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      12-03-2015, 03:16 AM   #1
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While the Fiesta-shaped dent is being removed from the rear of my F31 335i, I've got a Merc C-Class as a replacement. So, I thought I'd give a few observations:

- Engine. I've got the 2.0 4-cyl petrol. It's refined enough below 3k, but after that it doesn't sound nice - just a horrible drone. Not unlike American low-end cars from GM in the 1990s. It's not too powerful either. Very disappointing. From all accounts the 4-cyl diesel is worse. If you want anything that's got more than 4 cylinders, then you'll need to go to the 500bhp V8 AMG model with a base price of £60k! There's apparently a V6 planned, but not here yet. This must be a huge own goal for Merc - I can't see how this thing can be even nearly competitive with the F3x on the engine front.

- Gearbox. Nice enough, but the programming seems to hold gears too long. A nice touch though is showing the gear when in D mode - D1, D2 etc. Wish that BMWs did that.

- Steering. Horrible. Inconsistent weight (firmish straight ahead, but lightens up on tighter turns) - very odd-feeling and doesn't inspire confidence. Zero feedback. I thought the electric steering on the new BMWs was bad - but this is just woeful.

- Handling. The car's just got the std suspension. It's not great. Ride is fairly soft yet pot holes make a horrible thump (reminds me of my F11!). Very floaty and it has a habit of jumping sideways if you hit a pothole going around a corner. Push it too hard and it understeers. I guess it's just not setup to be a performance car, so maybe my comments aren't fair.

- Interior. Nicely executed and the quality definitely a step up in the F31. The styling isn't to my taste though - all that shiny black plastic is garish (which shows scratches VERY easily BTW) - but I accept it's a personal thing.

- Entertainment system. In a word - awful. Way too complicated and messy. And that sort of touchpad/mouse/handle thing in the middle is way too easy to press inadvertently when driving leaving the system in a menu or something when you don't want it there. BMW's system is streets ahead.

- Cabin refinement. Very good. Much, much better than the F31. This is something that BMW need to sort out on the replacement 3-series.

So, there it is. I know I whinge sometimes about the F31 (it ain't perfect), but I'd take it anytime over the C-class.

Last edited by pdk42; 12-03-2015 at 03:29 AM..
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      12-03-2015, 03:22 AM   #2
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You forgot to mention the fact it looks like a sloppy elephant turd
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      12-03-2015, 03:29 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyJawa View Post
You forgot to mention the fact it looks like a sloppy elephant turd
Well, yea - the sloppy elephant turd goes without saying!
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      12-03-2015, 03:48 AM   #4
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Which model is it?
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      12-03-2015, 04:04 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Broncho View Post
Which model is it?
Dunno - it's a sort of blue/grey non-descript colour and it has C200 on the back. It's got a whiney 2.0 petrol engine and basic spec. 16" wheels I think (or 17" max). Is that enough?
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      12-03-2015, 04:07 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdk42 View Post
Dunno - it's a sort of blue/grey non-descript colour and it has C200 on the back. It's got a whiney 2.0 petrol engine and basic spec. 16" wheels I think (or 17" max). Is that enough?
Sounds base spec, I'm not sure what you were expecting a 116i se is crap.

A c250 AMG line is a very decent alternative.
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      12-03-2015, 04:12 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Broncho View Post

A c250 AMG line is a very decent alternative.
Alternative to what? At £35k base with a noisy 4-cyl diesel engine, it isn't going to compare with any of the 6-cyl F3x models (diesel or petrol).

In any case, as you go down the model line it's usually the interior and toys that suffer and in fact the Merc is pretty good in this department. It's the fundamentals that I'm having a downer on (engines, steering, handling, infotainment).
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      12-03-2015, 04:14 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdk42 View Post
Alternative to what? At £35k base with a noisy 4-cyl diesel engine, it isn't going to compare with any of the 6-cyl F3x models (diesel or petrol).
Obviously an alternative to the 3 series its in the same class.
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      12-03-2015, 04:26 AM   #9
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I borrowed a C250 amg line estate with everything on it, prior to buying my F31.
It was the demonstrator, so was very well specced. I did like it, and probably would have bought it had they not been so adverse to offering me some sort of deal. Glad I didn't though.

Agree, the interior is leaps ahead and the quality is superb, and there are some great features and gadgets, but the replica Ipad stuck on the centre of the dash doesnt look great.
Not as big inside either, they dont use the space quite as well as 3series, even though the majority of reviews say otherwise.
Likewise the general ride and cabin noise is huge steps ahead of a 3 series.

Biggest let down was the engine and driving dynamics, which we all know about already. But just felt the steering wheel wasnt actually attached to the wheels on the road.
The c250cdi supposedly has 369lbs/ft torque, doesnt feel like that, very refined.
But again, competing against a 330d or 335d engine is no easy task.

Was only when I went up to BMW to drive a 3l diesel that I was reminded that I was doing the right thing.
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      12-03-2015, 06:42 AM   #10
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I test drove the last gen C-Class and your review sounds v.familiar. Frankly, hated it.

Seems Mercedes hasn't improved much in the latest gen model.
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      12-03-2015, 07:48 AM   #11
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Agree on all points, it was incredibly boring to drive. Interior does look great whilst sitting in the showroom, but every model I test drove or looked at had scratches everywhere, looked awful. The F30 interior may not look as fancy but at least it will be as good after 3 years use.
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      12-03-2015, 07:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew2101 View Post
Agree on all points, it was incredibly boring to drive. Interior does look great whilst sitting in the showroom, but every model I test drove or looked at had scratches everywhere, looked awful. The F30 interior may not look as fancy but at least it will be as good after 3 years use.
Now I thought the exact opposite, I test drove the C63 and it was brilliant but I found the interior looked very cheesy and dare I say feminine. If the interior was a bit more 'classy' I probably would have had a C63 Waggon on order instead of the F31 340i.

Every cloud has a silver lining though and the 340i is less than 2/3rds the cost of the C63 and I am hoping it will be 90% as enjoyable
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      12-03-2015, 08:50 AM   #13
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Your first point is one of the main reasons why I didn't get one. I don't drive much but I want a reasonably powered car for when I do, and the lack of engines was a deal breaker for me. I was going to wait for the C450 but that's not due for about a year so I gave up and ended up with a rather lovely 340i...
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      12-03-2015, 09:18 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyJawa View Post
You forgot to mention the fact it looks like a sloppy elephant turd
I have no idea what Mercedes were thinking with their recent gen cars. They all look like they're melting.
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      12-03-2015, 03:45 PM   #15
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But Mercedes is sold at about 30% discounts from the list price. I have several offers to pickup E220 coupe Amg line £40k list price you can get for £29k now.
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      12-03-2015, 03:51 PM   #16
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Merc had to improve quality in new C, it was shocking in the last one (but I assume it had an LCI type update as it did improve?) was in an E recently and thought - miles away from a 5 quality...

Still i like the look of the new C AMG
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      12-03-2015, 04:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by piono View Post
But Mercedes is sold at about 30% discounts from the list price. I have several offers to pickup E220 coupe Amg line £40k list price you can get for £29k now.
Most likely coz the E is about to be replaced.
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