W204 C-Class test drive (Part 1)

[crockers]

I've had a look at the New 204 and to be honest I am now in no rush to change my 203...

But lets face facts Ford Mondeo has been improved dramatically in quality - the new Vectra coming out 2008 (Insignia?) will have a good quality finish - the new C5 looks to be very well finished - so the differences between "family" cars and "up market" cars has and will continue to narrow.

VW has shown with the Passat that a family car can have a good interior - and started this trend to challenge Merc / BMW etc.

Lexus has shown that "customer service" as well as well built cars helps keep customers happy - so yes the edges of car buying decisions are all becoming blurred.

I therefore think Merc are under a lot of pressure with this car - to move it farther up market - would increase the price even farther - would we all be willing to pay this extra price?

Ford currently are losing money on every car they make - their only "up market" brand to make money is Volvo and they are being forced to sell this off...

So I do hope Merc can make the 204 pay - but I wont be buying one yet...if at all.

 

[Diesel Benz]

"At last, a good looking C-class":

http://www.ukcarnews.com/roadtest.php?show=50

 

[robtt]

Got my C320Cdi Avantgarde in for a gearbox re-map on Wednesday morning and York Mercedes are letting me use their C204 320Cdi Elegance for the day . Will report back my thoughts . I I have had various back problems for years ( including two discs removed about 10 years ago) and have found the C class seats fine even on long journeys.

 

[SJMaxson]

New C-class

I went to the local stealership's launch weekend, and took a C200 Kompressor Elegance for a spin yesterday at the local Motorshow.

I very much like the look of the car (the Elegance more than the Sport), interior included. The car I drove yesterday (OK, a very short test-drive, not a 24-hour or weekend one as other posters) was fine to drive - steering perfect for around town. The brakes, if anything, were much sharper than in my present Merc. I've owned three Mercs, and have never had a problem with the comfort of the seats - and I'm 6'0 and larger than average! In my short drive yesterday, I had no problem getting comfortable.

When I come to change my car, next, the new C-class will certainly be on my list of possibles.

 

[JFleming]

Clarkson gave the W204 a pretty good review over the weekend, but I have to disagree with his comments about the Sat Nav

I had a W204 220cdi Elegance Auto (with 8kms on it) on hire from Hertz in Germany for a week and thought it was very nice to drive. The fabric seats were awful and I seriously doubt they'd take 3 years wear and tear. Otherwise, the quality of the car was very good and the updated dash instruments are now similar to the CLK/E class which is a huge improvement over my W203 facelift instrumentation. I found the 2.2 engine a little noisy and whilst it had a lot of low end grunt, it maxxed out on the autobahn at about 130mph.

Clarksons review in the Sunday Times is here - http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article2108760.ece


James

 

[Dryce]

Clarksons review in the Sunday Times is here -

Selective quote from a review that said lots of positive things:

"the C-class, with all its fancy styling details, looks like a Kia Magentis"

 

[jeremytaylor]

The fabric seats were awful and I seriously doubt they'd take 3 years wear and tear.

Yes, I thought this too when I saw one at Brooklands. Terribly cheap material. And how much is the now-essential leather upgrade??