slower and less athletic than an Infiniti or BMW, it is just different.

Actually, a comparably equipped 328i is about $3000 more than a C300 sport. You can buy a full maintenance package (to make them "truly" comparable) and still be out ahead.

"The C-Class feels more solid and finely constructed than its competitors."

Have to disagree with you. Recently I went to an Audi driving event and they let us drive the C300 4Matic, 328xi, A4 3.2 Quattro and the IS250 AWD back to back to back to back. Among the four the Benz felt the least sporty and the steering is numb. Yes, more numb than the IS250. Yeah sure it drives like a tank but not in a good way...

cheslin, let's see how does the C300 sport stack up to a comparable 328i:

328i with auto, navi, sport pkg, premium pkg, comfort access: $43,850

C300 with auto, premium 2, multimedia pkg: $43,285

So is a comparable 328i really "about $3000 more"?

louis, you left off a few components needed to make them comparable.

2009 MB C300 sport, with auto, Premium 2, multimedia, iPod, TeleAid (to match BMW assist in Premium), and full leather seating: MSRP $44310

2009 BMW 328i with sport, premium, auto, cold weather (needed to match the heated seats and fold down rear seats, headlamp washers, etc), navi, logic7 (needed to match the harmon/kardon in multimedia pkg), iPod, xenon headlights (in Premium 2 on C300), and satellite radio (in Premium 2 on C300): MSRP $47270

So I was off by $40. Sue me :)

Louiswei, again you are just arguing the same thing. All out performance has absolutely nothing to do with the build quality of a car. I agree it is a somewhat subjective depending on the person, but a well built car is a well built car and most would argue that the C is definitely one.

As a side note, I really like the Lexus IS and don't think it has terribly numb steering. I have always thought it was one of the most under rated cars in the segment. Sure its small, but it is really well built and can hold its own against a 3-Series or G37. I am sure you can agree with me on this. ;)

Louiswei: "Feels like a tank and not in a good way"

You've said that before in another post. If you don't like the C, stop commenting here. No one likes you. I am guessing you have no friends.

You are a d-bag, and not in a good way.

"You are a d-bag, and not in a good way."

Actually you know what, that's not a bad thing, I sure don't want to be a good d-bag...

Unlike you, which seems to be an a-hole troll, but in a supreme way.

KillaCam, yes, I've said that in another post and I'll say it again:

THE C DRIVES LIKE A TANK BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

I drove it before and that's how I felt, if you feel differently then by all means tell us how you feel. By coming here calling me a d-bag really doesn't help your case at all.

People have to understand that not every car in the entry level sport/luxury or luxury/sport segment shoots for all out top notch performance numbers. There is a LARGE gray area with pure luxury at one end, pure sport at the other and a lot of points in between. It would be pointless if every manufacturer offered an entry level sedan with the same exact formula. What matters is what car strikes that perfect balance with YOU.

Ive driven the new C....a white C300 Sport 6MT with the panoramic roof and media package. Overall it was a nice car although Im not a huge fan of the interior design. The C is sporty enough for me (although Id prefer some more sport) to enjoy although obviously not the sportiest car in its segment. It was comfortable, just the right size but a bit pricey.

I could easily see myself with this car everyday. The C does have the Mercedes DNA (superb construction/bank vault solidity) which has yet to be duplicated by another brand although the Lexus LS is very...very close.

Cameron, GTFO the LT blog and go make some overpriced parts.

As a not so proud ex-owner of an IS250 (which is MUCH SLOWER than an IS350 but handles, steers, and rides better), I have to say I give the car an A- for styling but it's decidely less interesting to drive than the German trifeca. I'm not sure why people comment on the fact that it's slow or doesn't handle well, Edmund's own detailed test of the car showed had competent handling and acceleration. But where the C beats the IS hands down is overall construction. The IS doesn't have the sense of solidity the C does nor the assembly quality. In every IS I've been in (and it's been a lot since I've had quite a few loaners for the warranty work my car required), there were numerous squeeks and rattles from the dash, sunroof, and rear deck areas. I think the transmission in the C is far better and it's much easier and fun to hustle the C around challenging roads (which Motortrend agreed with their comparison of the previous C with the 3 and IS). I also prefer the C's engine sound over the reedy signature of either IS.

I first experienced that German car "feel" in my 86 GTI (which was built, coincidentally, in Pennsylvania). In other German cars I've experienced, I have noticed that the feeling comes only at higher speeds.

Louiswei - Calling me a supreme a-hole troll (which I take major offense to) isn't helping your case.

Neither is making a new screen name, "omfg," and telling me to leave the blog. But if it will make you happy, so be it. Last post.

This generation C is a very nice vehicle - I wish that they'd send us a wagon version and I'd consider purchasing a new car.

I own an '83 300CD with 295,000 miles that I drive every day 75 miles round trip to my office. It does not drive like a new car (it is not a new car!) but the overall solidity - on a vehicle that's seen daily use for 26 years - is still impossible to ignore. One can see why this car sold for over $30,000 in 1983.

I also own a 1992 400E with 160,000 miles that drives as well or better than any new vehicle I have ever driven. Again, one can see why this car sold for over $50K in 1992.

If you convert the 1983 and 1992 costs into the current value of the USD, you'll see that modern MBs are CONSIDERABLY less expensive than they were in the 1980s and early 1990s.

I will say that the current crop of C, E, and S-class sedans from MB is the first group in many years that has the overall feeling of quality that you find in my two old tanks.

"Louiswei - Calling me a supreme a-hole troll (which I take major offense to) isn't helping your case."

I am not trying to help my case but you are still a supreme a-hole.

KillaCam (aka the a-hole):

Before you start to accuse me of hiding behind another screen name maybe you need to know something about me. For those who are here long enough know that I,

1. Never had a second screen name.

2. Am not afraid of speaking out and,

3. Respect other's opinions as long as I get the same respect back and have no problem to agree to disagree (but that doesn't mean I would stop speaking out, like how I felt about the C300)

linard,

Sorry to hear that your experience in the IS250 wasn't good but I certainly can't say that it's the same for me with the IS350. I am not going to pull out auto publications' numbers (including our very own Edmunds IL's) to prove you wrong saying the C handles better than the IS but out of my own experience in the entry-level luxury sedan class (I have pretty much driven them all except the RS4 and e92 M3) I have to say the C-class is not among the leaders in this group. But I have to give it to ya, it is built like a tank but... you know what, never mind.

mercedesfan,

I agree with you 100% that not everyone in the entry lux segment should be leaning toward to performance like the 3er and G. I certainly don't want a Lexus 3-series and I am sure you don't want a MB 3-series as well.

"Neither is making a new screen name, "omfg," and telling me to leave the blog. But if it will make you happy, so be it. Last post."

I can assure you I'm not louiswei. But I have to agree, you're a cocky pompous-ethug.

By the way, I found the following comment extremely funny:

"Louiswei - Calling me a supreme a-hole troll (which I take major offense to) isn't helping your case."

If you are going to be offended by someone calling you an a-hole maybe next time you should think twice before call another person a d-bag huh?

You know, just a suggestion...

"You've said that before in another post. If you don't like the C, stop commenting here. No one likes you. I am guessing you have no friends."

I like louiswei. Even though he thinks touch screens in cars are cool.

"I like louiswei. Even though he thinks touch screens in cars are cool."

Okay bimmerjay, I have to give you this one, I have officially changed my position from being a touch screen supporter to a controller/knob supporter. After having the last two dealer loaners with touchscreen nav I now see the problem: because of it being touchscreen the nav screen has to be located closer to the driver so it can't be put in the same level as the eye vision which to me is a BIG problem.

Although I still think touchscreen is a much easier way for operation but now I am willing to sacrafice that for better ergonomics.

I am retracting my "Last Post" comment based on all of your responses Louis/omfg, geez you like to beat things to death.

If anyone is annoyed by this side conversation, my apologies, I just have to set the record straight.

1. I wasn't actually offended. It was sarcasm.
2. OMFG is definitely you. I think you've been caught with your pants down my friend. Why is this the only post ever written by OMFG - To come to this particular blog and agree with you? Coincidence? Within 20 minutes, Louiswei posted twice, and OMFG posted once. You even talk the same way, using abbreviations like "LT blog." But for our entertainment, please continue to deny. It's okay.
3. I did a quick scan of the C300 Long-Term Blog, you've been posting in here since 2007 about why you don't like the C. Sounds like someone's got a case of the "I bought a Lexus and realized the C was better, so I now have to go into car blogs to convince myself I made the right decision on buying a girl's car whose body style is getting phased out in 6 months."
4. Why have you gotten two loaner cars already for your Lexus man? Looks like you shoulda got a C instead of a Lexus ISuck. Kinda contradicts all those posts about not buying a C-Class because of the reliability. Ok that's all. Enjoy your day :0)

KillaCam - Over and out.

"2. OMFG is definitely you."

Please show proof, thanks a-hole.

"using abbreviations like "LT blog.""

The only effing idiot who doesn't use term like LT blog is you a-hole. Almost all the regulars here use that term.

"4. Why have you gotten two loaner cars already for your Lexus man?"

Uh... how about I got them for my regular maintenance service? Although Lexus does not require to give me a loaner for the regular oil change (usually done in less than 2 hours) but the dealer is nice enough to make it easier for me. They let me request for a loaner in the morning so I can drive it to work and pick up my car after I got off. It's call the legendary Lexus customer service thank you very much.

"KillaCam - Over and out."

Dude stop, we are know you can't keep your mouth shut and will come back for more. Set the record straight? That's so funny because your record was never stright from the beginning. Have a nice day a-hole.