W204 spec level change

[mightymouse]

I bought the elegance model (used) mainly due to It costing just £600 more than an SE. Couldn't afford the sport and definitely didn't want the 18" rims for now. Was looking for a sports but the best deal I could get was at least £2000 more than a SE which I didn't have. Plus I wanted to have a choice of sports when I want to push it and economy when I'm feeling cheap.

My only regret (tho I still don't have money for) is the lack of ILS bi xenons, memory package for parking and HK audio. Maybe the next car in a couple of years.

 

[@MARK]

I'm sure the marketing people at Mercedes would be positively delighted with that sentiment.

But only they can do anything about it.

If they fail to deliver the cars people want to buy sales will suffer.

But as MBUK last year beat all previous sales figures and as this last quarter was a record number again, there is always the chance that they have actually got it right and your views are not typical of the new car buying public.

Plus are you actually in the market for a new C Class right now? If not then to MB marketing, your view is irrelevant.

 

[redbaron]

I would be interested to see units sold for W204 vs W202.

The 202 was always seen as dowdy and old man vs the BMW's of the time... The 204 has very much gone sporty after the BMW's (I discount the Audi's as fwd is for hire cars) and I suspect it sells comparatively better vs the E90 than the 202 did against the E30/E36.

If the point of reference is whether MB marketing is right or wrong the sales figures can be the only point of judgement.

 

[grober]

I would be interested to see units sold for W204 vs W202.

The 202 was always seen as dowdy and old man vs the BMW's of the time... The 204 has very much gone sporty after the BMW's (I discount the Audi's as fwd is for hire cars) and I suspect it sells comparatively better vs the E90 than the 202 did against the E30/E36.

If the point of reference is whether MB marketing is right or wrong the sales figures can be the only point of judgement.

I posted this in another thread concerning the Mercedes F1 team but its possibly relevant to this thread also. Sorry for the rather idiosyncratic German translation but I think you get the drift of shareholders complaints? Google Translate

 

[F1 Glyn]

Spoke to my garage today regarding the spec change they confirmed that the difference between the current Sport model and the forth coming Sport plus will be new alloys and new seats.
The alloys will be a two tone 7 spoke and the seats go from cloth to suede. The new Sport plus will be £40 more than the current Sport and the new Sport will be £1000 less, I believe you will lose xenon lights, AMG body kit and centre armrest but don’t hold me to it.
On the up side whilst on the phone they confirmed my car will arrive 18 days early arriving the 1st May, it’s on a transporter on the way to the UK:bannana:

 

[redbaron]

Good news that your car is nearly here... cant wait to see pics!

 

[juux]

I posted the detailed MY 2013 spec differences on another thread: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1478490-post47.html

Basically, you can still get the bonnet badge and 16" wheels if you order Executive SE with Luxury Package.

I wouldn't, but I reckon M-B know there still are some who still want the 'golf club' spec of smaller wheels, beige trim and plastiwood. Trouble is, this is a disappearing market and not many under 40 would spec a new car like that, hence the shift in the range offered.

I'm no young thruster and can't stand the ride in, to pick an example completely and totally at random(!), an Audi, but my MY2012 Sport on 18"s does ride remarkably well; well damped and not at all crashy like even my previous VW which had 16"s.

 

[grober]

Found the pdf links you posted here http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1478490-post47.html most informative thanks a lot Possibly means the C class ordering in the UK falls more into line with the " packet".options ordering system to be found on the Mercedes German configurator?

 

[@MARK]

I'm no young thruster and can't stand the ride in, to pick an example completely and totally at random(!), an Audi, but my MY2012 Sport on 18"s does ride remarkably well; well damped and not at all crashy like even my previous VW which had 16"s.

This was the first thing I noticed when I went from my E91 335D in SE spec to the current car in Sport spec.

On this car, even with the bigger wheels and supposedly firmer ride, the ride itself is much more sophisticated. It doesn't crash over the tracks that pass themselves as roads around where I live and is a much much move comfortable car to drive yet still stays nice and flat on the twisty bits.

Horses for courses of course but I can see why long time MB owners don't like BMW when they drive them on this alone

 

[Deleted member 65149]

This was the first thing I noticed when I went from my E91 335D in SE spec to the current car in Sport spec.

On this car, even with the bigger wheels and supposedly firmer ride, the ride itself is much more sophisticated. It doesn't crash over the tracks that pass themselves as roads around where I live and is a much much move comfortable car to drive yet still stays nice and flat on the twisty bits.

Horses for courses of course but I can see why long time MB owners don't like BMW when they drive them on this alone

I'm delighted to read these comments because I was beginning to wonder if I had a big fat a**e that was preventing my 2012 C350 Sport on 18" wheels giving me the harsh ride so many others had reported. At last I can ask with confidence when out in my car: "Does my bum look OK in this?"