W204 - First impressions...

[azaman]

So my C180K Coupe has gone in for repair after some numpty ploughed into the side of it.

I have been given a brand new W204 C180K Sport saloon as a courtesy car. Its got AMG wheels, is black and looks quite cool on the outside. On this inside, I'm not convinced by the new dash. Bit too plasticy and the radio reminds me of a Corsa I sat in few years ago!

It does drive very nicely, it is quiet and handles better than my Coupe! It seems to have more grip but I'm putting this down to the new Dunlop’s its sitting on . My biggest gripe is with the seats. They are sport spec I believe and I am finding the side bolsters too close together so my sides start to hurt after a short time driving. I’m a little bigger than average but never had this problem before! The seats are also quite hard and detract from the comfort of the ride.

Overall it is a very nice car, I just think it could have been an excellent car…

 

[verytalldave]

Does it feel as "lively?"

 

[azaman]

It does actually - it seems to pick up pretty quick and does not seem much, if at all slower than my coupe.

It has the flappy paddles on the steering wheel - not impressed with these at all. There is a fair amount of delay before the car shifts, I was expecting them to be much more instant.

The steering is much lighter at low speed and still quite light at higher speeds (speed sensitive power steering), I much prefer the weightier steering of my car. Don't seem to have much feel through the wheel.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


I also don't think the inside is up to much. Even on the C63 there is a lot of plastic and before anyone says are yes but you will not be looking at that when your blasting around... well on todays roads with traffic jams everywhere you will be and it does not imho look like a £50K + interior. Everything is there but it doesn't look or feel 'that' good.

 

[JasM]

The W204 overall is a nice car, however i feel that the interior is bit of a let down.

 

[Smatt]

would look better with bordeaux leather!

 

[azaman]

The BMW style iDrive thing-a-majigger is also pretty pants. Very little you can actually do from it.

 

[azaman]

Hello


I also don't think the inside is up to much. Even on the C63 there is a lot of plastic and before anyone says are yes but you will not be looking at that when your blasting around... well on todays roads with traffic jams everywhere you will be and it does not imho look like a £50K + interior. Everything is there but it doesn't look or feel 'that' good.

CF trim looks quite nice :bannana:

 

[JasM]

CF trim looks quite nice :bannana:

If only there was more of that and less of the plastic.

 

[Smatt]

certainly rather drab
maybe they make them drab to encourage people to spec up more options?

 

[JasM]

certainly rather drab
maybe they make them drab to encourage people to spec up more options?

I just hope that the rest of the MB lineup won't have interior like that in the future.....

 

[fuzzer]

certainly rather drab
maybe they make them drab to encourage people to spec up more options?

you may be right. The W204 looks quite drab unless comand is spec'd

 

[st4]

Its a bit euroboxy in there, and its my only gripe with a 204. When they facelift it that cabin should be on the to do list.

 

[Diesel Benz]

The BMW style iDrive thing-a-majigger is also pretty pants. Very little you can actually do from it.

Does that apply to a car that has Comand?

 

[mw_C32]

Sorry but I have to disagree, I think the interior is very classy and extremley well built. I do have comand but more often than not its either turned off or folded away.

All the buttons and ergonomics are well laid out and easy to use, I also think the iDrive thing-a-majigger is very simple and easily understood so it works without going into complicated menus. Even (and I know it's not standard) linguatronic works every time from either the drivers or passenger side and that again is simple to use.

I had a 2007 audi a4 before this car and that really was poor compared to this, if you really want to see a plasticy dash then look no further than the new Mondeo, I can't comment on the BMW 3 series.

It is also far far better than my old C32, especially the layout of the dials, which are easily read and nice and bright.

All in all it is "only" a C class but a very nice place to be in. Nothing too flashy just subtle quality. I'm more than happy and impressed with this car.

Only my opinion mind.

M.

 

[st13phil]

Sorry but I have to disagree, I think the interior is very classy and extremley well built.

I know I'm partisan (as a W204 owner) but I tend to agree with that statement. MB seem to be one of the few manufacturers that have understood the merit that simplicity of design brings to ergonomics. I also suspect that the quite angular, simple, lines are there to encourage favourable comparison with the days of yore when Mercedes cars were built to last. The W204 has an air of solidity and longevity about the interior that some recent MB's frankly didn't.

 

[travelininstyle]

I have taken out both the W204 Saloon 180k and an E Class Saloon,both 08 Plates,as courtesy cars.I agree,the former (W204) interior looked nasty for MB and I told the salesman,whom was a little put out - The E Class has convinced me that MB have not entirely lost the way and has indeed,re-affirmed my faith in the brand and have reinforced my conviction,that I will indeed upgrade my C Class Sports Coupe to either a CLK Coupe,or and E class.One thing I noticed on the W204,the boot lid,was that in common with other manufacturers, appears to be plastic - unlike my old,tank like boot on my W203 Sports Coupe,that like the doors,is heavy - the boot on the W204,was that light-weight,when I first opened it,it flew open and nearly knocked my head off - I suppose this is where they have achieved their extra MPG from,using more plastic - bahhhh - humbug - no offence to current W204 owners,as the ride quality was fine.

 

[azaman]

Does that apply to a car that has Comand?

Probably not - I'm guessing it is used a lot more if you have comand. In the car I have now it is used for the radio, phone, CDs and to setup the screen brightness and colours, thats it! You can also access all the options from the radio (not tried the setup screen but assuming you can) so I've hardly used the twisty knob. I was hoping the options available via the cluster menus would be accessible via the iDrive thing.

Don't get me wrong though, it is a very nice place to be inside the W204. I was just expecting it to be a little nicer than it is. The interior just doesn’t say Mercedes to me…

 

[Rory]

you may be right. The W204 looks quite drab unless comand is spec'd

I think it makes a huge difference in W203 but in the W204 picture shown you wouldn't see it in the picture shown anyway as it would be folded away.

Does the non-COMAND screen in W04 look much different?

 

[azaman]

I think it makes a huge difference in W203 but in the W204 picture shown you wouldn't see it in the picture shown anyway as it would be folded away.

Does the non-COMAND screen in W04 look much different?

Oh yes - its much smaller and is fixed behind the flap. The comand screen is much bigger and pops up electronically.