Never thought I'd like a C Class....

[Peter DLM]

But, I have this for the weekend and I must admit I'm slightly impressed

It's a 250 CDi Sport Estate. It has few options, but the necessary ones like COMAND, privacy glass, also Heated Seats (standard?).

Engine is a bit 'thrummy' in the 204 compared to the 212 but is a little perkier and I don't feel short of power. Handling is very good, brakes good too.

My last experience of a C was a 203 and that really was horrible. Sorry to current owners, but I couldn't find anything good about them, especially interior wise. I'm glad to find that I good easily live with the 204, it's just about big enough, maybe.

 

[Whitey]

My last experience of a C was a 203 and that really was horrible

Only joking, but I bet it's hard to compare a 20 year old model, a Smart car and a current C class estate !

Very smart looking imo.

 

[Peter DLM]

Not that hard really. The Smart is the commuter car I get to use with the job. I then borrow anything that isn't an AMG for when I fancy something more suitable. So in the last few months I've been swanning around in GL450, SL 350, E350 CDi, E250 CGi all brand new or up to 12 months old so I get to compare and experience most of the MB range.

I know that there's been a quantum leap in quality and design in the last decade.

 

[Goldfish11]

Yes, I was so impressed I moved from the E class to the C class last September. The interior upgrade on the facelift gives it a real feeling of space and the telematics were actually more advanced than the E class last year. I tried older C class models and never took to them so stuck with E's until this one.

 

[developer]

Twin turbo's Pete - fab from f*ck all revs.

 

[Rory]

My last experience of a C was a 203 and that really was horrible. Sorry to current owners, but I couldn't find anything good about them, especially interior wise.

What year W203 are you comparing with? I've got a facelift model and the interior is probably the thing I like best about it, but I'm really glad I got light grey rather than black. I think having the COMAND screen always on view lifts the interior too.

I haven't looked at W204 for a while but the earlier ones had a lot of plastic inside. Does the COMAND screen still fold away?

 

[Peter DLM]

COMAND Screen doesn't fold away anymore, it's very similar to the 212, and actually everything with an MB badge coming out of Stuttgard.

I think the 203 my buddy had was a 51 reg? It was all bad, size, design, quality in and out. The facelift 204 fixes the C class I think, though I'd always go for an E lol.

 

[Rory]

... though I'd always go for an E lol.

Funny that, I wrote in either this or the other forum that I had an E350CDi courtesy car recently and it nothing for me. I'd previously tried to get one as a demo for a day and got nowhere, but when I was given one I didn't even feel motivated to do anything other than drive it home and back to the dealer again.

I really ought to change my car but nothing excites me at the moment. I'm hankering after an SUV but not sure I want to pay £50K for an ML.

 

[Simon_M]

Estate is a handsome car....

 

[st4]

I've driven a pre facelift 204. Really nice car

 

[ace571]

Get a 350 Peter, it's laugh out loud rapid.

 

[renault12ts]

Only joking, but I bet it's hard to compare a 20 year old model, a Smart car and a current C class estate !

Very smart looking imo.

The 203 (not the 202 you have) is 12 years old.

 

[Whitey]

^ yeah, my bad

 

[robtt]

What year W203 are you comparing with? I've got a facelift model and the interior is probably the thing I like best about it, but I'm really glad I got light grey rather than black. I think having the COMAND screen always on view lifts the interior too.

I haven't looked at W204 for a while but the earlier ones had a lot of plastic inside. Does the COMAND screen still fold away?

I had a face lift C320cdi (2006) and loved it except for the traction ! The interior was fine IMO very comfortable place to be. But the 204 coupe I have now is a quantum leap in handling and now I no longer fish tail quite as much out of tight bends !!!

 

[grober]

ALABANDINE GREY if I'm not mistaken---nice!

 

[Peter DLM]

Couple of hundred miles in this car today. Now even more impressed.

Nobody coming from an inline 6 320 CDi will be missing any performance at all. Ya, engine is gruffer, but not by much.

Both journeys were completed with 53 mpg showing. This car only has 2,000 miles on the clock and I'm sure will get more efficient as it loosens up.

Handles very well indeed and overall feels like a high quality car.

But, bit too small still. With my bro and two kids in there, definitately missed the space of the E Class.