Slowtwitch
New Member
Hello one and all. New memeber and first time Merc owner. I've been looking at converting from BMW for a few months and decided a 2011 W204 C250 CDI Wagon was the way forward. For me it's a much better looking car inside and out, than the equivalent BMW 3 series of that year. I'm also a first time automatic driver, and i'm liking it a lot. I suppose i could make a few observations about a few features of the Merc, that BMW have done better, in my opinion of course. They are mainly trivial but, they niggle.
I have the AMG Sport and sold an M Sport of the same year.
The passenger mirror on the Merc doesnt go to park mode when in reverse. I didnt think this basic feature would have needed speccing on a AMG Sport. I didnt notice it not being there on the test drive.
Seats are not as snug and comforting as the BMW's. I don't feel quite as connected in the Merc.
The cruise control stalk. Why is it up there where you have to reach for it? BMW's is tucked low off the barrel so you can reach it without moving your arm off the arm rest when "cruising" along the motorway.
The climate temp rotating dial. Bit loose with no load or feel to it.
The all in one stalk for wipers and indicators. I'll get used to it but it's just not necessary to cram it all on one stalk really. The wipers require a mechanical input to switch them on. So if you don't rotate the switch back, they are still in the on position next time you drive (BMW switches using momentary electrical contact).
Wing mirror puddle lights?? That wasn't really a great effort from Merc at all was it. Sure i can bodge it up with some after market trickery, but Merc really didn't want to bin off their filament bulbs did they.
Believe it or not, the biggest dissapointment that i'm finding really hard to accept is the lack of outside air temperature being displayed permantly on the screen, and the lack of an ice warning when the temp drops below 3 degrees. This time of year, i cover thousands of miles a month and it's easy to get complacent on the road. That nice little reminder from the car when it's getting cold enough to ice is always a welcome wake up call. I'm really suprised that Merc let this one slip.
Loving the Merc's intelligent lights though. Didnt have that spec'd on my BMW.
But it is a damn fine looking car. Obsidian black with 17inch wheels for endurance comfort, and that 7 speed autobox is a thing of beauty. I'm going to try the 8 speed BMW auto soon cause i can get good deals on new BMW's. My love for the Merc's looks might not hold up to the test of time after all. I'll get some gallery pics up soon when i've got a sunny day it's super clean again.
I have the AMG Sport and sold an M Sport of the same year.
The passenger mirror on the Merc doesnt go to park mode when in reverse. I didnt think this basic feature would have needed speccing on a AMG Sport. I didnt notice it not being there on the test drive.
Seats are not as snug and comforting as the BMW's. I don't feel quite as connected in the Merc.
The cruise control stalk. Why is it up there where you have to reach for it? BMW's is tucked low off the barrel so you can reach it without moving your arm off the arm rest when "cruising" along the motorway.
The climate temp rotating dial. Bit loose with no load or feel to it.
The all in one stalk for wipers and indicators. I'll get used to it but it's just not necessary to cram it all on one stalk really. The wipers require a mechanical input to switch them on. So if you don't rotate the switch back, they are still in the on position next time you drive (BMW switches using momentary electrical contact).
Wing mirror puddle lights?? That wasn't really a great effort from Merc at all was it. Sure i can bodge it up with some after market trickery, but Merc really didn't want to bin off their filament bulbs did they.
Believe it or not, the biggest dissapointment that i'm finding really hard to accept is the lack of outside air temperature being displayed permantly on the screen, and the lack of an ice warning when the temp drops below 3 degrees. This time of year, i cover thousands of miles a month and it's easy to get complacent on the road. That nice little reminder from the car when it's getting cold enough to ice is always a welcome wake up call. I'm really suprised that Merc let this one slip.
Loving the Merc's intelligent lights though. Didnt have that spec'd on my BMW.
But it is a damn fine looking car. Obsidian black with 17inch wheels for endurance comfort, and that 7 speed autobox is a thing of beauty. I'm going to try the 8 speed BMW auto soon cause i can get good deals on new BMW's. My love for the Merc's looks might not hold up to the test of time after all. I'll get some gallery pics up soon when i've got a sunny day it's super clean again.
