Test drove a CLC today :D

[bigmacplease]

Helloooo all!

Well I test drove this today:

First impressions are what a great looking car! I really liked the sports version and preferred it over the SE tenfold!

The sports seats were lovely and they molded around me perfectly! I really like the two tone black/white or cream style colour not sure on the correct name.

The new dials also look really good with the checkered effect and red dials. The new steering wheel is also a nice touch and the brushed aluminum trim fits the style perfectly.

The issues I had with the car is the interior is too much like my current c-class. Theres going to be an updated centre console with the audio 20 changing to have a 5" LCD display. However telling me this and not having anything to show me was not really that useful!

The paddle shift gear box was a really nice touch and I'm glad parking assist is standard as the rear window is very small.

Overall I think its a really nice car but its too much like my current car and not being able to see what the updated centre console is going to look like I will not be taking advantage of the offer they have on this month.

Hope that helps anyone interested

 

[agatward]

Which one did you test drive? The local stealer here only has the 220CDI Sport Panorama one in at the moment.

I'm due to upgrade my A class next June and the CLC is looking very tempting!

 

[MikeL]

I don't wish to dampen this thread but I presume everyone knows this is based on the previous C class and not the vastly improved current saloon?

Mike

 

[BlackC55]

The underneath is still a 203 as is the 204.

 

[A210AMG]

Quick check on the plate checker...its a


CLC-CLASS CLC220 CDI SPORT


still not sure myself, but then Im not keen on the previous one or the bme compact?

 

[mr. shr]

Sorry to be a bit thick, but has the CLC replaced the C Class Sports Coupe?

 

[A210AMG]

yes...

 

[kjay]

still not sure myself, but then Im not keen on the previous one or the bme compact?

 

[mr. shr]

So what does the second C stand for then?

My understanding is the SLK is a small SL and a CLK is a small CL (where K = klein = German for small??)

So what does the second C stand for in CLC?
Similarly, what is the S in CLS?

 

[A210AMG]

SLK - Small Light Kompact

will have a think about others

 

[A210AMG]

This thread isn't particularly nice reading but they do explain some of the merc names...

http://www.germancarzone.com/clc-class/21953-mercedes-benz-clc-thread-9.html

 

[evdok]

Dont like those headlights at all, vaux astra to me.

 

[fuzzer]

personally i don't see whats wrong with it. I like the W203 , was good to drive

 

[rf065]

SLK - Small Light Kompact

will have a think about others

It is a common misconception that the K stands for Kompact.

i.e. CLK stands for Coupe Leicht Kurz which translates as Coupe Light Short.

Russ

 

[bigmacplease]

The car was indeed the C220 CDI Sport no panorama upgrade though. I found the diesel to be very loud when idling but once you were up and about it was fine.

I don't think it was as quick as my C230 but it was not sluggish or underpowered. I was averaging 35mpg which wasn't bad as I was changing gear all the time lol

If I didn't already have a W203 I would probably get one

 

[niva441]

The local dealer let me have a go in a CLC 220 CDi Sport the other week. When I discussed it with the salesman before sitting in it, it was apparent that the sport trim spec was exactly what I wouldn't order. I prefer a light interior, the sport is all black exaggerated by the replacement of the lower rear window by a black panel and on this car privacy glass. From the outside I thought the panels replacing the top of the rear lights were a poor fit with too large a gap to the body, through which I could see the fixings.

On sitting in it the layout was all rather familiar, which I liked, but I was disappointed that in redesigning the dials, Mercedes hadn't taken the opportunity to allow the status bar to display outside temperature.

Driving the car I was interested to find out what Direct Control steering fitted to the Sport actually meant. On centre I found it over light, although on lock it seemed to work alright. I'm interested whether the standard steering will be all the light setting, all the higher setting or somewhere inbetween.

I was surprised by the sport suspension, although stiffer, it was more compliant in some respects than my SE. The larger mirrors do generate a bit more wind noise.

The automatic gearbox felt a lot more responsive and tauter which may explain how the car is faster and more economical than the Sport Coupe.

Overall from this I think you can gather the Sport spec didn't do much for me, I'll be interested to see how the SE spec compares.
Edit/Delete Message

 

[amzchhabra]

I test drove one last week... could not really see the difference between my 2005 C220 CDI Sport Ed. and the 2008 sport CLC except for the lights... and the interior , I think the upgrade will need to be a CLK, as the car is not so similar...

 

[st4]

I'd save the money, but a lightly used 06 C class coupe with low miles + more goodies. I think its a nicer looking car.

BMW did this with the E36 e series, the compact had the old E30 parts. It was never a big success with buyers etc.

 

[niva441]

I test drove one last week... could not really see the difference between my 2005 C220 CDI Sport Ed. and the 2008 sport CLC except for the lights... and the interior , I think the upgrade will need to be a CLK, as the car is not so similar...

Yes I'd agree, the most noticeable thing is losing the rear window. i would be more interested if there was the new range of engines used in the latest C class. Plus a more efficient DSG type gearbox.

 

[crockers]

The underneath is still a 203 as is the 204.

I knew the CLC was based on the 203 and not the 204 ... but are you saying the 204 is based on the 203 - I thought it was completely new....