C-Class W205 Mercedes C-Class (W205) first drive reviews

[Amat46]

Verdict 5Stars
Conservative in some respects, adventurous in others, the new Mercedes C-Class carefully refines a familiar, established formula into a potential class leader. The version that we tested isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely sharper to drive than before. More importantly, the raw ingredients show real promise – by being more practical, more efficient and offering S-Class levels of comfort, the C-Class seems to get much of the everyday stuff you take for granted absolutely spot-on. It’ll give the 3 Series a hard time when the two come face-to-face in the summer.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/c-class/86099/mercedes-c250-bluetec-review

 

[Zafiro]

Dude, same review I posted yesterday. You even thanked me for it

 

[Amat46]

^^Oops my bad.Sorry

 

[Kowalski]

Sutters sure looked like was having a bit of fun in a car that he said it didn't have a very good engine.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I still don't understand how there is such a huge juxtaposition between the reviews of the 3-series in Europe and the reviews of it out of Europe where numerous magazines have highlighted chassis deficiencies. The British media for some reason continued to be totally enamoured by the 3-series.

Sutcliffe also totally misses the point with the touch pad. Sure it may be a *wank* but that's what the customers want.

I don't doubt the Mercedes engine and transmission combinations are slightly off the pace compared to the BMW and a new set of diesels and 9 speed are now well overdue.

The new C-class will certainly trounce the 3-series in many markets as the w204 already did such a fine job keeping the f30 3-series at bay, even in it's old age.

 

[martinbo]

I still don't understand how there is such a huge juxtaposition between the reviews of the 3-series in Europe and the reviews of it out of Europe where numerous magazines have highlighted chassis deficiencies. The British media for some reason continued to be totally enamoured by the 3-series.

Sutcliffe also totally misses the point with the touch pad. Sure it may be a *wank* but that's what the customers want.

I don't doubt the Mercedes engine and transmission combinations are slightly off the pace compared to the BMW and a new set of diesels and 9 speed are now well overdue.

The new C-class will certainly trounce the 3-series in many markets as the w204 already did such a fine job keeping the f30 3-series at bay, even in it's old age.

Maybe the Brits, Germans and South Africans get F30s with differently set-up suspension to the Aussies and Americans? [I strongly doubt this of course.]
I have been bemused by the tales from across the Atlantic criticising F30s for "soft" handling. Sure, the car rides far better than before but this has not come at the expense of handling - even on base-model springs and shocks. People need to remember that the F30 is a big-ish car now - very nearly the size of an E39 - and it too has to appeal to a broad demographic. Equally, the new W205 is almost as big as the W124 - being slightly shorter but with a much bigger wheelbase. Look at the car's target market and it's clear that Mercedes Benz have tuned the suspension to appeal to a more mature audience on average. The way the new C-Class rides is entirely within Mercedes' discretion and not some result of how the car is intrinsically engineered. As always it's about the balancing act of compromise.

I don't know anyone in my circles, who is not in some way involved in motorsport or the industry in general, that drives a car like I do. Therefore I have no idea how the regular man on the street can claim that the F30 is "soft". By my experience a boggo F30 is no track burner - the adaptive suspension tidies things up for on-the-limit handling but I could hardly say that my F30 is scrappy... I personally think that body roll is really well contained for a car with such primary ride characteristics. The only bug-bear? Yip - sharp, high-frequency ridges and runflats. I'd expect that the M-Sport models would exhibit less heave but on the whole I take no exception to the ride/handling trade off on the 3er. And, neither does SA CAR mag who just voted the 3er top of its class in their annual Top 12 review, for that matter.

The C-Class will be more refined and will steer better than the 3er - I am also pretty certain of this given its more advanced front suspension layout and adjustable dampers available as standard. I am curious to see if and how BMW will counter this with the facelift of the F30.

 

[Serpens]

Autoblog seems pleased.

From Autoblog:

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said of the new C-Class, "It embodies what we understand modern automotive luxury made by Mercedes-Benz to be." This new C isn't arguing, isn't fighting, isn't trying to beat the BMW 3 Series or any other car. It is its own thing, surprisingly mature and substantial – the Mercedes of the segment. It has stepped off the ladder, and now so can you. If you like the size of it, the 2015 C-Class is likely all the climbing you'll ever need to do.

 

[Amat46]

New C-Class W205 Gets Amateurish Review From Autocar

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

It's not the sportiest in the segment, but it seems to have completely outdone everything and anything in the class in terms of comfort and luxury.

 

[Serpens]

Honestly I love the fact that this car has struck its own direction in the segment. Classic headstrong Mercedes.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Maybe the Brits, Germans and South Africans get F30s with differently set-up suspension to the Aussies and Americans? [I strongly doubt this of course.]
I have been bemused by the tales from across the Atlantic criticising F30s for "soft" handling. Sure, the car rides far better than before but this has not come at the expense of handling - even on base-model springs and shocks. People need to remember that the F30 is a big-ish car now - very nearly the size of an E39 - and it too has to appeal to a broad demographic. Equally, the new W205 is almost as big as the W124 - being slightly shorter but with a much bigger wheelbase. Look at the car's target market and it's clear that Mercedes Benz have tuned the suspension to appeal to a more mature audience on average. The way the new C-Class rides is entirely within Mercedes' discretion and not some result of how the car is intrinsically engineered. As always it's about the balancing act of compromise.

I don't know anyone in my circles, who is not in some way involved in motorsport or the industry in general, that drives a car like I do. Therefore I have no idea how the regular man on the street can claim that the F30 is "soft". By my experience a boggo F30 is no track burner - the adaptive suspension tidies things up for on-the-limit handling but I could hardly say that my F30 is scrappy... I personally think that body roll is really well contained for a car with such primary ride characteristics. The only bug-bear? Yip - sharp, high-frequency ridges and runflats. I'd expect that the M-Sport models would exhibit less heave but on the whole I take no exception to the ride/handling trade off on the 3er. And, neither does SA CAR mag who just voted the 3er top of its class in their annual Top 12 review, for that matter.

The C-Class will be more refined and will steer better than the 3er - I am also pretty certain of this given its more advanced front suspension layout and adjustable dampers available as standard. I am curious to see if and how BMW will counter this with the facelift of the F30.

Well the criticism in Australia has consistently been a combination of wallowy body control and sub-par ride quality unless the vehicle is fitted with the optional adaptive suspension. This is also not exclusive to the 3 and reviewers here have found issue with various new BMW's. The 4-series and 2-series seem to be garnering much praise however.

Bah, what do I know about ride and body control. I've driven my mates F30 320i and had no issue with it. Also I'm mostly sold if the car looks pretty and makes me feel good driving it.

I'll take you word for it Martin.

 

[Cashmere]

Yet another review expressing dissatisfaction for the engine/transmission combo.

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[Amat46]

C'mon mate put some enthusiasm in your review.

 

[Zafiro]

Where is that EVO review?

 

[JLBM]

The C400 with adjustable suspension will then blow the competition away. Moving on from the 2.1l 4 banger please

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Is that all these guys drive? A 2 liter diesel? lol

 

[Wunderkind]

People somehow expect so much from the 4-cylinder engine...............................

If you want more, buy a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder model. I bought a E500 because I know the lesser models are not up to my requirement (the E400 is not available in Hong Kong yet).

 

[Zafiro]

People somehow expect so much from the 4-cylinder engine...............................

If you want more, buy a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder model. I bought a E500 because I know the lesser models are not up to my requirement (the E400 is not available in Hong Kong yet).

Not everyone have money to chose whatever engine available. 4-cylinders is what most people in Europe are buying. Prices here aren't like in the states where you can buy a BMW 335i for the same price as 320i in Europe.

 

[Zafiro]

Is that all these guys drive? A 2 liter diesel? lol

Its popular and best selling engines in Europe. Most bimmers you see is either 18d/20d. To name an example, my parents got two bimmers with 18d engines simply because its economic.

 

[Wunderkind]

Not everyone have money to chose whatever engine available. 4-cylinders is what most people in Europe are buying. Prices here aren't like in the states where you can buy a BMW 335i for the same price as 320i in Europe.

I understand. But one must be reasonable. I doubt the 4-cylinder engines from BMW and Audi are much better in terms NVH.